Summer Edition 2017

AFRICAN ADVENTURES
PHOEBE, 13, OUR JUNIOR TRAVEL
CORRESPONDENT, REPORTS ON HER
LATEST TRAVELS IN SOUTH AFRICA.
“ I dreamed of going to Africa and when
I finally got there the reality was more
amazing than I could have imagined. I might
have had to get up at 5.30 every morning
but the excitement of what the day would
bring had me leaping out of bed.
In the Kalahari Desert, breathing in the
smell of Africa, I felt like I had stepped into
another world. We followed a wild dog hunt
on our first game drive and the excitement
was almost unbearable. The females led the
way while the teenagers caused all sorts of
mayhem chasing porcupine, warthog and
too many antelope to count. As darkness
settled the hunt became more serious and
I was actually glad not to see a kill. I have
never felt so conflicted; while I wanted them
to feed I could not help but cheer on the
brave animals that fought them off.
We tracked lions and made plaster casts of
their giant paw prints. We found the pride
lazing by a water hole while the cubs fed and
annoyed the adults. When they ALL began
to grunt and roar the air seemed to vibrate,
my hair stood on end, my spine tingled and
my tummy rolled. It got louder and louder
before the two males roared so loud that
even the truck shook. It was exhilarating!
While watching a meerkat colony, our tracker
picked up fresh cheetah tracks and moments
later we were lucky enough to see two of
them lying in the evening sun watching the
world go by.
I will never forget my first sunset over the
Kalahari, the sand and sky turned every shade
of green, blue and pink imaginable until all I
could see were silhouettes and stars that
seemed close enough to touch.
In the Kruger we tracked rhino and saw a
leopard up a tree with its kill, found lions,
giraffe, hippo, elephant and buffalo. We were
even surprised by a hyena while on a ‘pit’
stop behind a bush one morning. We had our
luxurious safari tent raided (while we were
out!) by a troop of very clever baboons who
took clothes, washbags and my sister’s Latin
revision - or that is what she told school. I was
a little scared but mostly cross until the guides
made me laugh by saying that somewhere out
in the bush were some very well dressed and
perfumed baboons with fresh breath reciting
their tenses.
I will never forget a single day and I cannot
wait to return. Africa really does get under
your skin.”
To plan your own safari adventure please contact Bailey Robinson Africa specialist Jake
t: +44 (0)1488 689700 | e: jake@baileyrobinson.com