Adventure Time

The second half of my South Africa trip was adventure time. We spent the next two weeks touring around South Africa, doing all the things tourists love. And here Africa taught me some more humility.

After two weeks in the South African bush with only small herbivores to show for it, I was excited to get to Kruger NP. But first, we stopped in Blyde. Here, our first 'adventure' activity would be canyoning. We hiked, jumped and swam down the mountain, climbing through a cave, and scaling a few ladders. There were several cliffs we were required to jump off into water. I have said before that I am not a thrill seeker. This is still true. I did not enjoy those jumps. I made all of them, including the 14m jump at the end, however, it was not fun for me. The impact was tough, I got water in my ears, and I ended the day sore and tired, but not in the way I usually enjoy. It may have been my left over disappointment, but I didn't really enjoy kloofing. Something I did enjoy however came after lunch. We got back and had the option for going tubing after lunch. I had originally intended to go, but was tired and wet and didn't feel like getting even more wet. Plus it was raining. I almost pulled out. But I am so glad I didn't.

Tubing involves siting in a small, one person inflated tube and jumping into a river. This river had several sets of rapids in it. So it was most like a roller coaster than a boat ride. I loved every minute. Of all the activities we did, this was probably my favourite. I have always loved water, and this was just plain fun. Afterwards I was still sore tired, but now also battered and bruised, but this time it was a great feeling, knowing I'd done something I enjoyed so much.

Also, after being mammal free for two weeks, we were staring to see animals. I woke up the first morning and looked out my window to see a Nyala standing outside it. As we moved on to Kruger NP, we started seeing more. Our lodge was backed onto a wildlife park, and after putting away our stuff, we saw some giraffe outside. Seeing giraffe was especially exciting. During our two weeks in Masebe we had spent days driving around looking for giraffe, but never found any. Now they were right in front of us.

That evening we took a game drive, and quickly made up for all the missed time. In two hours, we saw more giraffe, some rhino, buffalo, wilderbeest and a leopard. The leopard meant a lot, especially to me. Leopards may not be scarce but they are rare. They are so good at camouflage and so shy, they are rarely ever seen. I had come to Africa hoping to see big cats, but really only expected to see a lion. I hadn't even dreamed of seeing a leopard. Sitting in the open car, with the weather finally cleared, watching the leopard through the bush, I knew it was a gift. Africa had shown me just how bad things could be. And now she was showing me her best. But it didn't last long.