Question is…Do I still have what it takes after 2 years of lockdown?
Published On: Mar, 2022
WE CAN LIVE AGAIN now that the world has opened up to travel. With this breath of fresh air, I received my first international booking for an 11-day safari. I had mixed emotions but was super excited for Under African Skies to be welcoming international guests again.
After 2 years of lockdown, Kris’ mum wanted to travel which posed a real challenge for Kris as her mum has special needs. The destination will have to be very accommodating, with this in mind the first call Kris made was to Under African Skies. We met 7 years ago on a wilderness trail in Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve and we started following each other on social media. Kris also started to follow Under African Skies to experience nature through our posts. In our first zoom meeting, she gave me the information about her mum and asked if I would be willing to do the tour. I love making dreams come true, so I accepted the safari and welcomed the challenge. After lots of planning, we were counting down the hours for touchdown in South Africa.
The 11-day adventure started with one night spent in Salt Rock. Then onto Kosi Bay to experience the furthest point of the beautiful Isimangaliso Wetland Park. We snorkeled in the beautiful natural aquarium at Kosi mouth, kayaked on the lake, and walked the pristine beaches at night looking on a turtle tour for baby turtles. After two beautiful days on the beach, we were off to Tembe Elephant Park and had the experience of friendly close encounters with elephants and lions. We were greeted by a lioness and her 3 cubs on the road as we were making our way back to the lodge after our sundowners. It was Vera, An, and Nicky’s first time to see and experience our African animals.
The next 2 days were spent in Hluhluwe meeting with cheetahs and interacting with elephants. Being able to touch and feed the elephants was a very special moment for us. I really connected with the elephant couple, as I stroked their trunks they listened to me as I spoke to them lovingly.
The starting point of Isimangaliso Wetland Park was our next leg of the safari. Next stop, St. Lucia town for 4 nights. We embarked on a sunset cruise from where we safely enjoyed the views of hippos and crocodiles. We were in awe of the golden sun, set on the horizon.
A game drive through the Eastern Shores Game Reserve led us to our next adventure which was a beach picnic lunch at Cape Vidal, this was no challenge even though I had to cater for a vegan, vegetarian, and gluten intolerant person.
Along came day 8 which was my day to guide the ladies at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. At the T-junction of the Game Reserve, I hesitated, left or right, then decided on right, to show the ladies the Hluhluwe landscape. This was a good decision because about 2kms down the road we were surprised by lions hunting a warthog. I switched off the vehicle and we watched the 2 lions strategically move closer to their prey. However, this was a failed attempt. But today wasn’t about lions, the ladies wanted to see a rhino. After a few more kilometers on the Hluhluwe side of the park, we made a U-turn to venture to the Imfolozi side. 10 AM, time for our morning coffee. We saw elephants from our picnic spot and as we sipped our coffee we could hear the branches breaking and their low rumbles as they communicated with each other, making their way closer to us. Having coffee in the presence of elephants is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From here we were off on our rhino mission. After a long time of driving, viewing a lot of game, and loving the vastness of the landscape, in the distance, a rhino briefly showed himself. But because he was in the distance, the sighting wasn’t impactful. The response was just a yay we finally saw a rhino, rather disappointing, until we drove around the bend and I said, “look ladies rhinos up close and personal! An was so surprised by the white rhino’s size that her first reaction was “WTF, they are so huge”! I loved the reaction as it was so rewarding. After a long lunch stop, lots of general chatting and laughing, we were back on the road to enjoy our next surprise, a dagga boy having a good wallow in the mud. After a general consensus, the ladies voted day 8 as their best game drive experience, of course, they did mention that their guide added to their great experience. They were allured by Hluhluwe Imfolozi’s charm and splendor.
After all our bush and beach experiences, we wanted something different, horseback riding! This was a spectacular 2.5-hour horse safari, first on the beach and then into the game reserve. Vera was in her element as we made it possible for her to go into the game reserve riding her horse.
On our last night in St. Lucia, we enjoyed a night drive. We saw 4 of the Big 5 and this was our last chance to search for the leopard. It was a beautiful night of stargazing, listening to hyenas hoop, spotting game, and nocturnal birds. Guess the ladies will have to return to South Africa to get to see the leopard.
On day 10 we traveled to Durban via Richards Bay where we did some shopping and tried out the favourite bunny chow place. Later that evening everybody was in agreement that the best meal for all 11 days was my mum’s most delicious vegetable biryani, dhal, and fried okra, which we enjoyed for our last supper together.
On day 11 after a very adventurous safari, we wore our well-deserved t-shirts proudly. If you follow Under African Skies on social media (videos on Instagram) you will understand why. Today we visited Durban’s Botanical Garden which boasts the most beautiful rare and exotic trees. Fun was had and just like that in a blink of an eye, we were off to the airport with heavy hearts as we bid farewell.
The ladies felt as though their holiday was too short and if this was their departing feeling then YES, I still got what it takes to give the best safari experience Under African Skies.
