Mystic Wilds

I used to dream of visiting South Africa.  I thought of it as a mystical place saturated in mystery and surprise.  It has lived around my expectations; WOW is what I have to state about my visit. Mystic Wilds

Directly after we found its way to Johannesburg we were used in the Emperors Palace where we spent our first night.  Our accommodations were very comfortable, the area pristine.  I must say it is the very first time we'd an area without walls separating the restroom and shower from the sack area.  It was completely different from what we Americans are accustomed to but it absolutely was very nice.  A phrase of caution be mindful to not lean on the curtains thinking they hide a wall or you will soon be in serious trouble once you fall under the marble sink.

The Emperors Palace is a small grouping of hotels; ours was the Peermont Metcourt that's attached to the Casino via hallways.  We walked to dinner in the casino.  There's a sizable number of restaurants to decide on from.  The selection of food can also be varied and extremely tasty.  My husband ordered Karoo, we'd no idea which kind of meat this was.  It proved that Karoo is a location in South Africa where the pet is from; we think the meat itself is mutton.  I am not as adventurous as my husband so I ordered beef cooked on a skewer.  Both meals were delicious and very inexpensive.  We spent $20.00 US for both folks and our dinner included an excellent African wine and desert.

Our second day in Johannesburg after breakfast we were transferred back once again to the airport and caught our flight to Kimberley, South Africa We were met at the airport by our guide, Steve, for another three days with Jacels Tours. 

Kimberley is the location where diamonds were first discovered in South Africa.  The diamond mine called, the Big Hole and Museum Village is in the center of town and is preserved today as an income museum of bygone days.  A really interesting place to see!

After we'd lunch at the Big Hole we departed for our three hour drive to Mattanu (Hebrew meaning Gift from Above) Private Game Reserve situated in the Northern Cape Province, the largest, safest and Malaria free province in South-Africa, approximately 58Km North West of the diamond digging city of Kimberley..  Upon arrival we met the Owner/Manager, Jacques Kriek.  We toured Mattanu after our welcome drink.  I am including a few of the pictures I took while at Mattanu.  Mystic Wilds Slots
                        
After our tour of Mattanu we took our first wild game drive.  It was great.  We drove all over the reserve and gazed upon many different animals in the wild.  I acquired some good pictures and so did everybody else inside our small group.  After our wild ride through the preserve we returned to the main house and enjoyed an excellent dinner prepared by the owner's wife and daughters.  After our scrumptious meal we were taken to our guest rooms for the night time where we could actually rest and recuperate from a long inspiring day.

Early another morning we'd another great meal, breakfast, and then we went for a wild game move where we were allowed to greatly help with the activities.  This was quite an event for us.  The master of the reserve is a well known and greatly respected veterinarian who specializes in endangered species of South Africa.

Dr Kriek rode in his helicopter to find the two wild animals we were going to transport to some other area.  Below is one of many animals called "Oryx Antelope" we captured and moved. They are the largest of the Antelope species. 

I am including some photo of our capture and move.  It was quite an event watching the Dr. shoot the sedative from his helicopter within the animals.  Once he the animals were underneath the effects of the drug we were signaled to close in in it and gently maneuver them to the flat bed truck we used to go them for their new location.

Once at the brand new location we got the opportunity to vaccinate the animals against diseases common for their breed.  I was the lucky one chosen to provide the shot to create the Oryx out from the anesthesia back once again to full function and my husband was so engrossed in what I was doing he didn't even obtain a picture.  I was bummed about any of it dilemma.  I will not likely see another opportunity like that one again.

After our wild game safari ended we packed up our things and headed for Twee Rivieren situated on the banks of the Nossob Riverbed. We were met by the camp ranger who showed us to our accommodations for the night time before we met for dinner.  The facilities are lovely and clean, we saw several animals and plants in the camp and in the immediate areas. Twee Rivieren is the only camp with 24 hrs electricity (except whenever we had a thunder storm and all of the lights went overnight) and cellular phone reception.