| So much to offer - Kruger Safaris | | | | knowledge in the concrete jungle. Eddie rather |
| The nice thing about travelling in South Africa is the | | | | favoured the survival skills that our guide Samuel |
| variety of holidays available, specifically Kruger safaris. I | | | | taught us. |
| wanted a short getaway trip where I was out in | | | | Heading back |
| nature breathing some fresh bushveld air, so I asked | | | | Just in time for brunch, we headed back towards |
| my friend Eddie to join me on a four night foot safari in | | | | camp, following what seemed like the same elephant |
| the Kruger National Park. | | | | path we followed in the early morning. The rest of the |
| Before the hike begins... | | | | day Eddie and I spent reading while overlooking the |
| On our way to the Kruger National Park, we made a | | | | waterhole for any potential elephants or other animals |
| few stops along the way. Mpumalanga is one of | | | | that might come to quench their thirst. Deep in thought I |
| South Africa's most beautiful provinces and one of my | | | | was distracted by the sound of an oncoming herd of |
| favourites. The landscape of Mpumalanga is rolling lush | | | | elephants. It was probably a herd of about 20 or so, |
| green hills with sights like God's Window. It does seem | | | | but the cutest thing of all was the little one they had |
| like God favoured this area, with other tourist | | | | with them. By the time they reached the waterhole |
| attractions including Bourke's Luck Potholes, Pilgrims | | | | almost everybody at the camp where standing there |
| Rest, Blyde River Canyon and of course the Kruger | | | | waiting with their cameras in-hand. From what I've |
| National Park. | | | | learned about elephants, they have quite an intricate |
| We booked in at the Plains Camp for our four day | | | | social structure, unlike any other animals. The females |
| Rhino walking safari. The area, which is an official | | | | are the leaders in a herd, not the males as one would |
| wilderness concession, is environmentally sensitive and | | | | expect. The fact is that the males only join the herd |
| in my opinion, experiencing the Big Five while on foot is | | | | during mating season, after which they lead the life of |
| something unique indeed. Now although you might think | | | | a bachelor. |
| that it could be quite daunting, Eddie and I both agreed | | | | After the excitement of the elephants at the |
| that this was the way to really experience a safari. | | | | waterhole, we enjoyed a cup of tea before our late |
| Since, by foot, the pace at which you travel is much | | | | afternoon walk. During this walk we saw quite a bit of |
| slower than what you would normally be travelling by | | | | wildlife, including a variety of antelopes. We headed |
| car, it allows you the time to really take in the diversity | | | | back to the camp again for an African sunset, |
| of the fauna and flora around, not to mention the | | | | followed by a nice camp fire and sipping on some |
| wildlife. | | | | sherry to cure the early winter's chill. |
| First things first | | | | Our next three days was spent in the same way, a |
| It's comforting to know that on your walking safari, | | | | light breakfast before our morning walk, followed by |
| which only allows eight people per trip, that you are | | | | brunch and lazily lying next to the pool, after which we |
| guided by armed senior guides, the best in their field | | | | had a teatime before going on an afternoon walk. |
| with the highest qualifications in South Africa. We had | | | | Even though I loved the fact that we were doing a |
| a brief introduction where the guides informed us of all | | | | walking safari, I was grateful that we didn't spend the |
| the do's and don'ts while walking, followed by a fitness | | | | whole day on foot because I could feel that my legs |
| level assessment. It didn't come much of a surprise | | | | were not used to so much walking. Eddie mocked |
| that my fitness level left much for the imagination, since | | | | because of this, making me feel quite ashamed at my |
| I haven't had an exercise program for the last couple | | | | laziness, but it didn't stop me from going on a walk in |
| of months, but Eddie seemed quite fit, and he assured | | | | the morning and afternoon. |
| me (with a smile) that I won't be left behind. | | | | By day five we were on our way back after our well |
| After a hearty breakfast, we set off on our first walk. | | | | enjoyed Kruger safari and I was sad that the trip was |
| While walking on at a comfortable pace, our guide | | | | so short, but I got what I came for. I was in the open |
| shared with us his extraordinary knowledge of the | | | | field, breathing the fresh African air, seeing some of |
| bushveld culture, identifying everything from the names | | | | Africa's greatest wildlife and even enjoying a few |
| of the grasses, to the local folk lore and medicinal uses | | | | laughs with a good old friend. The way one should |
| of some of the plants. I was fascinated by the skills | | | | enjoy a brief holiday before getting back into the swing |
| they taught us for tracking animals, even though I | | | | of things. |
| knew that I would probably never in my life used this | | | | |