Pujya Sri Swamiji in South Africa - 1st to 7th Feb. 2011

Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji's 109th tour took Him to Singapore & South Africa. Sri. Krishna Kumar Malani had been requesting Sri Swamiji to visit South Africa for almost five years and the time had come.

Sri Swamiji visited Africa first in 1984 (Egypt) and Zambia, Zimbabwe in 2001. Sri Swamiji travelled to South Africa via Singapore and gave Darshan to Singapore Datta devotees on 30th January 2011. Sri Swamiji reached Johannesburg in the wee hours of 1st February. On 2nd, Sri Swamiji visited gold reef city situated on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Taking visitors 200 meters below, the mine shows how a gold mine worked in early 20th century. On 3rd February, Sri Swamiji visited Lion safari park near Johannesburg. The park is known for its care for white lion species. After touring the park, Sri Swamiji cuddled and played with lion cubs. It was a sight to watch Sri Swamiji engrossed with the cubs. The connection was sublime and complete. Later Sri Swamiji visited Elephant Sanctuary camp at Hartebeespoort Dam town. Nestled in the Mageliesburg mountains, this camp serves as a half way house for young elephants needing a temporary home before being let in its natural environment. Sri Swamiji spent some time with two elephants Timba and Kumba. The guide explained the characters and life of elephants. Sri Swamiji went around the grounds holding the trunk of elephant named Kumba. On 4th, Sri Swamiji and group travelled to Kruger national park.

Arriving in Eastgate airport at noon, Sri Swamiji proceeded to stay in a private safari lodge inside the park. In the evening and on 5th morning, Sri Swamiji went on three hours safari ride each. Animals sighted were: herds of Elephants, families of Rhinoceros, Giraffes, Hyenas, Impala, Warthogs, Deers, Kudus, Wildebeest, wild cats, Jackals, Saddle billed Stork, Owl, Buffaloes, Zebras, Hippopotamus, Mongoose, Meerkat, Guineafowl, Vulture, Eagle, Baboons, Red billed Hornbill etc. Yet the world famous "African lion" was elusive. Sri Swamiji decided on 5th February evening that he would go on a early morning Safari on 6th. The night sky is like no place else. We were below tropic of Capricorn and the southern hemisphere night sky (that too just after new moon) was so starry. Zillions of tiny, shiny stars blazed the sky with twinkle light. Oscar, the energetic, knowledgeable, inimitable driver and guide collected us at 5.20 AM. At 5.57, we saw three lions resting on road side. It was amazing to watch the lion and two lioness laze (that's what it looked like) around. Sri Swamiji too became an avid photographer, clicking snaps. We spent about half hour looking at these majestic creature of God. Not that the ant, another creature of God is any insignificant. Yet, the very elusiveness creates an aura around these great cats.

We left Safari lodge around 11 AM to the airport. On the way, we saw three lioness walking on the main road of Kruger national park. The driver who has been driving around this park for 17 years was completely astonished and exclaimed that he had never seen lions on this main road. It seemed as if the lions were saying good bye and asking Sri Swamiji to return soon. It was amazing to see lions as we exited the park. The flight from Hoedspruit's small east gate airport to Johannesburg took 80 minutes and what a change that was. The savannah grassy plains embedded with God's colorful creations to the high rises and high ways - the creations of God's creation, humans.

On 6th February evening, Sri. Malani had invited family friends and Datta devotees to come home for Sadgurudeva's Darshana. About 100 people came and took Darshana. Annadana was performed. A local African drummer & dancer band performed 30 minutes of African dance. Africa - the continent, said to have the evolution reach from monkey to man. The 109th tour of Sri Swamiji was to this continent. Sri Swamiji seemed very happy with the trip.

On 7th February, Sri Swamiji travelled from South Africa to Singapore and arrived in Hyderabad on 8th evening.