Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2017 | Page 60

Travel
5am one morning with most drives starting an hour
before and finishing at 9am returning for a hearty
breakfast and then resting until the late afternoon
drive. As our jeep slowly moved through the tracks
our tracker guide and driver were aware that a
leopard was in the vicinity and sure enough within a
few metres from our vehicle lay the most wonderful
leopard protecting two cubs.
For me there was a sense of both nervousness and
joy to experience such an occasion and a similar
experience later when we sat a few metres from a
true “Lion King” who was resting having devoured an
Impala for his lunch. As we parked closely alongside
him I remarked to our driver that perhaps we should
move on as I did not like the way he was looking
into my eyes. The tracker reminded me that he was
not interested in us as he had a full tummy and was
about to roll over and sleep, of which he ultimately
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duly obliged. However, I could not resist commenting,
to the amusement of our hosts, “that there is such a
thing as dessert!”
Each of the four days of our stay that followed
brought us new experiences with the closest of
encounters and whilst often observing large birds
of prey hovering above. After breakfast each day we
would relax during the morning with a glass of wine on
the decking area observing giraffes. impalas, warthogs
and even baby elephants wandering down for a drink.
I had to pinch myself to believe I was witnessing the
true natural habitat of these animals who appeared
almost unconcerned with our presence. It was indeed
a very special beginning to the South African journey
that followed.
Next issue we will continue with part two of my
South African adventure, and my personal mission to
find my Mother’s school.