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PICS: Amazing beauties of the wild

Last updated on: June 03, 2013 10:04 IST

Reader Mridula Dwivedi shares these images of the beautiful country.

Beware! South Africa can steal hearts. I lost mine somewhere in the bushes of the Manyeleti Game Reserve. Even though South Africa is a long haul destination if you are looking for adventure abroad, look no further. South African Airways connects many parts of the country to Mumbai.

I was in South Africa attending a trade fair, after which we went on a trip which included wildlife safaris and the Panorama Route. The wildlife in Africa is on a grand scale. As soon as we landed up at Tintswalo Safari Lodge at Manyeleti Game Reserve there were nine wild African Elephants just behind the dining deck. But I could capture only two in good light. What a pity!

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PICS: Amazing beauties of the wild

Last updated on: June 03, 2013 10:04 IST

The pride of South African tourism is the Big 5, lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and Cape buffalo. We had covered 3 by the first evening itself, with the elephants right behind the deck. Our jeep followed a lion with a flash light for 10 minutes in the evening safari. And this magnificent rhino was roaming near our jeep a little earlier in the same evening safari. The rhinos are being poached for the horns and their conservation is a topic of discussion everywhere in South Africa.

PICS: Amazing beauties of the wild

Last updated on: June 03, 2013 10:04 IST

The next day we spotted two sleepy lions in the bush lying next to each-other after gorging on food. This one lifted its sleepy head for a while and then went to sleep again.

PICS: Amazing beauties of the wild

Last updated on: June 03, 2013 10:04 IST

A Cape buffalo with birds for company was another magnificent site we were lucky to witness. I have to say by now we had spotted 4 out of big 5 and that is where the tally stood right till the end. The shy leopards were not to be seen but then I need a reason to go back to South Africa.

PICS: Amazing beauties of the wild

Last updated on: June 03, 2013 10:04 IST

Apart from the big five there is plenty more to see. I spotted my first herd of zebras in the wild at the Mayeleti Game Reserve. South African wildlife experience leaves you completely spoiled!

PICS: Amazing beauties of the wild

Last updated on: June 03, 2013 10:04 IST

South Africa is a big country with beautiful scenery too. We saw a bit of it when we traveled on the Panorama Route in the Mpumalanga region. These ranges are part of Drakensberg system and the lichen on them makes them even more fascinating to look at. The colors are due to the lichens that cling to the mountains.

PICS: Amazing beauties of the wild

Last updated on: June 03, 2013 10:04 IST

The path also goes along Blyde River Canyon and one of the fascinating stops on the way is Burke’s Luck Potholes. The grinding of the river has produced these beautiful potholes and it has been named after Tom Burke who was prospecting gold in the region.

Even today I just have to close my eyes and I can pretend that I am still in the South African bush!

PICS: Amazing beauties of the wild

Last updated on: June 03, 2013 10:04 IST

This view of Durban city was clicked from the sky platform at the Moses Mabhida Stadium which was part of one of the World Cup Football 2010 stadiums. You can board the SkyCar for Rand 55 and enjoy the panoramic views.

PICS: Amazing beauties of the wild

Last updated on: June 03, 2013 10:04 IST

I found people in South Africa to be warm and smiling with a great sense of dressing up! They can carry almost any dress and accessories with their attitude! They also have a great sense of humour. If you were to ask them what that bird was, they may turn back and reply ‘flying bananas’.

Mridula Dwivedi is an academic from India who is passionate about trekking and travelling, and these days dreaming about going to Antarctica. She blogs at Travel Tales from India.