Parents often anguish about the perfect gift to give their children on their birthdays. This year however, for us anyway, things couldn’t have worked out better in preparation for Joubert’s 12th birthday.
You see, the minimum age requirement to join one of the wilderness trails in the Kruger National Park is 12 years. Joubert has been wanting to go on a trail for almost as long as he can walk. When a late cancellation then became available on the Sweni Trail, the most popular of all the trails in the Kruger Park, right on his birthday, there was just no way we could pass on the opportunity, even if it means he’ll have to work very hard to catch up his missed school work this coming week.
Joubert and I spent the past week in the Kruger National Park, half of it on the trail. This first set of photographs were all taken in the days leading up to his wilderness birthday.
Of course, there’s a bunch of stories to be told – and you can be sure that we will – but as a little teaser, Joubert was 12 years and 1 day old when these lions took offence at us invading their territory ON FOOT. We will tell you all about it soon.
Such amazing photos, what an experience that would be! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks very much, Jill, and welcome here. Indeed an unforgettable experience.
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What remarkable photos each with a story to tell. I loved the klipspringer and the sable, but then there are more and more! And so many questions to ask, such as was that a literal baboon murder? I look forward to many of the questions being answered in future posts.
Happy birthday to Joubert and what an awesome 12th birthday present!
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Thanks very much for the birthday wishes, Carol!
We had some amazing encounters on this very special trip. I hope you’ll find the wait worth it!
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I am sure I will!
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Wow sounds like some awesome stories coming up
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We certainly think so, Quentin.
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Wishing Joubert avery special happy birthday. What a treat of a gift – an incredible experience! Can’t wait to hear the details.
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Thank you very much, Carol!
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What an amazing birthday gift!
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Thank you very much, Jules, and welcome here!
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This makes me happy. Well done! These memories will be cherished much more than the missed math class!
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Our thoughts exactly, Kathy. School is always important, but there are times when even that is not the top priority.
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Veels geluk, Joubert! Die Wildtuin het sy allermooiste geskenke vir jou uitgehaal! Ek dink die foto van die klipspringer is onverbeterlik en absoluut bekoorlik.
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Baie dankie vir jou gawe woorde, Tannie Frannie!
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Baie geluk met Joubert se 12de verjaarsdag en sy groot geskenk. Dit was beslis ‘n benoude oomblik met die leeu wat so op jul afkom!
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Ek sal jou gelukwense aan Joubert oordra, baie dankie Ineke!
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Kannie glo hy is al 12 jaar nie.
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Ons ook nie, Ineke. Die tyd gaan ongelooflik vinnig verby.
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My seun het 9e Aug veertig geword. Ongelooflik.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOUBERT!
Wat ‘n wonderlike geskenk van jou pappa, om ‘n week in ‘n paradys vir fotografie deur te bring!
🙂 🎂
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Baie dankie, H.J! Ons waardeer dit opreg!
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Happy Birthday, Joubert! It sounds like one you will never forget! 🙂
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Thank you very much, Jane. I really hope Joubert remembers this birthday for a very long time.
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A belated happy birthday, Joubert. I can see it was a marvelous day and it sounds as if there was some excitement as well. Love the featured photo most but I enjoyed them all. I’m looking forward to the rest of the story.
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Thank you very much, Janet!
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Happy Birthday, Joubert! What fabulous photos. But you know I cannot wait to hear about the adventure with the lions!
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Thanks, Lois! We’re glad to know you’re looking forward to more!
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What a marvellous birthday gift – a happy and fulfilling year ahead for you, Joubert! Back to the photographs – the action shots are fantastic and the lioness in the header is an outstanding photograph!!
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Thank you very much for the kind wishes and generous comment on the photographs, Anne!
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Wow, what an amazing birthday present! Happy birthday Joubert!
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Thank you very much, Xenia!
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Looking forward to hearing (and seeing) more images from Joubert’s day at the park. I’m glad all are safe in the end.
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Thank you so very much, John!
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A big happy birthday to Joubert. Sounds like you had a wild and scary time. Can’t wait to hear how you escaped. Were there cubs? I hate suspense. No wait, don’t tell me.
I loved these photos.
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😀
I’ll pass your congratulations on his birthday to Joubert as soon as he wakes up this morning, thanks Tracy!
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Whoa! THAT must have got the blood pumping! Can’t wait to hear the story. Happy belated Joubert!
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Thank you very much, Lori!
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Fantastic birthday for Joubert!
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Thanks Hien. I hope he remembers it for as long as he lives.
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Ongelooflik!
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Ons kon nie vir beter gevra het nie, Aletta
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😊
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Happy birthday Joubert!
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Thank you, Brian!
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