1st safari location

As I mentioned earlier, Thornybush Game Reserve backs up to the famed Kruger National Park.
In 3 days of both early and late game outings (they term it "drives"), we were able to spot the original "big 5", so named because early hunters wanted these animals as trophies...elephants, lions, cape buffalo, leopard and rhino.

Some of the big 5 were relatively close up...the leopard, who totally ignored us, and some I wish were not so close...a mother rhino closely guarding her baby and giving us a very nasty look.

We even got to spot the very rare and endangered wild dog, also called painted dog.

This location, Chapungu Tented Camp, was the most luxurious, and I would go back in a heartbeat.

Here is my friend, Karolyn, chatting with our new best friends for the next 3 weeks.
And what is a hard day at work without a "sundowner"?!

ALL traveling within southern Africa is done by plane, so it is off to our next location, Boabab Lodge and more exciting people, places and things.

1st safari ever!

If there is a place to be spoiled in seeing wildlife, Thornybush Game Reserve might be it.
Although a private reserve, it is linked with the famous Kruger National Park and the animals have the freedom of roaming thousands of acres, but protected from hunters...even saw an anti poaching unit one evening.
Our small lodge was lovely, food relish, and staff friendly.
Animal drives started before sunrise and we could get quite close to the wild animals, but could not leave the jeep.

Fahey communing with the termites...