Lions, tigers, and bears oh my!
Well I did not see any bears or tigers, but lions were on the list of the many animals I saw on my South African Safari. As a college graduation present, my family went to South Africa for a safari, and it was hands down 100% the most amazing thing I have ever done in my short 23 years on earth. Talk about a once in a lifetime experience!
After a long 17 hour flight from New York to Johannesburg, South Africa, we made it, and boy was that long flight worth it. We spent a few days in Cape Town exploring all it has to offer before taking another plane to our safari destination. We stayed in Kruger National Park. Kruger National Park, is in northeastern South Africa, and is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. With wild life including the Big 5: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos, hundreds of other animals make their home here.
Now you’re probably picturing, The Lion King where it is all desert, and the animals are all meeting up at the watering hole, or frolicking around. Our safari was not like that, and to be honest I do not think any safari is like that. The landscape in South Africa has more trees, and bush. It is actually very green, and I was quite surprised because of course my only experience with safaris was what I watched on The Lion King when I was a little girl or on the Safari ride at Animal Kingdom in Disney World.
Now, we did not pitch a tent and sleep under the stars in the wild South African bush. We stayed in these super glamorous tree house/huts. We even had our own butler, which was so cool! Every night we would be served exquisite and elaborate dishes, and you had to remember that you were in the middle of the desert and wild animals were all around you. You were quickly brought back to reality, whenever you wanted to go back to your room for the night you had to get escorted by a very big man with a very big machete and gun. However, we always felt very safe and it was all a part of the experience.
Each day during your stay you went on 2 safaris. There would be a loud knock on your door at approximately 4:45AM telling you to wake up and come to the gathering area in 30 minutes before your first trip of the day. Since animals are most active early in the morning and around dusk, that was when you went on your safari rides. So after you realized that you were waking up way before the sun, and covered yourself in mosquito repellent, brushed your teeth, and grabbed your bucket hat, you were greeted in the common area with hot coffee and tea before you met your guide. For some reason we lucked out and it was only mom, Blake, and I in our group and our guide, Charles. He was the man. He was so knowledgeable and answered every single question we had. We also had a local South African man ride at the front of our little truck with a very big machete.
In the middle of your 4 hour ride, you would pull over and Charles would set up the most beautiful spread and everyone would get out and enjoy a cold beer and snacks in the middle of the South African bush. It was so cool! We usually watched the sunset, and just listened to all of the noises of the wild. Then we would hop back in the truck and continue on our way.
Now, we saw every safari animal you could probably think of. My personal favorite was the elephants. One day we came into a clearing and there were 15 elephants playing around. They would walk right up to our truck, and it took every ounce in my body to not lean over and touch them. We came 4 feet away from a pack of lions, came close to extremely endangered rhinos, and even saw hippos. It was so beautiful to see all of these animals in their natural habitat, it was such an amazing and unforgettable experience. After being on a safari, the zoo will never be the same. I am so blessed I got to experience one of the most beautiful things in the world.
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