FOR many people, the thought of riding a bicycle in the wild outside the confines of protected areas may sound daunting, especially if there is a chance that you might run into an elephant or lion.
As Esna Mabunda from Giyani has found out, the bicycle tour package at Olifants Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park offers more than just some beautiful scenery around the park; it introduces tourists into the true wilderness of the park while under the protection of the specially trained park rangers.
“You get to ride in the wild and see animals in their natural habitat. This is a rare experience,” Esna said.
She thanked Vusi Mthetwa and Dennis Mokoena, the two rangers who had ensured that she was protected during the bicycle tour that she undertook recently.
“At first I was worried about my safety. The thought of being trampled by elephants or pounced on by lions had me scared. Once I was out there in the bush with rangers, I soon forgot about my fears and began to enjoy the thrill of riding a bicycle in the wild,” she explained.
“During our whole trip, we were never troubled by any animals. Instead we passed them and even stopped to watch them graze with their young,” she said.
