Chaimanuka Animal Park

One P-Day we decided to go with Elders Ketchum and Brewerton out to the game reserve of Chaimanuka.  It was a beautiful resort-like establishment, completed with restaurant, individual small lodges to rent, and a swimming pool.  It was really beautiful and looked like a golf course, it was so well kept.

The first thing we did was to walk with the cheetahs.  It was an amazing experience and we learned so much about them.  For example, they are the only animal that sees in color and so it is not a nocturnal animal.  They are, of course, the fastest animal on earth.  The black markings on their face that run down from their eyes serve as light reflectors so the light doesn't bother their eyes so much.

Anyway, these two were very friendly.  We learned that we shouldn't approach them from the front, but from the back and that we shouldn't touch their ears.  They love to have their tails and heads petted.

We got to pet them for awhile and then we took them for a walk.  It was just like walking a dog.  They were very obedient and friendly.   Alan was crouched in front of them taking a picture when one of them started to advance on him a bit.  The trainer instantly pulled him back, but said the cheetah was not being aggressive, but simply wanted to lick his head!  Then the trainer showed us, and, sure enough, the cheetah started licking his head.  The trainer said it sort of feels like his hair is getting brushed. 

                                                                                       This one is licking LaNice's hand.  His tongue is very rough and feels sort of like sandpaper.  But it still sort of tickled.  It was an awesome experience. 

Then we loaded in a 4-wheel drive and went out into the park.  It was pretty amazing.  It's a smaller park, but we saw so many animals.  This is an Eland (I think) which is the largest in the antelope family.

We saw may Puku, Impala and Kudu.  These seem to be the most plentiful of all the animals in the park, which isn't too surprising since there are no predators (lions, etc.) that are allowed to run loose on the grounds. 

These are warthogs just chillin' under the tree.  There were so many of them, and there were even some babies.  When they run, their little tails stick up in the air.  They looked like little piggies chasing after their moms.  So cute!

They are included in a group of African animals called "The Ugly Five" for an obvious reason. 

There was only one elephant in the park and we were lucky enough to see her.  Her partner and baby had recently died and they said she wasn't a very happy elephant.  They are looking for more elephants to bring to the park.

We only saw one giraffe and were told this one is really old and has sort of been sent away from the herd.  That's why we were able to see him.  I sure hope our kids don't do that to us when we get old!

I was a little surprised to see ostrich here, but there were several of them.  We learned that people really can ride these birds, just like they did in Swiss Family Robinson!

We saw a number of zebra and learned that, unlike Swiss Family Robinson, they have very weak backs and are not used for riding.  

This tree is growing atop a large ant hill.  These hills get very big and are hard.  They are sort of like termites.  The eat the dead wood from the tree which in turn makes the soil more fertile for the tree.

  This is a small village we passed on the way to the park.  It's a quaint little place.