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Location Date South Africa 
1397516400 Lesotho 1397430000 Swaziland 1396306800 -
Location Date Heilbron 1397516400 Soweto 1397516400 Fouriesburg 1397430000 Bethlehem 1397430000 Colesburg 1397343600 Aliwal North 1397343600 Lady Grey 1397343600 Laingsburg 1397257200 Beaufort West 1397257200 Cape Town 1397170800 Scarborough 1397084400 Sea Point 1397084400 L?agulhas 1396998000 Swartklip 1396998000 Muizenberg 1396998000 Swellendam 1396911600 Struisbaai 1396911600 Addo
1396825200 Summerstrand 1396825200 Oudtshoorn 1396825200 Uitenhage 1396738800 Grahamstown 1396652400 Port Elizabeth 1396652400 Kokstad 1396566000 Matatiele 1396566000 Elliot 1396566000 Dordrecht 1396566000 Queenstown 1396566000 Ixopo 1396479600 Ballito 1396393200 Pietermaritzburg 1396393200 Mkuze 1396306800 Nqulwane 1396306800 Eshowe 1396306800 Barberton 1396220400 Nelspruit 1396051200 Graskop 1396051200 Phalaborwa 1395964800 Seekoeigat 1395878400 Johannesburg 1395705600
2014-04-06
How close is close enough?
Just north of Port Elizabeth is a town called Uitenhage. A sister of our mother lived there most of here life. We had heard a lot about this place and set off just to have a look at it although we have no idea where our aunt and uncle are buried and where their children live. Doing a round trip we decided to drive through a park where there are lots of Elephants and possible Lions as well, we were told. Off we went to a place called Addo where you go through a set of gates and warning signs to stay in your car.
I let the pictures tell the story as we had one or two scary moments. How close is a safe distance? Sometime there is no choice as you drive on a road and suddenly a large elephant is standing in the middle of the road or worse… walking towards the car. I have uploaded two short videos of what happens next. One the first video we stopped the car as three elephants were approaching. Shortly after a few cars stopped right behind us so there was no way to back to car out. Best to close the windows and hope for the best. One of the Elephants walked up very close, then turned towards the car and changed course again only inches away. Later the owner of the car behind us said: "that was close, especially as you guys have a small car" yes thanks mate.!
The second time we came face to face with a large bull walking towards us. It was a lonely road ; we quickly decided to turn the car around and make way. I think the elephant was confused/surprised by this action as he stopped and made himself look even larger by spreading his ears.
An interesting day.
click on the first two pictures to view videos
How close is close enough?
Just north of Port Elizabeth is a town called Uitenhage. A sister of our mother lived there most of here life. We had heard a lot about this place and set off just to have a look at it although we have no idea where our aunt and uncle are buried and where their children live. Doing a round trip we decided to drive through a park where there are lots of Elephants and possible Lions as well, we were told. Off we went to a place called Addo where you go through a set of gates and warning signs to stay in your car.
I let the pictures tell the story as we had one or two scary moments. How close is a safe distance? Sometime there is no choice as you drive on a road and suddenly a large elephant is standing in the middle of the road or worse… walking towards the car. I have uploaded two short videos of what happens next. One the first video we stopped the car as three elephants were approaching. Shortly after a few cars stopped right behind us so there was no way to back to car out. Best to close the windows and hope for the best. One of the Elephants walked up very close, then turned towards the car and changed course again only inches away. Later the owner of the car behind us said: "that was close, especially as you guys have a small car" yes thanks mate.!
The second time we came face to face with a large bull walking towards us. It was a lonely road ; we quickly decided to turn the car around and make way. I think the elephant was confused/surprised by this action as he stopped and made himself look even larger by spreading his ears.
An interesting day.
click on the first two pictures to view videos
- comments
Anneke Nou dichterbij kon ook niet, doodeng zeg en dan ook gewoon doorfilmen..pfff
Mitchell That was a close call with the elephant in the first video........pfffff.
Heather Smart Yep I think that large beasty was trying you out on His territory. Great video, Thanks for showing us.
Rob Watch that paint buddy! It's a rental!
Ienke Prachtig zo dichtbij...was hij of zij alleen? Toch wel een beetje eng, wat een belevenis!
Karel en Elly Wat een belevenissen, heel wat anders dan je vorige reis. Duidelijk een heel andere wereld. En wat een bijzondere ervaring met al die wilde dieren zo dichtbij, héél dichtbij zelfs. We genieten mee dank zei jouw verhalen en foto's. Ook nog een heel werk om die verhalen te schrijven en de foto's te plaatsen. Petje af.
Dre Wow! That really was close. Good thing you weren't on the bike!
Dre I'd be more scared of these guys than the elephants!