SANWILD - What an experience

[Red]

Those of you who missed out, sorry for you!!  What an experience.

The Wilddogs (of the two wheel kind) was represented by Adventurer, Peaches and Cherry, Beemer Man, Frankie, Panne, Stephan and myself, Zerc and Mark Hardy (all the way from Empangeni) and EV (all the way from Cape Town).

We were the first to arrive in Leydsdorp.  Five minutes later a KTM with a CA registration number arrives and we meet Mark for the first time.

The bikesâ?¦..

Mark taking pics immediately after arriving.

First Peaches, EV and Cherry arrived by car and thereafter Adventurer, Beemer Man and Frankie arrived in a huge cloud of dust.  It was nice to meet EV, Beemer Man and Frankie for the first time.  Of course everyone got on like a house on fire after 5 minutes and the first beer, as expected.  ;D ;D

We kuiered so well, we did not take any pics that evening.  I am sure some nice ones will be added by the rest of the participants.

The next day some of the boys went to Letsitele to fetch the others.  They came back in a huge coud of dust as well with a single new arrival, Zerc.  I am sure Hannetjie is still dusting the Lodge.

Panne arrived solo from Pieterburg early the Saturday morning.

Here the dogs are getting ready to depart to Sanwild.  Leydsdorp is actually right next door to Sanwild, making the little trip out quite easy.

I am not a brand basher, so hereâ??s the pretty boysâ?¦.

Louise gave us a talk after providing a feast for famished Wilddogs.

Thereafter we went for a tour of the facilities.

Stephanâ??s new pet hippo all the way from a circus in France.

A big boy â?? saved from the canned hunting industry.

Now the goosebump stuff.

Zerc and Mark getting close.

The alpha female keeping a watchfull eye on the newcomers.

Om beter te kan hoor, my kind.

We went back to the main camp.  Adventurer as the only Mod handed over our Wilddog contribution.  Louise asked that we convey her appreciation to all the contributors.  They are planning to release our brethren into a new larger enclosure soon and will let us know if we would like to attend.

 

[Operator]

This is so cool 

Got more pics ?

 

[Extreme Velcro]

Hi Operator

We have lots - at the moment thought the one camera with pics is at Sabie so it might be a while till we get all of those and I am sure Adventurer will be downloading soonest as well.

What an absolutely unbelievable amazing fantastic fabulous brilliant experience - every minute from the beginning to the end.

Words just fail me........

 

[LeonDude]

Thanks for the report Red. Sorry I couldn't be there, but it's nice to know the dogs are being seen to.

 

[Adventurer]

A big thanks to all involved, Red for organising the weekend, Operator for starting the thread, EV for giving so much of her time to these worthwhile causes, and to all the WD members that contributed, R12K was handed over.
A big thanks to all that attended this weekend, it was an awesome experience.
Sanwild is offering a discount to any WD member that stays over at Sanwild, and a special rate will be given if the WD people fill the place, they can accomodate 10 people.
Absolutely worth a visit.

 

[lonerider]

Let's take that road next time...



Many thanks to all that went out to Sanwild - looks very memorable... (Am sad the 1000-odd mile trip just wouldn't work out...)

Kudos to all that made this possible, from beginning to handover.  :hello2: :headbang:

 

[Stephan]

Geez Adv, talk about an abbreviated version!    :lamer:

Come on, I'm sure you have lots more!

 

[Adventurer]

Geez Adv, talk about an abbreviated version!    :lamer:

Come on, I'm sure you have lots more!

Later..... ;D ;D

 

[Extreme Velcro]

Yeah - I have a lang storie to tell, but with such an experience overload in one weekend, it will take me a while....

Julle moet maar wag - but to those Wild Dogs that I met for the first time, you are all absolutely amazing; I am on such a high at the moment, I am once again most prob not making sense.

I'll wait until tomorrow !

 

[Extreme Velcro]

Phew â?? donâ??t know where to start, but I guess at the beginning might be a good place.

For me, that was the pm I got when my flight was confirmed.  Complete panic  â?? itâ??s actually real.  Iâ??m going to leave this house and all the animals in the hands of a babysitter and for the first time in fourteens years, will be going away and nogal, out of the provinceâ?¦â?¦

AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHH !!!!!!!!!!

Thursday reality really hit me.  With long lists of what to do and what not to do  :deal:, the babysitter came for a final recce and to re-assure me that she promises to try and be as neurotic as me about the animals  :salut: , after which I had to go for a drink with friends up at the Barrel.

Got home, couldnâ??t sleep, then did, then woke up and then realized â?? sherbet, I havenâ??t even packed yet.  Flurry of activity around packing at 04:30 am, swallowing of tranquilisers, lift to airport arrives.

Flight is great â?? the attendants and pilot on Kulula are hystericalâ?¦..during the safety instructions, the reason given for having to show us how to use the flotation devices in case on an emergency while we are really flying over barren land â?? jawellnofine. 

One bad, I of course had to have a really nice person next to me who first of all, wouldnâ??t shut up (coming back from a government seminar on how to fundraise for an NGO â?? mmmmmmmâ?¦â?¦.) and second of all, brought his takeaway breakfast with â?? about half a pound of fried greasy bacon (he has no idea how close I came to making that bacon inedible in a very disgusting way)  uke_r:

On landing, the pilot did inform us Capetonians that we would be searched for weapons on arrival at the terminal and if we did not have any, some would be provided and that he did hope we would enjoy our stay.  :laughing6:

EEEEEKKKK, people, that terminal is something else.  It mustâ??ve been quite easy for Peaches and Kaylee to find me â?? a terrified pale white woman looking around frantically to try and just get bearings, let alone move in the right direction.  ale: But of course, they did â?? and made me feel comfortable straight away (like finding the nearest loo as I was seriously knyping).

And I really knew I had arrived in Gauteng as I sank into the luxurious front seat of a brand new BMW and we hit the traffic  :confused1:  Peaches drives like a dream, but that was the only reason another trank wasnâ??t required.

Itâ??s a long journey from the airport to Leydsdorp Lodge and I will be honest, I was still so nervous and stressed that I didnâ??t take much in, but certainly, with the great company in the car, started to relax and due to relaxing, ended up with a neck spasm around the time we hit Pietersburg/Polokwane.  Ha, you try find a chemist in that town on a Friday afternoon for muscle relaxants and once found, try and find parking.  Itâ??s an adventure on its ownâ?¦â?¦

From then onwards, Peachesâ?? patience mustâ??ve been sorely tested as it was a case of having both Kaylee and me constantly â??are we there yetâ? and â??how much furtherâ? even though we did have a lovely American voice from the GPS telling us on a relatively regular basis  :-\ :-[

I even started giggling hysterically when I realized just how far into the bush and on the gravel we were going and that I was obviously also going to have no cell phone reception â?? this was one city slicker who was going right back up into stress mode deluxe.  â??Whatcha telling me, there is no shop around for 20 kmâ??s? Where the hell are we?â?   

At last â?? arrival with Stephan, Red and Mark already waiting for us.  At last, after all this time to meet you face to face â?? it was great.  And what a beautiful place!

Adventurer, Bemmer Man and Frankie arrived soon after and just a flurry of greetings and welcomes and then straight up to the most amazing stone hewn bar for drinks and getting to know each other  ccasion14:  I know us West Coast people like to try out new places, but you must all admit that this time, I went far for my Friday night Wild Dogs get together â?¦â?¦â?¦

And of course, due to the fact that by now I hadn't eaten for over 36 hours and had everything from tranks to muscle relaxants and booze in my system, I faded right rapidly - out like a light took on a whole new meaning !

Sorry, got to go work now, will be right back.........

 

[Extreme Velcro]

Hope you are not bored yet, as there is lots more to tell and I'm gonna.....pics are coming tonight or tomrrow when Mark hits an internet cafe.

Woke up the next morning feeling somewhat poorly (nothing unusual after Friday nights actually, now that I come to think of it), managed to find cell phone reception 200 metres down the road in one (and only one) position and phoned home to find out whether the house was still standing.  Apparently most of it was except for one sliding door which Katie M had apparently managed to knock off its railings  .  Not broken and relatively easy to fix.  Ok, I can deal with thisâ?¦â?¦.. 8)

After something to eat and a very long hot soak while the rest of the crew collected Zerc and Panne then arrived, it was time to get ready for my next challenge â?? the road to Sanwild.  Yip, first time as a pillion on stones (them stones, them very much loose stones â?? hey, you lot, stop laughing  :nono:, to me they looked like there was no grip anywhere whatsoever).  Suited up, got on and from then onwards promptly remained completely and absolutely horrendously terrified for the next two to three minutes (which for me felt like sixty).

I think it is time to admit I have trust issues around being a pillion (or I am just the only honest pillion rider in the world).  Man, was that scary â?? Shark, sorry man, but you wouldâ??ve been horrified at the intensity of my prayers to any god that was listening.

Them stones â?? by the time we hit the normal gravel road, I think I had clutched every part of Mark with my right hand while hanging on grimly (very grimly) to that seat bar with my left hand.  Just as I though â??ok, I can now cope againâ?, hubby of course hits the only flipping hole to be found in the vicinity, so I arrived at the Sanwild gate with literally half my ass hanging off the seat, using some choice language in a very terse whispered conversation with Mark after I got off the seat completely.

After being welcomed, we were told that this was the very very first time that motorbikes had been allowed into Sanwild.  Felt very privileged, but was less enamoured by the next words, namely that they therefore cannot guarantee how the animals would react and specifically a young black very bad-tempered rhino that recently had gored the side of the bakkie or landrover.  So, should any animal such as this beast explode out of the bushes, we must please try and make ourselves as scarce as possible.

Ok, that was it â?? this was information that I just REALLY didnâ??t need right then and there.  Narrow road, gravel and sand and potentially dangerous animals; I just wanted to go home right there and then.  But no, my brain is saying, fight it  :bom:, come on you can do it :boxing:, you wanted to learn  :brave:, now letâ??s do itâ?¦â?¦

Another confession â?? I donâ??t really think that much of my brain any more.  In fact, I think the time has come for a trade in.  In fact, I think all of us do.  Once Peaches and Kaylee were in the bakkie, I actually got back on the bike instead of getting into a nice safe car.  Bush all around and me furiously scanning the bushes like Columbus desperately looking for land.  The camp, when sighted, looked so inviting, but as sure as dammit, there was one more nasty lying in store for me  > â?? PURE SAND, and a teeny weeny little tree in the middle of the parking lot which grew progressively larger as there was control flailing footwork done by Mark and some serious screaming by me, in fact, I hit every high note that exists and Iâ??m sure any others that might still need to be discovered (or not). :eek7: :eek7: :eek7:

After once again clobbering Mark, the day however turned into perfection.  To meet Louise and her staff, heroes in my eyes for the amazing work they do saving wild animals from the greed and exploitation of others.  They rescue animals from everywhere; from people who obviously donâ??t want them on or near their land, to those who have been caught in snares, to those that have been injured and of course, lions out of the canned hunting industry. 

The story of how they saved the baby giraffe by having to keep her neck upright for 24 hours to keep her alive after her neck had being injured particularly touched me.  The picture that showed this spoke 1 000 words â?? both giraffe and volunteer looking completely exhausted, but worth it, as it was a battle that was won.  Also heard about a lion whose femur was repaired and other stories; amazing work and fascinating stuff.

The spread that was laid on for us was magnificent, unbelievable; I was still shaking so much from the riding experience and the emotion of actually being at Sanwild, I could only drink my coke by holding the glass with both hands and could hardly talk.  Ok, though, there was enough oohing and aaaahing going on as everybody really tucked in and looked around what has to be one of the most beautiful places to be.  I think everyone who was there can truly say that the hospitality was perfect.

This camp is beautiful - as Adventurer said, Louise has promised Wild Dogs a discount should any of us ever wish to stay there as well as a substantial discount if we book out all ten berths and if I were you lot up there, I'd be on the phones now.  The main house and dining area, the bar, the beauty of the land around you, the sunset, the perfection of a day in Africa....this is the place to experience it!

And sorry, once again, must go work, will be back........

 

[Zerc]

I must agree it was a great weekend and I really feel the need to explore that area of South Africa some more. Seeing some of the animals close up was also amazing, apart from getting close to the wilddogs (the animal kind), we also managed to get pretty close to the hippos and a really friendly baby rhino. I wouldn't mind adopting him but he probably would be a hassle if he wanted to sleep on the bed. The mongooses were also very entertaining.
Here are a few photos I took -
Another photo of a wilddog
The friendly rhino
A bush pig
A view just after leaving Leydsdorp on the way home

 

[Zerc]

I meant to add a picture of Adventurer handing over the donations to Louise so here it is

 

[MrBig]

Nice going guys!

O yes and EV - you're bit of wus aren't you!
Mark does 40 000 km's a year and you're still scared to sit behind him on a bike.. tsk tsk.
Toughen up old girl!! (and with "old" just being an expression of course)

Mind you.  :
Mark does have a knack of 'performing' for cameras come to think of it. 
Perhaps you are wise after all

 

[Extreme Velcro]

The game ride was perfect.  I was sad as I did not get the opportunity to see the elephants that the organization I work with had originally helped to translocate, but what with seeing hippos up close like that, looking out for all the game, lots of buck of different kinds and even though I am privileged to know lions well through my work with Paul at our own Drakenstein Lion Park, seeing these beasts and being chased down by five or so of the young ones was amazing â?? yeah, we were blasé about this; we were on the right side of the fence.

Just being out there was amazing â?? the company was fantastic, we were looked after by the boss herself and heard all the stories of how, who and what; and when we got to the rehab/nursery centre and met one of the saved baby rhinos and got to see the meerkats up close, the injured but healing vulture and the friendliest bush pig; well, I think I was in heaven â?? actually I know I was.

We got back to the camp as the sun was setting, so unfortunately could not stay around for too much longer.  Adventurer did the handover, we chatted a bit more and caught way too short a glimpse of the sunset from the main hut, which just to sit there and enjoy in all its splendour wouldâ??ve been magnificent.

However, what we got was just as good.  Quick discussion with Mark who told me that I do not bother him on the pillion, that it is just as easy or difficult to keep up the bike with or without me on the back and will I now just shut it and enjoyâ?¦â?¦.well, got through the sand perfectly on the way out with no major shrieking, the scenery that we rode through out to the far gate was too awe inspiring for me not to. 

Sunset in the bush in Africa and on a bike with friends through that bush in a wildlife sanctuary â?? this will be a moment in life that will be hard to surpass; in fact, I think downright nigh impossible, but Iâ??m happy to challenge life to give us something more perfect than that.

And then we were back to them stonesâ?¦â?¦..hey, when you are in heaven, whatâ??s a couple of minutes of stones to endure. 

The most frightening and horrific thing happened then happened though.  I went into the room to freshen up, taking my helmet off at the same time (a helmet whose visor had now been open for about the last twenty minutes of dust) and looked into the mirrorâ?¦â?¦â?¦what a sight!!!!!!!!! 

My face was still relatively clean except for one beeeeegggggg black section around the eyes, nose and top lip.  It looked like I had painted a mask on my face.  Mark dived for the camera, but I beat him as I hurtled into the bathroom, still screaming with laughter.  This city slicker come surfer chick has never been so filthy in her entire life.  Sorry, I got clean before he got the pic; you lot wouldâ??ve ripped me off for the rest of my life from that one photie. :-[ :-[

That Saturday evening was perfect.  To finish off a day like that in a beautiful place with once again new friends that feel like they have been friends forever, discussing all that we had experienced and just enjoying the last colours of the sunset and having a fabulous meal in an open air dining area with ponds and frogs (I love frogs) etc. â?? talk about tired but one of those moments that one can truly deem to be a happy one. 

Again, I left the party early, but woke up early as well and for about an hour or so just had the privilege of listening.  I do hope Panne is still speaking to me as I really whinged horrendously about his home town Pietersburg/Polokwane, although he did admit that what I unfortunately saw was the worst part and I never got to see the best.  Maybe next timeâ?¦â?¦

Unfortunately we had to leave relatively to get me to the airport, but this time around I was so much more aware of everything around me.  I love the Cape and will always believe that I am lucky enough to be living in a rich part of the world, but Sundayâ??s drive also showed me that there is so much out there, we are really privileged.

The weekend also taught me a new phraseâ?¦â?¦â?crotch rocketsâ?.  There were a lot around on Sunday, but hey, I was so laid back, I even thought kindly of them.

The trip back was uneventful on BA/Comair â?? very lovely and professional, but just not as much fun as the Kulula guys and came home to a still standing house.

And may I just say, that if I thought I was interested before and excited about getting out there on my own, let me tell you â?? I AM NOW A MONSTERâ?¦â?¦.

I lied; I donâ??t want a new brain, I donâ??t want to trade it in â?? I want to be as completely and madly in love with being terrified and scared and excited and happy as I was this weekend, be it as a pillion or soon on my own baby. 

Iâ??ve obviously lost my mind and guess what â?? itâ??s the best experience I have had and I want it again and again and again and again and again andâ?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦.

EV

 

[lonerider]

EV, thanks for a great write-up! Almost as good as being there myself...

 

[Carnivore]

Well done EV and the rest...

Could you guys please identify the dawgs and dawgettes in the group picture?

 

[Extreme Velcro]

Louise with hippos saved from a circus in Hungary - yes, can you believe it, they were the sideshow.......

Da Real Dogs....

Having fun with meerkatjies - naughty little shits they are.....

Rhino baby

The Handover

Louise's Thanks
Thanks a million to ALL OF YOU.  I really did enjoy having you guys around and hope it is not the last time we will see you all.

And just US......

In front, from left to right, Frankie, Red, EV and Peaches
At the back, fropm left to right, Stefan, Adventurer, Kaylee, Mark, Panne, Beemer Man and Zerc

 

[Frankie]

What a great trip and real good company! ;D Great to meet u all!

This was a really rustig weekend with good accom and facilities with Saturday being a big bonus to have the full game drive treat, the lunch spread. Thanks to Louise for spotting and opening gates - she sat perched on the front of the Cruiser the whole time! The sunset ride through the game reserve on the bikes was special as well.

We had good riding time as the whole trip was 1120 km's of good roads and some gravel ("i-like to travel..."), some super passes and very scenic parts of the country - even some freezing rain to round it off!

Thanks to all!

 

[Carnivore]

Thanks for the ID - great to see the faces of the names we read of...