For the life of me I can't remember what we did when we were here previously. We didn't keep an online blog then but a Word document journal that got lost sometime between computer upgrades so I can't check. It must have not been memorable for any reason. Anyway, I am fairly certain it was not a game drive so that is what we did here today. Very different weather today than outside Richard's Bay where it was so hot and sunny we saw few animals. As we traveled further south, the temperature has lowered each day. The high today was only around 70 F. That would have been fine but it also blew rain sideways the whole 3 hours we were out in an open Jeep. It felt colder! But more animals. More animals than I can list. I was disappointed that we didn't really get elephants this trip but I took that chance when I went with Lalibela vs. Addo. We had a good day and Lalibela did a good job. I can only recommend that an overhead canopy is a good idea in any weather though it wouldn't have helped too much today. Tour description is pasted below. We paid $299 each.
EXCURSION
GAME DRIVE AT LALIBELA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Discover the landscapes and animals of Lalibela Private Game
Reserve, the only private game reserve in the Eastern Cape with no public roads
running through the property and one of only three private game reserves in the
Eastern Cape where all the animals, including the large predators, roam freely
throughout the entire park.
DURATION
APPROXIMATELY 8 HOURS
A 90-minute journey gives you time to become thoroughly
excited about the animals you will have the chance to observe at Lalibela, one
of the leading game reserves of the Eastern Cape.
Stepping aboard an open, 4x4 vehicle at the reserve’s Day
Visitor’s Center, thrill to your three-hour game drive, viewing wildlife that
roams freely in profusion and diversity.
You will have the opportunity to spot a variety of game
species, ranging from the “Big Five” of lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and
cheetah, to the tiny blue duiker and rock hyrax. Lalibela also is home to
hippo, giraffe, zebra, warthog and numerous species of antelope, such as eland,
kudu, bushbuck and wildebeest.
Of the six vegetation types in the Eastern Cape, five occur
naturally on Lalibela. A thriving Valley Bushveld biome allows Lalibela to host
an impressively dense population of animals, large and small.
On your return to the Day Visitor’s Center, enjoy a buffet
lunch. Then it will be time to rejoin your motor coach and travel back to your
Crystal ship.
Important Notes: Guests should be aware that there is an
approximately three-hour, round-trip drive to Lalibela Private Game Reserve;
however, the fascinating sights included in this excursion are its main focus
and more than compensate for the length of the journey. As this excursion
involves traversing inclines and rough terrain and climbing into open 4x4
vehicles, it is not recommended for guests with physical limitations or neck or
back problems. It is recommended that guests wear comfortable clothing, a hat,
sunscreen, and flat, comfortable walking shoes. Guest should also bring along
binoculars. Smoking and the use of cell phones during the game drive are
prohibited. Standing up in the game-drive vehicles and speaking loudly also are
not permitted, as it will disturb the animals. The Reserve’s souvenir shop does
not accept foreign currency; guests who wish to make a purchase should bring
along local Rand currency. This excursion will operate in all weather
conditions. All guests must sign an insurance waiver. Wildlife sightings cannot
be guaranteed.
