Day 7 – Port Elizabeth to Lalibella – Dolphins plus just about everything else
Mr Shallot opened the curtains to reveal dolphins playing. I saw this as positive omen as we were to be collected for our safari straight after breakfast.
Our driver gave us the history of the area for the two hour drive to Lalibella. He was very entertaining and surprisingly optimistic given everything he and his family had been through
during the apartheid. He reminded me of some of the people we met in Cambodia who were similarly upbeat.
The first animal we saw was a warthog. They are easily the funniest and most entertaining of all the African animals. It’s easy to see why they were chosen for the clown in The Lion King. Their mohawks, their facial expressions, their running style – it’s like they were built for entertainment.
From the reception area, we were taken by minibus to our accommodation. On the way, we passed a hippo, some giraffe and more antelopes (there are so many kinds) that would keep the lions happy for years.
We were served lunch, unpacked, had afternoon tea (we weren’t going to go hungry here either) and then went on our first safari.
Wow – more antelopes, then what we had all been hoping to see – the lions.
We watched and tracked a male and two females for over an hour. It’s amazing to see them in their natural environment where all that separates you from another apex predator is the car. This is the reason why, when you’re in an
open top vehicle, you’re not allowed
to stand up. The lions (and other animals) see you as part of the vehicle but once someone breaks the outline, it’s a free for all and I don’t think it would end that well.
Never short of food, we pulled over to have sundowners on the car. It’s a tough life but someone’s got to do it and we were only too happy to help. It had been a long day of animal watching and eating!
Next we saw something that I really didn’t expect. A tortoise.
Over this safari, we saw giraffe, two elephants, warthogs, a billion antelope, zebras and some birds (including an ostrich). Day 8 – Morning and evening safari – everything bar the cheetahs and buffalo
The evening was our most exciting trip. It was only Mr Shallot and I with our guide (as it was to be the following morning too). We’d said that we’d like to see the herd of elephants but had no joy in finding them so far. We’d seen a few of the males who tend to patrol either in small groups or solo but the herd had alluded us.
We had finally found the rhinos after much searching and were on our way back to camp having again mentioning that we hoped to see the elephant herd. With that, we rounded a huge clump of trees and there they were, walking toward us on the same path we were on.
We were speechless, which was for the best as you’re not allowed to make a sound in this situation. It is apparently very dangerous. I took a couple of photos of a few of them and then needed to stop as the sound of the camera clicking could start a stampede as they approached.
We sat, waited and watched. Amazing.
The entire herd (roughly 15) surrounded the car as it passed us by. Bringing up the rear was the 60 year old matriarch accompanying a baby. The baby stopped and sniffed the wheels of the side of the car I was on, stretching its trunk inside the car and peering straight at me. He was just as curious about us as we were about him. He then moved on.
Meanwhile, the matriarch approached Mr Shallot’s side. She can only be described as huge. Reaching him, she turned sideways and stopped. Mr Shallot was looking forward, not daring to move a muscle. Lucky she couldn’t hear his heart beating. She then moved on.
Of all the animal experiences we had on the trip, this was by far the best.
Yet more was still to come…
One thought on “Africa – Part 2”
Oooh, you've redecorated, as well as finally getting the photos off the camera. Both look good
Niall
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