Blog 006
Volunteering in Paradise
Day 05
South Africa
2016, February 19th
Today was one of the best days of my life!
That is a strong statement to make but today I would say has been!
Early start up at 0630 at the elephant enclosure for 0645, Zebras and Donkeys surrounding us, even the friendly one called Jack, such an amazing animal like all of them and so friendly! Two guys whom look after the elephants come over, open the doors with the elephants helping them do so, and off they go.
I have never been this close to an elephant before, and her is such a suited place for them, they have free roam and they can go wherever they wish! Three elephants in total all female, one is mum the other is daughter and the other was adopted by the reserve.
The Elephants lead us far away from their enclosure, even if that means through the trees and bushes they have eaten / walked through.
They are such calm and majestic animals we could even walk beside or in front of them with no problems, so many photos taken on this morning!
We arrive back at quarantine after that amazing experience and the day is only yet to get better!
Bring your cameras and your smiles is the thing you look forward to being told!
Walking through the gates we are told to jump into the back of the truck, attached to this truck are the three lionesses! Exciting times are ahead!
We arrive at the animal training area, leave are bags and water outside and enter the area, the truck reverses up and one lion is allowed out!
Bainet takes her around the course and then one by one we get to take them around, my first time was quite nerve racking knowing that at any moment the lioness could do anything she wanted and i would be helpless.
Bainet takes her around the course and then one by one we get to take them around, my first time was quite nerve racking knowing that at any moment the lioness could do anything she wanted and i would be helpless.
Second time I had less nerves and got her around the full course, as these animals get tired easily we only got to go round twice. But WOW what an experience I will never forget.
We arrive back and are told to keep our cameras on us, Big Cat Feed! Got too the first enclose and meat is thrown over the fence for the Lions, I went for it this time, and helped feed a few of the Big Cats, hands and clothes are now covered in blood, but it was worth it!
I am off now, stay tuned for tomorrow!
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