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Sabbatical Meike
  • Meike's Sabbatical

Sabbatical Meike

Seit Jahren habe ich davon geträumt, endlich ist es soweit Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 22, 2023
    Meike's SabbaticalSabbatical MeikeTraveler

    Johannesburg

    Sep 23–25, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    In einem kleinen Cottage in Johannesburg kann ich mich aklimatisieren und mich auf mein großes Abenteuer vorbereiten- Fledi ist immer dabei

    See translation
  • Meike's SabbaticalSabbatical MeikeTraveler

    Kariega Game Reserve

    September 25, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Another long day with travelling from Johannesburg to my final destination: Kariega Game Reserve. We got up at 6, going from Joburg to Port Elizabeth, where it was at least 10 degrees cooler (about 20 degrees celsius). There I was picked up with other volunteers and it was another 2 hours drive to the Reserve. We quickly got an introduction and I was placed on the kitchen Team for tonight: cooking dinner for 9 people: Pasta Bolognese...my room neighbor is a lady from the Bermudas...and Fledi is watching over usRead more

  • Meike's SabbaticalSabbatical MeikeTraveler
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    First Day as 'Volunteer'

    September 26, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    This morning it was raining and storming really badly, and instead of being outside we did some theory on rhinos (black & white), elephants, birds and habitats - this is some serious stuff, including our own field sheets and clip boards.
    But finally it cleared in the afternoon and we were able to do our first introductiory tour into the Reserve. And we did see a baby elephant! And some other animals too: Blesbocks, Wildebeest, Impala and a Lioness    Read more

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    Rhino Day

    September 27, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    At least it was not raining anymore - therefore Jaco, our coordinator, took us for another outing. After a flat tire we finally went in search of the Rhinos: white Rhinos, that have been de-horned to not encourage poaching, and black Rhinos which have not been de-horned. They are far more agressive and need their horns to defend themselves.Read more

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    Release of the Cheetah

    September 28, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Today we were able to watch something absolutely fantastic: the release of a female cheetah from a Boma (holding ground). She was brought into the Reserve to join the two male cheetahs a couple of weeks ago and being kept separate, today she was going to join the other two. Everybody was around watching and prodding, in the end she only got out, after everybody (besides us) left.Read more

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    First day of work

    September 29, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 11 °C

    Today was the first day where we volunteers were put to work- but first things first.
    We got up at 4 to start our trip to see the sun-up over the Kariega-River: that was magic...and still quite cold...
    After watching the sun coming out we went back for a quick breakfast and then to the new pasture to help get wire and razor wire from the previous owner out of bushes and trees, so the Rhinos and Zebras wouldn't hurt themselves. By then it was 30 degrees....
    We did that for a couple of hours and then, to cool off, went swimming...on our way back and forth we came across Zebras, Giraffes, Buffalos, Warthogs and lots of others...it was a beautiful and fullfilling day    Read more

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    Weekend Activities

    October 1, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    This is the first weekend on the Reserve, we are not working but instead can use our spare time to relax, discover etc...
    We (Sarah, Toni and myself) decided to go to Port Alfred on Saturday, which is about a 45 minutes drive from the Reserve and explore the city a bit, playing games with the rest of the volunteers in the evening...
    Today we went to Cannon Rocks Hiking Trail, so beautiful, through the dunes and along the sea, for a couple of hours...even though its only spring here, the Indian Ocean is warm enough to swim in.
    For dinner there was Braai, around the fireplace with the stars coming out...    Read more

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    Elephant (Study) Day

    October 2, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Today we were joined by Dustin, an Elephant Research Specialist, on our trip. We went for the elephants to study their behaviour, their movements, their social life...and it was absolutely fantastic, they were really close to the vehicle and looking us, studying us. We could see them grazing, browsing, the little ones fooling around - just like kids.
    Later we went for the sundown, another successfull and beautiful day.    Read more

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    Day of the predators

    October 3, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Yesterday we went out to do some alien plant control - meaning to get rid of any plants who are not originated in this area.
    But we got sidetracked by our first Lion-Viewing: it was around 11:00 and already really hot, and the two adult males were lounging in the shade of bushes, not at all interested in us...later we also found a Zebra carcass in the area, which we thought would be their dinner.
    After that we went to see some Hippos, in a segregated area of the River. Even though they were down in the water up to their nostrils you should always keep in mind that they are the most deadly animal for humans, they can run up to 40 km/h.
    During lunch Jaco got the information that the two male cheetahs had escaped again and were roaming outside the Reserve. The cheetahs were watched all afternoon by the Rangers, then darted, put into crates and brought back to the Boma. We were able to support taking the crates down and open them - off they went...
    No alien plants in the end at all...    Read more

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    Rainy days

    October 5, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    It is raining since yesterday, sometimes just drizzling a bit, but mostly pouring. And still we are going out, to find the lioness with her cub and to check on the twisted collar of an elephant, to avoid it hurting or strangling him. And later to look after the female cheetah, who had been released last week from the Boma.
    The lioness was hiding with her cubs and a carcass of a warthog in the bushes, really difficult to find, especially with all that rain, so there are no pictures yet.
    The elephants were down in a valley, you could only hear them moving through the trees and bushes and suddenly they were right in front of the car - very curious about these strange creatures in their raindrenched ponchos.
    On our way to see the cheetah there was some traffic on the roads with white rhinos and giraffes, but I'm slowly getting used to it.
    The cheetah was hiding under a bush with her prey and we were able to walk just 10m in front of her, absolutely amazing...
    So rainy days are not at all bad!    Read more

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    Zebra crossing

    October 6, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    Still raining :-( - you'd think coming to South Africa it would be lovely, warm and sunny, you could go to the beach and swim a bit and relax in the sun...well, that's not the case here. But even though all my clothes are damp and dirty (and being dried in front of the fire) I still enjoy being in this wonderful area. Its not like the dry Savannah one expects in KZN or Krüger Park, but more like a rain forest with lots of beautiful and amazing animals - who don't care about the weather...so when going out yesterday we came across the two male lions again, this time relaxing and then one of them just walking by our vehicle...it was nerve-wracking and very special.
    On the way back we were held up by a herd of Elephants, completely mesmerized by their social behaviour I forgot that I was soaked to the bone. Meanwhile its quite 'normal' to be held up by Giraffes, Zebras, Elephants or a Tortoise (Turtle on land), Turtles, Birds...giving Zebra crossing a complete new meaning.
    Jaco, our coordinator, is very passionate about all animals, regardless of their size, and is giving this passion to us. It really makes you think about a lot...    Read more

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    Soup Kitchen

    October 12, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Besides helping on the Reserve the Volunteers also support the local soup kitchen in Kentons Township. Miss Gladys soup kitchen has been founded in 1998 and takes care of children whose parents are not able to do so. Every wednesday afternoon we are going into town (civilization 😀 ), where we also can get groceries, medication, alcohol, decent coffee etc.
    With a shopping list given by the soup kitchen we also buy apples, rice, maize, potatoes for the kids. Some also bring necessities from home to give to the kids. At the moment Miss Gladys cares for ca. 40 kids from 3 to 18.
    Usually we play with the kids, feed them and sing and dance with them. Every other week the volunteers prepare a short lesson about the wildlife, sealife etc. This is quite a challenge for me, to get the kids to sit still and listen for 20 minutes (patience being my middle name 😉). But even though the kids don't have much they are happy, proud and inquisitive - it makes me think a lot.    Read more

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    Addo Elephant Park

    October 13, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    This weekend Toni, Sarah and myself decided to spoil ourselves to a weekend away. We went to a beautiful hotel in Addo (with a huge bathtub in our rooms) on friday afternoon, during heavy rainfalls. For saturday we had booked a Day-Safari including Braai, and were to meet our guide at the Southgate of the Park in the morning. Even though we left early enough we couldn't get through on the gravel roads, had a jackknifed truck and too much water and mud...and it still kept on pouring...We finally got there an hour late bit it was well worth it: the weather cleared and Steve, our guide, explained everything thoroughly. We saw lions, black rhinos, lots of elephants and buffalos, it was really beautiful. The Braai was very nice and we enjoyed being outside the car for a while. In the evening we had a wonderful dinner, even with Sushi.
    This morning we wanted to go for a hike in the Zuurberg Mountains, but the roads were still in bad shape so we returned back to Oceanview early and are enjoying some peace and quiet before the kids come back...    Read more

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    The Lioness

    October 16, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Believe it or not - it was raining again really badly all night and this morning. So instead of going out in the morning we prepared another session for the kids on Wednesday, this time about the 'circle of live'.
    In the afternoon it cleared and we finally were able to go out, this time to check on the black rhino. The roads though were still flooded and really muddy, so it was a hard and bumpy ride - but well worth it. Instead of seeing the rhino we finally found the lioness, which until today, we have only seen from afar. She had one cub with her, the other two were not to be seen. She also was in company of the two males which we have seen previously. On our way back we were stopping for the sun down and and quite a few fireflies - lightening up the bushes like tiny christmas lights.    Read more

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    Little Hideaway

    October 17, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Since the weather has now picked up it gets really warm, almost hot during the day. As a treat between manual labor (pulling alien plants) and elephant research Jaco lead us to a little Hideaway in the woods: a waterfall with a little pond to swim in. It is really amazing, and due to the current rain it has quite a lot of water, perfect to cool down.
    Today we also accounted a couple of Giraffes with babys, so cute...    Read more

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    Sick

    October 17, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    After all that rain the last couple of days the weather has now finally picked up and its sunny and warm. Even though Sarah, my roommate, and I have picked up a Bronchitis, due to the eternal damp and wind. So we went to the doctor yesterday, which in itself is an adventure. We had to pay 450 ZAR for the visit and then got a bag of prescriptions for another 1000 ZAR, but due to that we had to skip the morning trip into the bush and the lesson with the kids at the soup kitchen. At least we had the house to ourselves and also Wifi was back up again :-).Read more

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    Halftime

    October 19, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Its sunday again, I have now been on the Reserve for four weeks - time flies. The people I started with have meanwhile become friends, but will be moving on tomorrow. I'll miss them: Sarah, my roommate and Toni, together we are the three musceteers :-). Spending the days and weekends together is something special, we've had a lot of laughs and great experiences.
    Due to a lot of people leaving on monday Jaco took us for a Sunrise drive on Friday morning. Getting up at 3, all bundled up it was still dark and really cold, hence the beanie and the jacket. This time we went up a montain where we could watch the animals coming alive in the valley, heartbreakingly beautiful...
    After a quick breakfast we started again on the fencing, getting the wire out, meanwhile it was hot again and we were glad about any shade, but happy to do some manual labor.
    On our way back we came across the lions, taking a sunbath and not being bothered by us at all, they are just like big cats.
    Going out in the afternoon it started raining again and temperature dropped by 15 degrees and we were completely soaked, in one day we have had all the climate zones, no surprise I can't get rid of my bronchitis.    Read more

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    Sunday activities

    October 22, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    One last time together: the three musceteers going kayaking.
    Of course it rained this morning, but once we were in Kenton it cleared and we were off. We were going into the mound of Kariega River, which usually is quite shallow. And of course we stranded, but with the incoming flood were able to move on. A lovely place and really quiet, even though I was completely drenched, obviously my kayaking technique needs some practice. And I also managed to drench Toni, who was sharing the Kayak with me...
    Tonight we are planning our last meal, enjoying a last bottle of wine and a card game - I will miss them.    Read more

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    Scary moments

    October 25, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We went out to find the lionesses yesterday - after speaking to the Rangers we were able to locate all three of them together, dozing and sleeping in the thickets. What a sight, they always seem more menacing than the males, even though they are only resting. The cubs were not around, probably playing somewhere else.
    When we wanted to leave our car got stuck in the mud, and even despite scratching the mud out, putting branches and stones underneath the tires we only got in deeper - we needed some help from Tembo (who also got stuck with his car) and Maverick. All that happened still in sight of the lionesses...in the end we had to change the vehicle, single file, and this is when one of them came really close and roared at us - we all tried to get into the new car at once, leaving not enough room in the loading space. So I had to cram in with 3 others into the cabin, heart beating wildly and hands trembling violently.
    After two hours we finally managed to get out of this area and for the moment I have seen enough of the lions.    Read more

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    This and that

    October 31, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Another week has gone by, my two friends have left and new volunteers have arrived - this time two french ladies. There is a lot of turnaround at the moment, which is not always easy getting used to.
    Still we are going out every day, checking on the cheetahs, the rhinos, the elefants and the lions. Even though to be honest I'm a bit apprehensive about the lions at the moment.
    Since the weather was really good last week we went camping for one night - in the bush. We build a huge fire, everybody brought a sleeping bag and snacks. I was a bit scared of any creepers and critters trying to crawl into my ears, but that went surprisingly well. And with my new sleeping bag I was also warm enough. I guess I got about 3 hours of sleep this night, and my back really hurt the next morning - but it was an adventure 😀.
    Weekend activities this time took place in the Pottery in Kenton, where I was able to try to create my own pots and bowls - which takes a lot of patience and trying, usually the clay just collapsed again on me. And another beach hike where we came across a puff adder (of course not knowing at the time).
    The days are blending one into one at the moment, finally there is some sun, but rain is never far away.
    For the coming weekend I am planning a day at the beach, just relaxing, swimming and reading - since we are at the Indian Ocean the water is already warm enough.    Read more

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    Lioness + cubs

    November 1, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Today it is Marit's birthday, she turned 20 and we surprised her with a Brownie-Cake and candles before starting on todays duties at 6:30.
    This time Jaco really wanted to find the lioness with the cubs, me still not being very happy about it.
    After cruising almost two hours through the bush and thickets we finally found them: the lioness with her three cubs, lounging in the shade of a tree - and it was absolutely worth it. And almost made me forget my 'lion-trauma' 😉.
    After that we were able to also locate the two lions by triangulation, meaning using the antenna to find their collar frequences (in theory, but mostly a lot of luck also). They are brothers and usually found together, mostly resting or sleeping, they're mainly awake and hunting at night. So here they are again, very relaxed.
    The afternoon was spend at the soup kitchen, this time us giving a lesson to the kids about 'the circle of life', this is always a challenge but also a lot of fun.
    All in all a successfull day for all of us.    Read more

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    Spring at Kariega

    November 4, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Finally the weather has picked up and the Reserve starts blooming, the birds are nesting and days are getting longer.
    We are still waiting for the Zebra and Impala babies though.
    The last couple of days have passed in a meanwhile well known routine: going out in the morning looking for the lions or rhinos, being distracted by elephants and giraffes, going to the workshop to get the car being looked at, clipping trees and bushes alongside the roads etc...
    Last weekend was perfect, on saturday we went hiking along the Assegaai Hiking Trail and only got lost once 😀. Sunday was spent at our secret bay at the beach, enjoying a relaxed day.
    For me its only the rest of this week and next week left, then my time as volunteer at the Reserve will come to an end.    Read more

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    Last week of volunteering

    November 15, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    This is my last week as volunteer at Kariega. It is quite an experience and completely different from my daily job. Even though we also have our routines here: on the car by 8:30, doing some manual labor by cutting trees, bushes etc, doing some elephant, rhino, lion research, sometimes going swimming at lunch and having the weekend off for our own activities.
    Our house is located directly on the Reserve, fenced off against the animals (or against us?) and is called Ocean View - because you can see the sea at Kenton, even though we are 20 km away.
    There is a communal kitchen where teams cook for all, and a lounge where we prepare lessons, discuss various topics, make weekend plans etc. The rooms are double rooms and at the moment I share mine with Mary from California.
    The ones leaving can make a wish of what they would like to see or do, I opted for the elephants 😉. So hopefully we'll see the new babies in the next days.    Read more

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    Wishlist

    November 17, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Since I will be leaving the volunteers on monday I was allowed some wishes for my last day: I wanted to go see a sunrise and the new elephant baby - both wishes were granted 😊. So we set out yesterday morning at 4, all bundled up, with some coffee and tea to see the sunrise at 5. After that we started looking for the herd with the new baby and once we found them they just walked by - the new baby has only been born last week, is still a bit wobbly on its feet and is well protected by its babysitters - such a moving moment! It was so special being there with them.
    We also worked on the dam at Ocean View, getting clay and lying the new bottom of the dam with it - officially allowed to play in the dirt and look like it :-).
    And when we started the braai last night we also noticed one of the elephant bulls right outside our gate, enjoying the fresh green of the fig tree, he still was here this morning - his way of saying goodbye.    Read more

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    Good bye Kariega

    November 18, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    My volunteering times are over. When originally reading about the program I thought we would be working and helping with the animals, doing manual labor by digging and cutting alien plants etc. But it was much more than that. When going out onto the Reserve it was like going into freedom, seeing all the wild animals so close when they were moving by the vehicle, learning about their backgrounds, threats, the ecosystem etc. And thanks to Jaco it was always an adventure being out, he is enthusiastic about everything, may it be mushrooms, beetles, butterflies - for him everything has its place and its purpose. It gave me a whole new perspective on nature.
    Living with a 'family' for 8 weeks was great, even though sometimes quite challenging, so was cooking for 10 people, even during loadshedding. There were volunteers from Europe, Australia, Canada, the US - all with different values and beliefs which in the end had to work together as a team. It was a wonderful experience and I'm really sad its over now.
    Nevertheless I will enjoy another 3 weeks of vacation in Cape St. Francis, before going back.
    Thanks for all your comments and likes, I hope I was able to share a bit of this amazing and special time.    Read more

    Trip end
    December 8, 2023
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