Amazing South Africa Safari’s

Embarking on a safari adventure in South Africa is an absolute must-do! My first experience was with my ex-husband, Michael, who came to visit and stay for a while. We seized the opportunity to go on our first safari at Thorney Bush Private Game Reserve in Kruger.

As we drove from Johannesburg to Kruger, we made a pit stop for some refreshments and were taken aback by a sign instructing us to leave our guns at reception. It was a stark reminder of the different environment we were in – you definitely wouldn’t see that in the UK! Luckily, we didn’t have any guns, so we strolled into the restaurant without a care in the world.

After a smooth journey, we arrived at the lodge without any incidents (phew!). The lodge was absolutely stunning, with a bathtub set in front of a massive glass window overlooking the bush. The outdoor shower was a hit with the monkeys, who loved to play tricks on the guests.

Overall, our safari adventure was filled with unexpected surprises and unforgettable moments. It’s safe to say that South Africa truly knows how to make a safari experience one-of-a-kind!

I quickly became enamoured with the thrill of safaris. The early wake-up call at 4:30 am to kick off the safari at 5 am was a bit brutal, but necessary for our safety against any curious critters. Despite the chilly morning air, it was invigorating.

Midway through the safari, our ranger made a pit stop and we all piled out of the Land Rovers, six people per vehicle, to enjoy coffee from tin mugs and dunk rusk biscuits. It was a simple pleasure that felt so special, a far cry from our usual morning routine back home. We tracked a variety of animals and luck was on our side as we managed to spot the big 5 – lions, leopards, rhinoceros, buffalo, and elephants. One elephant even came so close to our jeep that it brushed against our legs.

During one memorable safari at Lion Sands, my son Lee joined me in South Africa. We witnessed a leopard making a kill right in front of our jeep – talk about a front-row seat to nature’s drama! Our vehicle also happened to have an editor from a UK hospitality magazine and a wannabe celebrity chef, which meant the lodge pulled out all the stops to impress them for a potential article. The rangers went above and beyond to ensure we had an unforgettable experience, even if it meant being fashionably late to the bush BBQ the lodge had organised for all the guests.

In the end, the early mornings, close encounters with wildlife, and unexpected surprises made each safari a truly unforgettable adventure. Who knew that chasing leopards and sipping coffee out of tin mugs could be so exhilarating?

During a recent trip to South Africa, I found myself in a bit of a pickle with the local law enforcement. My friend Elaine and I were celebrating her 60th birthday with a safari adventure, driving from Johannesburg to the Kruger region. The stunning views along the way made the long trip bearable, but things took a turn when it was my turn to take the wheel.

As luck would have it, a police car pulled me over for a traffic violation. Elaine was on edge, but I remained cool as a cucumber – thanks to my previous experiences in the country. I instructed Elaine to keep her purse shut tight and let me handle the situation.

The officer demanded 2,000 rands for my supposed offence, but I wasn’t about to fork over that kind of cash. After some back and forth, he settled on 1500 rands. Still not good enough for me. The standoff was getting tiresome, and poor Elaine was practically sweating bullets.

When I refused to budge on 1,000 rands, the officer got more aggressive. That’s when I decided to call his bluff and suggested a trip to the police station. Suddenly, he seemed less eager to take our money. But Elaine, bless her heart, opened her purse and offered up 500 rands. I snatched it up and declared it was all we had.

The officer begrudgingly accepted the money and went on his way. Lesson learned: don’t back down, and keep your wallet out of sight when dealing with the law in South Africa. It may just save you a few bucks – and a headache.

Despite a few bumps in the road, our holiday was not going to be spoiled. We continued on to the safari lodge, navigating the bumpy lane with determination. The lodge itself was charming, and the people were absolutely delightful. It was time to embark on our game drives, and we were ready for whatever adventure came our way.

As we set off on our drive, it quickly became clear that nothing was going to be straightforward. Our ranger was a wealth of information, leading us on a thrilling journey tracking various animals. Suddenly, there she was – a leopard with her cub right in front of us. Talk about luck! However, as the leopard started to get a bit possessive, we found ourselves in a bit of a sticky situation when the jeep refused to start. Cue the suspenseful wait until the ranger managed to get us moving again.

Next up, a rhinoceros appeared just a few feet away from us. The ranger wisely turned off the engine to avoid disturbing the massive creature, providing us with ample photo opportunities. But of course, the jeep decided to act up again, leaving us face to face with the intimidating animal until another safari jeep came to our rescue.

Just when we thought our bad luck had run its course, the jeep decided to call it quits in the middle of the bush the following morning. The ranger had to leave us near the jeep while he went off in search of help, leaving us to contemplate our chances of outrunning a lion (spoiler alert: we were not feeling very confident). Luckily, we made it out unscathed, with the ranger returning with reinforcements.