Safari

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We spent this week on safari in three different parks on the southeast coast of South Africa in the state of Kwazulu-Natal. The first park was called Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and there we spent three days on a walking safari where we walked with guides during the day and slept in a bush camp at night. While we didn’t encounter any lions on our hikes, we could hear both lions and hyenas while we were safely ensconced in our canvas tents.

The next outing was a driving safari at Ithala National Game Reserve where we stayed at a very nice lodge and took guided game drives in the morning and the evening. The highlight of Ithala was the multiple herds of giraffes. The last park was iSimangaliso Wetland Park and was a self-drive but had equally interesting animals. Amazingly, it is easier to get closer to the animals in the vehicle than it is on foot. Our consolidated list of animals is


* Baboons
* Bald Ibis
* Crane
* Crocodiles
* Curly Horned Grazer (Specific Name Unknown)
* Eland
* Giraffe
* Gray Dyka
* Guinea Fowl
* Hippo
* Hirex
* Hyena
* Jackal, Black Backed
* Monkeys (Samango And Vervet)
* Mountain Reedbok
* Nyala
* Rhinos (white and the endangered black)
* Straight Horn Grazer (Specific Name Unknown)
* Striped Horn Grazer (Specific Name Unknown)
* Tsessebes
* Warthogs
* Water Buffalo
* Wildebeests (aka Gnu)
* Zebra

Indian Ocean

Both of us added another ocean to our list of oceans we have been in; we waded in the Indian Ocean.J

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Photos

White Rhino
Our first encounter with the massive beast, after walking through massive piles of rhino dung.

Beth Arrives At Indian Ocean
Tada!

John Fleeing Incoming Tide
John's first encounter with the Indian Ocean, trying not to get his pants wet.

Our Guide
... holding our security blanket in the wilds of Africa.

Black Rhino
Poaching of the endangered rhino is on the upswing this year.

Hyena
Pic taken from far away.

Wildebeests
aka Gnu

Hyrax
Related to the elephant believe it or not. Notice the tusks!

Striped Horn Grazer
We don't know the name of this, but we're working on it.

Comments

[Ling Li]

Wildlife
Great pics !!! And so much wildlife out there !!!

[wanderlust]

awesome narrative
Hi gang,just got caught up to date on your travels and am impressed with the pictures and narrative.Sounds like book material,can't wait for what's to come.

[Susan Craig]

Safari in Africa is on our Bucket List - really nice to see all your pictures. We go in 2 days to the family vacation and you will be thought of quite often. Love you tons. Susan

[Jessica]

Cool animals
wow thats a lot of animals that you saw!i liked looking at all the pictures you had posted!sounds like you are having a great trip so far!=) Love, Jessica

[Terry]

WOW!!!!
Hi Beth and John, WOW - so many georgeous pictures!! I really like the blog - like I said I get to live vicariously through your travels. Can't wait to see what comes after Africa!! BTW, Leigh finished her internship and did GREAT! I think MITRE may hire her on. We are all still engulfed in the swirl that will someday become JMS. ;) Hope you both are enjoying every second of your journey!! I wish you safe travels and happy trails. And until we meet again, may God hold you in his palm. Cheers, Terry