South Africa: African Safari

We had two amazing safari experiences over the past five days, in two separate private game reserves - both near the Kruger National Park here in South Africa. First we stayed at Jackalberry Lodge in Thornybush Game Reserve, then moved south to Savanna Lodge in Sabi Sands Game Reserve.The private reserves provide a superior viewing experience, since the animals have become habituated to the 4-wheel drive jeeps, allowing us to get very close to them without much danger.

Our lodges were both luxurious accomodations with five-star service. Each had a view of the beautiful African bush from our deck, and served-up delectable meals in spectacular surroundings. Animals were able to stroll right through the properties, including elephant, monkeys, warthogs, giraffes, and herds of impala and other different types of antelope.

There were two separate game drives each day, first at 6 am then a second one at 4 pm. We saw so many animals at close-range that it was mind-boggling. African elephants, white rhinos, Cape buffalos, hyenas, lions and leopards, as well as giraffes, hippos, zebras, warthogs, the aforementioned antelopes, and heaps of exotic bird life. In addition, every afternoon drive had a brief stop at sunset for evening cocktails (sundowners); and morning drives had a break for coffee, tea, and snacks - all right out in the bush.

The vehicles were open air "tanks" that took us through a variety of terrain: down gulleys, through ponds and streams, in the bush, and on very narrow, rugged dirt tracks, sometimes 4-wheeling over small trees and creating our own trails so could get right next to the big cats and other large creatures. We were fortunate to witness a pair of giraffes mating in the early morning hours, and later, an evening love-making session by a pair of frisky leopards!

We also met a fun-loving, friendly family of Homo sapiens from Belo Horizonte, Brazil and forged a life-long friendship with them as well.

Lions

Leopards

Elephants

Giraffe

Cape Buffalo

Rhino

Zebra

Antelopes: Impala, Kudu

Wildebeast

Warthog

and more ...