We had a long weekend with holidays on Friday and Monday, but rather than trying to do some long trip, we just decided to take it a little easier and do some shorter day trips. We started off by doing the Adventures with Elephants, which is 2 1/2 hours away. You had to make reservations and we reserved for the 12:00 interaction for 1 hour, and then the 1/2 hour ride into the bush. We headed out in plenty of time, and it showed a nice straight shot up the N1 Freeway and then some short drives after we got off the freeway.
We were heading up the N1 when suddenly we found ourselves on the N14. As we pulled off to try to figure out what went wrong and how to get back on the N1, we learned that the N1 had delays of over an hour. Apparently, due to some very bad accident. Obviously, the Lord was watching out for us and we were able to find an alternate route. If we had stayed on the N1 we may not have been able to get off if it for a long time, and we could have totally missed out on our elephant encounter. We got there 5 minutes before it started. We paid and went immediately onto the encounter.
You got up close to the elephants and you really got to learn a lot about them. We learned their sense of smell is a hundred times better than a dogs. Someday they may be sniffing luggage. We also learned they can learn your name and retain it for up to three years. It was quite an amazing experience. Then some of the missionaries did the ride out into the bush. I was worried that it would be like sitting on your dining room table with your legs straight out, but it was not bad. I was on the big bull and it is amazing how high you are off the ground.
Have you Hugged Your Elephant Today?
You put three pellets in their trunk and then they put them into their mouth.
Or if you are brave, you can put the pellets straight into their mouth and feel their tongue, like Sherry is doing in this picture. They really are amazing and wonderful, gentle giants.
Or they will play soccer with you!
After an hour of interaction and learning about the elephants, you can go for a ride,
if you are not afraid of heights!
if you are not afraid of heights!
BUSH BABY MONKEY SANCTUARY
On Saturday, we went to Bush Baby Monkey Sanctuary. It was up near Hardbeesport. The Bush Baby monkeys are very small. They had many other monkeys there and quite a few lemurs as well.
This is a baby Bush Baby. They have cute little faces.
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| Two mamas with their little babies by our guide. |
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| Here is a mama ring- tailed Lemur, but she was not sharing any of the treat with junior. |
