On Safari in South Africa
The majority of people don't go to South Africa just for a safari, but what they easily do is incorporate two or three night’s safari into a bigger trip. Internal flights are frequent and reasonably priced and make this very possible. Of the people I met, most were also travelling to other places in South Africa, but also to neighbouring countries of Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
I travelled to Johannesburg and then took a short internal flight to Nelspruit (Kruger) airport. Without a doubt, it’s the prettiest airport I have seen with its thatched roof. You can also drive from Johannesburg and the estimated journey time is around five hours. However, if like me you are short of time, there are usually four or five flights a day on this route and from there it's just over an hour’s drive through stunning countryside to Kruger National Park.
The moment you arrive at the park gates you feel you are on an exciting journey. The park itself is 220 miles long by 40 miles wide and as such, with the animals roaming in their natural habitat, you can never guarantee where in this space you will spot something. You learn quickly that spotting these animals with an untrained eye is quite a challenge. Kruger is home to the Big Five; buffalo, rhinos, lions, leopards and elephants. We were lucky enough to see all five, the leopard being the biggest challenge. With the fun and excitement of our ranger tracking footprints, his perseverance paid off on day two.
We stayed at a 5* private concession located in the south of Kruger Park. The experience is out of this world. There were only 12 lodges but the space available to those 24 guests, and the staff to guest ratio, was outstanding. We had our own private deck with a day bed and plunge pool and to wake on our deck and find animals grazing in front of our room was one of many highlights.
Another benefit was that on all game drives, food and drink were included. Two drives a day is fairly standard - each lasting around three hours and followed by a warm welcome back at the lodge and hearty meal whilst we shared our experiences with other guests. We also had the opportunity to do a walking tour with our ranger (at no extra cost) out in the bush and this was a really exciting, if not a little nerve wracking, experience.
In three nights, we didn't miss a game drive. If you do, you could miss the best sightings. So we were up at 5am each morning and out again at 4pm for the evening drive. Returning one evening we were lucky enough to meet three lionesses and seven cubs strolling past us, a sight and a feeling I will never forget. We were able to sit in silence and watch them approach, transfixed on their every move and the experience was phenomenal. And as we returned to our lodge some moments later we were greeted by an orchestra of frogs and the sight of fireflies just outside the lodge...a perfect end to a perfect drive.
A safari for me is all about the different emotions I experienced. The fun; the anticipation, the excitement, the fear, the pleasure of game viewing in its natural surroundings and never knowing what is round the next corner. If it’s not already there, I would add it to your top ten holiday wish list!