Don’t Be Disappointed If You Don’t See Leopard…
Leaving the Cape and traveling south of the Karoo,
Our Final Day and Finally…Wild Dogs
we returned by way of Kimberley to Johannesburg
At the fourth preserve, The Rhino and Lion Park,
for a day, and then left for Kruger. We rented a
we were able to see more birds and animals, but
house in Marloth Park, across the Crocodile River
most importantly, it was the only time, we were able
from Kruger Park. This was roughing it in-style.
to see wild dog packs. These spotted, bat eared ca-
We arrived at dusk to find two adult male wart hogs
nines were long legged, gangly, and rather homely.
sleeping in the back yard. As I carried groceries into
We were delighted to be able to see them. That
the house, they ran up to me, nudging my legs, as if
afternoon, we bid farewell to Doulina and Andre
to ask “what did you bring us?” They are reason-
and caught our Swiss Air flight to Zurich and on to
ably large and have big tusks. Initially, they scared
home and puppies waiting in California.
me, but Andre just waved them back. They stayed
around through and we became fond of having them
We loved the varied dramatic landscapes and we
there. We got up about 5am, had breakfast of juice,
especially loved going to Kruger. We met some
papaya, and muffins and left for Kruger with sand-
wonderful judges from Brazil, Russia, South Africa,
wiches we made the night before, fruit and snacks.
and Japan. The hospitality in Bloemfountein gener-
Each day, we went through the gates shortly after
ously helped us discover some excellent food and
Kruger opened and were treated to the experience
wine, and experience Emoya. Andre and Doulina’s
of a lifetime. By noon the first day, we’d seen the
wonderful care of us throughout our time with them
Big 6. Each day, we ate lunch by a watering hole
gave us real insight into living in South Africa, its
and watched herds of buffalo and elephant come to
history, and the beauty of their country. We have
drink. Hippos and hippo youngsters played next to
always known how utterly kind and hospitable Bull
floating crocks. Beautiful birds of all kinds from
Terrier people can be, and our stay at Sunduza, trav-
eagles to heron to stork to flamingo to Egyptian
els with Andre and some of the other lovely people
geese to vultures to cranes to hornbills, to Bateleur
we met were a true blessing. We were incredibly
to ostrich were also abundant at the watering holes.
fortunate to see 3 leopards, baby rhino and hippos,
We saw many varieties of antelope, a number of pri-
herds of buffalo and elephant. To be so close to
mates, big cats, elephant, wildebeest, hyena, rhino,
lion, zebra, kudo, and giraffe was incredible… and
and jackal, and we were for the most part, extremely
to have those two warthogs greet us like welcoming
close to them. After being told repeatedly not to
puppies when we arrived at Marloth were all part of
expect to see any, we actually saw 3 leopards!!! As
a fantastic experience, we will always treasure.
we left Kruger the last evening, a herd of probably a
thousand buffalo came across a hill and field to the
edge of the road and stopped as we were passing.
Perhaps the headlights confused them. Red dust
rose high into the sky. As we drove by, these huge
buffalo seemed to be coming to watch us leave and
say goodbye. It was drama worthy of a major movie
closing scene.
En route back to Johannesburg, we visited Pretoria
and the nearby Voortekker Monument and Museum.
On the grounds surrounding the dramatic museum,
herds of Wildebeest and Blesbok wander freely.
South Africa is such an incredible land of contrasts,
with a great deal to see and learn.
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