How I survived my first safari: from staring down rhinos to swerving malaria

The account describes one writer’s first safari experience in South Africa, starting with intense pre-trip anxiety and culminating in close wildlife moments. Planning for a trip at the Southern Hemisphere level, the author says they tried to redirect overthinking into excitement, but overprepared for health precautions by taking malaria tablets and multiple vaccinations and using a cholera-prevention drink despite uncertainty about necessity. After an 11-hour flight from Heathrow and a three-hour drive from Johannesburg airport, the group reached Lepogo Lodges and then moved across a 48,000-hectare reserve to Noka Camp. The narrative includes early wildlife highlights and a morning routine built around a 5:30 am start at the Palala River. A key moment occurred when the author faced a rhino at golden hour, flaring its nostrils without charging. The piece also references dietary accommodations for coeliac needs and a waiver related to wildlife encounters.