There’s more to it than meets the eye

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There’s more to it than meets the eye

It has been four days since I have returned from South Africa and I must say that I still do not feel I have been able to wrap my head around everything to its entirety. The return home was a fever induced blur thanks to what can only be described as the worst flu I have ever contracted.

For the record, traveling internationally for over 24 hours while at the height of a foreign flu is easily a new kind of torture and I am simply baffled that I managed to enter and leave that continent sick. However, after four days of being bed ridden, I have begun to seriously examine where I am now. Not strictly geographically speaking that is.

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Our Days at the Homestay

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Our Days at the Homestay

By Randi Bromm

We are at the end of our homestay awaiting the arrival of our caravan to pick us up and take us back to camp. It has been a very different experience and my group of four hut mates and I have learned a lot. We have stayed in Tshianzwazie, which is a small district in the village of HaMakuya.

South Africa_Baobab small The village is on the outskirts of Kruger, about 2 hours past the Pafuri gate and through some rather rough roads. As a whole, the village features baobab trees, ironwood groves, mopane woodland and lots of bird species. However wildlife is not exactly the focus of our stay this time. Through the Tshulu Trust Camp, our homestays have been arranged within this community that struggles with water security on a daily basis.

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Our first big game drive!

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Our first big game drive!

South Africa_GDV small 2
Today we embarked on our first game drive! Leaving Wits Rural, we packed everyone up in our Game Drive Vehicles (very similar to large jeeps) and set off to officially enter Kruger National Park. After a short trip, we entered the park through the Orpen gate. Upon approaching we were greeted by a red-billed hornbill who perched in a tree next to the gate as we checked in with the South African guard. He looked over at the bird and then smiled at us as he told us Zazu was here to greet us. We all found it intriguing and entertaining that he knew exactly what American tourists were looking for.

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There are animals everywhere!

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There are animals everywhere!

By Randi Bromm

So it is our fourth day along our journey here in South Africa’s Kruger National Park and it feels great to finally be up and running after a rough start. Having landed in Johannesburg, I was struck with what seems to be travel sickness. I wanted to blame the entire incident on the airplane food but according to my professors, this is definitely something that can occur to newbies in international travel. So word to the wise for anyone who has never flown for 25 hours, stay hydrated!

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South Africa Bound

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South Africa Bound

By Randi Bromm

So sitting at the airport waiting for my flight, it still has not truly sunk in that I am headed to South Africa. Until this point it has simply been a topic brought up during social gatherings and other small talk opportunities. Otherwise, it has been an excuse for my parents to continuously call me to quadruple check that I have my passport. Yes dad, I had it last week so I think I still have it this week! Regardless, everyone is excited but it still has just not sunk in that for the next two weeks I will be exploring Kruger National Park in South Africa. It is not like I haven’t traveled in the past but there is a significant difference between a few days to Michigan and leaving the country completely!

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