Well what a way to spend a weekend game drives whilst embracing Safari experiences in South Africa. Definitely gets the thumbs up from me.
We had a great day and after exploring over 1300 hectares of land we were able to see 4 of the BIG 5 (Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, Rhino) and after ADDO National Park (180,000 hectares) where we saw the elephants...I think that totals 5 yey ;-) ...but we started small...
I took this picture of the bush buck as the guide has pointed out that this species had a candle like shape on their nose...see it? Lots of them roaming the vast area.
The crocodiles made an appearance near the waterholes lurking awaiting it's prey!!! eek
Then we were lucky enough to see Usain Bolts animal competitor...The Leopards seem very placid in the sunshine but would have loved to have seen it run for it's prey
Such beautiful patterned coats
Laying down in the sunshine...but keeping a careful eye!
A little yawn or is she showing us her pearly whites????!!!!
Getting a little closer...think she smells food!!!! Time for us to move....
Throughout the drive we passed by lots of zebras running and merging into each other...such a clever defence mechanism
Stunning...
Then we came across the wild dogs...they are quite small in size and their big ears give them away!!! Always listening and watching whats going on in their surroundings. Scary to think they'd attack immediately....
Then we stumbled across this beautiful lady!!!!
She was lay in the grass and we nearly missed her but seeing the lions made me really excited about the adventures to come when I will be working with them in Zambia in May!!!
Yes I was a little excited to be so close...
Incredible to see her teeth as she yawned but wouldn't like her to nip me!!!!
Then we saw the male Lion lazing in the sunshine...typical fella having a snooze;-)
he opened his eyes to take a peek at us...
Then the buffalo was grazing...
We saw lots of antelope and different breeds again depending which part of Africa they are from, so some are dark in colour and some like these lighter...
As we passed a water hole we saw a cheeky Hippo or two popping out of the water from time to time...
Such tiny ears, a you usually see the bubbles first then they pop up! Its a shame they don't often leave the water until night fall but was a wonderful sight to see them.
It's hard to think of them as very aggressive territorial animals after playing hungry hippo's as a child!!! haha
And as we continued to explore look what we saw....
Four beautiful Rhino's in the grasses!!! They didn't seem to be phased by us but with their poor eyesight no wonder they don't fuss too much...
Such soft and gentle faces but their skin looks so thick and tough!!!
We were so lucky that even as we were leaving they Rhino's had all walked in front of our path so we could really appreciate their size!!
Does my bum look big she asked?!
But a memorable day that won't be forgotten and was so lucky to see so many beautiful animals in Africa... looking forward to doing it again for sure.
Oh and did I mention these elephants spotted at Addo National Park?!!
Now the third largest national park in South Africa, Addo Elephant National Park has expanded to conserve a wide diversity of biodiversity, landscapes, fauna and flora. Stretching from the semi-arid karoo area in the north around Darlington Dam, over the rugged Zuurberg Mountains, through the Sundays River valley and south to the coast between Sundays River mouth and Bushman’s river mouth.
Addo covers about 180 000 hectares (444 700 acres) and includes the Bird and St Croix Island groups. Now in ADDO there is over 550 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, hyena, leopard, zebra, antelope ...so much to see!!!
So now in South Africa I can say....I HAVE SEEN THE BIG 5 !!!!!!!
