Addo

Today is the last day of our trip - Well, at least that we won't be in an airport. We wanted to finish sort of where we started so we spent the day with animals again.

The first half of our day was all about elephants - We actually went on an elephant ride!

We went to Elephant Back Safaris. They have three elephants that they got from Kruger Reserve. Many years ago Kruger had to reduce their elephant population by giving elephants away to other reserves. Even though these three have to put up with humans more than they would in a reserve - they seem to have a very nice and relaxing life.

We got to pick which ones we wanted to ride. And even though it was just Mike and I all three went on the walk. The guide told me they go everywhere together.

 

Mike picked Duma which means "rumbling thunder." He is called that because he is consistently making this low rumbling sound in his throat. He's also the boss of the three so he always goes first...

 

 

I picked Taba which means "happy." He should maybe be called "hungry" because he was very food oriented. Here he is without me (eating a branch!)

 

Whenever we stopped along the ride he would put his trunk up for some food...

 

After the ride they got to browse around chatting and eating acacia trees.

 

  

Then we fed them - all photos of that were taken with Mike's camera - and gave them hugs.

 

We ended our day with one last sunset safari in Addo Park.

We saw kudu, warthogs, the biggest elephant at the park and...

   

Lions! 

Two bad boys having a nap (with full bellies)

 

Look at that face - I mean is it a cat's life or what?

 

It was a great evening and a lovely way to finish our trip.