First Day on Safari

Today, we started our day with an exquisite breakfast (did I mention each breakfast is started with I charcuterie board?).
 
After breakfast, we met our transfer to the airport. I am somewhat sad to leave and feel like there is so much of Johannesburg that we missed out on. While Johannesburg has the rap of being a dirty and dangerous city, I found it to be quite interesting. As we boarded the plane for our flight to Skakuza, I promised myself I will be back.

 

Upon arrival in Skukuza, I was astonished by how tiny the airport was. It was literally a small building with a thatch roof. It reminded me of a visitor’s center at an American National Park.
 
We deboarded the plane and were greeted with a gentleman holding a sign for Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp. We gathered our luggage and hopped in a safari vehicle. Not more than 20 minutes went by and we see our first animals: warthogs! Within minutes we have also seen elephants, rhinos and giraffes.

 

Upon arrival at Little Bush Camp, we were greeted with warm cloths for our face and cold water. We are shown to our room – a gorgeous suite complete with a claw foot tub and personal jacuzzi. We treated ourselves to a beverage before heading back to the main area for lunch. 

 

After lunch, we went on our first game drive! We were provided with blankets and warm water bottles to keep us comfortable. The guide asked us what is on our bucket list, and we said everything! Our first spotting is a baby leopard. She was young and so we are not able to watch her for long as the camps like to give babies their space, especially in the absence of their mothers. We continue our drive and find a male leopard, many rhinos and elephants, and my personal favorite, a hyena on her way to her night hunt! We stop the vehicle in time for a sundowner. There was a beautiful sunset and I was left speechless. I kept asking myself, how is this my life?!