Africa: Final Thoughts

Some final thoughts on Africa ...

Juvenile Male Lion, Karongwe Game Reserve

The next day, we were off for the grueling flight home. Caty and I headed back to London and then Denver on British Airways (you know, the airline that was still holding her luggage hostage) and the rest of the group headed to Dubai on Emirates. I wish I could have seen Dubai – maybe next time!

Becca overlooking Dubai

Our flights were pretty miserable – both planes were steaming hot (really fun when you are so crammed in your seat that you are literally sweating on your seatmate – on both flights young men who must have taken a sleep aid because they were unconscious for the entire duration).

The seat in front of me on the 11-hour Cape Town-to-London was broken and reclined an extra 2-3 inches. The delightful (said sarcastically) young woman in the seat repeatedly slammed the seat back, smashing my hurt knee and crowded even more space than a fully reclined seat normally takes up. After a while, I passive-aggressively pushed my knee against the back, hoping she would get the hint. Instead, turned around and rudely asked me to give her “a break.” I responded by asking her if she could please click up a stop or two and she refused!!! She even got combative and I thought she might punch me. So, I suffered the entire flight. I have never experienced such despicable behavior. I should have complained to the flight attendant.

On the next flight, the woman in front of me started out partially reclined, but eventually came all the way back. At least she didn’t slam the seat back and the seat didn’t hyper-extend.

Personally, I never recline more than two clicks and I am always respectful of the person behind me. Unfortunately, most people on planes are pigs – and most planes have inadequate space.

But, that – and the broken finger – were the only down parts of the trip. The rest was fabulous. We saw so many more animals and birds than I thought we would. The animals were so much closer than I ever expected.

Chacma Baboon, Kruger National Park

The accommodations were lovely.

 Nkambeni Lodge, Kruger National Park

The prices for everything we did – and drank and ate – were surprisingly low.

Linda enjoying a "winning"dessert in Cape Town

And, the food (most of it) was good.

Dinner at Africa Cafe, Cape Town

Our tour guides were fabulous.

Dee, Guillaume and Thembie

Lots of the scenery was gorgeous.

African Penguins on Boulders Beach

And, my traveling companions were lots of fun.

Alexis, Kandice, Janet, Caty, Kristen, Becca and Linda at Karongwe Game Reserve

A couple of observations:

Although we saw lots of animals, we saw no dramatic behaviors. No hunting. No feeding on kill ...

Unless you count the Cape Fur Seal with its octopus lunch ...

... or the Great White Shark reacting to chum

And, for the most part, not much running. Mainly just grazing …

Burchell's Zebra

... watching ...

African Leopard

… drinking  -- in groups …

African Elephants

... and alone ...

Impala

… swimming  -- on the surface …

Nile Crocodile

... and below ...

Great White Shark

… flying …

Bateleur

... diving ...

Green Wood Hoopoe

… basking …

Hippopotamuses

... wallowing ...

Warthog

… resting …

Rock Dassie

... getting close ...

White Rhinoceros; Photo: Caty Stevens

... really close ...

African Buffalo

... and staying far away ...

White Rhinoceros

... hiding ...

Square-tailed Nightjar

... sparring ...

South African Giraffes; Photo: Caty Stevens

... stretching ...

Lions

... yawning ...

Hippopotamus

… sleeping …

Lion

... waddling ...

African Penguin

... sitting ...

Spotted Hyena

... climbing ...

Bushbuck

... riding ...

Chacma Baboons; Photo: Caty Stevens

... posing ...

Southern Double-Collared Sunbird

… escaping …

Bushbuck

... eating ...

Brown-headed Parrot

... preening ...

Cape Wagtail

... grooming ...

Chacma Baboons

... looking blue ...

Blue Wildebeest

... looking gorgeous ...

Lilac-breasted Roller

... looking surprised ...

Lesser Bushbaby; Photo: Caty Stevens

... looking regal ...

Verreaux's Eagle Owl

... looking bored ...

Cheetah

... and just hanging around ...

Chacma Baboon

This is probably because most of our exposure to the animals was mainly in daylight. But, still, that is a little surprising and – from a photographer’s point of view – disappointing.

As I mentioned before, Caty and I sometimes we felt that we weren’t sufficiently awed.  Maybe it’s because we have seen so many wild animals. Maybe it’s because there were so, so many to see on this trip. Maybe, it was because we got so, so close. And, quite possibly, it was because much of the spotting was done for us.

Sometimes it felt just like a show being put on for us. But, it was quite a show.

And, a final observation. We had thought of this trip as a once-in-a-lifetime. But, now that we’ve been, we speak in terms of “when we go back.”

Africa!

I think that sums it up!

A road well-traveled

Trip date: August 25-September 9, 2017