Safari Adventure

Our first weekend in South Africa might just be the best weekend that both of us have ever had. It was a two day safari escapade that we will both remember! The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, located three hours north of Durban, is the oldest game reserve in South Africa and is well-known for containing the Big Five game: lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinoceros. Through the expertise of our seasoned guide and new friend, Prakash, we were fortunate enough find most of the Big Five as well as many other animals such as giraffes, zebras, baboons, warthogs, impalas, and nyalas. The highlight of our tour was witnessing (from a safe distance) a territorial stand-off between a herd of thirty elephants and an enormous white rhinoceros. The last segment of our adventure was a sunset boatride on the beautiful St. Lucia Estuary. After Sarah flightendly panicked at the thought of jumping over the dock and into the boat (terrified at the thought of falling into a hippo & croc infested waterway), we all boarded the boat and floated into the beautiful wetlands. During our ride, we spotted several large herds of hippopotami, a number of exotic birds, and enormous crocodile--one of which almost snapped at Eva as she unsuspectingly focused her camera into the vicious creature's eye from the edge of the boat. It didn't take long before she realized that it was wild and alive! The trip was a wonderful cultural compliment to our internship, and an unforgettable experience for us both!