| When I woke up in the early morning hours at the | | | | Sindiwe, the cook's, homemade game pies. She really |
| Elephant Game lodge, it wasn't with the peaceful | | | | knew how to make it just right and resisted my |
| serenity that I expected. Oh no, it was with the | | | | pleas to share her secret recipe for the perfect |
| sound of an elephant trumpeting as they were | | | | gravy. |
| coming to the nearby waterhole for their early | | | | After eating my fill, I too, like a typical lion, could feel |
| morning drink. | | | | how the weight of my stomach was pulling my eyes |
| Now although I should count myself lucky to | | | | to a close, so I headed back to my room for my |
| experience these sights and sounds, it still doesn't | | | | own lazy afternoon nap. |
| change the fact that when you are fast asleep, | | | | Messing around… |
| forgetful of your surroundings, this wake up call | | | | While I was still half heartedly trying to wake up, I |
| leaves you shaken for the most part of your day. | | | | could smell that all too familiar smell of a fresh pot of |
| But after my initial shock subsided, I myself was | | | | coffee brewing. Following my nose to the outside |
| ready for a whole hearty African breakfast complete | | | | wooden deck, I happily sipped my coffee while |
| with bacon, eggs, toast and my usual caffeine fix. | | | | overlooking the waterhole. |
| The smell of fresh air… | | | | The waterhole is quite entertaining. There are always |
| After breakfast I was joined by a couple of German | | | | animals there quenching their thirst, but what I saw |
| tourists and a Dutch couple on our morning game | | | | at that moment was more than amusing. It was a |
| drive. It's amazing how, even though you are in an | | | | family of warthogs with little ones rolling around in |
| open 4x4 vehicle, you somehow create your own | | | | the mud, causing more chaos than what their parents |
| illusion that you are safe sitting in the middle of a | | | | could control. |
| herd of elephants. As one drives past you really can't | | | | The warthog has always been a funny animal to me, |
| help but to be in awe of this big creature, who at | | | | even before Phumba came on the scene, so |
| any moment could capsize the heavy vehicle which | | | | watching them messing around really made for some |
| gave us some delusion of safety. | | | | comical afternoon fun. When the family had |
| Elephants have always been my favourite animal. Not | | | | eventually satisfied their desire for mud wallowing |
| so much because of their brute strength, but more | | | | they ran off swiftly with their tails in the air, all in one |
| so because of their almost human intelligence. | | | | straight line. |
| As they strolled past us on their merry way to feed | | | | An evening well spent … |
| their appetite we continued through the wilderness | | | | On evening game drive I got what I'd hoped for, a |
| on the look out for the savage beast, namely the | | | | female leopard with a fresh catch dangling from her |
| lion. | | | | mouth. She was standing below a tree, baboon in |
| More than just game… | | | | mouth and ready to launch herself to the security of |
| With a slight breeze cooling us, our trusty driver took | | | | the branches, away from any other hungry mouths |
| us deeper into more off-road terrain. There really is | | | | that could steal away her catch. |
| nothing more rejuvenating than being out in the wild, | | | | What a sight. As she launched herself off the ground |
| surrounded by predators. | | | | and clutched to the tree with powerful claws, I could |
| Entering their territory feels forbidden, but we | | | | not help think how powerful a creature she is. The |
| eventually found the pride in a lazy state, resting | | | | baboon was about the same size as her, yet she |
| under their favourite tree. Our driver and guide, | | | | made it look effortless. Funny, how the size of |
| Philemon, informed us that this was Sabi Sand Game | | | | animals is vastly different to our perceptions |
| Reserve's biggest and strongest pride. He said that | | | | gathered from watching National Geographic |
| they were in fact the true kings of the wild in this | | | | programmes! |
| area. Sitting there watching lions sleep is not exactly | | | | After spending at least 30 minutes just watching as |
| the thrilling experience one would hope for, not if you | | | | she relaxed in the tree from the exhaustion of the |
| could be seeing the whole pride in full force take | | | | kill, to watching her commence consumption, I felt |
| down something big, like a buffalo, Nataional | | | | satisfied. I was ready to head back to camp to |
| Geographic style. To my dismay it was not to be. | | | | enjoy my last night in the bush. |
| Moving on… | | | | I got what I wanted from my South African safari |
| We continued our journey back to the Elephant Plains | | | | vacation. Accommodation that was relaxing, which |
| Game Lodge and on the way back were indeed very | | | | despite the comfort still had that rugged camp |
| lucky to see another two of the big five, Rhino and | | | | atmosphere that is a must when you go on an |
| Buffalo mostly grazing. When we arrived back at | | | | African safari, and of course I saw the best of our |
| camp I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into one of | | | | African wildlife. |