the beauty of Africa

The beauty of Africa.

Had the chance to visit Johannesburg and i jumped at the opportunity to go on a true african safari.. it's always been one of my dreams to go to Africa.  To see land that's still untouched by civilisation.

We head to Pilanesburg national park, the 10th largest park in Africa.

There's only 2 of us on safari so the guide really went out of his way to show us around!

I was so tempted to jump out and take pictures but i keep forgetting that we're really out in the wild and the animals are not those u see in the zoo.

Let's start the animal tally! Zebras...

A lone springbuck looks out into the distance..

A pair of binoculars is essential as the spaces are vast and the animals are not easy for the eye to spot.

Lunch stop

And the greatest reward for the day... we chance upon a puzzled giraffe who stares at us while we stare back transfixed. He munches slowly and we play the waiting game for nearly 15mins.

We keep very quiet and he literally brushes past our vehicle as we drive off. I had to fight the urge to reach out and poke him!!!

A pair of rhinos ambling into the stream.. they were so slow yet too fast for my cam

the great african one. truly awe-inspiring up close.

We also stop off at a lion park where u can get really close to lion cubs.. 

Cubs which are only a few weeks old! They are so cute! Don't think they realise they are lions yet.. they jump around playfully in their basket like kittens..

This is the 2nd oldest lion in the whole of South africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe at 22 yrs. The owner of this park started it for him and he actually slept with the owner in her bed till he was 7 yrs old! Lions are fully grown at the age of 3 with a weight of abt 200-300kg. Apparently, he still recognises her and will come forward to greet her with a low roar whenever she comes to visit. Interesting isn't it?

Slums along the way back to Joburg.. I think it's a pity that such a beautiful country is wrecked by poverty, famine and civil strife.. Although apartheid has long been banished in this country, the scars still remain and every so often, friction between the races still leads to fights which i've seen with my own eyes.

I would definitely love to return to Africa.. Kenya, the Masai mara, Tanzania... just want to pack my bag and go!