The Lion and Rhino Park

This past Saturday my friend Sam and I took the boys to the Lion and Rhino Park. What we thought would be a relaxing lunch, playing with the cubs and a leisurely game viewing drive turned out to be quite the opposite. WOW what a busy afternoon!! We never realised that there was so much to do and see. Talking about things to see - we were terribly embarrassed when we drove right past three massive white rhinos with two young. In our defense we were all looking the other way trying to figure out what animals were grazing in the distance. There was nothing "white" about these big mamas. I did a little research and found the following interesting facts:

"The common name White Rhinoceros is confusing and probably originated when early English settlers misinterpreted the Afrikaans word weit for white. Weit means wide; therefore it has nothing to do with the color of the animal. The white rhinoceros is also referred to as the square lipped rhinoceros." You can read more about it here.

This is what they looked like.

After a leisurely lunch and chocolate ice cream - (here is the proof!)

;

we walked around looking at the animals

   
              Pigmee Hippo trying to cool down

                                Black swan - finally after many failed attempts!

We had just got to the reptile park when Jos, who as always had run ahead, came storming out saying we must come look they are taking the African Rock Python out of its cage for a show. Needless to say we trekked all the way back to watch the Reptile show. Interesting and a bit gory - I am not really in to puff adder fangs! O, by the way snakes are venomous not poisonous. The difference being that snake venom is not ingested but injected into the tissue. I learned something.
The Reptile show was followed by the most amazing display. Eddie, a hand reared cheetah was brought out and made to run across a piece of open ground. They pulled a soft toy on a rope with some pulley system to coax him into running. We got to sit right there and even though he never came close to reaching the speed these animals are capable of it was still awesome to watch. Unfortunately spectators were asked not to photograph the run but got the opportunity afterwards to stroke Eddie and pose for some photographs.

                                     A hesitant Jos and Eddie.

Sam and Eddie

Visitors also got to pose with the African Rock Python. Jos was absolutely thrilled and totally in his element.

My little snake charmer

Sam on the other hand was not so sure about the whole snake around your neck thing. Must say she did put on a brave face but was clearly not impressed when she felt the movement of the snake's muscles against her back. Don't blame her just the thought gave me goose bumps!!

The best part of the day was the fact that visitors are allowed to play with the cubs in the animal crèche..

Isn't he absolutely gorgeous? By the way Jos took this photograph. Not bad for an eight year old hey? 

By this time we had, had enough excitement for one day and decided that it was time to head home. On our way out we came across some warthogs. They were too cute standing on their front knees to eat.

All in all an amazing day. We are definitely planning on going back again. This time I am gonna ask my mum to babysit Reuben so we can visit the wonder cave as well!!!