Safari in South Africa - Adventures by Disney Part 3

Guest Blogger Coleen Bolton continues with her Adventures by Disney trip to South Africa.

Day 6

Today was totally bakgat (pronounced buck-ghut) that means cool or awesome in Afrikaans. We started with a ferry ride across the Knsyna Lagoon to Featherbed Nature Reserve. We rode Unimogs up to the top of the cliff and then hiked back down, stopping for some more breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean!

Then it was finally time to meet one of the big 5. We not only got to see elephants, we got to feed them and then walk in a field with them and touch them.

It really was just amazing to be walking around freely with these big animals. We then walked just a few steps to enjoy a wonderful dinner.

Tomorrow morning we say good bye to Knysna and head to the big finale — Kapama Game Reserve. The game drive begins the moment we drive out of the airport. I cannot wait to see what animals we will catch a glimpse of!

Day 7

Masambene! (that means let’s move) It’s time for Safari! This morning we were up bright and early to say good bye to Knysna and head back to the George airport to fly to Kapama Game reserve.

When we arrived it finally felt like we were in the Africa I had pictured. The airport was pretty much a runway and a small building. We walked out the back door to find our wheels for the next few days waiting for us. These open air jeeps would be what we will be riding in for the next few mornings and evenings as we search for all the animals we can find.

The ride from the airport into the game reserve and up to the lodge was almost like a mini safari. Within seconds we made our first sighting and it was a kudu. Our excitement got the best of us and we did let a couple squeals which scared it off pretty quick. We did learn that from here on out we need to keep quiet so as not to frighten the animals.

We arrived at the River Lodge, fueled up with some lunch, and then found our rooms. After a quick cool down it was time to head out for our first real safari. It was almost sunset so the heat from earlier had subsided and ride was very comfortable.

We were able to spot quite a few animals and some even got very close to our jeep. We saw giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, warthogs, hornbills and a few I already forgot. I have taken a picture of each animal we find, but I guess I better start writing these down as we see them tomorrow. After a few hours of the game drive we found ourselves pulling up to a nice bonfire where tables were all set up to have dinner right there out on the game preserve!

Dinner was a braai (pronounced bry), which is Afrikaans for barbecue. It was amazing to be eating out on the preserve and looking up to see all the stars. Of course, a dinner by a bonfire would not be complete without s’mores!