Day 3: SA + Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve

Today’s tidbit: “You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions.” ― Karen Blixen 

Time for another South Africa post (and more amazing wildlife)! This is another day I am so excited to share. As I mentioned, the first few days we had a private tour with Dornbrack Travel. Throughout the trip we did several game drives, starting with this one at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve. It was a short drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria situated in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site with over 600 head of game. As you will see, I was able to capture a WIDE variety up close (taking hundreds of pictures). We lucked out and were able to see white rhino + lion + white lion + buffalo + cheetah + wild dog + warthog + crocodile + zebra + ostrich + a variety of birds & antelope.

After the game drive we went to a very special part of the reserve, the Animal Crèche. Here we interacted one on one with some of the animals, which were rescued and are either not healthy enough to go back into the wild or are in retirement, being looked after and used for educating. I was able to touch and interact with caracal + cheetah + lion + white lion (cubs 6-7 months old)! Truly an experience!

Sneak peek images:

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Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves… enjoy!!

{Variety of birds + warthog + crocodile}

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{Ostrich}

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{Antelope} With over 20+ species of antelope, we were able to really see a wide variety all over the reserve.

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{Buffalo} 

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{Wild dogs} Endangered species, such as wild dog have been reintroduced into the area. It was amazing to see them so close up and although they look cute, they’re very vicious (so we were told). I just love their ears!

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{Cheetah} 

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{White lion}

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{Lion}

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Remember my Elephant & Monkey Sanctuaries post with the elephant series interacting and playing together with their trunks? Below is another of my favorite series I took, this time with the lion! Talk about being at the right place at the right time!!

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{Driving around the reserve}

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{White rhino} At first we drove by thinking it was just rocks (which there were a lot of) but then backed up and realized it was a big rhino and little baby taking an afternoon nap under a tree! Just like the lion, talk about being at the right place at the right time… the baby rhino decided to wake up from its nap and stand up so we could see them better at we were parked watching. Perfect.

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As we continued driving around we found the antelope + rhino interacting.

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{Animal Crèche} Interacting!!

{Caracal} Before this I had never heard of them. Lilo & Stitch were such sweet little guys who purred just like a cat when I pet them. Look at their funny ears!

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{Cheetah} Eddie is an older guy, 9 years old I believe, who isn’t safe in the wild any longer so is enjoying his retirement (and afternoon nap here).

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{Lion} Grace, Ginger, Gili, Gene & Gigi (white lion) were enjoying afternoon play time!

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I don’t know which one this is, but the little monster got a little too playful and nipped me. Luckily, I jumped up quick enough (and my mom captured me running off) and he just got my shorts a little, no skin!

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{White lion} Hulk, Hugo, Hisser & Hayley were taking their afternoon naps, purring when I pet them.

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And that wraps up an absolutely wonderful afternoon! I know it was a lot of pictures. The day didn’t end here though, after this we headed to an aerial cableway. Look for a part 2 of this post later this week!

15 Responses to “Day 3: SA + Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve”

  1. John says:

    Looks like Mr. Samuel takes up after those wild dogs too with their ears! So adorable that Eddie fell asleep in your arms! How about those lions, too, they looks so peaceful and happy.

    • alyssa says:

      Yup, he might have a little wild dog in him (minus he’s a pampered baby). Eddie is the cheetah… Stitch the caracal is the one who fell asleep, and yes he was a sweet guy!

      • John says:

        My mistake! That little guy that nipped you is standing his ground too, looks a little feisty there! I’m glad you ended up high fiving Mr. White Lion.

  2. Allie says:

    Whoa these pictures are incredibly awesome but also it took some guts to be so close to all these wild animals….esp with so many horns, tusks, teeth and claws!! Ouch, makes me nervous just looking at the pictures haha

    • alyssa says:

      This is true, but not to worry we were in vehicles the whole time (aside from the Animal Crèche) and just had the windows down. We did an open vehicle game drive later on in Kruger! So fortunate to spot all these critters close by to the trails we went on… and having my large lens was a must!

  3. Teodora says:

    Wow, breathtaking photos once again. You look like you’re right in your element amongst all the wild animals. Lucky you, SA is so, so beautiful!!

    • alyssa says:

      Thank you! I’m glad you are enjoying it 🙂 SA offers so much and is beautiful! I really was in my element there, especially the days with the animals. LOVED every second and can’t wait to go back!

  4. Chris says:

    A real taste of Africa! Wonderful photography!! Just to think how skilled tourvest are in doing what they do, yet in all the time with them I didn’t see or experience anything like you did. And I thought Joberg and the surrounding area was missable. I mean it was just the part that I saw! I don’t think even Carmel could have slept through your adventure at the reserve. Lilo and Stitch look as soft and cuddly as Arthur in his red possum sweater, but LOOKOUT for those Ostriches.

    • alyssa says:

      This made me laugh, so many inside jokes with you Aussies. Yes, it’s a shame you all couldn’t have done a private tour like this before the main tour (or if the main tour was better). THIS is how SA really was and you guys didn’t get to see some of that. Really amazing!

    • Karen says:

      Chris, Oh yes Arthur and his famous sweater… LOL
      Gauteng is really so special. Next time let me do your tour planning for these type of take-your-breath-away experiences.

  5. Lindsey says:

    Ok seriously!? All this. All this in one day!? All these photos and stories and we’re only to Day3!?!! I may purchase one of the rhino masterpieces to have you sign (the matte) and gift to my brother in law for xmas. He is obsessed with rhinos.

    • alyssa says:

      I know right! And would you believe this isn’t even everything from that day?! Part 2 is coming later this week! It’s amazing looking back how much we really did in 3 weeks, no wonder why I feel like I was gone for months!

      Would love that!! Lets talk more about it 🙂

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