Is a safari vacation a vacation? This is the type of question I ask myself in the early hours of a morning in the bush as I dress in the darkness, hoping to be in time to witness a sunrise.
Being a morning person, this moment-in-time is special and reminds me just how grateful I am to be able to get to spend time with the diverse nature of the animals, reptiles and insects that I get to spend time with while out on a drive or a walk.
So, join me as I share some of my game drive sightings and stories that I was privileged to be a part of while on a recent visit to Nyala Safari Camp, a Sun Destinations property.
And to answer my question.
I often long for a vacation where I can get up at 10h00, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and then spend the day doing nothing at all.
No wait…that is my version of a nightmare!
You might ‘recognise’ them as Zazu from The Lion King.
Here in South Africa, we know them as Yellow-billed hornbills.
Seen here catching some early morning light.
Or perhaps this pair are looking to prove the adage, “The early bird catches the worm”.
Or maybe not…
The poster child for birds in the bush.
The Lilac-breasted roller. Known for its stunning plumage, it used to be the National bird of Botswana.
Just one of several Roller species found in South Africa.
Did you know?
In many African cultures, the lilac-breasted roller is a symbol of peace, love, and unity.
Its vibrant colours and graceful flight also lend to its spiritual significance. In some traditions, its feathers are used to bind couples together before marriage, and the bird itself is seen as a messenger of harmony and reconciliation
Many humans are the kind who revel in instant gratification.
On the other hand, the giraffe is the exact opposite.
I watched as this bull tried for the longest time to feel comfortable enough to drink from the waterhole in front of the camp. However, something was bothering him and this was the closest he got to the water before deciding to wander back into the bush, where he was less exposed to a ‘perceived’ danger.
And as a result, he did not get the drink that he wanted. The guests sitting on the deck watching him had nothing to do with his decision, as he never once looked at us.
So, instead of water, he went back to munching the vegetation. I am unaware if he found water at another spot, but he was not seen at the waterhole again during my stay.
FYI: When a giraffe stretches its neck towards the sky, it is seen as a symbol of vision and foresight.
Its spiritual energy encourages us to look beyond the immediate challenges and limitations, guiding us to embrace a broader view of the world.
A sighting like this always makes my adrenaline levels go into overdrive.
There is something about spotting what could be considered the most elusive of the cat species, relaxed on a tree branch and allowing us to get close enough to be witness to their world.
While not too far away, this herd of impala was on high alert.
If the leopard is seen as an apex predator, then these impala are seen as apex prey.
Discretion is the better part of valour, and the herd decides to leave, rather than allowing the leopard an opportunity to choose a meal.
And the leopard watched them leave, knowing that at some point their paths would cross again, and the outcome could almost be guaranteed.
Looking for all the world like a lifeguard on duty, this Saddle-billed stork was keeping an eye out for food.
Ezulwini is a well-known “big tusker” elephant, one of the youngest of the exclusive group of tuskers that still roam the Greater Kruger area.
His name, meaning “from heaven” in Zulu, reflects his calm and gentle demeanour, even when in musth, a period of increased aggression in male elephants.
Ezulwini is frequently seen by guides, trackers, and guests, becoming a highlight of many safaris
I have seen him while on previous safaris in the area; however, on this occasion, he was not playing along and was more focused on food than stepping out into the open for me to record his tusks.
You would be amazed at just how focused and how fast Wild Dogs can move. This male was one of a pair that had been hunting, but for some reason had become distracted and stopped to regroup and reconsider their next move.
And it WOULD stop behind the ONLY piece of tall grass in the area.
A different kind of leopard… A Leopard tortoise.
In all the fables that feature tortoises, they are perceived as slow and steady. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Try to photograph one and you will realise just how fast they are capable of moving.
For those unaware of the story, it is one of the most famous of Aesop’s fables.
Once upon a time, a Tortoise and a Hare met on a road.
As the Hare jumped back and forth in front of the Tortoise, he said, “Tortoise, how can you stand being so slow? Do you ever get anywhere?”
The Tortoise replied, in a patient voice, “Yes, Hare, I can get anywhere I want.”
Just about to leave to find speedy friends, he said to Tortoise, “I don’t believe you.”
“I’ll prove it,” answered the Tortoise. “I challenge you to a race.”
The Hare thought this challenge was one he could easily disprove, so he agreed.
The Fox was to act as a judge, so that very afternoon, once they set the course, the Fox gave the signal, and the race began.
The Hare immediately disappeared out of sight, and before long, he started to feel that it had been beneath his dignity to agree to such a challenge.
So, to demonstrate confidence in his victory, he took a short nap.
Meanwhile, the Tortoise plodded on. Time went by, and in due course, he passed the Hare asleep by the side of the road.
The hot sun beat down, and the Hare slept much longer than he’d intended.
When he woke, Tortoise was approaching the finish line.
The Hare leapt up and, even though he ran as fast as he could, he could not catch up to Tortoise, who was declared the winner.
The moral of this story? “Slow and steady wins the race.”
The other participant in the hare and the tortoise fable.
When the hare reached the point where the race ended, all the animals were laughing at him for losing the race to the tortoise. That day, he learnt a lesson that bragging about something doesn’t win you accolades, hence you should never mock others for their own pace. Moral of the Story: Slow and steady wins the race!
This Scrub hare believes that by staying still, it will avoid detection. And that is usually true during daylight hours.
At night, it is a different story, and they will run in front of a vehicle, seemingly mesmerised by the headlights. And it takes more than a gentle cajoling to get them off the road and back into the bush where they can be safe once again.
Certainly NOT your placid farm bovine.
Singularly one of the most beligerant of the Big 5 and an animal that you want to avoid at all costs. Especially if you are on foot.
Even though individuals might look at you as if you owe them money, in many African cultures, the African buffalo symbolises strength, courage, unity, and resilience.
They are often viewed as powerful and formidable creatures, capable of defending themselves and their herds.
Buffalo are also connected to spiritual concepts like the spirit of the land and the ability to give freely, reflecting their role as both a resource and a symbol of respect.
We picked up a hitchhiker on one of our drives.
Although Golden Orb spider venom is not dangerous to humans, we seem to have been brain-washed into believing that ALL spiders (and snakes) will kill us.
This is the female of the species, and she is certainly a stunning specimen. It is only the males that have to fear her, as she will consume them once mating is complete.
There is more to this arachnid than meets the eye…
It has been a while since I ended an animal post with a butt image.
I have now rectified that…
Click on the logo to find out more.
With thanks to Dave, Nikki, and field guide Christelle, who hosted me during my stay.
Click on the logo to find out more.
Travel & Things is the proud winner of these prestigious awards from the digital British lifestyle magazine Luxlife.
The awards are in the categories:
Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa
Best African Game Reserves & Lodges Travel Review Site 2025.
See who the guests have been since the inception of this YouTube channel. Click on the logo above.
Looking for something to read? Visit the Off the Shelf YouTube channel for interesting and up-to-date interviews and book reviews. Click on the logo above.
“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?”
Edgar Bergen
All images are the copyright property of
and may not be used without permission.
All images used in Travel & Things posts are edited using Ribbet software. To learn more about the product and what it offers both amateur and professional photographers, click on the logo above.
