On Monday, 8/10, our tour proceeded to Mpumalanga, known as the Land of the Rising Sun. We travelled the Panorama Route and arrived at Perry's Bridge Hollow for 2 nights. This would be our base for visiting Kruger National Park the next day, Tuesday, 8/11. We arrived at the park early at 6:30 AM and waited in the line of autos to be admitted. Fortunately we met our ranger guide and climbed aboard to be one of the first vehicles to head out for a day of exploration!
The morning was busy as we sighted elephants, giraffes, zebras, and assorted hoofed animals. The highlight was the sighting of several female lions on the move. A line of vehicles had formed and waited in hopes the lionesses would appear. Our patience proved worth the wait as we saw 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 cats on the hunt. These animals move swiftly intent on their purpose to hunt and provide for others. Amazing sight!
The afternoon added a barrage of baboons and vervet monkeys, as well as hippos, more elephants and giraffes, and a mongoose. Our viewing ended with the sighting of an impala skin and horns hanging high in a tall tree. Our guide told us when a leopard makes a kill, the cat will take his capture to a high place to savor and enjoy leaving only the remains. A tasty meal is not shared with other animals!
My favorite sightings in Kruger were a lone rhinoceros and several Cape buffalo. These animals are of prehistoric origin and are impressive to see as survivors of past ages.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
