SOUTH AFRICAN SAFARI, CHAPUNGU TENTED CAMP PART 1 [EN/PL]

My very first trip to a Game Reserve, the first attempt to see the big 5 - I have heard and read so much about. The big five is the term adopted to describe animals, that are dangerous and is used now internationally and by an African wildlife safaris operators. It includes lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and rhinoceros.

Travelling on the way through White River and Hazyview, where by the way I got my beautiful leather Rogue bag, a pair of field shoes and mohair socks. Through Bushbuckridge to Klaserie, passing Hoedspruit Airport - Eastgate Airport, we have entered security gate into the reserve. From there we took a wide tar road fenced on both sides.

Finally, we have reached the main camp Thornybush, left our tiny rental VW golf in the parking and got into the Landrover accompanied by a guide who drove us to Chapungu tented camp. We were staying there for 4 days, enjoying game drives from the very morning until the very last rays of sun.

As we have arrived, the whole team was already waiting in front of the entrance, greeted us and offered a drink. Than came formalities, short tour and explanations, signing the indemnity form, and we could enjoy the property.

Our unit was extraordinary, made entirely from green canvas. In the middle stood a big bed with mosquito net. The dividing walls were made of concrete, so just the inner part really looked like a normal house, but the only thing that was separating us from the wild animals and nature on the outside, was exactly this thin piece of textile and some net.

The next day, we needed to get up very early, got a wake up call at 5 in the morning, to be ready to sit in the car at 5.30 to go for a morning game drive. Enjoying the sunrise, having a coffee and a rusk (hard, dry biscuit or a twice-baked bread) we chose the drinks we wanted to have for a short break in the field, got to know the whole group and jumped into the Landrover.

Game drive is a safari. A trip into the wild to see animals in their own environment. We were eight people in the car, it was a Landrover especially converted for this purpose, six people in the back, where normally fit nine, our ranger and the tracker, who is the one that spots the animals. The tracker was siting on a chair mounted in front of the bonnet, our ranger was driving, operating the radio and explaining us the nature of the bush. One could hear constant noises coming from the radio, information about the animal sightings in this region.

One had to maintain a dialog, in order to exchange information with other vehicles and drive to the spot if necessary. Usually when the sighting was of a rare animal, we had to drive very fast to get there before it will disappear. Sometimes we were the first ones, sometimes the cars were already waiting to get the best chance to drive the closest, so that the passengers can get the best view for the photos. It was not always crowdie of course, it is still quite a wild and big place.

So, shortly after embarking the car we have seen a group of 3 lionesses coming from our left side, heading towards the Lion, who was on our right. So for the first sighting in the bush, it was great and I was pretty excited, as more followed.

Shortly after, we had a tea break. We have stopped in a relatively safe place, our guide checked the surroundings, then he pulled out a big box from the back of the car and put it on the bonnet. We had drinks, some snacks like biltong- dried cured meat, rusks, nuts and chips. I have enjoyed my second coffee with baileys.

Resuming the drive, we have stumbled on more amazing animals and finally came back to the camp just in time for breakfast. Again the whole squad welcomed us with smiles and hot towels.

Now after tasty breakfast we could spend some time at the pool until the next game drive just after lunch.

After a well deserved relax and filing our bellies with extraordinary food, we made our way to the car and was ready to indulge ourselves in the nature one more time.

We stopped in a safe place to have a sundowner in a scenic place. it was so difficult to stop munching on the dried meat, but there was dinner ahead so we all had to be mindful.

Coming back to the camp, greeted warmly as always, the night fell and it became chilly. Hot towels were perfect in this moment. After an aperitif, we were all ready to sit down and the crew was ready to serve food. The setting was in the best style. Candles everywhere, and one big wooden table where we could really get to know each other and properly end this exciting day.