African Safari Part Two!

Today was something I never thought in a million years I would have the opportunity to do...go on an African safari.  Firstly, I have always had an issue with people associating the entire continent of Africa (approximately 57 countries) with animals like great apes and the "big five" (Cape Buffalo, Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Hippo) as these animals actually only inhabit a very small percentage of the continent (the rainforest belt and parts of Southern and East/Central Africa).  So many times I have had to say that the only animals I have seen are goats and dogs, because people honestly believe that there are just lions sitting outside of peoples homes, but today I saw nearly all of those animal, in the wild, that people dream of seeing one day.  We took two safaris, an early morning and a late afternoon, as the animals visit watering holes and hunt at various point during the day.  The morning was FREEZING, we were in an open air truck tucked under blankets hoping to see animals while simultaneously trying not to go numb and get hypothermia. While trying to stay close and keep warm we were shocked when a Giraffe walked right in front of our vehicle! This was followed by sightings of ostrich, hippos, crocs, Cape Buffalo, Kudu, and various birds and bucks. Our first outing was three hours, so we returned to the hotel for breakfast and left for the Painted Dog Sanctuary.  Apparently, the painted dog is on the verge of extinction because of the poaching of larger animals.  The dogs get caught in the snares and are injured/killed so the sanctuary rehabs injured dogs and educates the public about their importance.  This sanctuary has to make its own electricity (they purchased solar panels off of donations) and they sell artwork made of old snares that they have removed from trees. We left the sanctuary and went to the New Camp Primary School where we were greeted with song and dance from the young children.  We had purchased school supplies which we donated, and in return they taught our students how to play net ball (it was an exciting game!!!). In return, they wanted us to sing for them and the only thing we all knew in unison was "Hang on Sloopy O-H-I-O" so we taught the children how to sign it with their arms, and for the rest of the afternoon the children wanted to continue making the letters with their arms.  When we were leaving the school, the headmaster asked that if we returned next year if we could bring with us a proper soccer ball, and a proper basketball...such a humble request.  The evening safari was peppered with elephants that wanted to get right into our vehicle....the mothers all had young babies and the packs were large.  We also continued to watch Giraffes drink from watering holes, hippos swim, crocs sun, guinea hens scurry, kudus and bucks run, and so many other animals so close to our setting. Tomorrow, we leave for Victoria Falls...could life get any better?