South Africa

This is the first of our stops in South Africa. Please enjoy a few favorite pictures from our game drive in scenic Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, a 90-minute drive from Richards Bay in Zululand.

Thanks to conservation efforts that began with Operation Rhino in the 1950’s, the Reserve now has the largest population of White Rhino in the world. Brought back from the brink of extinction (there were only 20 in 1900) there are 10,000 today!

Nests of the peculiar Weaver birds, entrance at the bottom of the nest!

A Cape Buffalo and feathered friends

We had had only a glimpse of a sleeping lion but there was no problem finding the Warthogs!

Durban is reinventing itself as a resort city, with amazing beaches, great weather and beautiful landscapes.

My assignment: “Durban Coastal Drive”, with Hästa as my mascot.

South Africa’s often violent history is the topic of many of the lectures onboard the Serenity as we travel these waters. The haggard pose of Dick King recalls his epic ride from Durban (then Port Natal) to round up reinforcements for the British Army in 1842.

Waiting for passengers along Durban’s “Golden Mile”

We left the city behind and drove north toward the “new city center”, passing suburban villages.

Most businesses have relocated here, away from the crumbling city and its problems.

Communities have sprung up, touting beauty and safety.

Back in the city our guide on the coach warned us not to walk here.

The unused former Tourist Information Center

This 36-foot-high Cenotaph with two angels raising the soul of a dead soldier is a memorial for the soldiers who died in World War One.

In past visits to Port Elizabeth, we have had excellent game drives but have never seen the city. Today we planned to walk from the port …….

To the old city center and the Donkin Reserve, shown here.

Ship’s agents, however, warned us about recent muggings and strongly advised against it.

Instead, for safety’s sake, we took the ship’s shuttle bus to the Boardwalk resort complex.

The good news was that we could walk by the beautiful beach.

Lifeguard training

Love this 😊

What an amazing sight! Cape Town and Table Mountain appeared out of the clouds as we sailed in Monday evening after hours of clouds and rain!

On Tuesday we drove toward Chapman’s Peak, a scenic drive that would take us along the Atlantic coastline.

The curvy Chapman’s Peak road was carved out of the sandstone cliffs, and atop the granite below.

Coming back to Cape Town

Near the port – a Brass Foundry displays their art – in the form of a little Warthog family’

Our stay in Cape Town extends over 3 nights and 4 days! What a treat, since there is so much to do in and around this great city! Tuesday evening the setting sun turned the “tablecloth” on Table Top Mountain golden!

Our evening entertainment was extraordinary! Precision flag twirling by the Hottentot High School majorettes ……

And……more than 20 bagpipes and drums, all on stage!

It was a wonderful blending of peoples and talents and ages – the future for which South Africa is striving.

Today is the start of the 4th and final segment of the 2019 World Cruise.

We joined friends for a day that would find us far from Cape Town, at Aquila Private Game Reserve. Our guide and driver, Maximillian

Narrow tracks for the people-transporters also make easy paths for elephants!

We slowly followed this guy until he decided to move off for some breakfast.

Pretty close, we were!

The reserve is huge, but it is still only large enough to support two juvenile males.

A White Rhino family urges baby to wake from his nap.

Another baby – about 2 ½ months old

Lions were sunning themselves and resting in their own secure part of the reserve.

A gathering place

Cheers!

A beautiful Springbok

Hästa and I emerging from a “dinosaur egg” in Aquila’s educational project, Eco-Synergy.

Two young lions are almost set to be released from the animal rescue center.

Our final day in Cape Town, time for Ruth to get a haircut on land and one last time to wander around the Waterfront

In the harbor fur seals were hanging out.

Water birds were lazy, too.