First Safari Hike in South Africa

The first weekend after we arrived in South Africa we joined a couple of Paul's USAID colleagues (Eric, Erin and their son Jake) and went for a hike in the Groenkloof Nature Reserve which was the first nature reserve for all of Africa, set up in 1895 by then President Kruger. The current wildlife present includes: Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Impalla, Kudu, Duiker, Jackal, Hartabeest, Ostrich and Sable. The reserve has hiking, biking and driving routes throughout the park and is only about a 10 minute drive from where we live!

This was Piper's first hike! We started out in the ergo, but she likes to face out and see what is going on so we quickly took her out and held her so she could experience the reserve fully.

Not too long into the hike we came across a herd of about 8 giraffes (1 male with his harem of 7 ladies)! They were just meandering slowly along, eating. We stayed near them for quite a while just watching them move on by. 

We continued our little hike and soon came across a group of Zebras!

With those lucky sightings we finished up our hike and headed over to a nearby restaurant, Moyo, for lunch and some South African wine! What a nice restaurant, outdoor seating, South African traditional music and face painting for kids (and parents too!).

What a great day! Can't wait to do it again!