I am going to continue the story from last post and a little update on the time in between and then hopefully we will be all caught up!
After the glorious wedding weekend, my dad, Colleen, Sandy, mom and Kiara (and Sig) all joined us on a week in the Greater Kruger. Sharon was incredibly generous to offer her beautiful family camp to us for the week.
Our first game drive out and we saw everything! It was one of those game drives people always expect on their first safari, but never actually happen. We pulled up to a dam and were greeted with white rhinos and elephants enjoying the mud and water on a hot afternoon.
Along the drive we also saw plains game – impala, wildebeest and zebra. We managed to spot a couple of lionesses laying “flat cat” in the tall grass where you could only distinguish them by an occasional swish of a tail or flick of an ear.
We decided to pull over at another dam for sundowners and as we approached Colleen shouted out “hyena!” and sure enough, there was a hyena walking through the bush.
During our sundowners, we saw more hyenas scuffling about on the other side of the dam and as we were loading back up into the game viewer we caught a distant glimpse of a leopard sitting and watching the scene. As soon as everyone was on board, a hyena walked right up to the side of the game viewer to check us out.
Since the sun had set and the temps were cooling off we went to go check out the lionesses to see if they had moved yet. As we came around a bend, there was one laying right in the middle of the road. She got up and greeted her sister, walking together through the bush just off the road.
It was an incredible first game drive for the American crew and I really enjoyed sharing it with my family. Once back at camp, we listened to the loud, thundering roars of lions walking by just past the gate.
The next day we headed into Kruger National Park and everyone enjoyed the large herds of impala, kudu, wildebeest, waterbuck and elephants – and of course all the birds!. We stopped at Letaba for lunch and checked out the elephant museum – always one of my favourites! We did such a fun loop from Orpen Gate to Satara to Letaba and then out through Phalaborwa Gate. It was a good day!
The next few days we took it easy, resting and relaxing at camp while watching various animals come to the little pan within sight of the camp. We went on a few more evening sunset drives and even an awesome night drive where we saw chameleons and even a genet (which is a super cool sighting that you don’t often see!)
Our final drive though was my absolute favourite as we were gifted with one of the most incredible black rhino sightings!
Black rhinos are critically endangered with only around 6,400 left in the wild. They are typically more elusive than the larger white rhino, preferring thicker bush over open veld. But when you do get lucky enough to spot one, you are in for a treat! While white rhinos always make me think of large, funny shaped cows grazing about, black rhinos are full of sass and confidence.
This sighting was extra special because it was two cows each with a calf! We even watched quietly as one of the calves nursed from her mama. Really really special!
Sadly, all holidays must come to an end and it was our time to head back to reality and go home.
Ellery picked up the kids on the way back along with a friend of theirs, Estian who joined with to spend the week long holiday with us. It was really special for me to see the kids spending time and interacting with my family, I am so happy they all got to know each other. Sandy became Schotia’s pretend horse doll buddy and even taught her how to make a delicious parmesan salad dressing.
Over the weekend we took dad and Colleen to the botanical gardens for a lovely lunch and walk around the gardens checking out the waterfalls. It was sad to have to make the trips to drop everyone back off at the airport. It really meant so much to me that they came out to visit and celebrate our wedding with us and that I got to show them around our new farm.
Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our matriarch, Tivara. Tivara was our queen bee, living 13 years as the alpha of our pack. She was absolutely ball obsessed and when she no longer had interest in her ball, we knew it was time. Tivara is the mom of many working K9s throughout the Greater Kruger and Mozambique working alongside their handlers to protect endangered species and reserves from poachers. She lived a very good, long life full of so much love. Her final days were showered in extra cuddles and treats and the kids all were here when it was time to say our goodbyes. We buried her in the garden and planted a beautiful fever tree to always remember her by. I am going to miss my bear bear very much and her furry polar bear cuddles.
The rest of the week, I caught up on work and the boys did a ton of fishing down at the dam – I think they totalled something like 60+ fish throughout the week (though I can’t be sure it wasn’t the same dumb fish being caught over and over again). 🤣
Also, exciting news!! Cole officially moved in with us full time now!! He transferred to Nelspruit High school and started school last week. He is enjoying it so much so far, catching up with some of his old buddies from lower school that also go to Nels. Our first weekend after the twins left to go home after holiday, Cole and I had fun hanging out and watching movies. I am excited that we can finally go to some of his rugby matches!! It is really great to have him around more full time now!
On Saturday, Ellery and I took part of the Untitled firearm training course working on speed, safety and accuracy during high stress situations. It was a super fun course, and I learned a lot! I think I probably shot around 300-400 round throughout the day…
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