I recently saw the list of 2018 Safari Awards nominees and that brought back thoughts on one of the most beautiful places on earth – South Africa. To the uninitiated, the sights, sounds and smells of the bushveld are a wonderful assault on the senses and a must-do anyone’s bucket list.

The majesty of the bush and witnessing, in person, the Big Five, in their natural habitat is truly a sight to behold. The Big Five include the African Leopard, Lion, Elephant, Rhinoceros and the Cape Buffalo. The Big Five were not classified due to their size, but how difficult they were to hunt on foot and how dangerous they are.

But the beautiful animals aren’t limited to the Big Five. It is very special to be able to get close to see the grace of the Zebras, the Kudu’s with their corkscrew horns and who can forget the majestic Giraffe.

Another sight to behold are the South African sunsets, some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The gorgeous oranges and purples fill the sky.

On game drives in the early morning and at dusk, the bush is full of amazing sounds. One can hear the elephants trumpet, lions roar and the impalas with the snorting sound they do when alarmed. And don’t forget the symphony of birds!

One of the biggest surprises for me on my first trip to South Africa was the smells. There is this amazing aroma in the bush after a rainstorm. Very hard to describe, but unforgettable – I have never come across this beautiful fragrance anywhere else – even in the Australian bush!

In my next instalment on South Africa, I will talk about how to do a South African safari the right way. Stay tuned …

Till next time.

Mr. Tipsy