Day 7 - Come on a safari with me

Today we headed up to Addo Elephant Park- a South African National Park.  It was Rich’s first real day driving on the “other” (I was going to say wrong) side of the road, and Kat’s first day as a right side passenger/navigator (and person reminding Rich to “keep left!).  In fact, this morning Kat automatically started getting in the wrong side of the car- we both have some adjustments to make. 

We got to Addo too early to check into our park rondoval accommodations, so we did a little self drive Safari.  It’s a different experience than having a tracker and driver navigating and pursuing animals off road.  But Addo is also a very different park.  What it lacks in variety, it makes up in scale.  We saw probably 100 or more elephants all on the move together. 

Many passing single file right in front of our little Toyota Corolla. 

The watering hole was a stopping point on their way to wherever they are going -and also had a huge herd of buffalo sharing the water. The elephants seemed cool with sharing here, unlike the more territorial elephants in Chitwa.  

We spent some time watching various family units frolic in the water. This one seemed pretty happy with his nice cool mud bath. 

And this one, like Kat, sometimes needs a little assistance getting up. 

The buffalo were enjoying the muddy bath too - piled atop each other to find a spot.  It was hot here today, and I’m sure this felt nice for all the animals. 

After checking in, we found this tortoise near our room. We also saw some very large ones on our afternoon game drive. 

Then it was time for some wine and snacks on the patio of our little rondoval.  It’s Kat’s dad’s birthday, and she called him from here.  While on the phone, an elephant stopped by the watering hole in view. 

Happy birthday Dad!