Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/873989
OPPOSITE: Early mornings are a perfect time to spot a Cape giraffe while on a game drive at Karongwe Private Game Reserve. TOP: Impala are nicknamed McDonald's by locals, because of distinctive markings on their rear and plentiful numbers. MIDDLE: Two Burchell's zebra are spotted wandering through the Karongwe Private Game Reserve brush. ABOVE: A lion watches our group while his lioness sleeps in the early evening at Karongwe Private Game Reserve. 51 famed Panorama Route. This takes us through the canyon region, and as we stop at Bourke's Luck Potholes and The Three Rondavels, the sun peeks through the clouds to highlight these distinct geograph- ical landscapes. A day's drive leads us close to Kruger National Park. The road is lined with marula trees whose fruits lure baboon families seeking the trees' sweet offerings as much as their shade. The sun is setting as we arrive at the welcoming Kubu Safari Lodge, where we're greeted with the sight of a Cape giraffe eating the choice leaves at the tops of the trees in the dying light of the day. It's my favourite African animal, and I consider it a good luck omen for our adventure. KRUGER NATIONAL PARK The next morning we head off in our safari truck for an excursion into Kruger National Park, the largest park in the country and one of the largest on the African continent, to explore a small part of its almost two mil- lion hectares. Arriving at the park's Orpen Gate, our park guide reminds us to stay seated and not to yell or speak loudly. As we drive, the vastness of the park overwhelms me and I regret not having binoculars to catch a glimpse of any of the local inhabi- tants in the distance. Our first stop is to observe a herd of impala. The distinct chocolate brown markings on their rears resemble the letter M. Since they are so plentiful, locals have nicknamed the crea- tures McDonald's. As we traverse paved and dirt roads, colourful birds are easily spotted against the dusty muted landscape, an unexpected ben- efit of Kruger National Park, which boasts 45 driving routes just for birders. An hour goes by and I remind myself we have many days to see the big five and to enjoy the moment of being in one of the world's most famous parks. We shout at the driver to stop, then berate ourselves for being loud, as we're less than 10 metres from an elephant. Happily crowding together, the only sound from us is the clicking of camera shutters. The African elephant ignores us, eating leaves and snapping branches to scratch a per- sistent itch. As I watch Africa's largest FALL 2017 DREAMSCAPES