For just under a week in March, I visited some friends in the Mabula Private Game Reserve. This was the first private game reserve in South Africa. Some very lucky wealthy folk have the unique pleasure of actually owning a house on the reserve, or being a part of a time share. Others can simply stay at the lodge. I was even luckier and I got to stay at Jacaranda camp, which is the base for the Ground Hornbill project. One of the best parts of this camp is that there are no barriers to keep the animals out. It definitely makes things interesting. You are able to get an idea of what it would have been like to really live in the bush.
During my stay, I got up close and personal with a variety of animals, mainly hornbills and elephants. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of my real close encounters with elephants as that would have just angered them even more, but at least I have the stories to share. To say the least I laughed a lot at the predicaments that we found ourselves in because really what else can you so...well besides squeezing your toes and hoping for the best.
