The eyes of a Giraffe

“My friends are Africa aficionados. They have a lodge in Limpopo-Lipadi and they tempted me with a ten-day stay. Some invites are just too good to pass up. So, I swallow my shame of flying, snag some safari-ready zip-offs, and book a flight. We trek six hours from Johannesburg to their spot in this game reserve along the Limpopo River. That name alone spins my head. Once over that river—green, rocky, crocodile-infested—I step into a world I’ve only seen on nature shows and in ‘Out of Africa’, with Meryl Streep gazing wistfully over the golden savannah.

Next morning, our guide Lucky takes us on a game drive. My friend warned me: we might not see much. But within minutes, it’s a wildlife extravaganza. Hyenas, jackals, wildebeests, impalas, zebras, and more. An adolescent elephant throws a tantrum until mom intervenes. Then, I lock eyes with a giraffe. If you’ve ever stared into those deep pools beneath long lashes, you know: this is paradise.
I remember what a friend once said about her childhood encounter with a hare, how it felt like a divine moment. I’m not religious, but it’s like the animal kingdom got a memo: ‘José is visiting; let’s put on a show.’

The next day, Lucky spots fresh lion tracks. Two brothers lounge just down the road. They give us a glance but couldn’t care less about our game viewer. I’m spellbound, switching between binoculars and camera. Soon, we’re off again, hunting for wild dogs—checking off my ‘Out of Africa’ bucket list. In two days, I’ll be heading home, already homesick for this bushland and its creatures.”

Want to be a part of Limpopo-Lipadi’s adventures? For discreet information on share sales, contact generalmanager@limpopo-lipadi.org. To book a safari, request our rates via reservations@limpopo-lipadi.org or via WhatsApp: (+267) 76770191.