| At some stage or another there comes a time | | | | that we were too close for comfort, but our |
| when you just want to break free from | | | | guide, Samuel, explained that unless provoked, |
| everything: society, politics, sitting in traffic every | | | | they really do not put an ounce of effort to hunt |
| day, and followed by almost of 80% of your life | | | | or attack during the day. He also added that they |
| spent at work. So when I heard of the set-up at | | | | were the dominating pride of the game reserve, |
| Tangala Safari camp, I decided that the time was | | | | which would also explain why they were so |
| now for a South African safari. | | | | relaxed in their attitude; they know they already |
| Back to basics... | | | | rule without any threat. |
| Except for the fact that Tangala is very private, | | | | A midsummer's dream... |
| the thing that sets Tangala apart from any other | | | | After supper everybody at the camp was sitting |
| game lodges is that it's focused on being | | | | around the campfire sharing their stories of the |
| eco-friendly, which meant that for the next three | | | | day, all the game and birds they saw. In the |
| days I had to experience life without electrical | | | | distance you could hear lions and every now and |
| lights, air-conditioners or television. Perfect! | | | | then the hyena's haunting laughter. There was a |
| Although some might say that it's not | | | | cool breeze blowing over the camp, and with it |
| extravagant enough for them, it's what you'd | | | | came the feeling of serenity. Although I came |
| rather refer to as "rustic extravagance". | | | | alone to Tangala, I never felt lonely, there were |
| So when I at first arrived at the safari camp, I | | | | too many friendly faces around me to allow such |
| was met by a spacious yet intimate room, which | | | | feelings. |
| although it was an extremely hot that day, was | | | | I was talking to a Dutch tourist named Katy |
| very cool. After unpacking all my stuff I set off | | | | about South Africa. The natural beauty of the |
| on my first game drive. | | | | country and how I would find it difficult to live |
| All brawn and no brain... | | | | anywhere else in this world. Katy shared with me |
| The South African bushveld truly is nature unlike | | | | that although she's travelled almost all over the |
| any other, and Tagala formed part the 22000 | | | | world, the beauty and lifestyle of Africa was one |
| acres of captivating bushveld in the Thornybush | | | | she could associate with easily. It was her |
| Private Game reserve. During our first drive we | | | | seventh trip to South Africa and as usual, she |
| saw a huge herd of buffalos. The sheer size of | | | | included a South African safari. |
| buffalos never ceases to amaze me. They don't | | | | I think everybody lost track of time while |
| strike me as very intelligent animals, but what | | | | surrounding the campfire, hypnotized by the |
| they lack in intelligence, they make up for in | | | | flames. I got what I needed, relaxation and time |
| strength. | | | | to regain perception on what seemed important in |
| As we drove away from the buffalos we came | | | | life. And as I sipped on my cup of freshly brewed |
| across a lazy pride of lions. As king of the | | | | coffee, I felt contempt with my life and excited |
| bushveld they really do seem like they fear | | | | for the next few days' game drives. |
| nothing or no-one. I was getting a little scared | | | | |