Tulani Safari Lodge Phalaborwa

... with life. The sounds that were coming from just beyond the tiny little electric fence were scary and exciting at the same time. Massive gutteral roars that were either from a pride of lions or hippos were especially unnerving, especially when we went out exploring with our torches. We got an early night and set the alarms to rise and shine at 4am to get an early morning drive in, hopefully to catch the nocturnal animals after their night ...

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When we first entered the park we could not be more excited! We saw tons of Giraffe, Zebras, Impala, Kudu, Monkeys, Baboons, Elephants, Water Buffalo, Rhino, Hippos and yup lots of LIONS! Woohoo! There were many others but not enough time to think of them all as I am rushing to write to you.

We have some great photos and a couple videos that I will share with ...

... above the allowed speed limit.

Day 2, we woke up at 4am, still feeling sleepy, we hop on to our jeep and head out at dark for our morning drive. There was only us and another couple in the jeep. When the jeep moves and the cold wind blowing on us, we were so cold that we quickly wrap ourselves with the blanket. As the ranger requires me to hold the spot light and look for animal, I "sacrificed" my hand to hold the spot ...

... map and touring tips from my new friend at SEF, Moses, I decided to venture on safari on my own with my trusty rental car and a bag of trail mix.
It was a surreal experience to say the least. Sure, you can see animals in a zoo and the Wild Animal Park in San Diego makes a strong effort at replicating their animals’ natural habitat, but it entirely another matter to see wildlife on their turf, miles and ...

... and clean up after them, the facilities around the park are really good. One of the days it was really cold (the vehicle is open) and it rained, I was freezing as I had sandals and cropped trousers on so borrowed one of the blokes socks to get my feet warm (see picture, looking well hot!) Four days of safari and I am heading back to Johannesburg but in a nicer part of the ciry - I can walk around in the daytime here. Lots of love to you all. Tracey xxx

... yes, walk through the South African bush with two guides with rifles..............in the open................. We decided back in Cali that it was too dangerous..............but............. .......when we got here, they said it was part of the Safari........so, we went. It was great!!! The guides walked us safely through, and tought us all about the animals, plants, trees and their way of life in the bush. Day 3. Another 5am morning, and drive. Breakfast ...

... Four hours later, we are back in the camp, where we do ... our laundry. Dr T and I drink beer, while the girls look over our laundry. My sweet hubby takes them a beer. And finds the sweetest hairy worm. Some games are played afterwards. After a little nap, Ann is ready for the safari, hat included! Again the giraffes: who is watching who? These animals here are so used to ...

... It showed a lot of white on its rump when I flew away and three rows of white spots on its upper wings. It was presumably a Lesser Spotted Eagle, a much commoner bird locally, but we were certainly intrigued. Birds at the Kanniedood dam were numerous but poor light conditions meant that they took some work. Marsh , Wood and Common Sandpipers, Kittlitz's, Three-banded and White-fronted Plovers and Little Stints. Two waders got a little more attention and when we'd had a ...

... but guards with guns keeping an eye out. We had a look at the site. Staying there would be a real genuine experience. None of the animals come anywhere near the secure sites. However, you can still hear the lions roaring in the morning. Not enough to wake me up though. 3 days of waking up at 4.30am was beginning to take its toll! We took the scenic route back to Jo'burg, along high mountain roads and past huge pine forests. Spectacular scenery

... and then coming onto a family of vultures feeding by the roadside. We were told by many people that it is possible to drive the length of the park and see nothing. After all said and done these are totally wild animals living in an area 350km by 60km an area of close to 2million hectares. On the plus side the park is home to 507 species of bird, 147 mammal species, 114 reptile species, 49 of fish, 33 amphibian and 300 different types of ...