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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    A day in the life in Southern Africa

    Since Mendy has one and Stumpy has one, perhaps it’s my turn. A lot of the stuff that happens is not worthy of an entire thread but interesting nonetheless. And if you don’t find it interesting that’s also ok.

    Today we (Drs Willy and family) visited a private game reserve to enjoy a game drive. A game drive is driving around to spot wildlife as opposed to a safari which is an entire trip in Africa where the main purpose is to spot wildlife, and consists of several game drives or walks. In fact Safari is Swahili for journey, but these days means treks to seek out and spot or photograph game animals. Anyway, I digress, as this wasn’t a safari today, just a day trip with a game drive. They use modified trucks for game drive vehicles.

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-img_9938-jpeg

    Sometimes they use a swazall to just lop the cab off a truck.

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-f9ec4885-731a-45f0-a0a8-cb42e536fda4-jpeg

    An hour out of town, the roads are pretty miserable and you’ll be glad you drive a 4WD.

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-img_9939-jpeg

    This game reserve is around 400 hectares is size, holding 70 species of animal and 300 birds. We spotted three of the big five; elephant, buffalo, and lion. (But no rhino or leopards).

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-72c9ba0d-d65b-4d02-9580-a3e08d479369-jpeg

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-ca228583-081e-434b-ba22-0864bcdb8ff5-jpeg

    for obvious reasons they keep this pride of lions locked away. So we always knew we’d spot the lions today. They other animals are more hit and miss.

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-983e8cf3-a188-4ba0-9f0e-3819cdf465dc-jpeg

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Spotted some giraffe, and a few herds of animals. I learned that the wildebeest are considered one of the five ugliest animals.

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-c316ef6b-c48e-4504-ba1a-3529f3fc39d0-jpeg

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-c91f3eeb-fda6-4375-9815-2bd516b5aba1-jpeg
    Last edited by DrWilly; 19-10-2024 at 08:24 AM.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat
    Reg Dingle's Avatar
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    That looks fukkin Amazing, you Kunta kinta

  4. #4
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Great Idea DW. Look forward to the pics and travel commentary

  5. #5
    Isle of discombobulation Joe 90's Avatar
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    Dr Livingston I presume.

    Great threads!

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat
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    Billy Bwana have a banana

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Security.

    It’s relatively safe, but phone and bag snatching is pretty common. I can think of at least half a dozen occasions when friends or colleagues had a phone stolen over the past twelve months. But this is nearly always in the evening walking along the road. So don’t walk. And yes, houses have tall fences, with razor wire and electric fences. Flood lights, security guards and armed response team add to the picture.

    Here’s a pic of the full hunters moon with the fencing wire in full relief.

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-img_0001-jpeg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails A day in the life in Southern Africa-b80de87f-85d6-4718-9cdd-db11a1bcf34f-jpeg  

  8. #8
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    In Namibia I visited several private game reserves and they're a great way to guarantee seeing certain animals which can be a bit hit and miss on safari out in the bush.

    In Namibia it soon became apparent that many of these private game reserves supplemented income by allowing big game 'hunters' to come along and shoot an animal on their list. Elephant, rhino, lion, leopard etc. Anything was on offer.

    Their argument is that this was the only way to finance the operation, that ensured the ongoing survival of rare species, especially with the ever expanding cattle ranches eating up the available land for wild animals, not to mention poaching. So, older animals in a herd, pride, etc were sacrificed to ensure the survival of the majority.

    I'm not sure how I feel about it, to be honest. It's a complicated issue and certainly not black and white, and if this really is the only way to finance conservation then it's a sorry state of affairs. I do unequivocally condemn the type of person who would pay to shoot an elderly, semi-captive animal just to take a trophy back home. I just cannot see how anyone could take any pleasure whatsoever from that kind of 'hunting'.

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Agreed, the safaris are all expensive enough as it is, most charge per person per night deals somewhere between $190-$450 which for a single bloke is not too bad, but add a family of four or five and your paying upwards of $2,000 per night for a glorified glamping hut.

    So if allowing Hans from Hamburg to shoot an old lion or buffalo relives that pressure…

    Conservation money has to come from somewhere. Expensive safaris, hunting licences. Other than more free aid money from NGOs or overseas that’s how they need to do it.
    Last edited by DrWilly; 19-10-2024 at 09:09 AM.

  10. #10
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    I funded a trip to Kenya with a tax rebate after my last job in the military. Three weeks all inclusive based in Mombasa with a safari/trip each week included.
    We we’re supposed to drive up to the Masai Mara reserve, but roads were washed out the nightbefore. Substituted by an ancient rickety turbo prop up to governors camp for 3 nights. The plane rattled a lot and seating was dining chairs nailed to the floor. Chickens with no seat belts had the run of the place.

    Governors Camp was early Glamping with showers and 4 posters under canvas, right next to a roaring river. Centralized dining and an armed escort to and from the tent. The guard kept wildlife away too during the night.
    Over the 3 days we saw the big five except for no leopards.

    One of the best holidays ever.
    Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Yesterday was rather exciting. Went to the local supermarket to stock up, this included beer. Got to the beer section and they’d run out of Wild Dog (the only craft beer available), bugger. Running out of favourite food or beverage items is a fact of life here. For six months I was easily able to purchase tons of smoked oysters (don’t judge, I love them) but haven’t seen them for months, when I saw mushie peas I bought the whole shelf. Haven’t been able to buy fresh jalapeños for months. Sometimes the supermarket wont even have potatoes.

    But then I realized, they have a new offering. A new, never been seen before craft beer. So I bought a couple of each.

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-img_0034-jpeg

    I started with the lager. It poured out smooth and creamy.

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-img_0035-jpegA day in the life in Southern Africa-img_0036-jpeg

    As it turned out, this was my favourite.

    next the pilsner.

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-img_0037-jpeg

    it was quite ok, but I’d been spoiled by the first drink being so good.

    Finally the dark ale, I was expecting a lot, and it was … ok. But it was no Guinness.

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-img_0039-jpeg

    Rocking and rolling on a Saturday night. The point being a new craft beer is 100% exciting after having had little choice prior. A couple more were drunk, then the braai was lit.

  12. #12
    hangin' around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumpy View Post
    Great Idea DW.
    The totally derivative title isn't a good start.

    Maybe he typed it next to his pool, sinking leningrad llamas from his 'copper style' cups and watching NFL?

    In short, this has got weird.

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat

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    Quote Originally Posted by cyrille View Post
    The totally derivative title isn't a good start.

    Maybe he typed it next to his pool, sinking leningrad llamas from his 'copper style' cups and watching NFL?

    In short, this has got weird.
    Weird? Only for a curmudgeon.

  14. #14
    hangin' around cyrille's Avatar
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    Anyone using that word this century has to be one, surely?

    Oh well, at least he's not drinking your favourite morning beverage.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Did somebody say Bloody Mary?

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Here’s a common enough sight around these parts: termite and ant hills.

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-e90e0705-20d1-4f99-97d1-85b0dc9442ae-jpeg

  17. #17
    In a good place

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    Cool pics, love the animals!
    Africa the only continent I have yet to explore

    A safari could be fun to do, but expensive from what I have read and see you guys note.
    I almost made it to Africa when I lived in Kuwait. I went to Turkey instead which I don't regret.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrWilly View Post
    And yes, houses have tall fences, with razor wire and electric fences. Flood lights, security guards and armed response team add to the picture.
    do watch nightly re-runs of the great escape

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Just came back from a safari. Pics to follow, but it was HOT and dusty!

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-img_0165-jpeg

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrWilly View Post
    Just came back from a safari. Pics to follow, but it was HOT and dusty!

    A day in the life in Southern Africa-img_0165-jpeg
    not a fan of the new HilLux, a lot of plastic on the outside which will crack and fall off.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by malmomike77 View Post
    not a fan of the new HilLux, a lot of plastic on the outside which will crack and fall off.

    Fair enough. I’m a bigger fan of comfort inside, as opposed to those old, very utilitarian styles 4WD. So far the holiday has done the job, but it’s also relatively new at 2 years old and 30k in. We’ll see how it goes. No complaints so fa, and it got a fair workout this week. Although to be fair with the road quality here it pretty much gets a work out everyday.

  22. #22
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Look forward to the pics. It does look hot as hell. Is it ever really windy in those parts where that dust is kicked up?

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrWilly View Post
    Im currently
    me too, is your topic dining in Bangkok, gnoshing in Patters or just generally slyamese slurping?
    Somtam's these tails from the feast becum boast Sellars.

    Sadly my bust sellers

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    The 11 O'cock Moose does Manitoba and

    Down and sprout in Paris and London outta print.

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    Wettest Wang in Walvis Bay coming soon once up the Zambezi without addle done!

    P.S. I highly commend Sally Sibilants "Propa spellink" for aspiring authors in Africa app free on the fappstore
    Quote Originally Posted by BLD View Post
    a digital gonad

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by david44 View Post
    me too

    Id be intrigued to read your work. But assume that for similar reasons of anonymity you won’t be sharing the actual titles.



    P.S. I highly commend Sally Sibilants "Propa spellink" for aspiring authors in Africa app free on the fappstore

    A best seller, no doubt. Not sure it would help me much anyway.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stumpy View Post
    Look forward to the pics. It does look hot as hell. Is it ever really windy in those parts where that dust is kicked up?

    Oh yes. We saw a couple of ‘dust devils’ or mini tornados last week. Master Willy was particularly impressed. But it tends to blow for a few hours and then drop off again.
    Last edited by DrWilly; 25-10-2024 at 04:52 PM.

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