In The Cradle of Humankind

On our way to the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve near Johannesburg, we drove through some shanty towns and watched through our car window at villages crammed with hot looking huts with the sun beating down on the corrugated iron roof and walls. There was dodgy looking wiring strung up from one hut to the next, women scrubbing washing in buckets, kids playing soccer in the dust, and groups of men sitting outside the huts trying to cool off.

People would crowd around our car when we had to stop at intersections near the villages, trying to sell us oranges, flags, brooms, nuts and soap. We had been warned by several people to keep our windows wound up and the car in gear in case they tried to hijack the car. We even drove past a road sign that said "Warning Hijacking Area Next 3kms"!

The reserve is situated in the acclaimed World Heritage Site- the 'Cradle of Humankind' with beautiful limestone caves where they have discovered fossils which date back to 3.5 million years old! It was fantastic to have the opportunity to see so many African animals close up at the reserve, which started with only 2 white rhino's in 1985 and now has over 600 head of game. Endangered species have also been introduced to this reserve, and successful breeding programs have been set up for wild dogs, bengal tigers, and white lions.

African Buffalo

Zebras

Rhinoceros and Impalas

2 month old lion

White Lion

Warthog

Leopard