Tala Game Reserve - Durban, South Africa

I just realized that I didn't mention our time in Durban, South Africa. That was actually in the afternoon on Easter Sunday. I was super disappointed because we didn't get to attend a local worship service Sunday morning. Ronnie was up in time to attend the sunrise service on the ship, which he said was very good. I ordered a room service breakfast so that I would have time to shower, wash my hair and get off the ship in time to attend a service downtown. 

We had figured out where we wanted to go; however I had been warned by someone who lives in Durban (actually a friend of a friend who is a missionary there) about being careful if in the city - don't wear nice jewelry, carry cash, be sure to wear a cross-body purse and keep my hand over it, etc. I try to do these things anyway when I'm out and have been duly warned. Anyway, as I was getting ready, our cruise director came on over the loud speaker and told us that if we planned to get off the ship, to only use only taxis within the port authority and not to use a cab in the city. He repeated it again so that we all got the message. We discussed it and knew we could get downtown safely but figured we would have to use a cab from the city to bring us back to the port. After some deliberation, we decided not to go. As disappointed as I was, I heard today that one couple from the ship didn't heed the warning and were accosted. I didn't hear details, but apparently they were ok, even if shaken up. 

That afternoon, we had another excursion booked for the Tala Game Reserve. It was similar to the one the previous day (Botlierskop) but in a different location. We questioned whether we should have booked a second one since we had seen 4 of the African "Big 5" animals the previous day. It was too late to cancel so we went ahead. We still didn't get to see a leopard but we did see some different animals and were much closer to the giraffes than the previous day, thus more pictures of them. 

The vehicles were older and again, the ride was really rough. Also we couldn't hear our guide too well, but all in all it went well. I'll share my favorites from the day.

 

Insignia in background

Welcome - Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal

 

Zebras fight when they mate, biting each other and sometimes biting the others tails off!

 

zebra sans tail

nice pose

giraffe spotting - cameras up!

 

4 of them! (male is darker one in front)

springbok

2 tons each!

posing for me in the tall grass

the iconic African Acacia

mother zebra grooming her foal?

on high alert

regal pose

here's looking at you

male feeding on right