South Africa Safari

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April 19th 2007

Published: April 19th 2007

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John and Claire

Jo'burg

City skyline, as close as we got to the centre.

SA
John and Claire Wood Arrived in Jo'burg and it dropped 20 degrees, brrrrr. Now a cool 12 celcius and a "light drizzle".

Headed to our hostel for only one night as too many people say avoid Jo'Burg at all costs. Just a huge city with a huge crime rate. Our hostel was fine though in the 'burbs although the razor wire , electirc fences and signs advertising "Armed Responce" make you wonder if there is a war on. No evidence of any trouble though!

Next day we got picked up a stupid o clock for our three night Safari in the Kruger national park. Only five people in our group which made it really good, an Anglo , Swiss , Irish , Dutch mix.

So three days spent camping and driving around in a jeep looking for animals the weather really warmed up too , late 20's during the day. Excellent.... saw loads of different things we wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of at all.

Didn't see all of the so called Big 5. That's Rhino, Buffalo, Elephant, Lion and Leopard. We saw all but the big cats , which was a shame but absolutely just the

Sunrise

Kruger NP

way its is, you can't make them come out when they don't want to.

Kruger park is really scenic evan without the amazing wildlife so its well worth a visit. The camp staff were really interesting and knew their stuff (or very convincingly made it up as they want along). The food was also first rate and we got stuffed with all kinds of local grub, not including the animals from the park.

Our last day involved a drive through the Mpumalanga area and a visit to the Blyde River Canyon which is the third biggest in the world. As canyons go its pretty mammoth! South African scenery is some of the most impressive we have seen.

The last night was spent at a five star lodge of the Jane Goodall Institute for the protection of mistreated chimps. Now chimps arn't native to SA but this place was chosen as an area where they can be looked after.

The lodge was first rate although a little posh for us, a la carte menu and a real bath!!!! Got a tour of the chimp areas and met a few including Nicky who was rescued from a cage