I could see the Franklin quite commonly on my my safaris in the Manyeleti Game Reserve in the Limpopo province in South Africa. And it is one noisy bird. It usually stays on the ground and would run away shrieking and howling whenever our jeeps would go too close to them1
Tag: Manyeleti Game Reserve
Wildebeest
When I first say wildebeest I thought it was a close cousin of the bovine family. On reading about Wildebeest later I realized they are from the antelope family. My guide Erick would as usual try to converse with them. When we would try to take pictures he would command, “Stop you ugly beasts what…
The African Buffalo or the Cape Buffalo
The wildlife in South Africa is truly amazing. If you go on a safari, you will hear the term Big Five all the time. Cape Buffalo is part of the big five gang in Africa. When we asked our guides, why the African Buffalo or the Cape Buffalo is the part of the Big 5…
Zebras in the Wild
Before I visited South Africa I had seen zebras only in books or on TV. So it was a great experience to see them in the wild! This herd was standing quite close to the road. They didn’t go very far when our jeep stopped next to them. The wildlife in South Africa is just…
Why I do Miss South Africa So?
At the end of most of the trips I am happy to go home, so I was really surprised when I was torn between going home and staying for longer. And even now I have such a strong South Africa hangover that it barely registers that in about two weeks I would be trekking in…
Calling All Hippos!
As we got down from the car Erick started loading the rifle. He took out three bullets and told me, one is for you, the second is for this lady and the third is for her. Then he turned towards the only male member of the group and told him, “I am sorry I have…
Rhino Poaching in South Africa
I got to hear about rhino poaching at INDABA 2013, much before we reached the bushes. While walking around the INDABA 2013 stalls I spotted Tintswalo Lodges and I dropped in to say hello as I knew we were doing safaris with them later. Later that day two of our group members told me that…
Close Encounters with the African Lion!
The wildlife experience at the Manyeleti Game Reserve with the Tintswalo Safari Lodge has been beyond expectations, if you need a proof look below. We were that close to the lion. And contrary to what it looks like, this was not a roar, it was a yawn! I wonder why I told you that! Some…
Its Time for Wild Encounters in South Africa!
So it is time so say goodbye to Durban. I had a great time at INDABA 2013 and I like what I saw of Durban, which is actually very little. I sincerely wish that this is just the beginning of my relationship with the continent. It is a warm (not weather wise right now) and…
South Africa Bound!
Finally all the chips have fallen in place and now I am South Africa bound. Tomorrow I take the flight from Mumbai to Johannesburg and then to Durban. OK before that a flight from Delhi to Mumbai as well! Durban is the first stop on this trip. I am part of a media delegation attending…