Fotosafari in Samara private Reserve

Today we did our first real safari together with a group of seven people and Gibson, the driver and ranger. It was a very bumpy ride with a Toyota Range across a river without a bridge, very steep uphill and downhill through mud and dry areas. We saw numerous animals and semi desert and shrub. First lecture was about the speckboum, bacon tree or Speckbaum in German. It is a succulent which changes carbon oxide into oxygene. That's why Samara is planting those trees. Here is Gibson explaining the speckboum: 

Surprisingly Gibson picked some leaves and started eating them and offered some to us for tasting them. They felt like thick salad leaves, were very juicy and tasted sour, like white vinegar. Kudus and giraffes love them. 

Second stop took place at an 800-year-old shepherd tree, which always gives shade to the shepherds in the desert, even if there is anything else anywhere. 

Then we saw numerous animals like a jackal, some bat-eared foxes, Kudus, Wilde beasts, very aggressive and huge animals, zebras, bussards, monkeys, baboons, ....

The highlight was a close contact to  three cheetahs, a mother with two siblings, a male and a female. They are collard therefor Gibson was able to trace them after a long search. The mother was taken care of by people after she was heavily injured by a farmer's dog. Therefore she is used to humans and let us come as close as 8 meters to take photos. The calves trust the mother Gibson told us. 

After this exciting experiences we were promised a picnic with personal bushes as personal restrooms at a nice viewpoint, only ten minutes drive, haha, African time!!! It took us thirty minutes and a very bumpy ride again on a high semi-desert plateau, it was 1200 meters above sea- level. It was difficult to breathe for me, then I understood why. 

Surprise, surprise, the viewpoint was a rock, about 30 square meters size, one was able to overlook the great Karoo, from hundreds of meters above the ground. I was terrified, because I fear heights , but this was the best and most impressive sight I've ever had before.

What we finally should not forget to mention: the extraordinary friendly and personal service of Margy and her whole team, ranger, service, kitchen team, and many services unseen, done in the background. And all of that in a unique home and park. Thanks to all, we enjoyed it as a great southafrican experience!