My last week in Kwantu :(

Thursday June 7Th

This afternoon we went to feed the children. I was quite skeptical about this who kid thing but I decided it was something I should at least try the first week. And it was fantastic!!! The children were so excited to see us and loved their photos taken and playing with our cameras and wrestling. They were ages 7-16 about. Such cuties, I'm definitely going back next week!

Friday June 8th

Today we went to the elephant sanctuary. It was amazing!! Right when we got there we arrived we got to track the elephants through the bush; thorns and all! It was difficult but super fun. Once we found them we tok photos and fed them apples. Then we heading into there pens to make them there beds for the night, mix there food, and then headed out to collect branches for there pens as well. then we had a break for lunch. After we were all able to ride an elephant with a trainer, it was so fun.

Over the weekend we went into Port Elizabeth and did some souvenir shopping, dinning, watched some ruby and then of course experienced some night life. Sunday we said by to four of the volunteers who were finished with their stay here at Kwantu and we get some more volunteers on monday nights. 

On the drive home we faced a lovely South African drive home near death experience. Someone driving opposite direction as us decided that it was a good time to pass (coming into our lane head on) when it clearly was not!!! We had to slam on our breaks because we couldn't swerve off the road

Monday June 11th

We worked in the morning and afternoon chopping and weeding and tonight on the game drive we finally got to see Zulu (the male lion)!!!!! It was great we were so close to him it was unnerving but he was distracted marking his territory and checking out the neighboring lioness. 

We also met the new volunteers, there are 5 of them all from the UK. Two boys and three girls, exciting to get new volunteers.

Tuesday June 12th

This morning we did a ridiculous difficult hike that was awesome!!!! But we had to stop several times for the others to catch up. It was beautiful weather and a great morning. On the game drive it was wonderful! We finally got to see the hippo!!!!! It was running on land and went into the water so we got to see its full body on land, so exciting!! That made my game drive for sure. And then that night it was going to storm and two lambs were born that afternoon so we were going to help Kat put them in a shed. But as soon as we got out there we just stared at them and she decided she didn't want to stress the sheep out by putting her in a separate shelter apart from the other sheep. Ummmm OK, clearly has not grown up on a farm, that was a waste of time. LOL o well it was nice to see brand new baby lambs.

Wednesday not gonna lie was chill and rainy. Moved some scrap metal, lecture on native animals, and half road maintenance but too muddy so cut short.

Thursday we chopped black wattle and then children feeding. Wasn't as amazing as last week. The kids were super mean to each other and it was kinda awkward right away. But then they danced and it was more comfortable but definitely not the same. That night we went on our last game drive. Originally we were going to count blue wilder beast but it turned into a basic game drive. And we finally saw the buffalo (last of the big five except the leopard: Rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, and elephant). We were all looking left and last minute i turned right and saw them just as we were passing them and they were right beside the road but so so close to missing them all. At the end of the drive we also saw Zulu the male lion just sleeping soundly and then as we were taking photos he got up and came right up to the car and freaked everyone out, Melissa just put ur head down and cuddled me she was so scared LOL. And then he called out super load to another lion in the distance and I got a good video of all the sound!  

That night we went on a game drive after dark. We didnt see much except some eyes of all the different antelope and zebra, they werent too happy us disturbing their sleep.

Friday we woke up early to go on a dawn game drive. So so tired, even though i generally am up that early at home. It was pitch black and the sky was still amazing!!! Didnt see much in the dark but once the sun started coming up it was beautiful and got some great photos. Not gonna lie i did fall alseep early on in the jeep haha. that afternoon and evening we did the elephant sanctuary, feeding them, making there night beds, and then riding them. That night we all packed our stuff sadly (5 of us are leaving) and then had a bon fire. 

Now in Port Elizabeth for the weekend before i leave on monday to start my garden route trip!!!