Amie in Africa

This past week, our daughter Amie visited us here in South Africa. She had talked about coming even before we left so we were really happy that she made the arrangements to be gone from her family for a week to come and spend some time with us. Below are some pictures with short explanations of our adventures for the week. Thanks Amie for flying all of those hours to get here and then having to fly home, and thanks to her husband and three children for doing without her for a while so we could enjoy her being here with us!

She's here!!! Our first visitor to South Africa.

As soon as she landed we were on our way to a safari camp--Mosethla Bush Camp in Madikwe

The rooms are comfortable tents, raised on stilts.

We went on a game drive each morning and each afternoon for the three days we were there. Amie was really, really lucky to see all of the "Famous Big 5" on her first game drive. Some people go on many and aren't able to say that. We have been on several and this was the first time we saw the leopard.

#1 of the Big 5 is the elephant. We caught these two having an argument.

#2 is the elusive leopard. He didn't stick around for a photo op, but this is evidence that we DID see one!

#3 is the lion. They don't run from anything. Things run from them.

#4 is the rhino that faces extinction due to illegal poaching for the value of the horn.

#5 is the Cape Buffalo or African Buffalo, not to be mistaken for the Water Buffalo which isn't in Africa. 

The cheetah is not one of the big 5, but he should be 6 He is the fastest land animal for short distances.

Big daddy elephant.

Little baby, already about two years old. They are very small when born and grow slowly.

Some frisky zebras--young boys who like to fight.

Giraffe snatching a quick drink--because in this position they are very vulnerable.

There are some really cool birds here in Africa.

On another day, we went to the elephant sanctuary near Johannesburg. Amie, the dog trainer, tried her hand at elephant training.

After seeing all of the big 5, these six week old meerkats were Amie's favorite animals.

One of the pictures Amie took of the cute little baby meerkat

Amie and I at Lesedi Cultural Village--it's a little like the Polynesian Cultural Center

Amie and her daddy with one of the very energetic dancers.

We thought she should try some of the game meats here--crocodile, ostrich (which are both farmed) but also several of the "venison" animals.

On the last day we shopped for souvenirs, then lunch at one of our favorite places

Finally, a session at the Johannesburg Temple and then to the airport