Of course, the game drives were the whole purpose for the trip. As I said before, guests are awakened at 5 am...and you head out at 5:30 am. The second one begins after high-tea at 4:30 pm. The Land Rover is driven by your guide (William, in our case) and a tracker (Emanual, for us). The tracker sits outside the front of the engine on a little chair. He watches for tracks and signs of animals - and ultimately leads you to see amazing creatures! The guide is responsible for the guests, the driving, explaining about the animals, vegetation, birds, bugs...and dung. Believe me...there is a lot of information you learn when paying attention to animal dung! Did you know there is a dung beetle that rolls dung up into big balls to plant their eggs inside?
Anyway - our tracker heard the cry of a baby impala. Knowing that this was indication of a predator in the area...we went straight for the group of impala. Sure enough! A male lion was in the area and walked right in front of our vehicle. Another day, "we" tracked a pride of lions. They were all sleeping on top of each other. Laying on their backs with their bellies in the air, we were right next to them and they never woke up. They had eaten and were pooped and full! I don't like to know what they had for dinner - but, they were obviously healthy and happy.
These game drives are an amazing experience. You experience up-close-and-personal the animals habitat. You are respectful and give them space so they aren't afraid. These animals have grown up with Land Rover vehicles. We have been assured over and over again that animals would not hop into these open vehicles. They are not threatened by them and mostly ignore them. We heard, however, of a time a younger child was in the vehicle. The child started crying uncontrollably when the lions were around. The lions started circling the vehicle because of the child's crying - so, the group had to quickly leave. Except for situations like that - we have been told to sit back and enjoy the beauty. At times, our hearts are racing and it is a major adrenelin rush - but, this has been an experience that we will never forget. Bye for now.
Anyway - our tracker heard the cry of a baby impala. Knowing that this was indication of a predator in the area...we went straight for the group of impala. Sure enough! A male lion was in the area and walked right in front of our vehicle. Another day, "we" tracked a pride of lions. They were all sleeping on top of each other. Laying on their backs with their bellies in the air, we were right next to them and they never woke up. They had eaten and were pooped and full! I don't like to know what they had for dinner - but, they were obviously healthy and happy.
These game drives are an amazing experience. You experience up-close-and-personal the animals habitat. You are respectful and give them space so they aren't afraid. These animals have grown up with Land Rover vehicles. We have been assured over and over again that animals would not hop into these open vehicles. They are not threatened by them and mostly ignore them. We heard, however, of a time a younger child was in the vehicle. The child started crying uncontrollably when the lions were around. The lions started circling the vehicle because of the child's crying - so, the group had to quickly leave. Except for situations like that - we have been told to sit back and enjoy the beauty. At times, our hearts are racing and it is a major adrenelin rush - but, this has been an experience that we will never forget. Bye for now.
It just sounds so wonderful - I am so happy for you! Can't wait for the photos. JJE
ReplyDeleteNice dung beetle. I hope that's not your hand, Joyce.
ReplyDelete