Here At Last

I have promised over and again that I would blog about my time here in Africa. Unfortunately, free time is a valuable commodity out here in the bush. It is hard to believe that 2 months have already passed and I am nearing the end of my 2^nd semester with Bushwise. I have learnt much about myself and this amazing natural environment I am surrounded by daily.

First off, as I know everyone is waiting to hear about my driving abilities, I will admit to having stuck the vehicle only once and as it would happen, on my very first drive.  Crashing through golden orb webs and dodging thorns, I misjudged my tire alignment and wedged one side of the vehicle in a deep crevice. On a good note, it was a fantastic learning platform for the other students in my vehicle for “what not to do”, and as it would happen, a great photo op for my trainer. It took two attempts to free the vehicle due in part to my rather poor attempt to drive through it the 2^nd time around. Shame!

Driving is progressing and a few weeks ago, I drove into my first lion sighting. The pride of 6 lions lazed about with only one lioness slightly annoyed at my approach. Thanks to my ethology lecture, I recognized the fact that I had breached this big cat’s comfort zone and quickly gave her the space she needed. It is an amazing feeling to see the classroom lectures coming to fruition out on our game drives.

Trust me when I say, there have been many moments “to write home about”. I am not one to shy away from Africa’s creepy crawlies but snakes are another matter, especially one’s that fall out of trees. Imagine my reaction when a Spotted Bushveld Snake (non-venomous), fell next to my study group, coiled and reared up. I have never jumped up on my seat so fast in my life. The reptile identification lecture went out the window as I shrieked “snake”……like a little girl. ;)

Apart from the snakes, scorpions and spiders (most of you will thank me for not writing about these), the wildlife encounters have been absolutely stellar. Imagine elephants emerging from thick brush, silhouetted by moonlight, silently walking past your vehicle, an arm’s length away, the air thick with their musky scent.

The haunting call of hyena in the early morning hours, the roar of lions in the late evening, the final calls of an impala in a cheetah death grip…..it is a veritable overload to the senses. I am continuously amazed by my surroundings! Even more so, my ability to distinguish the sights, sounds and smells I am bombarded with.

Lastly, I can’t finish off this blog without writing about my accomplishments. Rifle handling began last week with our SASSETA qualifications. I can safely say that I am not a bad shot considering the scope was so far off that even our trainer could not hit the target. Makes me wonder about my eyesight (rest assured I passed two eye tests at the driving center). As for this week, a week long session in tracking culminated in my finally qualifying for my level 2 tracker. After much doubting on my part, over analysing tracks & spoor on practical, I was elated with the final results. I must now learn to have more faith in my abilities, after all, this is a dream of my own making.