2.15.08 -- Tibavarti to Kruger National Park

We get up and head to our first stop, then Manaholoholo Animal Rescue Center. We hear an impassioned speech by the director about animals and nature and how things are not working as they should (there is too little natural space left in Africa for the natural habitats of wild animals). We also learn alot about the "circle of life," for example I didnt' realize how important vultures, hyennas and insects are to making the whole thing work. Then we get a tour of the place, which takes care of injured (usually poisoined by farmers) animals and birds. We see a lion, leopard, all kinds of birds, hyennas, etc. Then we get in our truck and head up to see more of Blyde River Canyon, and drive to "God's Window" and overlook looking out over a huge green valley. On the way there we drive by waterfalls. Also, we drive by "townships" the vast shanty towns that you see everywhere in South Africa.

After lunch we drive back down from the Drackensberg Escarpment (mountains) and head to what we are all getting very excited about: Kruger National Park, one of the premier game parks in the world. As we enter the main gate around 4 pm you can feel the excitement in the truck. We head into the park and everyone's eyes are peeled for wildlife... then suddenly, impalas! (which are small deer and basically the bottom on the food chain there!) After lots of pics (later we will realize, impalsas are not that hard to find) we drive on and see giraffes. More pics, then on and see some zebras. Then, something very exciting, off in the distance we catch sight of a rhino with some buffalo. The goal is to see the big five: lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, and elephant (so named because when hunted, if you don't kill them they will come back and hunt you!). So, 1 down! Then, we see several elephant (2 down) and more giraffes and zebras feeding. Then we see some hyennas which are interesting animals and although they seem ugly, Thabone informs us they are his favorite animal. Finally, we have to move on because we have to get to our rest camp spot and the gates close at 6:30 p.m., with or without us. The camp is pretty big and is protected by electrified fence all around. We are in cabins this time. Have supper, look at the stars and get to bed because tommorrow is a very early start.