The weather forecast for the day was stormy but we still decided to take the game ride through the nature reserve. And indeed it was raining cats and dogs (no pun intended). There was heavy rain and thunder and we were all scared of the lightning bolts that kept flashing at us.
It was rather a different way to enjoy the sunset Safari. We had our rain jackets plus the ponchos provided us. It was almost a different landscape we were trekking. The puddles that game animals wallow got wider and some extended into the trails. The trails got slippery and crossing the river to get to the other side took some risks. One vehicle (and luckily not us) actually got stuck in the mud. All of them have to get off the vehicle and walked through the mud. The rangers have to fill the mud with rocks so the vehicle can pass. It was certainly unlike our earlier game rides but the experience gave us a different Safari perspective and deeper appreciation of the rangers whose daily routine was to take care of the reserve. The game ride was still worth it as again, we had close encounters with the game animals.
The weather got a little better but the rains continued. It was unfortunate as we were supposed to watch a live authentic African tribal dance. The Swazi dance group could not make it as the raging streams and rivers were overflowing.
We spent the rest of the evening lazily in our semi-tented huts and later on played cards with our newly met friends during this Safari trip. We just continued to enjoy the place as well as preparing for the highlight of our Safari trip tomorrow at the Kruger national park. We were told that this is one of Africa's largest game reserves and home to a very diverse and high density of wild animals.
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