Day 15, we went on a Safari with a safari-looking jeep, and a guide who was very willing to offer information. We went to a wild game preserve and met up first with African buffalo, which are not related to the similar looking Asian water buffalo. Our guide informed us that they are particularly aggressive, but we should be fine if we stayed in the large jeep. No arguments there.
Our very helpful guide informed us that even more aggressive than the African buffalo is the ostrich. In her years working at the reserve, only the ostrich has attacked her. While their legs look small compared to the rest of their body, they are powerful. If you ever find yourself being chased by an ostrich (you'll thank me later for this) you should lay down on the ground because they can only stomp on you, as opposed to raking you with their claws. You're welcome.
I could stare at rhinoceros all day. They are one of the most interesting looking animals around. The guide turned off the motor so we could hear them vacuuming up the grass. They really did sound like vacuums!
Crocodiles near the watering hole! They were fenced in so animals couldn't get close.
Are zebras white with black stripes or black with white stripes?
This is an Eland, with cool twisty antlers.
This stunning animal is a Nyala
Another sneaky mongoose.
The reserve's newest animal addition were wild dogs. They are becoming extinct because in the wild they breed with other dogs, so a pure breed is hard to find. They really were beautiful. With the wild dogs, cheetahs and lions, we had to drive up to a fence, open the gate, park in a holding area between two gates, open the next gate, close the last and then we could move on. Safety of other animals is top priority on a preserve.
Spencer decided to get his cheetah time at this stop. You can see the two laying in the back ground. I was proud of his bravery!
I usually get chills when I look at animals, partly because they are really amazing with their looks, behaviors and instincts, and partly because they are carnivores and I'm meaty. But these two gave me chills because of their magnificence.
Another perspective picture. This really isn't a two headed eland, but I can't find the second pair of legs!
We were delighted to see a Mama and baby hippo sunning by the lake. There was no movement whatsoever, but the guide said we were lucky to see them, since they are usually in the lake.
Lots of movement from birds though.
Just as our ride was coming to a close, our guide spotted a giraffe on top of a mountain. She said we had a little extra time, so we drove up the mountain to get a better look.
The giraffe leaned over to eat something and then we heard loud crunching. Our guide told us that giraffes can tell when they need calcium, so they look for old bones and chew them up.
While the animals were amazing to look at, the view wasn't too bad either.
And a good-bye from a perfect spider web in an old safari jeep.
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