Sep 13 – Cradle of Humankind, a Cave and a Game Drive

We had an all-day tour today and were picked up by Dean, the gentleman who had picked us up the airport a month ago when we first arrived in South Africa.  We had about an hour drive from Johannesburg to the first stop…Bothongo Wonder Cave.  Mary didn’t want to deal with the steps inside the cave so she and Dean took a driving tour through the game reserve while Paul and Tara hit the cave.

Photos from the cave.

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More Bothongo Wonder Cave
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Because the game drive was in a game reserve the animal sightings were very good.  The animals were habituated to the vehicles so didn’t flee when they saw us coming.  Also, the reserve has feeding stations.  So, all around, there were opportunities for great close ups of many animals that we had only seen from afar. 

Zebras

Roan Antelope

Sable (female)

Oryx (these were very close to the road and so were easily seen)

Hartebeest

Waterbuck

Blesbok

Cape Buffalo

Elands

And even a few birds.  Mocking Cliff Chat

Ostriches up close

Blacksmith Lapwing

and a large number of Sacred Ibis at a watering hole. 

A few we hadn’t seen before:

Black Wildebeests (apparently, we had been seeing blue wildebeests before)

Side Striped Mongoose

Springbok (the national animal for South Africa)

White Rhinos (the reserve has six).  These were hanging out in the shade of a tree for relief from the sun and heat.

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More Lion and Rhino Reserve
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We also the Maropeng Museum of Humanity.  This area is considered a cradle of humanity and the exhibits provided many details on early humankind. 

Info on the museum touted a boat ride.  It was later explained that the ride was to showcase elements necessary to humankind, water, fire, wind and something else we don't remember.  The boat ride was more surreal than anything. 

Once we got back to the hotel Tara changed and then went to the airport as she is flying home tonight.

We did some packing and then headed out to find dinner.  We opted for the “Ridiculously Thick Milkshake” place called Steer.  Burgers, fries and milkshakes for dinner.  It was all ok.