Close encounter of a very special kind

In my previous blog I promised to tell you a true and wonderful experience I had with wild elephants. I would like to share the story of this wonderful encounter.
It was late in 2009 when I accompanied a group of Belgium tourists in one of South Africa's East Coast Private Game Parks. We had a very successful morning and we spotted a great variety of wildlife, yet the group where not satisfied until they had the opportunity to see elephants. we finally found a small breeding herd having a bath in a bushy gorge with very limited view of the elephants.  We managed to take a photo or two but with little success.  Our nature guide did not need much persuasion to try the other side of the river for a better view. This led to our amazing encounter with these spectacular beasts. Our Jeep followed the narrow path through the river, and as we started to drive out our route was blocked by a big female with a very young baby as well as a sub adult bull of about 8 years of age. Our Guide stopped, and started to retreat, because forward would have been foolhardy. Our retreat was suddenly blocked by the rest of the herd, what followed was truly an amazing experience.
Our Guide stopped as near as possible to the side of the road so as to leave some form of passage for the oncoming elephant and her young. he gave strict orders that no sound not even the click of a camera were to be made. He then started to talk in a very soft tone to the elephant and with his hand he slowly beckoned her to come past the stationary jeep. At first she showed that she was not happy to have us blocking her way, but the soft voice of the guide kept on calling her to pass us.
She nudged her very young baby and the little fellow came past us within touching distance, unbelievable, we barely had time to breathe when she herself came down the pathway, only to pass us so close that I could marvel at her beautiful eyelashes and the teak coloured eye that looked at me during her stroll past the Jeep. the young bull was a different story, with a special warning to keep still we waited for him to leave or pass the jeep. After what seemed like centuries that have passed he came past us and then just to show who is boss, the young bull broke a thick branch from a tree directly behind our jeep.
That was a encounter of a very special kind, and it also proved that wild animals can and will coexist with humans provided we grant them the respect that they deserve.

Wild Animals just a few notes;

Credit to the "unkown Photographer" for these pictures.

When one encounters one of the big 5 (lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and elephant) it is not uncommon to ask now where is the Danger? Why is the beast just standing there minding his own business? Why have these beasts earned themselves the reputation of being dangerous, and that they all have/can kill humans. Today I would like to discuss just one of the group namely the biggest and most powerful of them all, the elephant.
When one observes an elephant from a distance you get the impression that this beast is at peace with the world and that it would be safe to walk up to it and touch the beast, however like all man, animals have a comfort zone and will ignore everything else outside this zone. Should you enter the zone and stop, the elephant would take notice and provided that you do not go any nearer, they would continue with what they normally do, eating.  You may ask, why is it so that one hear and see, in the media that an elephant has attacked cars, buses, and people on foot, and in many cases these attacks caused severe injuries and even death? The behaviour of wild animals is not easily explained and I am by no means an behavior specialist, but I have over many years observed specialist wildlife tourist guides do their thing around these beautiful beasts.
The following were no go situations. Elephant Cows with very young babies, is to be avoided because the mothers are very protective of their young. the best is to observe them from a safe distance and let them accept your presence, note - never leave your car, because then you will be regarded as a threat, this is what the experts proved over and over. Males in "must" are more difficult to identify but if you find a elephant Bull on your game drive please note that elephants have glands on the side of the head just back of the eye, if you observe a dark streak on the side of the head, chances are that it is a bull coming into or already is in must. ,Other indicators are urination on the rear legs. These Elephants could be frustrated or they want to test their power by taking on some object, that would test their power, be it a tree to push over or a motorcar.
Give these animals a wide berth and observe from a distance because even your camera's clicking could spark an reaction.


The photo set was presumely take during a game drive. I want you to note how close the car was following this bull Elephant.  It certainly irritated the bull and when he reached the oncoming car he vented a few of his frustrations (note the streaks on his head). The persons in the jetta were lucky to come away with no serious injuries. So remember they may be mild mannered most of the time .....they are still WILD Animals.
Next time I will tell a true and amazing encounter I had with some Elephants.


Have great day and I am looking forward to your comments

60th Celebration

It's Monday, after what was a very festive Sunday, when friends and family prematurely got together to celebrate my 60th Birthday (19th April). Many statements have been made on the Value of having close Family and Friends, I can confirm that with the care and support that I receive from all of them I am standing strong.

This is a Travel blog and I did promise that I will be telling stories about my tours and travels, and it is for this reason that I have to tell a story that happened while on tour a few years ago.
I received a last minute call from two ladies from Germany who dearly wanted to view some San Rock paintings in the Cedar berg mountains on our West Coast.  After a few hasty arrangements I set off to collect them at their Hotel. We manage to depart by 10:00 on what was to become a very hot day in the Cedar berg. We arrived at the Savilla Rock Painting Trail and started to explore and view some of these spectacular paintings that are easily well over 2000 years old. By one in the afternoon the temperature between the rocks and along the footpath has risen very close to 40 degrees.
One of the two ladies suddenly showed symptoms of heat over exposure, due to her not drinking sufficient water.  We suddenly had a patient high in the mountains with no possibility of the temperatures lowering, and to top it all no mobilephone reception in less than an hours walk. Her friend and I managed to move her under a cliff overhang which gave some shade from the sun and heat. I still had two liters of water with me and decided to cool her down by soaking her clothing (yes with her permission) in water, and then using my shirt as a cooling fan. her friend assisted by hydrating her with the available water and soon she recovered , I decided to take the shortest route to our Minivan through a little stream, with more water from the stream we were all okay to reach the van and the Ice-cold water in the fridge.  Water never tasted so good. I learned a lesson from our experience, ensure that all drink as much water as possible on a very hot day, and although people may look strong, they could be at the edge of their strength.
Talking about strength (power) tomorrow I want to talk about wild animal behaviour, and try to bring some understanding why sometimes docile animals misbehave.

South Africa, Gods Window, how many do we have ?

For those that have been on tour with me, will remember that I believe that South Africa has fantastic Panoramic views, and that I believe that all of those could fit the title. Today I am going to mention a few of these. I will also ad some Photos to show what I am talking about:
The actual Gods Window is in Mapumalanga near Graskop, lusch green and on a clear day you could see forever.
On top of the Swartberg Mountain, Teeberg viewpoint, looking North towards the Great Karoo, the horison is about 160 km away, and begs for a moment of silence.

The van Rhyjns Pass near Vanrhynsdorp, if you stop there, you will be able to see the scars that ages left on the open plains below.,  Truly a view to behold.
When you stop in the Drakensberg on the lookout point on the Oliviershoek Pass you will be amased how green in the summer and how brown the landscape can be in the Winter.

Whoops, Johan starts his first blog

Hi to all that can read this blog.  This is my first attempt to be a "so called blogger". I hope to, in the near future, be quite good at this and that you will find the stories and moments in my life as they were for me, amazing, unforgetable and wonderful experiences.  Here is to a bright future.......