(This post follows ‘This time for Africa’ published on 30 Oct 2017)
We were ready to begin the first leg of our South African trip. After we had breakfast, Mr. Williams from Outlook Travel came to pick us up. We set off on a 5-hour drive for a 3-day stay at Kruger National Park. The trip to the park was going to be all about spotting and observing animals. Vinod and I were super excited! We had packed clothes of colours that blend with the environment and insect repellents, especially for this trip. We were joined by an East Asian couple and their child.
We entered Kruger National Park through the Kruger gate where stood a bust of Paul Kruger. As soon as we entered the park, we saw an animal that we had never seen before. It was horse-like and was resting behind trees whose barks and branches were of the same colour as that of the animal. “Say hi to the kudu,” said our driver and ranger Mr. Williams. A kudu, we learnt later, is a type of an antelope. Thus began our exciting safari.
Mr. Williams collected his permit and drove us to our rondavels. There is an option to stay outside the park and visit the park every day and return to your accommodation every evening outside the park. However, I highly recommend staying in the park as the experience is unique. We get to spend more time inside the park and at night we might even get to hear some animal sounds! Accommodation is available for all budgets inside the park. In fact, many people even go on a self-driving and self-exploring tour of the park. Since this was our first trip to SA, we decided to be guide-led.
The rondavel was spacious and accommodated two beds. It had a high, thatched roof and a long balcony with a kitchenette at one end. When we looked at the cute kitchenette, we were inspired to dash out some quick dishes. It is interesting that there is a huge supermarket of essential items in Kruger National Park. However, we remembered that I rarely cook at home. So, the issue of me cooking while on a vacation was out of question soon. We left the kitchenette for those adventurers who are enthusiastic to cook on safaris.
We freshened up and started out on our first game drive. However, first, we had to sign indemnity forms absolving the tour operating company and the park of all responsibility if anything adverse happened to us. This time, we were on an open-air safari coach. Mr. Williams drove at about 20 km per hour as per the rules of the park and also since it makes spotting animals easier. That evening we saw several animals, but notably, we saw impalas.
By the time we returned, the cook had prepared our dinner. It was non-vegetarian food for others, but for me, it was a vegetarian fare as per my request. We sat under a tent and had dinner and local wine while listening to the adventurous stories of Mr. Williams which he had experienced on his game drives. It was so thrilling!
Dinner and story-time!!!
The next day, Mr. Williams was at our rondavel at sharp 4 am. We boarded the coach for an early morning drive. Animals are early risers; they tend to rest when it is hot and show up again in the evening. Vinod told Mr. Williams specifically that we wanted to see the Big 5. So, the very knowledgeable Mr. Williams drove us to where he thought we might spot them. On that drive, we spotted a lion, rhinoceroses, elephants and giraffes. The drive was very fruitful. Then, we returned to the campsite in time for breakfast and some rest. After lunch, we headed out for a game drive again as per the itinerary. At night, we enjoyed a special, night game drive watching elephants.
Snapshots from Kruger National Park…
The next day was our last day at the park. We went out on an early morning game drive as usual. We had a tiring yet successful drive. By then, we had seen leopards (a rare sight during daytime), wild buffaloes, hippopotamuses, hyenas, zebras, wildebeests, waterbucks, wild boars, duikers, baboons and crocodiles. For me, it was like watching the National Geographic channel live! I am not sure how much Vinod observed since he was very busy taking pictures with our then newly purchased first digital camera.
Pictures of some of the animals we spotted during the safari…
We returned to the camping area for breakfast. We wished to take a dip in the Sabie river. However, we had hardly any time as we had to be on our way to the Johannesburg airport via the panoramic route.
We wish we had one more day so we could relax and swim in the Sabie river. We said goodbye to the accompanying family and Mr. Williams. A new driver arrived to drop us off at the Johannesburg airport.
The panoramic route was true to its name. It was indeed beautiful. It was lined with tall, green trees and deep valleys. We stopped at a small village for lunch. I don’t remember its name, but it had a German-sounding name and a German feel to it. Then, we stopped at Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Lisbon Falls and a place from where we bought these figurines and animals. We don’t display them anymore because as you see, our pet cat KitCat has destroyed one of the legs of the elephants.
Snapshots from the panoramic route…
The highlights of the panoramic route were vast pastures and hillocks. We had never seen such a lovely landscape before. Every time, I listen to the song ‘Ude Khule Aasmaan Mein’ (see its video below), I am reminded of that journey and that lovely landscape.
After a long and eventful day, we reached the Johannesburg airport and boarded the flight to Cape Town. At Cape Town, we checked into Holiday Inn Express.
To be continued…
When wishes take wings... 
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