Hands down Big Trip highlight was seeing wild animals in their natural habitat in Pilanesburg, South Africa. It was so addictive, peering into the bush as we bounced past on dusty tracks, never knowing if the next thing you would see was an elephant, a rhino or …nothing.
Luckily we saw everything we hoped for (except a cheetah), and more – baboons, elephant, steenbok, impala, hornbill, rhino, hippo, zebra, kudu, wildebeest, eland, crocodiles, giraffes, warthog etc.
Magic happened when we came across a leopard hunting and a day or so later saw it eating it’s kill up a tree, with its mate looking on, just 5m away. And after much looking (6 days), in the last hour of light we came across a posse of lazy lion lads and their sister waking up to get on with the tiresome job of getting their dinner. They walked straight past the window – Anya ducked below the door they were so close!
All the looking did make Max a little crackers in the end – spot the little known Maximus Silliness.
And because life is short, we took the opportunity to go up in a hot air balloon, to see the African savannah from a gently breezy perspective. Worth every penny!
We enjoyed the place we stayed too – Anya discovered mini golf, the rock climbing was a challenge for the whole family, and Dick enjoyed the birdwatching in the backyard.
On the way back to Johannesburg airport we stopped in at a bush baby and monkey sanctuary. They swung madly through the tree tops and across the boardwalk, some of them ex-pickpockets who still thought they were on the job. And a few Meer cats popped their heads up, as they do.
A final goodbye to our very excellent travelling companions – Carol & Dick, Granny & Grandpa, Mum & Dad. They deserve special mention for their patience, generosity and enthusiasm for mucking along with the more junior GOB-bers. Thank you!!! We miss you already ❤
Africa, you rocked our world – we will be back.
GardenofBeeden RTW 