Arrival Tour Do not Disappoint
Photos and Text By CHRIS CHAFFIN
Editor's Note: This is the third part in a series about an African Safari Adventure.
"Look! Kudu!," Wilhelm, our outfitter, called in excitement as he pointed to the side of the road, "Your first African game species."
We were barely 40 minutes outside Johannesburg and there, on the side of the road in tall, drab-gray brush were three kudu, the gray ghosts of South Africa with those long, graceful, spiraling horns glinting in the early morning sun. Of course we made Wilhelm turn around so we could gawk like the tourists we were at the awesome sight we had just flown 10,000 miles to see.
Our morning had begun with the dawning awareness that we were stepping off the plane in Johannesburg ... in Africa.
Wilhelm Greeff of Zingelani Safaris (www.zingelani.co.za) met us at the airport and helped wheel our bags to his truck. After a stop to pick up a few supplies, we headed northeast, taking in the exotic sights of a new country on our way to his game ranches in the Limpopo District bordering Botswana. During the four-hour drive we saw a few wart hogs and a monkey or two, but mostly enjoyed learning about the towns we passed and the country's history.
There were clear similarities to Texas but there's a different feel to the place ... something exciting, exotic, mysterious and compelling. Along the route, roadside signs announcing game farms, lodges, safaris and wild game meat for sale (like kudu and eland) blended with the view never before seen trees and brush and two-tracks leading into the distant hills.
The drive passed quickly, highlighted by a scratchy, mobile call from the Zinyathi Lodge Manager, Esme, asking Wilhelm if today's clients wanted to hunt a leopard. My heart raced at the thought, but my checkbook and my wife audibly "gasped," so I could only say, "Wish I could ... but no."
With a quick photo stop by the Zinyathi Lodge sign, we left the paved two-lane and took to the dirt roads. Immediately inside the main gate to the ranch, we spied a herd of 20-some Impala and six Blesbok. I was stoked.
The Zinyathi Lodge, one of three Zingelani Safaris operate in the area, was perfect. It was a postcard-pretty compound with a wonderful main dining area and lounge building, separate cottages with complete "western" amenities. All the buildings had beautiful thatched roofs, which Wilhelm explained "...are authentic and look great but which a baboon or two can do $5,000 damage to in about 5 minutes!"
There was even a large watering hole on one side where wildlife viewing, day and night, was captivating.
We unpacked in a delightful cottage with a separate master bedroom, two bathrooms, a full kitchen and a front room with two more beds - easily enough room for four to spend a week or two very comfortably. The décor was smartly "African."
Wilhelm introduced us to his wonderful staff. They were all friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, efficient and talented. Every need was met and every meal we had for the next week was delectable. Evening meals were all wild game from the ranch.
Once settled, we jumped on Wilhelm's invitation to tour the ranch and see what wildlife was around. We weren't disappointed. From our high-seats on the Land Rover we saw species after species of exciting, new animals in their natural habitat. We constantly snapped the binoculars to our eyes and kept the camera's shutter clicking.
You go to Africa to see animals ... and we saw a lot on our Zingelani Safaris trip. I kept a daily list because I didn't want to forget the incredible variety. Here's what we saw on our first day: Kudu, warthog, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest, buffalo, duiker, impala, blesbok, sable, white blesbok, steenbok, Cori bustard and ostrich.
At dark we returned to Zinyathi Lodge for a delicious dinner featuring waterbuck and a dessert to die for. Good thing we'll be logging some miles during our stay.
We made plans for the morning and hit the sack exhausted, but thrilled with our first day in Africa.
The cottages at Zinyathi are clean, very comfortable and "cool"! They have all the "Western" conveniences and the décor has a welcoming "African" flavor. The overall compound is a delightful mix of creature comforts, an efficient hunting/game ranching operation and people who know how to make you glad to be there. |
Sable antelope take advantage of one of the ranch's supplemental feeding stations. This one, located next to the lodge offers great wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the day and even at night, when the adjacent pond area is illuminated. Sitting back with the drink of your choice and watching wildlife from a mere 40 yards is a great way to end the day. |