Jungle Jim, Bomba the Jungle Boy, Tarzan, Zulu, ROAR ……. these all shaped our knowledge of Africa or, what we thought was Africa. It was soon to be rectified.

Mr and Ms X quickly bonded with the tour group that were to be their travelling companions during their time in South Africa. Seventeen other Australians became a tight knit group of explorers. Their home base would be the Nkambeni Safari Camp situated on the doorstep to the Kruger National Park. It provided luxury ‘glamping tents’ complete with spa and pool (but no hairdryers – to be always referred to as HAIRDRYER-GATE!)

With a wake up call to their tent at 4.45am for both mornings, these tourists devoured a quick breakfast before splitting up into two groups and setting off for their safaris at 6am.

The first to greet us was the hyena who gave off friendly vibes despite its reputation. Who knew that they lived in a hole in the ground into which our new friend soon disappeared.

Throughout both days we would see countless giraffes, impalas and elephants, to the point we could be forgiven for being a bit blasé about those in particular, however we weren’t. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

It was a treat to see the zebras frolicking in such numbers as they let us in to their private lives, happy elephants in great numbers and giraffes looking down on us from their great heights. They were Ms X’s favourite. It was even demonstrated to us the origins of the name ZEBRA CROSSING.

The list of animals sighted both days is below:

Day 1 Safari:

Hyena, Elephant, Impala, Zebra, Giraffe, Kudu antelope, Warthog, Gnu, Short tail eagle, “The African Bee”, Leopard turtle, Lion, Rhinoceros, Water monitor, Lilac breasted roller, Guinea fowls.

Day 2 Safari:

African fish eagle, Hippopotamus, Impalas, Elephant, Wooly necked stork, Some big turtle, Wilder beast , Zebras, Crocodiles, Leopards, Baboons, Waterbucks, African Wild Dogs (painted dogs), White Back Vultures, Buffaloes.

Not a bad list of creatures to show their backyard to an inquisitive group of strangers.

1. The buffalo
2. The Leopard
3. The Elephants
4. The Lion
5. The Rhinoceros

After two days off serious safari-ing, it was great to relax back at the resort.

Our glamping tent.
Our cosy fitted out tent.

Our travellers also managed to have a luxury massage at the end of the day, which provided the national park backdrop. Bliss.