There’s something so exciting for me about packing my car to the brim with my camping gear and heading off to find my next adventure. Because, there seems to be one around every corner and over every mountain. Or is that just me and my life. I love it! Heading off to the Kruger Park and the wild animals though, I was kind of hoping (secretly) that this adventure wouldn’t involve too many teeth and claws and running away and climbing up trees in a hurry. I was in a Zen frame of mind so all of that would be a lot of hard work for my lazy self. But I was excited! In a strange way it felt like going home. Into the bush. Close to nature. I’ve been to the Kruger Park many times in my life and, of course, it’s a fairly safe experience of the wild, unless you get out of your car to go pat a lion. Then it’s definitely running and climbing and easy early snacks for the whole pride.
In Zambia, I was once on a game drive in a deep bush, properly wild scenario, when the ranger made the mistake of driving through the middle of a herd of elephants. I remember (in a slowmo kind of memory) how we drove past a baby elephant, which in that moment was then separated from its mother, and as we did, this little elly got such a fright its eyes got bigger than its flapping ears, and all I saw was sheer terror. I knew we were in big trouble, but I was praying for gentle elephant understanding. Thank goodness the females focussed on the most important task, and that was to protect the baby. At least six huge elephants moved so quickly to surround the baby that, in what felt like an instant, the baby elly was out of sight and safe from the perceived threat of us. And that game drive then became a Kyalami race out of safari dodge, which we won by a wild-country mile. Is there a standard ratio of amount of wine allowed per shot of we-almost-died adrenaline? I think it’s many, many, many glasses to one. I have tested it often, and that feels correct.
I didn’t mean to enter the Kruger Park via the Numbi Gate, because I’d heard it wasn’t exactly the safest, but I’d forgotten about my feud with Google and my trust issues with its so-called directions. Obviously Google is more elephant than me, so Numbi Gate it was. I did arrive there safely, but the roads take one past some very interesting areas. There are a lot of shops and businesses along the way with hand-painted signs, and I wondered if they were successful despite the simplicity of the branding. There was a shop about the size of a shipping container which claimed to be a supermarket. Perhaps the locals get everything from that one shop so it may well be a supermarket after all. I was curious, but not enough to stop and ask. And there were people driving very, very slowly along these local industry roads, which I admit made me super nervous. It’s an irony that I was more nervous of the people outside of the Kruger than the wild animals inside, but they had done nothing to me, so it was really just all in my head. Perhaps the warning I’d read was an old headline of a single incident that no longer applies? But better to be cautious nevertheless.
After paying my entrance fee and assuring the guard at the gate that I had no alcohol and no guns in my car (I’m guessing that combo is not the best and maybe has caused trouble in the past), I drove into the Kruger bush. Along a tarred road sure… but… the bush. I’d put my order in to the Universe, early in the day, to please, please let me see a giraffe. I love giraffes and that was top of my list. I hadn’t even driven 2km when there she was. A beautiful, tall, magnificent giraffe. With a little ox-pecker hitching a ride on her neck. And she came right up to Zukes and I and stood there being all curious, munching away on her bushpopcorn snacks and just enjoying the show. She was totally Zen in that moment, while I was (very quietly and calmly) out of my tree with excitement! Maybe she was excited too, come to think of it, but also acting all chill about our encounter. I love giraffes! Did I say that already? So that was a same day delivery of a huge gift. Five star review for sure. Thank you Universe!
When I booked my campsite I didn’t mean to book a game drive as well (I’d decided to drive around myself and see what the Universe would bring me), but the words came out of my mouth and the money disappeared out of my account and what could I do? I told myself I’m worth the spoily, and it’s true. And given what I saw on that game drive later I feel that I’m maybe the favourite of the Universe right now. Sorry if you thought it was you. But it’s me! At sunset we set off in a vehicle too big for the number of people who joined. We’d taken a vote about changing vehicles and we’d chosen to stick with this one, which meant that we all had a “window” seat. I say “we”, but apparently I had a veto vote, because it was just me voting adamantly to stay, although the other (overly polite) people seemed quietly glad. It was the best game drive. We saw so much: elephants, hippos, lions, owls, hyenas… and baby hyenas too! I have the cutest video of them. What a treat. I thought my heart would burst when I saw that… and all against the backdrop of an African sunset. How did this become my reality after so much darkness. I felt so truly blessed to be there and experiencing the bush and being so close to the animal energy. I’d come a long, long way to feel this much happiness.
That evening was spent listening to fellow campers having a party and chatting loudly till late (which is standard for the National Parks), but with the nightjar providing background music, which was soothing at least. I put my earphones in and fell asleep to my meditation playlist. Nothing could dent my happy that night. In the morning while breaking camp, I was cleaning the obvious signs of early birds off my tent and found myself being very grateful that pigs and elephants don’t actually fly. Unless you count Dumbo, but I’m guessing he was house-trained, or the focus of his story surely wouldn’t be an uplifting one of overcoming criticism and experiencing unconditional love?
Driving out of the Kruger Park that morning Google gave me the biggest laugh of my trip so far, so I’m not sure if we’re now friends, but humour always goes a long way towards creating a connection. I was almost out of the Park, on my way to the Phabeni Gate this time, when my Maps voice said “turn left onto Dooswyn Road”. I went “What!?” and almost stalled my car. But yes… “turn left onto Dooswyn Road” she said, again. I was laughing so much at this road name that I had to pull over… and then I had to check my Maps to make sure I’d heard correctly. I was sceptical but hoping it was true, because what an awesome Soufafrican road name that would be. But no. Not Dooswyn. It was Doispane Road, with an American accent. Damn! But thanks for the laughs Google. I think we can be friends now.
I created a few short videos of the animals I saw in the Kruger Park. I hope you enjoy them!