American Spirit II - Day 324; Off to Lalibela Game Reserve for a 3 Day Safari; Tuesday, November 25, 2014


Up at 6:25 PM. Packed two bags for safari to Lalibela Game Reserve 1 hour from Port Elizabeth.

Breakfast at 8:45 AM: eggs, potato, chilled apricot halves and bread.

After giving out phone numbers and our email address to Ghost to contact us in case of an emergency, we departed the Algoa Yacht Club Marina at 10:28 AM in a van sent to us by the reserve. Besides Joel, Jeanine and myself; Vlado and Jack from Civetta II were joining us.

We arrived at the Lalibela Game Reserve at 11:32 AM. Once there we had to sign an Indemnity form which stated in part: "I furthermore acknowledge that arising from the presence of wild animals, reptiles, birds and insects present in and associated with game reserves and/or game lodges I appreciate that there is a real danger of risk of suffering bodily harm, injury, death and/or loss to property. Such risk may arise as a result of an encounter with and/or the presence of such animals and/or reptiles and/or birds while present on Lalibela. I furthermore acknowledge and declare that I enter Lalibela fully aware of the danger and risk inherent in the presence of dangerous and wild animals, reptiles, birds and insects." Yes, you can get eaten here. What a surprise!

After we filled out the Indemnity form an animal called a Sable Cat wondered by the reception area, poking its nose around some cars parked there, 30 yards from us. It was the size of a small Cheetah. I found out later that it used to be a pet and had the name Milo. We also saw about 6 antelope called a Common Waterbuck, behind the reception center. A good introduction to Lalibela. The Common Waterbuck is quite large, weighing 250-270 kilos (550-594 pounds); with a coarse, shaggy grayish-brown coat; a distinctive white ring circling its rump; and a white band on its throat.

We then spent some time in the reserve store, where I bought a light jacket and a book for granddaughter Kayden; and Joel bought a warm weather vest. We then boarded a van and were driven to the Tree Tops compound. There were two other compounds in the reserve, Mark's Camp and Lentaba Lounge. We will be staying in Mark's Camp for two days and tree Tops for one. At Tree Tops there were 5 separate cabins. We occupied 3 of them and the other two were occupied with a mother/daughter (Bridget & Melissa)from the United Kingdom and a husband/wife (Ann & Peter) from the UK but currently living in Spain.

As we went to our cabins, we were told that the greatest danger in our compound were bull elephants; and that if we encountered one, to not move as that may agitate it. We were also told that we might encounter an antelope in the compound, and that they may be within reach to pet but that we shouldn't because then they will lose their fear of humans and become 'too familiar' with us.

We had lunch at 2:30 PM and our first range drive at 4:30 PM. It was cold, windy and raining on and off; so we were wearing our boat foul weather gear. The first animals we saw were three Common Hippopotamus in a pond by the registration area. Hippos are Africa's most dangerous animal, killing more humans than any other animal. Who knew?! They live in herds up to 10-15 in number; and bull hippos mark their territory on land by flinging dung with their short tail onto bushes, grass clumps, mud and rocks. They can weigh up to 2,00 kilos or 4,400 pounds. We also saw a herd of Blesbok Antelopes. They are quite beautiful and distinctive, with an unbroken white facial blaze; black horns; and pale but not white buttocks. We saw a large herd of these composed of many mothers with newborn lambs, which weigh 6-7 kilos (13-15 pounds) when born, and which can run with their mothers 30 minutes after birth. We saw one mother giving birth, with its lamb's head and one leg sticking out of its rump. We watched for 40 minutes, but it still hadn't given birth yet. It walked, laid down, got up and ate, stood still, laid down again, got up, etc. for 40 minutes. We got some amazing pictures of the lamb's head/face and leg sticking out of the mother. Quite amazing.

We also saw a herd of Impala, a medium sized antelope reddish-brown in color with a white chest, belly, throat and chin and weighing 45-80 kilos (99-176 pounds). The female is called an 'ewe' and its young a lamb. They are beautiful animals and quite abundant. Very 'Bambi' like.

We didn't have our 'sundowner' on the range ride due to the inclement weather. A 'sundowner' is a drink with nuts, cookies and/or bread sticks out in the range. We were back at our compound at 7:20 PM and had dinner at 7:45 PM. Dinner consisted of Ostrich steak, chicken pie, candied carrots, peas, salad, cut up fruit, bread and a custard for dessert.

All food and drinks, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages including wine; and two range drives each day, are included in the price of the visit.

Brian Fox