| I had not been on a holiday in what felt like years! | | | | zebras grazed for as far as the eye could see. |
| I decided to make it worthwhile and do something | | | | The zebras didn't seem to mind us much as we |
| that was a little extreme for me. So a few | | | | strolled alongside the herd. |
| weeks ago I booked my vacation. | | | | What a thrilling feeling to be so up close and |
| I set out on a true African safari adventure. | | | | personal with nature! After our zebra encounter, it |
| Seven days in the Botswana Okavango Delta on | | | | was time to stop for lunch. As I clumsily |
| horseback. My family laughed at the prospect of | | | | dismounted Daisy I could feel that riding her was |
| me on horseback (and I don't really blame them), | | | | having an effect on my back, a painful one too. |
| but my determination to venture into the African | | | | And not just my back, but my legs seem to |
| wildlife was strong. | | | | buckle as I tried to walk over to the make-shift |
| Well ok, I'm really not much of a rider; in fact, I | | | | lunch table. |
| have not been on a horse for a very long time. | | | | Belly filled, getting back into Daisy's saddle proved |
| What convinced me was an excitable, yet lengthy | | | | a little bit trickier. For some reason, I found that I |
| talk by my friend who had experienced it before | | | | wasn't as flexible as before, but as always my |
| and told me that I simply had to try it at least | | | | determination to prove that I am a true cowgirl |
| once. | | | | and after a few efforts and the help of a nearby |
| Getting started... | | | | tree stump I continued on my safari. |
| Departing from Johannesburg, the flight to Maun | | | | How small we felt... |
| was approximately two hours. I was torn | | | | Our next wildlife encounter was with the giants of |
| between nervous fear and absolute excitement. | | | | the bush, elephants. Now I don't have to explain |
| For our welcoming, we went on a short | | | | how intimidating this meeting was, even if you're |
| game-viewing air-adventure. And from high above | | | | sitting on your high horse. |
| Botswana you can see why this African country | | | | Daisy was much calmer than I. She had obviously |
| is such a highly sought after venue for safari | | | | done this trip a few times! It felt like I was close |
| vacations. This view of nature made me feel | | | | to having a heart attack (whether it was from |
| ready for an all African holiday, especially for | | | | fear or excitement is uncertain). The elephants |
| experiencing it on horseback. | | | | were so close that we could hear the gentle |
| No Black Beauty... | | | | rumblings as they spoke with one another, and |
| After our flight we were met by our driver who | | | | although they were very much aware of us, they |
| took us by 4x4 to our holiday accommodation | | | | didn't make any attempts to approach. After |
| where we had an overzealous lunch. I met the | | | | what could only be described as a pure adrenalin |
| people who, together with my friend, were going | | | | rush we continued on our merry way back to the |
| to join us on our seven day horseback adventure. | | | | lodge as the sun set in the distance without so |
| Later, I was introduced to my new hoofed friend. | | | | much as a scratch from a branch. |
| Everyone got the chance to get to know the | | | | The lodge... |
| horses a little bit better. Horses, like humans, have | | | | Back at camp I said goodnight to Daisy and went |
| a personality of their own, and mine sported a | | | | straight to my luxurious safari tent. My legs were |
| stubbornness to match. This brown beauty was | | | | still buckling underneath me. I was in total agony, |
| strong and she clearly had spirit. After I got to | | | | but I embraced every minute of it. |
| know my horse, Daisy, a bit better by bribing her | | | | After a good scrubdown, my friend and I walked |
| with ample carrots I felt a wave of excitement | | | | to the main lodge to join the festivities in the |
| and ready to start our journey. | | | | boma where a huge bonfire awaited. The |
| Early morning... | | | | traditional pot was on the fire and the smell of a |
| I was so excited that I awoke just before five in | | | | true African meal wafted to us accompanied by |
| the morning. We were scheduled to leave at | | | | the sound of the drummers. The meal prepared |
| seven, but I couldn't wait! | | | | by the Macatoo "Mamas" was rich, warm and |
| My luggage was already packed and I was ready | | | | filling as we swallowed it down with huge gulps of |
| to get going. We were briefed on emergency | | | | the African beer. |
| procedures during our quick breakfast; thereafter | | | | After satisfying our hunger and a short |
| we set off to the stables. Daisy was already | | | | introduction to traditional dancing, we set off back |
| saddled and it seemed just as ready as I to start | | | | to our safari tent where our comfortable beds |
| our trip. I poised myself as best I could on the | | | | awaited. It did not take long for us to drift off to |
| saddle. Luckily it was one of those old well worn-in | | | | a deep sleep after our very full day. |
| American saddles - a comfort fit, so it was not | | | | Closing this chapter... |
| too difficult. I gave Daisy a slight nudge with my | | | | The rest of our week was filled with further |
| heels and off we went. | | | | adventure. Despite the initial meeting Daisy proved |
| A learning curve... | | | | to be a trusty steed. The guide was professional, |
| Getting into the rhythm of riding Daisy felt very | | | | the group was fun, and even though I had to |
| natural, it helped that we kept a relaxed pace. | | | | endure a few days of stiffness from the saddle, I |
| The sunrise shed a golden hue onto the rocky | | | | would not have traded her in for the back of a |
| terrain we were crossing. It left a sense of | | | | 4x4. |
| absolute peace and stillness. What bliss. As we | | | | I felt satisfied; I had my true wildlife African safari. |
| walked along I remember thinking to myself, this | | | | A vacation experience that would last me a good |
| is what a holiday should be. | | | | couple of months! |
| We soon after entered an open field where | | | | |