Among angry elephants in the Kruger Park

Last October I was in South Africa with 20 others to cycle for Orange Babies. This was an impressive trip that I often think about. Besides cycling and a lot of heavy things we have seen, we also spent a night in the Kruger Park. Looking for the ‘Big Five’ during the evening safari.

Distraction

Before we went on this tour, the program was sent digitally to everyone. This way you could read yourself and find out what we were going to do. On day five a visit to Kruger Park! I was looking forward to this. I always wanted to see elephants in real life and also thought it could be a nice distraction from cycling.

Newborn elephant

By car, we drove through the Kruger National Park to get to the lodge, which already felt like a safari. On the way, you’ll see all kinds of things, elephants, giraffes, lions that do things you don’t want to see, impalas and monkeys. You are not allowed to drive faster than 50 kilometers per hour, so an hour or two later we arrived at our sleeping place. On the way, you often stop or you have to wriggle past other cars that are looking at a newborn elephant.

Bare hands

In the car, we already saw a lot of things and then the real safari with a ranger had to start. This safari lasted three hours, from 4 to 7 pm, which means that you also search for animals in the dark. Our ranger was a big African woman, where you immediately feel safe. She looked, that if necessary, she could beat off a tiger with her bare hands. Quite a nice and safe feeling! Together with her, you go looking for the Big Five.

Big Five

The Big Five is a well-known term among tourists who come to Africa. The big five include the elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo. A fact in between, because why are they called the Big Five and why do they include these animals? These five animals, when they feel threatened, will always choose to attack. So if, for example, you split a group of elephants during your safari, you have a problem. Do you see an elephant flapping its ears? Then put your jeep in reverse and get out of here quickly. I don’t think our ranger saw this danger and stopped quietly with the car. We saw the chief of the elephant group wave with his ears, but fortunately, he remained calm.

Malaria

I got the malaria pill for the visit to the Kruger Park. The day before you enter the park, you take your first pill. Then you take it on the day you are there plus another seven days longer. That way you are protected against malaria if you get stung by this mosquito. In our group, there were also a lot of people who didn’t take the pill. This is a consideration for yourself, because you may experience side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and strange dreams.

Bike

In the end, I didn’t suffer from anything and I’m glad I did take the pill. Although diarrhea while cycling for a week is no fun either. Luckily this turned out well for me and a visit to the Kruger Park was a trip to remember!

Among angry elephants in the Kruger Park

Last October I was in South Africa with 20 others to cycle for Orange Babies. This was an impressive trip that I often think about. Besides cycling and a lot of heavy things we have seen, we also spent a night in the Kruger Park. Looking for the ‘Big Five’ during the evening safari.

Distraction

Before we went on this tour, the program was sent digitally to everyone. This way you could read yourself and find out what we were going to do. On day five a visit to Kruger Park! I was looking forward to this. I always wanted to see elephants in real life and also thought it could be a nice distraction from cycling.

Newborn elephant

By car, we drove through the Kruger National Park to get to the lodge, which already felt like a safari. On the way, you’ll see all kinds of things, elephants, giraffes, lions that do things you don’t want to see, impalas and monkeys. You are not allowed to drive faster than 50 kilometers per hour, so an hour or two later we arrived at our sleeping place. On the way, you often stop or you have to wriggle past other cars that are looking at a newborn elephant.

Bare hands

In the car, we already saw a lot of things and then the real safari with a ranger had to start. This safari lasted three hours, from 4 to 7 pm, which means that you also search for animals in the dark. Our ranger was a big African woman, where you immediately feel safe. She looked, that if necessary, she could beat off a tiger with her bare hands. Quite a nice and safe feeling! Together with her, you go looking for the Big Five.

Big Five

The Big Five is a well-known term among tourists who come to Africa. The big five include the elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo. A fact in between, because why are they called the Big Five and why do they include these animals? These five animals, when they feel threatened, will always choose to attack. So if, for example, you split a group of elephants during your safari, you have a problem. Do you see an elephant flapping its ears? Then put your jeep in reverse and get out of here quickly. I don’t think our ranger saw this danger and stopped quietly with the car. We saw the chief of the elephant group wave with his ears, but fortunately, he remained calm.

Malaria

I got the malaria pill for the visit to the Kruger Park. The day before you enter the park, you take your first pill. Then you take it on the day you are there plus another seven days longer. That way you are protected against malaria if you get stung by this mosquito. In our group, there were also a lot of people who didn’t take the pill. This is a consideration for yourself, because you may experience side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and strange dreams.

Bike

In the end, I didn’t suffer from anything and I’m glad I did take the pill. Although diarrhea while cycling for a week is no fun either. Luckily this turned out well for me and a visit to the Kruger Park was a trip to remember!