I actually did some (light) traveling over the summer. I don’t usually travel because I have two small canon balls, and they keep a sister busy with, well, everything. Plus, I live in Spain at the present moment, so going to the nearest grocery store is considered traveling for me (foreign language right?), but I digress. We went to Estepona, Spain and stayed overnight in an African Safari Adventure Park, Selwo Aventura. We woke up to the sound of birds singing, screaming and squawking and a bursting ray of sunshine hitting the sheets. The square footage had to be about 12 square feet, this joker was small and I loved it! My husband, however, lived his own personal hell of slow-working, lukewarm air conditioning and demanding children who wanted ice cream and hippos, hahaha!
This place was legit with rocky roads, uneven pavements, and lemurs who were left to roam free while you walked through them at your own risk, it was awesome. As a part of the overnight package we took part in the morning safari ride to see the hippos, rhinos, antelope, zebras and giraffes up close and VERY personal. All my oldest son talked about was “seeing the hippos. I need to see the hippos Papi. I want to see the Giraffes Mommy…hippos! Giraffes! Where’s the lion!?”. Oh boy it was a never ended non-rhythmical musical that starred the frisky and confident four year old and his longing for wild, African animals.
We got to see Lions up close and a little too personal. We stood four feet from them through the clear glass wall. We looked, admired and shivered with excitement when the lion did a steady, territorial roar. Right after the roar he went to lick his lioness up and down, well mostly down…yes I got to see him initiate some magic. His lioness lady love was apparently not in the mood at the moment, but Mr. Big-Daddy Lion was about to make her in the mood. We respected their privacy and walked away.
Okay, on to the safari: We walked to the safari truck and along the way my son got pecked at by a bird. I thought my son was checked out after this, but he powered through his trauma (especially after I scolded the bird in front of him) and braved the safari ride. For the next 10 minutes that is. We first saw the Rhinoceros, two of them. They were separated, not very hungry, and appeared to be longing for one another. Our youngest son was longing for something as well–his “bobo” or pacifier that he dropped in the Rhino pit. I like to think I’m super mom, but there was no way I was going to get that thing, no way. No worries, I had another one stashed in my boobs (don’t you odo that?).
The antelopes were there…Moving on. The Zebras and Giraffes were walking around, just chillin, claiming their block and didn’t move for the truck. They came right up and allowed people to pet them. I went along with my son, very bravely to pet this majestic, unique, African Zebra. Ready to harness all of my motherland, spiritual, animal loving energy into this experience, I reached out my hand and every so gently stroked his head. Whoa! It was rough, angelic and so pure. My son did the same. This experience, though, went to crap when I got scared and thought he was about to bite me. I drew back my hand, scuffed my forearm on the bars in the process and managed to scare my son, the tour guide, and other passengers, smh. It was then that I was reminded that they are wild and not to be messed with. Haven’t they been through enough already? I realized they deserved more respect than me petting them like a circus attraction (there weren’t any polka dolt afros in sight). I didn’t even bother with the giraffes at this point.
Next stop was the HIPPO, finally we reached the promise land of the huge, slow, territorial animals that my son was dying to see. He was pouting at this point and extremely tired and not in the hippo mood. We dragged him along and managed to take family pics and throw carrots in their mouths. They really do open their mouths super wide like that old school game I had growing up “hungry hippos” or something like that.
All in all, we left with a headache, tired legs, tons of memories and two near death experiences. Money well spent, but I don’t think I’m ever doing that again with toddler boys. I think next time I’ll go alone and spend some time meditating and talking to the lionesses and lemurs…they really seemed to get me.
If you’re ever in Spain, stay a night in Selwo adventure park, it’s a great experience
*This post is based on my own personal opinions and reviews/ I’m not paid, just happy*
This sounds so cool!
I heard zebras are very “nervous” animals that never stand face to face because they have an instinct to bite each other! So I think you being scared was natural. I’d still like to pet one..
LOL, that explains a LOT, thanks for the insight, I didn’t know that about them. They are so beautiful in person Kelley, I hope you get to scratch that off your bucket list, it was amazing 🙂
Thank you! I hope so too. And yes, it looks and sounds amazing!
Looks like you guys had a blast! Wish I got an invite.lol
ha! You want a migraine too??!!
Aw, what a cute post of your boys at the Safari!
Also a great family outing, I can’t even remember the last time I did a safari 🙁
Damn..
Thanks, yeah they had a pretty good time, as did I. This was the closest I’ve ever been to a Safari, it was great! You would have to travel a bit being so up north to get to one huh?
Yes – to an entirely different continent actually.
🙁