Bryan was our safari buddy on a trip to Kruger Park. We stayed in a hut in the Skukuza Rest Camp in what is considered the capitol of Kruger Park. We didn’t know what to expect but we knew what we didn’t expect – to stay in a bat cave! When we arrived just before dark, a bat had already claimed residence in our hut. It actually flew right into Bryan’s camera when he was recording it on video. All attempts to coax it out of our living space were in vain. We finally called the ranger for help. Had it been the Lone Ranger, we would have been rescued. However, the park ranger sent two African’s with a long pole with a filthy rag tied to the end of it. They swung it back and forth over the thatched roof and succeeded only in bringing down all the dirt and bugs housed among it’s tightly wound branches. Still, the bat eluded our efforts. Finally, I prayed that the frightened little beast would find the exit door and he was never seen again. Thus, the frightened big beasts could enter the hut and prepare for a night’s rest in anticipation of a day in the bush.
When dawn pointed a ray of light to our outdoor kitchen, we witnessed the pitter-patter of little feet scampering around stealing our food. Monkeys and baboons fearlessly crashed our breakfast menu and opened the refrigerator to claim the spoils without a battle. We were introduced to “self-catering” Africa. We didn’t realize that it included the predator primates!
After going to a restaurant for some breakfast, hopefully uncontaminated by monkey paws, we drove out of the protection of the rest camp and into the game park. On the way out, some overly zealous baboons taunted us and tried to jump in our windows. We sped off having no time to stay and monkey around there.
Here are a few of the photos we captured as the animals roamed freely through the bush, across the roads and along the rivers. One rogue elephant tuned up his trunk trumpet and belted out a sound that could only mean, “Run for your life!” I photographed him heading for a direct hit on our windshield just as Chuck’s stunt driving enabled our escape. That was even more thrilling than the bat attack! The bigger they are the bigger the scare, I guess.
By the end of the day, our gratitude for this beautiful earth and its amazing Creator increased a hundred fold. And, of course, it was all the more fun shared with the companionship of our courageous son who flew more than 50 hours to visit us. Part of the Africa experience seems to be visiting famous Kruger National Park. It was a fun time!
