Best Animal Sightings at Kruger

They were like a cut out from a cartoon. All the tightly packed elephants were just staring at us. We were just looking at some impalas at Roodewal, Olifants, waterhole on our left, and just as we are able to leave, Vishalla alerted us to our right. We could see all their packed faces, big and small, at various heights, just intensively looking at us to anticipate our next move. Apparently, they had been staring at us for sometime now.

Suddenly, when they realised that we were also staring at them, they backup for a while before one of the larger females walked infront of our car and the rest of the herd followed and crossed the road. The matriarch then came out from the herd and faced us with her trunk slightly raised. She stayed protective and stood firmly infront of our car as her herd pass behind her. the moment was very intensed, and my heart was seriously pumping very fast. As the last elephant crossed, she finally turned and joined the herd.

They went to the waterhole to quench their thirst. There was this really little one that tried to drink from its trunk as well. It was just like a scene from National Geographic. Everything else was a standstill, except for this herd of almost 15 plus ellies. It was a peaceful sighting and finally the herd left. Just as we were about to leave again, another female that was limping scrambled from the bushes and crossed the road quickly, and tried to keep up with the herd. It was really a heart wrenching sight.

River at Skukuza

The entire episode was an amazing 15 min, and was the best animal sighting that I had in Kruger. Nothing can beat the ellies, not even the leopards or lions. There were a lot of other good animals sightings, e.g. over 50 – 80 buffaloes hanging out/crossing the road, etc. Many of them at Olifants, but I really have a soft spot for the ellies.

Olifants River (I get goose bumps when I see the river - like a scene from LOTR)

Lions feeding on a girrafle! Along the roadside!

There was another old female that we saw close to the road. She was so tired that her eyes were drooping every now and then (see above). Her trunk was so relaxed that it touched the ground. She swayed slowly from side to side, closing her eyes occasionally, and scratching her ears every now and then. She then took a bunch of leaves. Just as we thought she would be feeding on them, she took the bunch of leaves and stuffed it in her ear! We just kept on laughing and laughing. I think the whole car shook for the next couple of minutes! It must have been itching really badly! That's what I mean about ellies, you can watch them for hours without feeling bored =)

Training in Kruger

The training in Kruger was very comprehensive and organised. There was a wide variety of activities. e.g. visit to skukuza herbarium, first aid course, SA education course, reptile course etc. It was a great experience to be able to travel around Kruger, along with fellow GVI mates , attending training together, cooking and eating together. For me, the best part of the entire training, other than the game drives, was finally being able to learn first aid formally. Back in school, we train ourselves by reading up or learning from our guides when they share what they learnt during first aid course. It was great to be able to be able to learn with a small team. We had mock up scenerios for us to train our ability to react and think when situations arise. Also, glad that finally I had the opportunity to try out CPR on a dummy. Definitely, i feel more adequate and confident now. At least now with our guides, I feel that I am in a better position to “train” or comment on certain first aid issues.

Another highlight from the two weeks wonderful course was the visit to a local school at Phalaborwa Gate. There were about 718 pupils in the school with about 20 teachers. Unfortunately, they only have 8 classrooms, out of which 1 was burnt down, and the pupils had to have their lessons in a make shift shack. Also, the truck which was suppose to bring food did not arrive, so the pupils did not have food for recess. It was really difficult to see how many of the children, some in their home clothes because they cannot afford uniforms, looking and staring at one lucky child, with his neatly pressed uniform, sitting on a chair outside the classroom having packed food. The teachers did not have a staffroom, simply because there wasn't enough money to buy one. The HODs and VP sat in a room that was half the size of our conference room, with the library books. There was only one computer in the principal office. However, despite the poor conditions of the school, it was heartwarming to see how the pupils work diligently and neatly on their exercise book. The classrooms though packed with pupils, had decorated walls, and one even had a mini science garden at a corner. The school has also organised fieldtrips for the pupils, e.g. kruger, coke factory and radio station. There was a team of willing and hardworking teachers, but lacking the funds to have a more conducive physical environment.

Another interesting experience during these two weeks was the cooking and preparation of food! We had to prepare the meals by ourselves. We were very fortunate as there was only 4-5 of us at any part of the journey, so preparation of food was easy. It was also easy to have teamwork, i.e. some of us prepare food, some cook and another wash (mainly Pete, the GVI coordinator, was doing the washing – thankfully). One thing that i needed to get used to was to eat sandwich for lunch. Generally, I am okay with sandwiches once in a while, but it was different from the usual hot lunches (rice or noodles) that i am used to. I can have noodles from our canteen auntie for weeks =P But having sandwiches for two weeks was difficult. Nevertheless, learnt a lot of new recipes! It will be put into good use for our 2009 Guides Camp! My girls was commenting during the last camp the menu was the same as the previous year =P It was a good two weeks of training, and also an adjustment for us before we go to our parks!