Today is Addo. That’s Addo as in Addo Elephant Park. Holy moly, it isn’t called an elephant park for nothing. Everywhere we look there’s an elephant. The only thing missing here is giraffes. They’d be so easy to spot here. The park looks like it is covered in trees but it’s bushes and, of course, [...]
Off to Cradock, in the Great Karoo, today. First we went by the Quart House. Yes, you read that right. And obviously, we went via San Francisco. We had lunch in the strangest place, Die Blik Plek. It reminded me of things I used to see in my Granny’s house. Had my Granny had a [...]
Another long ass drive, to Malealea, Lesotho. Did you know that Lesotho has the highest lowest point in the world at 1,400 meters (4,593 feet)? It is the only country in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters (3,281 feet). [Although since the lowest point is 1,400 meters I think it's safe to say [...]
Today was our first non-driving, go outside and actually move, day – a long hike in the Drakensberg Mountains. The hike started out easy enough, slight downhill with great views. We passed a several waterfalls as we kept descending. Then we come to a sign that says “Path Closed” and another that says “Crack.” Guess [...]
Started the day at Saint Lucia Wetlands. We took a short stroll down a boardwalk and saw hippos in the water and crocodiles on the beach. Apparently people here think that’s really strange. It doesn’t seem strange to me but Florida is all beach and that’s what I think of when I think of alligators. [...]
10 hours driving around Hluhluwe-Umfolozi and not one damn cat. Lots of rhinos, some elephants, lots of zebras, who seem to prefer walking/trotting in the road to walking in the bush, hippos, and a spotted hyena. It’s the second hyena we’ve seen which is pretty amazing. Loads of people never see one. I can’t believe [...]
Leaving Mlilwane we walk to the exit gate and see crocodiles, zebras and impala. You can’t walk in Kruger, you aren’t allowed to get out of your car except in designated areas, so this is a nice change of pace. We stop at the Swazi Candle Factory/tourist shopping thing on the way to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi. The [...]
Morning drive was a complete bust. We did see leopard prints (which I DID spot) and there are two sets – one adult and one baby. We never saw a leopard though. Thank goodness I’m in Africa for a while – and going to Botswana. I think by the time I get back to Jo’burg [...]
Oh my God, Oh my God, I’m at Kruger! As soon as we drive in we start seeing animals. Within the first five minutes we see warthogs and ELEPHANTS. Elephants, real live elephants. In front of me. Giraffes. Impala, lots and lots of birds, more elephants. We drive long stretches and don’t see anything and [...]
On my way to the tour meeting point we passed three cyclists heading out on a ride. At least I think they were heading out. It was 6:00am and just getting light, I doubt they had already finished a ride. Downtown Jo’burg is so beautiful from the highway, too bad it’s not the same from [...]
