safari insert

March 28, 2011 - safari

Today was our extend safari! Eljane took us around the reserve for almost six hours. We were on the “road” at 6:30 am and it was quite chilly but thankfully no rain and a beautiful start to the day. (Why is it that we only enjoy the things like the morning sky on days when we are out of our element?) We rode for miles scanning the long grass and hills for any movement. Our first spotting were a tower of giraffe! Also called a journey of giraffe...these guys were near the same bend in the road as we had seen them yesterday and are just so graceful. We sat and watched them chew and turn their heads to see what we were up to - apparently, they are curious animals and somehow almost blend in the bush. We crossed into a different part of Pilansberg reserve that we hadn’t been to before and it was very misty at first and hard to see very far. Soon enough, we turned onto a sort of main path and to our left was about 8 elephant! They were tearing the trees down and eating them. There were several babies - we sat for about twently minutes watching them. Several got pretty close to the road and we were able to get some great shots of them walking with their floppy ears and swaying trunks. I was torn about viewing everything through my lens or in real life. To our right were several rhino but they were not nearly as interesting or magnificant as the elephant. They communicate in low tones that humans cannot hear and feel vibrations through their feet. Another jeep totally manuevered closer and even blocked our views at some point which we were annoyed about. After continuing further down the path, we saw a herd of zebra and wildebeast and they were close enough for us to get some awesome photos. The zebras probably photographed best of all of the animals making them among my favorite! We drove down to a pond and heard two hippos although they did not fully get pit of the water and so most of my shots were attempts at the very tops of their heads. We had breakfast there - tailgate style - yogurt, cereal, tea and muffins before continuing on. Its amazing how just sitting and watching can make you hungry...The nests and spider webs and splashes of colors from flowers was all very pretty and I am still amazed by how well the animals are able to blend in with the lushness that surrounds them. We were lucky to see all that we did and are now back at our deserted lodge soaking up some of the last bit of African sun before we head out tomorrow. . .

SO we were just laying out this afternoon when we hear from our guides that a lion was spotted just down the road, hurry, come quick if you want to see it. We quickly grabbed out cover-ups and went as we were. Luckily I had my little digital camera (although of course the battery was almost completely exhausted). We jumped in the back of the jeep and off we go racing faster than we thought possible. Sean was driving and Eljane was seated next to him and we could tell they were really excited. Not very far at all down the road we see another jeep stopped and sure enough there us a lion sitting to the right very still and patiently just watching and waiting. And then to the left we see two more waiting to see what the other was going to do - it was 3 pm in the afternoon and a very odd time to spot these big 5 animals. They were youngish males and one female and practicing their hunting skills according to our guides that high fived each other. The one crossed the road very slowly and gracefully showing us just how muscular he is. Of course I only got 4 photos before my camera died but they whole experience was crazy. I could not believe we were so close to them! And Jen was so excited because she had not stopped talking about the lions since we had arrived.

Great day!