It’s been almost a week that I took off for South Africa. Finally I got some time to share my first days with you guys. So far, I really, really like it here! For someone who is living in Europe South Africa is the perfect winter get-away destination. The opposite seasons to Europe and no need to worry about time zones and jet lag. What else could you ask for? 🙂 Here is what I’m currently doing in South Africa:
I am volunteering together with a friend at the Global White Lion Protection Trust, a project that has specialized on the protection of the White Lions. It is the first time I’m participating in such a project. I am already a huge fan of it, because it is so rewarding, and enjoy the time here a lot! We are staying in a camp that is surrounded by 700 hectares of wildlife – giraffes, wildebeests, zebra, lions, impala and many more. It is so calm here and the nature is just breathtaking. The camp where we are staying is located near Hoedspruit in the Timbavati region. It is about a 5 hours drive up north from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport.
Our days are quite packed and intense, yet relaxed at times. The days start at 6 a.m. right after sunrise when we go out with a jeep to check on the lions and monitor and their behavior. Same things apply in the evening before sunset. The lions are just awesome creatures! There are two White Lions and two brown lions (“Tawny”) in our camp. I learn a lot every day about the wildlife, the eco-system and the White Lions. It’s fascinating how everything works together and how things fall into place. Before volunteering in South Africa I’ve never seen a White Lion in real life and I’ve also never been that close to a lion before, what makes it an experience.
Usually our tasks vary a lot (except the work with the lions). Our working areas go from cutting trees, to planting trees in a school, do some gardening and performing handicraft work. On our second day we were already feeding the lions. (I spare you the details at this point, but it was really hard for my vegan stomach.)
Unfortunately I can’t show you any photos of the White Lions yet, as there is a no-photo-policy that applies for the lions. But luckily they changed the procedure a few days ago and allow us to take photos on our last day in the camp – which I will share with you guys.
So here is a recap of our first days in the White Lion Camp. I will keep you updated 🙂
Let’s go and monitor the White Lions.
Sundowner in South Africa.
That jeep. All day every day.
My favorite vehicle here in the camp.
Look who I’ve spotted!
I’m a sunset chaser.
I like road trips. A lot.
The Powerline Primary School that works together with The Global White Lion Protection Trust.
Gardening at school. PET-bottles have been reused to plant trees.
Today’s means of transport.
On our way home. That pale pink building cheers me up!
A quick stop to get some cardboards to finish our handicrafts.
The first tree I’ve cut in my life. My legs are full of scratches, but I’m a happy kid. 🙂
Vultures in the trees waiting for their next meal.
At the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
A cheetah at the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
A leopard waiting for his next prey.
Photo Credits: © CtheSky.com
wahnsinn!! ich bin sprachlos wie wunderschön es da ist. Vor allem, dass du so nah an den Tieren bist 🙂 Mein Traum ist auch mal auf Safari zu gehen, leider weiß ich nicht ob ich auf Grund meiner fürchterlichen Angst vor Spinnen so etwas jemals machen werde =/ Umso lieber schau ich mir deine Bilder an! =P
Genieß deine Zeit!
-Julia
Liebe Julia 🙂 Waren am Wochenende im Krüger Nationalpark, das war wirklich beeindruckend und schön. Ich versteh dich nur zu gut, habe auch schreckliche Angst vor Spinnen (hab lange überlegt, ob ich überhaupt in den Busch reisen soll deswegen!). Letztendlich bin ich aber froh, dass ich mich doch dafür entschieden habe. Falls es dich beruhigt, ich hab wirklich kaum richtig große Spinnen gesehen – und wenn dann war immer jemand da, der mich sofort davor gerettet hat 😉 Vielleicht entscheidest du dich irgendwann doch auf Safari zu gehen – die positiven Eindrücke überwiegen für mich eindeutig 🙂 Liebe Grüße, Carola
Was für eine coole Erfahrung! Wie lange bleibst du noch in Südafrika?
Viel Vergnügen und liebe Grüsse, Liliana
nächste Woche geht es schon wieder heim :-/