My Southern African Experience-Days 1-4

Well thus far, Africa has been nothing like I imagined and more than I could have ever hoped for. After the seemingly interminable flight chock full of delays and other annoyances, we arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa last Friday evening. Shortly after our arrival, we left for a safari excursion in Kruger National Park in South Africa. FYI-This park is essentially a nature preserve that has camps and bungalows inside the park and permits you to drive through around see all kinds of animals. Though it seems a little touristy since there are paved roads and even internet, the animals are very much completely wild and quite dangerous. To give an example, when we saw buffalo and stopped to photograph them (only 40 feet away!), a large bull decided he didn't like us being there and began to charge towards us. We had to make a hasty departure. They are considered extremely dangerous, so the experience was both terrifying and amazing! In addition, we were told that just last week during one of the guided walks through the bush, one of the guides (who was armed) was mauled by a lion forcing the second guide to shoot it to save his life and those of the other tourists. Moments earlier the lions were simply lazily lying on the ground seemingly unperturbed by their presence. You cannot enter the bush on your own or even leave your car while driving for this reason. The gates for all the camps close at 6:30pm and no one enters the bush at night, at least not if you want to return. However, though it may seem unusual, buffalo and hippos kill more people here than lions, leopards, panthers, rhinos, cheetahs combined.

The most spectacular aspect of the park was how close you can get to these amazing creatures. On a night drive into the bush with a guide, we were brought within 2 feet of 2 lionesses and their 5 or 6 cubs just laying on the side of a road. I was so close I could almost touch them! It was unbelievable and the pictures my sisters and I were able to get are priceless. Maaya was also able to take video of one of the mother lions scolding her cub for disturbing her rest. It was simply grand! Our visit was all too short but definitely an experience of a lifetime as we saw leopards (which are quite a rare sight apparently), buffalo, lions, rhinos, lots of elephants, wildebeest, bush buck, impala, hyenas, a whole host of birds, all kinds of interesting plants, crocodiles (very close up), and even wild dogs! Apparently wild dogs are the most endangered animal in the world. I will be posting some of the nearly 300 photos I snapped on facebook when I return stateside. Needless to say, the experience was incomparable and almost spiritual. These animals are so beautiful living wild and free, nearly undisturbed.

After our all too short safari experience, we moved on to Swaziland where Maaya lives and on our way were able to stop at an amazing waterfall in the mountains. If it weren't for the huge cacti all around, it seemed so similar to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. After our short hike around the waterfall we drove on to Mbabane, Swaziland and have been enjoying the wonderful scenery in this city which is nestled in a beautiful mountain range. The views from the local hotel rival any you would see in Rockies.

All in all, the trip has been just great thus far and I am looking forward to informing you all about the rest of our adventures this week. I think I may have to consider moving here. This is definitely the most amazing place I have ever been.