Our African Safari

Our trip to South Africa was truly one of the most spectacular experiences we've ever had. It's a long time coming having been planned over two years ago and delayed because of COVID. I'm breaking this into different posts as the itinerary was a diverse mix of golf, wine tour, sightseeing, and safari. Yes, it meant hauling around golf clubs on several different regional airlines along with our other luggage, and packing completely different sets of clothing. No fear we managed just fine...

A special dinner set out on the riverbed sand

safari bed - we were enveloped in netting every night

outdoor bathtub - a little too exposed for me

deck with plunge pool and outdoor shower which Mark used

Our sala (outdoor day bed) overlooking the riverbed

Yes that is a monkey - another reason for hesitation in using the tub

We stayed at Jock Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park which functions as an eco-conservation safari lodge. Every piece of it is set in spectacular natural surroundings with each suite completely secluded with astounding views of the riverbed. It's dry now and we witnessed many animals who ambled by. (elephant, kudu, giraffe, waterbuck and the like). The food and staff were wonderful and we were surrounded with the exotic sounds and sights of wild creatures throughout the day and the night). There were monkey locks on the suite sliding doors as both baboons and vervet monkeys were everywhere filled with longings to help themselves to your belongings. And a lot of eating happened each day - early light breakfast before game drive, bigger breakfast after game drive, lunch, 3:30 tea, and 8:00 dinner after game drive. Keep in mind there was also food and drink offered during every game drive.  I'm still recovering...

The Big 5

Over the years seeing the "Big 5" has become the call when going on safari. Literally 20 minutes out from the airport we had seen 3 out of 5 and we hadn't even reached the lodge yet. Kruger is teeming with animals as it is one of the large conservation parks in Africa with over 2 million acres. Oh yeah, we definitely saw the Big 5 and much, much more.

There were two game drives each day, one early (with a wake up call of 5AM) and a late afternoon which was called a sundowner with cocktails out in the middle of the bush. Having just arrived the first day we quickly had to jump into safari attire to head out for the first sundowner game drive. We stopped in a dry riverbed, hopped out for our first celebratory drink which happened to be filled with elephants. Seriously, there were old and young elephants just grazing away completely ignoring us. I was flabbergasted.

Elephants formed protective circle around the babies - wildebeest wandered in their midst by mistake

crocodiles not alligators

Giraffe on left is drinking water - it requires awkward stance to do it

oxpecker birds eating parasites off his neck and back

hippos

two just adult males probably brothers

and this folks is nature - we saw three different leopard tree kills on our safari

impala - they were everywhere and clearly on the predator food chain

vervet monkey overlooking our suite

The African bush is an astounding ancient place, primal, spiritual, everything I had imagined and more. Every one should see it in their lifetime if they can...