We were at Kichaka for three days. I think. I slept a lot. We fitted in four game drives. I was going on those game drives come hell or high water. Paul & I were both ill, and on looking back at some of the videos, I sound terrible. It's all part of the memories, right?
Despite the extensive close up elephant pics on the previous Sth Africa posts, we saw many animals and thanks to Ashley, we learnt a whole lot of stuff that is sure to be useful. At some point.
Like – did you know that a group of zebra is called a 'dazzle' of zebra? Or that giraffes are a 'journey' of giraffes? And there are two other options for that one but clearly I wasn't listening close enough at the time. And did you know that Cheetah hiss and spit when they are grumpy? Just like this one did before it did a scary little run towards the other jeep? Oh yes, it's funny when it's the other jeep!
We also came across these two lions, which was really cool. When I was at Kichaka in 2010 with my hubby and son, these two cubs were missing. The large adult male lion had killed their two siblings (there were orignally four) because they weren't his. It's a nasty wilderness sometimes, huh? And these two were missing. They were a little afraid that the large adult male had killed these two as well. It was lovely to arrive at Kichaka just last month and see these two hanging out in the sun together, brother and sister, happy and thriving. The male is just starting to grow his mane – how cool is that?
I was sad to go on the last game drive. I remember sitting in the jeep while Ashley was driving and taking a deep breath, looking around at the African sunset and thinking "This could be the last time I see this". It's a really humbling thing to be in such a big place, seeing so many majestic things and realising it's just one day and I'm just one person that is only on the earth for such a small amount of time, in the big scale of things.
Among all these deep and meaningful thoughts there was plenty of time for fun too. There was the time Ashely went carefully around this big rugged hole in the track, we all complained loudly that we would have enjoyed the ride, so he backed up and went through it at speed. Poor tracker on the front there, holding on for dear life! We also had times where we had to save the other crew - despite the way it looks, we are towing them out backwards. See Werner, Ashley would never have attempted that track!
We always stopped for sundowner drinks, meeting up with the other jeep for Amarula as the sun went down. We added Brandy to mine too, since I was sick. Medicinal purposes only, honest. It was a fun time to catch up with the other crew and compare funny, and often made up, animal stories.
So that was Kichaka. It has to be one of the most magical places on earth. For the animals, the game drives, the company, the surroundings but also the staff. We left Kichaka on the Thursday morning, but before we left I had to go to the bar one. more. time. Jason was there handing out cough medicene as usual – I swear next time I want actual proper, like, alcoholic drinks served, ok Jason? – and I had to get my last dose.
Thanks Kichaka. Thanks Ashley. Next stop Capetown.
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