Adventures in South America

Safari Misadventures

Yesterday we arrived at Akeru Lodge in the Timbavati Game Reserve. Unfortunately we arrived to rain – our flight from CPT to Jo’burg to Nelspruit was delayed as a result and we could not fly from Nelspruit to Timbavati – the original plan was to fly in a small chartered plane. It would’ve taken about an hour that way. Instead we were greeted by a man named Derrick @ the gate and he informed us that we would be arriving at Akeru via a 3 hour car ride. The ride was comfortable – an 8 passenger van with just the 5 of us inside.

We arrived at Akeru at 5pm and were greeted by Thabo, Dale and Hayley. Akeru is a small camp that can accomodate up to 16 guests. The rooms are nicely appointed with each having a patio, a full bathroom with seperate tub and shower, and mosquito netting on all of the beds. Akeru also does not have electricity. They use rechargable battery power and every hut has one plug for a fan. At night you eat by candlelight and burning candle lamps are provided in your room before your arrival from the evening game drive. It's kindof cool to feel so at one with nature! It's very quiet at night, except for the occasional call of the wild :-)

The afternoon/evening game drive had left at 4pm so after settling in Dale drove us to meet up with the group that had left.

As a general rule, the safari camp itinerary is as follows:
5:00am - morning wake-up tap on door by Safari Guide. There is generally tea, coffee and a light snack such as granola bars offered before departing
5:30am - 9:00am - Morning Game Drive (all game drives are conducted in a 12 passenger land/range rover 4x4 vehicle)
Return to camp, freshen up
9:30am - 10:30am - Breakfast
10:30am - 1:30 - Relax, Walk with guide around the bush, if weather permits (we weren't able to do this because of the amount of rain we experienced. When it rains the tracks get washed away and it becomes more treacherous - you could stumble upon predatory animals who are sleeping and possible hungry).
1:30pm - 3:00pm - Lunch
4:00pm - 8:00pm - Evening Game Drive
8:00pm - 9:30pm - Dinner

People tend to turn in early to be prepared for the 5:00am wake up call.

Our fellow safari-mates were Eva and Carl, a very nice couple from Sweden. During the evening drive we take a break in the bush to watch the sunset to enjoy sundowners (beverages you drink while the sun is setting - usually with alcohol - but it can be any beverage) and snacks - peanuts, chips, etc. The first evening we saw some Impalas and Waterbuck. Due to the rain it was harder to track the animals so we didn't see as many as we would have liked.

Upon arrival back to camp we freshened up and waited for the beating of drums which signifies that it's dinner time. Our first dinner consisted of Salmon Croquettes, mashed potatoes, sauteed fresh vegetables and a delicious mango and apple crumble. It was nice to sit around the table by candlelight hearing the adventures of our fellow guests and the Akeru staff members that were sitting with us (every meal 2 staff members sit with you).

This morning, due to pouring rain, we started out a little later than usual. Today we saw Giraffes and Zebras. In the evening we saw a fleeting glance of a White Rhino. 

posted by sethnem @ 5:08 PM