Burchell's Zebras

There are Zebras to view at Edinburgh Zoo, but not as exciting as spotting these beauties in the wild - our first 'official' animal safari spot.

These are Burchell's Zebras, distinctive by their brown "shadow" stripes between the black and white colouring. The Zebra herds were very accommodating in being present for viewing and photography at many locations and were often grazing alongside red Harte-beest, Bush Buck and Elands. Get me - Johnny Morris eat your heart out.

Not long after we also spotted our first Elephant - a bit far off in the distance, concentrating on one of its daily sixteen hours of feeding. Still, an Elephant in the wild!

A short drive later, we were directed by a fellow safari-goer to an area where a lioness had been spotted. And there she was, lying in the grass and then up for a stretch and scratching her claws on a tree trunk.

Over the day we also successfully spotted many more Elephants and Zebras as well as Black-backed Jackals, Ostriches (meatballs on legs), Blue Cranes, Warthogs, Kudus, a Secretary Bird, a Greater Double Collared Sunbird and Buffalo. What a great day.

Our overnight accommodation was at a lodge within Addo Park itself. Disappointed that the night-time safari was cancelled due to bad weather - or more likely, can't-be-bothered tour guides - we consoled ourselves with a home-made pasta meal, a bottle of Chamagne, wine, beer and gin whilst playing Knockout Whist.