Lions, Tigers, and Cheetahs- Oh My!

This past weekend we had our first visitor! Julianna came for a visit- fellow Washingtonian and lover of all things Africa. We had a huge braai Friday night and then headed out to the Rhino and Lion Game Reserve on Saturday. It was about 30 minutes from where we live and definitely worth the drive (although we missed the Reptile Show- sorry Geoff!). We saw a lot of game (see pics!) and were able to play with baby lions and tigers- totally unforgettable. For dinner we went to this fantastic restaurant called "Carnivore." It was an all-you-can-eat meat fest! You have a little white flag on your table and the servers come around with skewers full of meat and cut until you literally put down your flag and surrender! We ate warthog, beef, gemsbok, pork ribs, chicken wings, lamb, kudu, kudu sausage, and kudu meatballs. Great atmosphere and drinks as well!

Intense creatures. Rhinos are "no joke."

Buffalo. Another gigantic animal crossing the road.
Heavier then our car!

The rare White Lion alarmingly close to our car.

Cheetah looking fierce, but actually caught him during a yawn.

Tiger cub. Probably the cutest thing in the world.

Amazing video of us playing with a lion cub. Press Play!

Then we headed to Carnivore. One of the best meals so far in SA.
Check out what was on the menu!

Geoff about to devour a Gemsbok thigh.

Geoff about to devour a Kudu thigh.

Lauren planning to dig into some Warthog.

Julianna gettin'down with some chicken wings.

Geoff ate way too much.

Julianna and Lauren giving a friend a kiss on the way out.


Unfortunately we had to leave our guns in the car.
Signs like these are not uncommon in South Africa!