The Big Five

The Big Five are simply magnificent - there is something absolutely magical about seeing one of these amazing creatures in the great outdoors, from the safety of your game drive vehicle.  It is impossible to forget one's first safari!

The rangers will ask what it is you want to see - and, who can resist the lure of the Big Five.  (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino).  Tracking them down and finding them is just thrilling!

But - there is more to the game experience than the Big Five only!  For me, Wild Dog remain the sighting of sightings!  They are incredible to watch - they work together and move in a choreographed unity that is just fascinating to see.  They are very elusive - they have a massive range so, it is not always certain that you will find them - it means that, when you do, you feel like you have found treasure!  Best options to look for them include the Madikwe Game Reserve, Tembe Elephant Park in Northern Kwazulu Natal and regions of the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

Often, these are areas that are not visited on the first time to Southern Africa - so, it is a great reason to come back.

Another of my favourite sightings was seeing bat-eared foxes feasting on flying termites one evening near Botswana - they were a delight to see - and, had the added benefit of being a lot smaller than an elephant (just saying - ellies are just too darn big!)

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Okavango Delta Moment

I find it ever so intriguing how a tiny incident can stand out in your mind and capture a moment that you remember forever.

We visited the Okavango Delta and stayed at the most gorgeous accommodation, with sublime food and scenery and game viewing.  But, what I will never forget was the moment we were drifing in our mokora, close to the reeds in the waterway when the tiniest jewel-coloured, Faberge-styled tree frog let out a mighty squirt of something - I have no idea what it was, but it was horrible!!!!  There was a LOT of shrieking and we nearly fell over-board - it was hilarious. 

I don't even remember which lodge we were at or what area - but, I remember that frog most fondly.

Just a silly moment on safari!

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Kruger Park Safari

The Kruger National Park is an incredible place to visit and explore.  It is hard to sum it up in just a few words!  Along the western border is the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve.  The fences between Sabi Sands and the Kruger were dropped decades ago and the animals move freely between the 2 reserves.  So - the obvious question is - which is the better option, Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, or Kruger National Park?  Here are my thoughts:

Inside Kruger you are obliged to stay on the roads.  You do often see the animals close to or on the roads, as they find them convenient too!  But, if they wander off, you may not follow.  Whereas in the private reserves, the vehicles track the animals wherever they go.  It means that if you are following a hunt, you will go wherever the hunter leads - sometimes around, and sometimes over, small bush and scrub - it is very exciting and exhillarating!

In the Sabi Sands Game Reserve the game viewing is carefully controlled - the rangers confer with each other so there are never massive numbers of vehicles around any sighting - in Kruger National Park, this may not be the case. 

In the private reserves, you could easily encounter a huge variety of animals within a day or two - this may not be (but often is) the case in Kruger Park.  The size of the herds in the private reserves can be smallish, but in Kruger you stand the chance of seeing massive herds - which are absolutely spectacular - the sheer volume of numbers can be incredible and provides an unforgettable wildlife moment.

The private reserves provide all arrangements from the time you arrive - so, meals and game drives are included.  In Kruger, you either self-drive, or book packages through your tour operator that include game drives and usually, dinner and breakfast.  These can and do range in price, depending on how many game drives you opt to take.

Lastly - the quality and luxury of the accommodation in the private reserves is of a very high standard.  The lodges are generally 5 star and prices are reflective.  In Kruger, you get basic comfort, and a reasonable rate.   

If I had to choose...  Very tricky.  I think I would probably go the "money-is-no-object" private game reserve - for the accommodation more than for the game experience!  (But - I have done many, many game drives and I am rather scared of elephants - so the game viewing for me, is best done from a deck overlooking a water-hole with G&T in paw!)

But that's just me!

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Comments are Welcome!

If you would like to comment on any of the blogs I have posted - you need to click on the title of the blog - this brings up a section where you are able to comment.  I am trying to find a way to make it simpler, but, for now - that is how it is!

Until next time

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Searching for the Migration

At the very top of my bucket list was to see the animal migration in the Serengeti or the Masai Mara.  I was very excited to visit Kenya and the experience was a phenomenal one.

Because of the seasonal nature of the migration there is no guarantee that your travel plans will coincide perfectly with the spectacle.  At the time I think I was the victim of too many hours watching the BBC Wildlife channel.  I absolutely expected to encounter a gigantic herd of Wildebeest hurtling across the endless plains, with lions to the left, hyenas to the right and the occasional crocodile thrown into the mix. Instead, we met up with the leading herds - wildebeest and zebra, grazing as they mooched rather than thundered across the grassy plains.  We did see them crossing a stream that was more like a puddle than the mighty Masai river - and they made a real production out of it - bucking and leaping and snorting, for no apparent reason.

We had driven most of the day, with a packed lunch, in order to find the herds.  Afterwards, driving back to the camp, with animals dotting the plains as far as the eye could see, was a surreal and amazing experience - but - instead of  the animals providing the spectacle, it was something (at that time) a lot less expected - it was the magnitude of the sky that was the stand-out factor.  We were a speck on the universe and the canopy of blue above stretched forever.  It was the first time I understood the concept of a Big Sky.  I was glad to have seen the migration, but it was far from the only reason to visit this incredible destination and I look forward, ever so much, to my next visit!

Until next time

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But is it safe?

This has to be the most frequently asked question, when talking about visiting Africa. 

A client who had booked a massive Africa safari, travelling with his young family, asked me this question, almost as an after-thought, as the departure date drew closer.  I think he started to feel nervous and was looking for reassurance.

This is what I told him:

It is a sensible question - and the issues that make people nervous about travelling to South Africa are very complex.  I would like to start by reassuring you that in the 15 years I have been in the travel industry, we have hosted thousands and thousands of passengers.  In all that time, and with all those people I can count on one hand the number of people who have been victims of petty theft and, at worst, a mugging.

The legacy of apartheid is that there is a lot of poverty in South Africa - and a big population of semi-skilled and somewhat illiterate people.  It means that crime is an issue - and, in South Africa security is an expensive business.  The value of your house is determined by where it is (is the area safe - if yes, it is worth a LOT more than in a less secure area), and also by the security features it boasts.  South Africans are naturally vigilant - when you get in your car you lock your door without giving it a second thought!  All the houses have fences, burglar bars and electric fences.

When we started up our Inbound business we decided that we wanted to be in charge of where our passengers travelled right from the moment they arrive into the country, up until they leave.  It is the reason why we have such a huge Client Service and vehicle infra-structure.  Wherever you travel with us, our own people will be transporting you (in the Transport division of our business - Hylton Ross) - into the Region and within Southern Africa. 

The main reason is this - you don't want to get lost in Africa.  (if you did, chances are excellent that you would find the locals helpful, charming and very kind - but you don't want to run the risk of bumping into a bad element).  Travelling on the traditional tourist routes, you will be completely safe. 

You will find the South Africans very friendly - and, if for some reason you bump into anyone, looking a bit indifferent, or grumpy, give them a big smile and say How are You - and you will get an absolutely beaming smile in reply!

It is an idiosyncrasy of our African people - they say How are You before they introduce themselves -  and it is considered rather infra-dig if you ask them a question or for service before you greet them - so, the trick is to say, Hello, how are you?  Wait for the response, and then say, we would like to check in or whatever.

You will have a fantastic time in Africa - and you will be completely safe.

Until Next time
Elizabeth
 

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Safari or a Refrigerator?

"Don't forget", I used to say to my team, back in the day, "if we mess up we can always refund the money, but we can't refund the time".

It is the reason why we strive so hard to make sure that every detail and piece of planning is done with meticulous care and attention.

Buying a holiday can be a major financial decision that, nowadays, also has to be considered in the context of the grotty global economic climate and the inevitable list of boring necessities that seem to get more expensive and onerous as time goes by!

On returning home from safari - what do you have to show for the money spent? 

Well, I think that a holiday is more than an intangible moment of fun - I think it is mind-broadening, relaxing, exciting, and can certainly be life changing.  In the busy-ness of life we often lose sight of who we are and what our dreams and aspirations are.  It is all we can do to make it through the challenges that face us in our day to day lives.  But, we leave all that behind us when we set off on our holiday adventure - and return with incredible memories of new sights and sounds and experiences that rejuvenate us, mentally and physically, and provide a store of hope and joy that we draw on once we return to the routine of our ordinary lives!

So - perhaps you make do with your too-old refrigerator/car/washing machine or wife, for another year, but it is my view that the sacrifice is more than worth it.

Yes - a holiday may be the delivery of a dream - but the wonder of it is real and lasting

Until next time
Elizabeth

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