On our last day, we woke up nice and early again and had breakfast at the hotel. We got the car all packed and drove for quite a while before arriving at our final destination before home; the Botlierskop Private Safari Reserve. It was SO beautiful! I had expected to find a rundown building where we checked in before heading onto the Safari vehicle, but I was completely wrong. It was the most beautiful resort I have seen in a long time. The lodge was right on a small lake, with the most amazing view. Further on the hill were guest accommodations that Avril and Marion told us were just as stunning. I couldn’t believe it! We came into the warm building to find a wooden fire drawn out of the huge fireplace in the sitting room for us, as well as a tray of tea cups and hot water. It was a little chilly that morning, so we all huddled around the warm fire and had our tea (and hot chocolate) before the Safari started; it was so lovely (:
Once it was time to depart, we went outside to the nicest safari vehicle I have ever seen haha. This was going to be amazing. We were also given blankets (who would have thought!) to wrap up in since it was quite chilly and the whole vehicle was wind-exposed. We drove up the mountain side into the reserve, which we found out was I believe over 300 acres of land; SO huge! It was beautiful though, and had the most amazing views. We all took so many pictures that our cameras were practically dead at the end of the safari. We also saw a lot of animals; rhinos, giraffes, antelope, elephants, wildebeest, bonteboks, zebras, elands, bushbucks, impalas and kudu. We got to get super close to all of them as well, which made for fabulous pictures. The rhino were HUGE, and it was so cool to see them up close, as well as the giraffes! The giraffes were very tall and walked right over to our vehicle, so we got amazing pictures of them as well. After all of this, we drove back to the lodge to switch vehicles before going to see the Lions on the other side of the mountain reserve. The vehicle was a lot taller, and had metal doors that rose really high so that we were more protected. The ride was pretty scary, because it was so bumpy and the vehicle was so high and wasn’t as smooth as the first safari vehicle. The lions were surrounded by a huge electric and barbwire fence. As soon as we got through, we saw the bone remains of an animal lying in the grass; that’s a little scary! The guide seemed to know exactly where to go, and headed for the back of the lions area, and found all three of them lazing in the shade under some shrubs. As soon as we pulled up, one of the lions growled at us, and practically pounced. I think I screamed and jumped, but I was so scared that I don’t know if that recollection is accurate; seems like something I would do though haha. The lions were feeding, half sleeping and cleaning each other intermittently. We were really close to them, so we got a lot of good pictures of as well. That concluded the animal portion of our safari.
When we returned to the lodge, lunch was already being prepared for us (it was included in the package), and it was pretty gourmet. Our ‘first starter’ was mussel soup with homemade fresh bread. It was so yummy. Our ‘second starter’ was salad with fresh fruit in it---strawberries and pineapple, two of my favorites. That was so good too! Then for our entrée, ham and mushroom pasta, which was also so good, but way too much food! We were all SO stuffed, but dessert was still coming—South African malva pudding. None of us were able to finish anything, but we had a great time talking and eating and enjoying the view. I was so not ready to hop into a packed car and head home after this, but it was time to do so.
The drive home was six hours long, and the three of us quickly fell asleep with full stomachs like little babies. I think Marion fell asleep too! Poor Avril; she asked for gum so that she would keep occupied while we all slept haha. I had quite a nice little nap if I do say so myself. But, I was definitely glad to be home when we arrived; my butt was practically numb from sitting for so long. I took so many pictures and can’t wait to show you all!! Goodbye Wilderness Barbie/Safari Momma…Diva Barbie is officially back again (:
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