safari #1: NSELE

my first safari experience was with nsele safari lodge.

there are so many safari spots in south africa, and

my parents live close to the true jackpot of game

reserves and animals. we drove to nelspruit to visit

some areas in their mission, and then on their p-day

we headed up into the thick of the bush to nsele.

of the different safari experiences you could have,

nsele feels very authentic...not touristy at all. you

have to drive on endless dirt roads just to get there,

and you have to spot the tiny signs pointing you

along the way. it really makes it feel like a great

adventure in the middle of the animal kingdom!

nsele is owned by a couple who has lived out here in

the bush for almost their entire lives. olaf + stephanie

truly LOVE the animals, the land, and living in the

middle of it all -- and that comes across the second you

arrive. they made me appreciate the amazing place we were!

driving in on the dirt road we already saw 2 giraffes! ^^

we checked into the little bungalow and got 

settled before departing on our game drive.

{i spy my dad out the top window -- haha}

ready to get going with our guide olaf! ^^

^^ zebra crossing the road in front of us!

the south africans pronounce it zeh-brah 

which i love so now i'll be saying it that way :)

i spy a rhino ^^^^

we learned about the difference between white rhinos

and black rhinos. both are grey in color, but their

face shape is different and so are their personalities.

black rhinos are extremely dangerous, and white rhinos

are not. we saw both and it was crazy how different they

acted! the black rhinos acted aggressive and almost began

to charge us until the jeep had to reverse. when we saw

white rhinos later, they looked up and just kept eating!

^^ as we began, a thunderstorm rolled in and

as it passed the sky looked like heaven...literally.

i could not get over what i was seeing!

^^ look at this cool little treehouse we passed!

these water buffalo may not seem too exciting,

until you watch THIS video {be patient, it gets

good} and you realize they are the most amazing.

they stare at you like you owe them money, haha

we laughed so hard seeing them and loved them! ^^

^^ we came upon these giraffes and got SO close.

it was the prettiest light and they are gorgeous.

they are so graceful how they walk, and i had

never seen one run until seeing them in the wild. it 

was jaw-droppingly graceful to see those long legs lope!

^^ proof of how happy we were spotting the giraffes!

^^ pretty zebras in the african dusk.

i was so in awe in this moment, the picture

does the gorgeous light and peaceful feeling

no justice. i love how the zebras looked right at us.

(remember, say it zeh-brah! :)

hi again giraffe friend! ^^

^^ so fun to ride around on this amazing drive for

3+ hours with my best friends. just missing chase!

^^ cute mom + more rhino! {the nice ones}

^^ we parked and watched the african sun 

slip behind the mountains in the prettiest 

sunset. it was so quiet and such a memory.

back at the camp, in our little hut! ^^

we were fighting over who got to sleep 

up in the little loft part -- until we 

realized how hot it was up there...ha!

we enjoyed a traditional south african brai 

complete with lots of delicious meat, the

classic pap dish, vegetables, homemade bread,

and mango + papaya for dessert. the owner

stephanie made it all for us and we sat around

the camp eating, talking, learning about black

mamba snakes (!!!) and enjoying the night.

my mom and her maps...she LOVES them :)

what an amazing bucket list experience this was!!

nsele is a great place for a very authentic safari.

there are really posh lodges in other parts of SA,

but this is more stripped down where you'll feel

like you're truly with locals. it is a bit further outside

of joburg, but like i said -- you feel like you're in the

thick of it all! for more information see the website.

we saw even more animals the next day driving through

kruger park, so be watching for the next post complete

with elephants, hyenas, alligators, the works!!!

we will be doing one more safari in a completely different 
area and park this weekend so i can report on a new

experience and area, but we are so glad to have

experienced nsele and this gorgeous place.

xo