Week 8 - The Krazzy 4 met the Big 5

Two Lions, about six Elephants, one most amazing Leopard, seven Rhinoceros and a pair of Wild Buffaloes were my company for the weekend. These are the “Big Five” in South Africa and, I got to see all these magnificent creatures  in my first every visit to the game drive. J Nambiti Hills, game reserve is a three hour drive from Durban and, in true essence a 5 star game lodge. I had anticipated that it would be the highlight of my internship and I was proven correct. David, another diamond in the HR pool at Mr Price was entrusted the responsibility of our well-being and, the fact that we did not end up as a lion’s supper speaks volume about his job worthiness. THANK YOU DAVID FOR BEARING WITH US AND OUR BLABBERING.

Before I talk about the wild animals, let me try and describe the routine at Nambiti. Each of us had a huge cottage,in the most picturesque setting, with the best possible view. The staff at the lodge made sure that we had everything we needed. Each day the lodge arranged two game drives. The first one was at 6:30 am and the second at 3:30 pm. Each drive lasted for about three hours and in the middle of the drive we stopped in the wilderness to have a light snacks and drinks. Our ranger was Ross and, he was a super cool guide, passing nuggets of information and trying to make sure that we saw the maximum number of animals possible.

A picture speaks a thousand words and that is exactly what I intend to do. Just see these pictures to realize why I want to go back to Nambiti right now!

Yaay! On a sunny Friday evening we reached Nambiti Hills and, were met by Ranger Ross in his Safari truck.

This mother and daughter Kudu pair was our first sighting. Eventually we saw so many of them it was almost like cars on the highway. :-) But the excitement never dimmed. Yesss, both are females, I know after the safari that only males have horns.

Woohooo... Look at the palatial cabin.

Yup, you take a bath while the lion checks in through the windows that his meal is washed and clean. 

Simba, The Lion King, was waiting with his brother and sister for us on the path. We saw them on the first drive on friday evening. Life has not been the same since. Sigh!

We were maybe, 30 feet from these huge cats and watched them playing. Ross spotted their eyes from miles off. The eyes glowed like lamps when he used a spotlight.

This female elphant decided we had stared at her family for too long and came trumpeting, towards our truck. That was the only time I was scared. Ross knew it was time to hit the gas. It was spectacular.

Before the reminder of our intrusion, by the female elephant, we were busy watching scenes of  the family breakfast. This was on Staurday morning -our  second game drive.

The cheetah's OMG. Nambiti has two seven month cheetahs that they will be releasing into the wild soon but, before that I got a chance to play with them. This was my favourite part of the trip. The feline shape and strenghth is amazing.

Leopards are very difficult to spot. This one was resuced by rangers and will be relased into the natural habitat soon. The EYES.... can't forget the eyes. Don't want to meet him in the wild alone.

These enticing cheetah cubs were also rescued by the rangers and, are being raised to be released into the wild when they are prepared to fend themselves from lions

Saif Mir meets the Meerkat.

This white rhinoceros was grazing by himself and we found him on our third game drive 

While returning home from the third drive we found these rhinos had all gathered to greet us and, ensure that we had a change to meet them properly.

This Wild Buffalo kept looking at us to let us know that we were in his territory. It was also the last of our drives and the last of Big 5 and, I was ecstatic.

My favorite image of the giraffe. We had our morning tea watching him and his brothers fight.

A imphala herd. They were just adorable.

A dazzle of zebras. Yup thats the correct word- dazzle. I just learnt it!

Wildebeest's oblivious to our presence.

A male Kudu looks magnificent with the horns. One twist is roughly equally to 5 years. Hmmm... two twists so this male around 10 years old.

The fantastic four having refreshments and enjoying the game reserve. How cool is it that we actually halt for drinks and snacks in the wild, all the while praying that the lion dosn't cross our path while we are at it.

David was kind enough to take us through the Midland Meanders on our drive back but we kept missing OUR big 5.  Thanks again David and, thanks to Mr Price for the most memorable time of our lives.