I was collected at the Phalaborwa airport
by C.A.R.E.; the
airport was undeniably the most unique, quaint, intimate and warm airport that
I’ve ever seen. The baggage claim involved
a staff member wheeling a buggy in from the tarmac and handing your baggage to
you. This airport is also the departure
point for Kruger National Park, the most touristed national park in the country where one can see
all of the “Big Five”, thus catering to many high-rolling tourists and
sightseers.
The road to C.A.R.E. was full of 25 miles
of bumpy, jagged potholed, jet-lagged confusion. After we entered the guarded gates of Grietjie Nature Reserve,
I noticed the sides of the road were heavily laden with great big piles of dung. An animal must pass through or live in the
area to drop dung… this was ELEPHANT
DUNG! FRESH! Wow! (Sadly (and safely), no elephants were
spotted during the drive in.) As we
approached the volunteer house, “Mountain Lodge”, I was informed to prepare for
(wild) baboon mobbing, as we were driving the open-back big truck that normally
hauls daily food runs. Immediately, fear
entered my body. I was well aware of a
large wild troop that has also made C.A.R.E. home, amongst the enclosed baboons,
but I had compartmentalized their activity to daylight (working) hours. This scene was the beginning of a very
interesting new chapter in my life…
Candelabra tree at the C.A.R.E. entrance in Grietjie Nature Reserve |
Coming in after nightfall and 48 sleepless
hours, I saw or comprehended very little.
Upon morning waking, I came to realize that THERE ARE BABOONS
EVERYWHERE! Holy shit, hundreds more
than I imagined. Approximately 650
baboons are living at C.A.R.E. (in enclosures), and there are another 300 or so
wild baboons (the “Longtits”) that also call C.A.R.E. home. In addition
to baboons, there are human companions totaling about 10 staff members (7 from
SA), 13 volunteers from around the world, the founder Rita Miljo, 2 dogs, 1
meerkat, 1 bushbaby, and all of the wildlife that exists in the South African
bush. It is a dynamic, exciting, and
visually and auditory stimulating and colorful place. Amazement.
LOVE your adventures and how you describe them!
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