Visiting South Africa — Critters

When we started planning our trip to South Africa, one thing on the must-do list was to see animals. Because of time and logistics, we ended up at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. It was a good choice for us in our search for animals. Our ranger, Neil, taught us a lot about the reserve, the animals, and South Africa.

Elephants

Impala, including black impala

Two of the reserve’s three lions

Mother and baby white rhino

Zebra

Bontebok (Sue’s favorite)

One of four giraffe in the reserve

Wildebeest (a.k.a. gnu)

Waterbuck

Botlierskop reserve

On another day, we went to the Cape of Good Hope, stopping along the way to visit the African penguins at Boulders Beach.

And, at the Cape, a baboon. Baboons can be aggressive and mean; many people think they are a nuisance. In a flash, this one jumped from the top of the taxi into a nearby car that had left its door open for passengers to enter. The baboon ransacked the car looking for food. We were told that baboons know the sound of car-door remotes clicking and recognize the different sounds made when unlocking the car and locking a car. They also know how to open car doors.

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We have many people to thank for our exceptional experiences in South Africa: wine makers, farmers, hospitality staff, chefs, servers, hotel and B&B owners and staff, wildlife rangers, Wines of South Africa staff, VinPro staff, and many others. We especially appreciate the many friends we made during our travels. Thank you! All of you!