| After picking up our rented car at the | | | | were ready for our first hike. |
| Johannesburg International Airport, my | | | | Once on the trail our guides were giving |
| friend Alex and I were on our way to one | | | | us in-depth information on everything |
| of South Africa's most sought after | | | | from local folklore to the bushveld |
| Kruger Park safaris. We were to spend | | | | culture. They taught us how to identify |
| our time there on a four night foot | | | | animals, birds, trees, insects and |
| safari, but this was no backpacking | | | | plants. Some of the plants are known to |
| safari, this was going to be a four star | | | | have healing power and they explained |
| expedition! | | | | which to use for medicinal purposes. |
| The Low and High of it | | | | When I turned around to ask Alex |
| Mpumalanga is a beautiful province and | | | | something, he had just picked a piece of |
| it's easy to see why thousands of | | | | grass and put the tip of it in his |
| tourists, both local and international, | | | | mouth. He looked so comical, like a real |
| flock each year to this province. As you | | | | local farmer with his leather hat on. |
| enter Mpumalanga you are welcomed by the | | | | What I liked most about a foot safari is |
| Mpumalanga Highlands followed by the | | | | that it's so unpredictable. We didn't |
| Escarpment. I think that you need at | | | | know what to expect, and truth be told, |
| least a week in this area alone, since | | | | I was very scared when we were following |
| you would have a lot to see and | | | | the rhino trails and elephant paths, but |
| experience. Alex and I decided to only | | | | that was the safaris biggest appeal. |
| venture to Pilgrim's Rest. This small | | | | While we were following the elephant |
| town came into existence during the gold | | | | path, we came across a herd of zebras |
| rush era and today offers a lot of | | | | and buffalos. It is a whole different |
| historical insight during this time | | | | experience to see wildlife on foot |
| period when people over the world rushed | | | | instead of sitting in the comfort of a |
| to get their bit of the treasure. | | | | car. Only when on foot, can you see just |
| After Pilgrim's Rest, we were heading | | | | how little we are in comparison to these |
| towards the Lowveld, making our way into | | | | animals, especially so with the |
| the Kruger National Park. The Plains | | | | buffalos. They are much bigger then I |
| Camp formed part of the private | | | | remembered and I was holding on to |
| concession of Rhino Walking Safaris. | | | | Alex's arm a little tighter than usual, |
| Alex got all our things ready in our | | | | but the guides assured us that we had |
| tent while I was looking around the | | | | nothing to worry about, just as long as |
| campsite. This was going to be a high | | | | we stay quiet, because we weren't close |
| class safari like no other. We were only | | | | enough to show any threat to them. |
| eight guests accompanied by two trail | | | | We soon continued until we caught up |
| guides and personal to create this Eden | | | | with a herd of elephants. Much bigger |
| in the middle of the Kruger National | | | | than buffalos, it felt strange that I |
| Park. | | | | didn't feel as threatened. We stood |
| The long walk to freedom | | | | there probably for half an hour, |
| After getting settled, our armed guides | | | | mesmerized by the beauty of largest land |
| gave us a brief introduction about all | | | | animal on the planet today. They were |
| the do's and don'ts for our foot safari. | | | | very calm and slowly grazing their way |
| They also made an assessment of our | | | | to the nearest waterhole for their daily |
| fitness levels to work out a schedule | | | | bath and to quench their thirst. |
| accordingly. I was very relieved to hear | | | | Soon after that we were back at our |
| that it wasn't going to be too strenuous | | | | camp, waiting for lunch to be served as |
| since this was a holiday after all and I | | | | we sat back looking at the beauty of |
| haven't been to the gym in over a month. | | | | everything that surrounded us. This was |
| Alex on the other hand was a little | | | | our first hike out and already we were |
| disappointed, but considering that he is | | | | able to experience more than most do |
| a triathlon athlete, I felt that if it | | | | when going on a safari. Our Kruger Park |
| the hikes were worked out according to | | | | safaris always seem to be filled with |
| his fitness level, I might as well raced | | | | more experience than the one before and |
| to the nearest hospital for pure | | | | I couldn't wait to see what else awaited |
| exhaustion. But differences aside, we | | | | us in the next three days! |