Safari in Kruger National Park, South Africa and a visit to Eswatini (Swaziland) in 11 days.
If I ever decide to go overseas to live, Durban, South Africa would be a great choice. This trip put together by Exoticca was amazing. We started out from Tampa flying to Atlanta, then took the 17 hour flight to Johannesburg (or “Joburg” for short). Eileen and I are used to long flights and prepared for them.
We landed and found the weather in South Africa much like it is here in Florida. The entire trip we did not need a jacket at all and did not run into much of any rain. English was spoken every where we went.
One big thumbs up was the cost of living, a huge burger, fries and a Diet Coke was $2.50. The Internet was great except for one hotel where it was essentially nonexistent for the two days we were there.
2-5-2025 Our first animal sighting was in a remote gas station/truck stop. Alzu Petroport on the highway N4.
We went on two safari, first (2-6-2025) in the National park The world-famous Kruger National Park is South Africa’s largest game reserve and one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries on the planet. The Kruger National Park has nearly two million hectares (7,722 sq miles) of unfenced African wilderness, in which more mammal species roam free than in any other game reserve.
The Big Five are the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo. They are a group of large animals in Africa that are famous and highly sought after by tourists. We saw the lion rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo this trip, we saw the leopard in Nairobi and so we have rounded out the five.
After the all day Game Drive we went south to the small country of Eswanti (formally Swaziland) and a glass blowing factory 2-7-2025.
Then to Swazi Candles 2-8-2025:
The following video shows an artist who took a lump of wax, and turned it into an elephant candle!
I was able to purchase it.
Then we went on another Safari! 2-9-2024
Map of the overall Hluhlue Park sightings:
After the excitement of the Safari, we took a boat ride to see the hippo’s! 2-9-2025
First stop on the 10th was the Reptile Exhibit
Next was lunch, I had the WARTHOG BURGER with a salad and fries and a drink for $6.50.
Then the Zulu performance
The evening of the 10th we drove to Durban
We went on a 3 hour tour of the City of Durban. 2-11-2025
On the last day we went to the aquarium in Durban 2-12-2025.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addresses Trump:
“So, you voted to build a wall.
Well, dear Americans, even if you don’t understand much about geography, since for you America is your country and not a continent, it is important for you to know, before the first brick is laid, that there are 7 billion people beyond that wall.
But since you don’t really know the term “people,” we will call them “consumers.” There are 7 billion consumers ready to replace their iPhones with Samsung or Huawei devices in less than 42 hours.
They can also replace Levi’s with Zara or Massimo Duti.
In less than six months, we can easily stop buying Ford or Chevrolet cars and replace them with Toyota, KIA, Mazda, Honda, Hyundai, Volvo, Subaru, Renault or BMW, which are technically better than the cars they produce. These 7 billion people can also stop subscribing to Direct TV, and we don’t want to do that, but we can stop watching Hollywood movies and start watching more Latin American or European productions that have better quality, message, cinematic techniques and content.
Although it may sound incredible, we can skip Disney and go to the Xcaret resort in Cancun, Mexico, Canada or Europe: there are other great destinations in South America, East America and Europe.
And even if you don’t believe it, even in Mexico there are better hamburgers than McDonald’s and they have better nutritional content.
Has anyone seen pyramids in the United States? In Egypt, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Sudan and other countries there are pyramids with incredible civilizations.
Find out where to find the wonders of the ancient and modern world. None of them in the US. Shame on Trump, he would have bought them and sold them!
We know that Adidas exists, not just Nike, and we can start wearing Mexican sneakers like Panam. We know more than you think.
We know, for example, that if these 7 billion consumers don’t buy their products, there will be unemployment and their economy will collapse (within the racist wall) to such an extent that they will beg us to tear down this ugly wall.
We didn’t want to, but….
BREAKING NEWS
South African has recommended suspending all American businesses within South African territory and stop exporting minerals to the United States.
This comes just a few days after Donald Trump cut off all funding from the US to South Africa and the USAID to South Africa 🥶
The South African government categorically made it clear to Trump that America is nothing without minerals from Africa and if he thinks Africans are nothing but mere beggars, then he should go look for minerals elsewhere because Africa is tired of the blatant disrespect and disregard they keep getting from the Western world. The US makes over $25-billion in profits from South Africa annually. This would affect both the American and South African economy very badly
No African country has ever stood up against the United States like this
South Africa is doing wellrecommended