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It is 6am on a chilly Saturday morning, I am standing at the bus stop anxiously waiting to be transported to the wilderness of the Kruger National Park for a private safari trip. So much is going through my mind. Where are we going? what am I getting myself into? Where am I going? Nonetheless it is in my inquisitive nature that those questions race through my mind. While on the road, we make some discoveries that left me stunned with the true power of Mother Nature. From the blossom of jacarandas trees in the city where I grew up, to seeing the deserted baobab tree on the side of a road, all the way to the long pine trees which surround the wilderness I am soon to call a home for the next 4 days of my life. The funniest part about this was that I was not a nature enthusiast. Nor did I know much about nature except for what was in our curriculum at that time. I had packed some of my best fashion statements so it was pretty obvious I did not know what awaited me on the other side of the fence. It is 2pm now, and we have arrived. We are greeted by giraffes, rhinos and monkeys and the absolute beautiful ambience and calm that comes with being surrounded by nature, the next 4 days of my life were life-changing. I found healing, I found a purpose and I discovered so much about myself. From the nature drives early mornings to the wild treks during the day, I quickly learnt a lot about co-existence with nature and I also had the chance to see rhinos up close and personal, I cried. Having to live in nature inside a 2mm thick tent and no electricity might have proved tough for a city girl like me but I was flower that happened to adapt quickly and in no time I could spot birds and trees and animals. The experience was so beautiful that I wished it could have been longer and I have stories on stories to tell about my discoveries during the time I spent in the wild.i must admit, I was skeptical before the trip because I had never been on a safari before and I was scared I would not be strong enough to brace nature but by the time I got home, I was a changed person. I found peace in the smell of the soil after the rain and the healing that came with immersing yourself in nature’s true elements. I came out renewed and more ready to take on the world. I was able to live in a tent, with buffalos surrounding me for their nights rest and not once was I overcome with fear. It may have came and gone but it never overcame me. I felt liberated. I felt free. I felt happy. I don’t think anything in my life can ever compare to that. I went into This exciting journey unknowing of the soils that I will touch, the soils that I will walk, and the sense of newness that they would bring to me and my soul. Nothing can touch that feeling. The adrenaline, the happiness, nature is beautiful. It is stunning. I’m stunned at how it happened. It’s 12pm and we have packed all our bags ready to go home and tell them all about our trip. How we had to use a bucket for a shower or the time hyenas would scratch our tents when we were asleep. Stories of how we would take lonely drives during the night and there would be no loud noises, just we would be surrounded by endless beauty, gazing at the incredible animals and watching how they survive the wild life. It was a very dry season but we still discovered so much. There was also the other part of the whole trip which only nature enthusiasts could ever relate to because my family would think I’m pretty crazy if I start ranting about being renewed. When visiting the Kruger National Park, hope over to Gary Freeman Safaris and maybe, just maybe you will understand this feeling too.