The Safari Experience

Our visit to the Aquila Game Reserve was one of the most anticipated experiences of our course in South Africa. Located about an hour outside of Cape Town, the game reserve is home to animals such as “The Big Five” (rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, and buffalo) as well as many others. Upon our arrival, our group was welcomed with champagne and enjoyed a light breakfast at the beautiful Aquila Lodge before making our way to the open-sided buses to begin our safari.

Led in two separate buses by different guides, we made our way down the dirt roads and into the reserve. The dirt roads, rutted out by rain and daily use, were extremely uneven and threw everyone in our group around with each and every bump. As we made our way through the reserve we saw giraffes, pulled right alongside springboks and ostriches, and were even given the opportunity to get out of the bus in one of the safer areas in order to get a better view of the surrounding landscape and to see actual bushman artwork hidden on the backside of a large, unmarked rock.

From there, in an attempt to time it perfectly, our guide circled us around the reserve as we waited for the elephants and rhinos to come closer as they made their way across the plains. Both heading toward a nearby watering hole, a young elephant and massive female rhino eyed each other down in an attempt to assert their dominance. After ten minutes of stomping, grunting, and staring at one another just yards away from our parked safari bus, the elephants gave way and headed towards the watering hole.

Following the action, our guides drove us over to the watering hole where we watched the elephants cool themselves down by splashing around and playing in the mud. While the two play-fought and rolled around in the mud, our guides opened up coolers and again provided us with glasses of champagne. As we enjoyed our champagne and the rare sight of wild elephants at play, the bullying rhino heard once again came to challenge the elephants. After another long turf battle, our guides took us across the reserve to see the rest of the “Big Five.” As our bus slowly rounded a corner, our guide asked us all to close our eyes until directed otherwise. Skeptical, we all did as he said only to open our eyes and see a huge, full-grown male lion only a few feet away from our bus. Seeking shade behind a large rock, the lion was completely hidden from sight until we had all but passed him.

After a few minutes watching the “King of the Jungle,” we watched the lionesses devour large pieces of meat by another watering hole. Like the male, the lionesses were also much larger in person than any of us had ever imagined. After a brief viewing, the group was taken to the final section of the reserve where we saw a herd of zebras, a water buffalo, and the tops of hippopotamuses as they surfaced from beneath the murky water to breathe. As we were leaving, in an attempt to show off his off-road bus driving skills, our tour guide got our bus stuck in the sand in the middle of the alleged leopard territory. While all the guys filed out to help push the bus, the driver kept watch of the surrounding area and steered the bus back to the road. At the end of the safari the group went back for an upscale buffet style lunch at the Aquila Lodge.

Overall, everyone was extremely satisfied with the safari experience. Although we were unable to see a leopard, the rare interactions we saw between the animals and the close proximity we were allowed, to even the big cats, made the safari a once in a lifetime experience. As something that many had only dreamed about doing, going to an actual safari and seeing such amazing animals in the wild turned out to be one of the highlights of our course and something that we will never forget.

 

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