Our first safari stop was in Kruger, South Africa, one of the places we missed seeing in 2019 when our trip was cut short. We had heard the Sabi Sands private reserve, inside Kruger National Park, was a great place for game drives and animal viewing, so that is where we went.
Getting to Our Game Lodge
To get there, we flew from Cape Town to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. Once we picked up our luggage, we found our driver and started out for the Umkumbe Safari Lodge. Our ride turned out to be more interesting than it had to be when the van we were riding in broke down. Fortunately, our driver was able to contact his company and get us another car.
We didn’t really care because we were comfortable, but we didn’t want to miss our first afternoon game drive. However, most of the ride to the lodge was on dirt roads, so it already felt like a game drive. We saw impala, kudu, and monkeys. We were also told that there were lions in the area, so we should probably stay in the car. The area near the airport and the national park was mostly agricultural with lots of vineyards and banana farms.
Umkumbe Safari Lodge
Fortunately, we arrived with enough time to make the afternoon game drive. First, we were shown to the Rhino Cabin, our home for the time we were there. We also got our schedule, which started at 5:30 am. The entire lodge was situated along a river that we were told was home to various animals at all times. The deck on our cabin faced the river, so we had a good view of anything that might happen by. In addition, the outdoor restaurant had a great view of the riverbed. Certain areas were even lit so we could see the animals at night.
Let the Game Drives Begin!
We were told to layer up because it would get cold between 4:00 and 7:00 because the temperature dropped quite a bit after the sun set. The afternoon game drives did get cool, but the morning game drives were freezing. They gave us blankets, and we had sweaters, jackets, and gloves, but my ears were painfully frozen. I finally got a neck gaiter that covered my ears for the morning game drives.
Here is a list of all of the animals we saw, but I can show you everything in pictures: Impala, Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Elephants with babies, Baboons, Hippo, Lions, Kudu, Nyala, Hyena, Red and yellow beaked African hornbill (Zazu from the Lion King), Duiker, Whorthogs (Pumba), and Black Rhino with no horns. The horns are removed from the rhinos every two years or so to discourage poachers.
In the Evening
Our game drives in Kruger were all in an open vehicle, so we had a very close view of all of the animals we saw. Game drives are one of my favorite things in the world to do. The majesty of the wild environment and the animals is so awesome. Everyone should have this experience if possible.
It was also exciting and unique to see animals come to the river. Especially knowing that there were no fences between us and the river. One day, I looked down the river and saw a giraffe, and another day there was a herd of elephants, so close we could have touched them.
For those of you who have been following us for a while and know about my African accidents, yes, we are definitely going back to Africa.
Sundowners
We never had these on the one safari we had 6 years ago. At sunset, our guide would find a place to park, and we would all get out for drinks and some snacks. This was repeated on all of our scenic and game drives throughout Africa. It is a lovely tradition that gives you a chance to really commune with nature while enjoying an adult beverage. They are very fond of gin and tonic in Africa, and fortunately so are we.
The Food at Umkumbe Safari Lodge
I really can’t say anything nice about the food at this lodge, so I won’t say anything at all. Mike didn’t mind the fare, and we didn’t come on safari for the food, after all.
What African animal do you most want to see?
