South Africa – Places I've Been, Beauty I've Seen

South Africa is very rich in natural resources, somehow struggles to enjoy them fairly and peacefully. Traveling in this amazing country was a great experience. I valued the opportunities to listen to the stories and points of view on the Apartheid years. My favorite experiences were reaching Cape of Good Hope the most southwest point of Africa and observing wild animals in their own habitat in Krueger National Park located 420km east of Johannesburg. (August 2008)

Fragrant apple trees surround the cottage where stayed in Johannesburg

Fragrant apple trees surround the cottage where stayed in Johannesburg
Spoiled with homemade breakfasts, afternoon tea and a butler who refused to not tidy-up

Spoiled with homemade breakfasts, afternoon tea and a butler who refused to not tidy-up
Mandela Gate in Johannesburg the business ‘boxing ring’ of South Africa

Mandela Gate in Johannesburg the business ‘boxing ring’ of South Africa
Nelson Mandela, who fought all his life for democracy became President of South Africa in 1994

Nelson Mandela, who fought all his life for democracy became President of South Africa in 1994
Mandela Plaza, a gathering spot for young and old, Johannesburg

Mandela Plaza, a gathering spot for young and old, Johannesburg
Eastgate Mall with trendy cafes and restaurants, Johannesburg

Eastgate Mall with trendy cafes and restaurants, Johannesburg
Housing projects can’t keep up with the birth rate of Johannesburg

Housing projects can’t keep up with the birth rate of Johannesburg
Patiently waiting for tourists to approach her souvenir shop

Patiently waiting for tourists to approach her souvenir shop
Table Mountain, one of the oldest mountains in the world, older than Himalayans

Table Mountain, one of the oldest mountains in the world, older than Himalayans
Signal Hill is where in old days fired guns announced the arrival of ships requiring provisions

Signal Hill is where in old days fired guns announced the arrival of ships requiring provisions
Lion’s Mountain visited during full moon by locals who eat a picnic dinner at sunset and hike down under the light of the full moon

Lion’s Mountain visited during full moon by locals who eat a picnic dinner at sunset and hike down under the light of the full moon
Robben Island, imprisonment during anti-apartheid was denuded of its vegetation by 25,000 introduced rabbits

Robben Island, imprisonment during anti-apartheid was denuded of its vegetation by 25,000 introduced rabbits
Lovely Cape Town is a key factor in the economy of South Africa

Lovely Cape Town is a key factor in the economy of South Africa
Saint George Cathedral was built in 1901 and the ten bells on its tower still toll every day, Cape Town

Saint George Cathedral was built in 1901 and the ten bells on its tower still toll every day, Cape Town
Greenmarket Square, the center of local events during the summer, Cape Town

Greenmarket Square, the center of local events during the summer, Cape Town
Outdoor gatherings are not popular during winter in Cape Town

Outdoor gatherings are not popular during winter in Cape Town
Mama Africa Restaurant, we enjoyed springbuck stew, grilled crocodile and ostrich steak, left with full tummy and a happy heart

Mama Africa Restaurant, we enjoyed springbuck stew, grilled crocodile and ostrich steak, left with full tummy and a happy heart
Keeping her baby warm as winter is quite cold in Cape Town

Keeping her baby warm as winter is quite cold in Cape Town
Commercial hunting ended 1990 but slaughter of gentle seals still occurs

Commercial hunting ended 1990 but slaughter of gentle seals still occurs
“Baboons are dangerous and attracted by food”, perhaps English is not their language

“Baboons are dangerous and attracted by food”, perhaps English is not their language
Come on dear, I’m waiting! We’ll be late for the beach-party, Boulders Bay

Come on dear, I’m waiting! We’ll be late for the beach-party, Boulders Bay
Hurry up! We’ve got to catch up to hear the latest gossip!, Boulders Bay

Hurry up! We’ve got to catch up to hear the latest gossip!, Boulders Bay
Penguin colors are camouflage, white for predators looking up and black for those looking down, Boulders Bay

Penguin colors are camouflage, white for predators looking up and black for those looking down, Boulders Bay
Boulders Bay is a Penguin Sanctuary south of Cape Town

Boulders Bay is a Penguin Sanctuary south of Cape Town
Cypress tree close to Simon’s Town, southeast of Cape Town

Cypress tree close to Simon’s Town, southeast of Cape Town
Bartolomeu Dias reached these strong waters in 1487, Cape of Good Hope

Bartolomeu Dias reached these strong waters in 1487, Cape of Good Hope
pristine but swimming in the ocean can be dangerous, South Africa

pristine but swimming in the ocean can be dangerous, South Africa
Cape of Good Hope, the most south-western point of the African Continent

Cape of Good Hope, the most south-western point of the African Continent
Lion Nature Reserve, the guide felt very safe working here, South Africa

Lion Nature Reserve, the guide felt very safe working here, South Africa
Rare white lions are a color mutation of the African Transvaal Lion

Rare white lions are a color mutation of the African Transvaal Lion
‘Sorry, not in the mood for visitors today’, Lion Nature Reserve

‘Sorry, not in the mood for visitors today’, Lion Nature Reserve
Lions have space to roam while protected from hunters and poachers, Lion Nature Reserve

Lions have space to roam while protected from hunters and poachers, Lion Nature Reserve
Seeing this majestic creature, via zoom lens, nevertheless was incredible, Lion Nature Reserve

Seeing this majestic creature, via zoom lens, nevertheless was incredible, Lion Nature Reserve
Manes vary from blond to black and get darker as lion grows older

Manes vary from blond to black and get darker as lion grows older
As we follow tracks of an evasive white rhino. It was dark when we spotted a pair of shinning eyes and heard stumping in the bushes but never did see the white rhino.

As we follow tracks of an evasive white rhino. It was dark when we spotted a pair of shinning eyes and heard stumping in the bushes but never did see the white rhino.
Steenbok antelopes, in 1926 Paul Krueger created programs to protect animals from extinction due to hunting

Steenbok antelopes, in 1926 Paul Krueger created programs to protect animals from extinction due to hunting
African Elephants, the largest land animal, can reach 6 tons and live for 65 years, Krueger National Park

African Elephants, the largest land animal, can reach 6 tons and live for 65 years, Krueger National Park
Kruger's capacity is 7,000 elephants. At this time (2008) there were 13,000, each eating daily 400lbs of plant matter.

Kruger's capacity is 7,000 elephants. At this time (2008) there were 13,000, each eating daily 400lbs of plant matter.
Small trees and shrubs are destroyed by elephants daily, which diminish food source for other animals

Small trees and shrubs are destroyed by elephants daily, which diminish food source for other animals
Each elephant destroys two mid-size trees daily by uprooting, debarking or breaking, Krueger National Park

Each elephant destroys two mid-size trees daily by uprooting, debarking or breaking, Krueger National Park
Impalas, Steenbok and Zebras in Krueger National Park

Impalas, Steenbok and Zebras in Krueger National Park
Scops owl perched on a tree, this small specie measures about 7 inches

Scops owl perched on a tree, this small specie measures about 7 inches
A Waterbuck, sedentary antelope can weight over 600lbs, Krueger National Park

A Waterbuck, sedentary antelope can weight over 600lbs, Krueger National Park
Warthogs can survive without water for several months in dry season

Warthogs can survive without water for several months in dry season
Baby Elephant Walk, the music written by Henry Mancini came to mind, Krueger National Park

Baby Elephant Walk, the music written by Henry Mancini came to mind, Krueger National Park
Relaxed in her habitat, she can reach vegetation that no other herbivores can, Krueger National Park

Relaxed in her habitat, she can reach vegetation that no other herbivores can, Krueger National Park
Giraffes are losing the acacia trees, main source of food, as agriculture increases due to human population growth

Giraffes are losing the acacia trees, main source of food, as agriculture increases due to human population growth
Zoom-lens close-up to admire her long eye lashes

Zoom-lens close-up to admire her long eye lashes
Leaving the Land Rover will transform the shape of the vehicle that animals are familiar, they will panic and attack

Leaving the Land Rover will transform the shape of the vehicle that animals are familiar, they will panic and attack
Journeys and observation excursions are from semi-open 4x4 vehicles, never on foot, Krueger National Park

Journeys and observation excursions are from semi-open 4x4 vehicles, never on foot, Krueger National Park
Hippopotamuses spend 16hrs daily in the water to cool off their bodies, at sunset travel around 6 miles to eat.

Hippopotamuses spend 16hrs daily in the water to cool off their bodies, at sunset travel around 6 miles to eat.
Due to habitat loss and poaching, hippopotamuses continue to decline throughout Africa

Due to habitat loss and poaching, hippopotamuses continue to decline throughout Africa
When not sunbathing crocodiles clean the rivers by eating the carcasses of other species

When not sunbathing crocodiles clean the rivers by eating the carcasses of other species
African Buffalo can weight up to 750 kg, Krueger National Park

African Buffalo can weight up to 750 kg, Krueger National Park
Buffalos are sociable and when a member is attacked others rush to its defense

Buffalos are sociable and when a member is attacked others rush to its defense
Duel of two teenage elephants. They were kicked out the group for fighting behavior.

Duel of two teenage elephants. They were kicked out the group for fighting behavior.
Elephant families are matriarchal. At age thirteen some males break away to roam alone or join group of males

Elephant families are matriarchal. At age thirteen some males break away to roam alone or join group of males
Elephants oblivious of our vehicle few feet from them, Krueger National Park

Elephants oblivious of our vehicle few feet from them, Krueger National Park
Blue Wildebeest can weight about 600lbs and run up to 50mph, Krueger National Park

Blue Wildebeest can weight about 600lbs and run up to 50mph, Krueger National Park
“Flora and fauna grow more rapidly closer to a termite mound” explained the guide

“Flora and fauna grow more rapidly closer to a termite mound” explained the guide
Baobab ‘tree of life’ is leafless most of the year. Its trunk, 11mts in diameter can hold 120,000 liters of water.

Baobab ‘tree of life’ is leafless most of the year. Its trunk, 11mts in diameter can hold 120,000 liters of water.
Campsite lodge, the cabins are scattered around the trails, Krueger Reserve

Campsite lodge, the cabins are scattered around the trails, Krueger Reserve
Chefs surprised us daily with earthly meals. I couldn’t guess the main ingredient of a delicious soup, –green apples!

Chefs surprised us daily with earthly meals. I couldn’t guess the main ingredient of a delicious soup, –green apples!