Since we now had a free afternoon, we decided to stop back at the hotel for lunch and then visit the cheetahs for what was possibly the greatest hour of my life. The guide was amazing and knew all the cats at the center for years. They loved him. We started with 2 cheetahs that were brothers that he had raised since they were 7 days old. Moya and Juba were the friendliest little buddies ever and purred like tiny diesel engines when you pet them. They are too domesticated to be released so he uses them to spread awareness of the cats and some of the threats they face. He allowed us to stay with them for almost a half hour petting and taking pictures with them. I swear to god they were posing.
After we left them, we went with him as he fed the rest of the cats they had there: 2 more cheetahs, 4 carcals, 6 servals and 6 wild African cats. They also had a small herd of zebras that just walk around messing with the cats. He knows the cats so well that he knows how they like to eat - there was one serval who never leaves her tree. He actually threw the meat up about 25 feet and she caught it with her claw. One of the carcals like to jump so he throws the meat up as high as he can and the cat jumps about 15 feet straight up and catches in the air. The whole thing was incredible and not just because I have an admitted obsession with cats. Anyone would have enjoyed the visit.
During our time on the road today, the animals were very bold. We had to stop several times to drive around cows or goats that had just decided to hang out in the road. One cow was even laying down across a whole lane. We also drove by a herd of zebras - on the side of the road! Most impressive though, we got to see how local cows are transported from farm to farm. Please refer to the picture below of 4 cows riding in a pickup truck.
Animal count for today:
Cows, sheep, goats, bulls
White tipped shark
Sea turtle
Moray eel
Lots of fishes
Crocodiles
Snakes
Monkeys
Cheetahs
Servals
Carcals
African wild cats
Such a good day. Tomorrow is another very exciting day - we are going on a full day safari in the oldest reservation in Africa. I can't wait to see what kind of animals we come across there! They have hundreds of elephants, rhinos and LIONS!! Until tomorrow....
Fantastic!! As I said earlier, you are now seeing and enjoing the REAL Africa and not Fancy Over-rated, Designer Shops in Capetown that most Tour Operators seem to believe that that is what Africa is! Sooo glad that you're gonna see Lions -- The Beasts!! Which Game park are you going to? I'm dying to see what your animal count will be in your Next Blog. I'm suprised that you haven't mentioned Springbok or Impala yet (they're cute little buck). Oh, those little monkeys are called VERVERTS. They're cute and can be quite tame. Very often, they'll come into your garden during a Braai and take food off the table, right in front of you!! Lynn, did you notice that their Balls are Blue?!! Enjoy!! You're making me wish my life aweay --- I don't go back there til 6 Jan!!
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