TRAVELJuly 2019 caravansa.co.za | 29
parrots and snakes. I had the privilege of
accompanying Moris Pagwairi into quite
a few of the large enclosures, as well as
getting up close with Cape Eagle Owl,
Spotted Eagle Owl, Barn Owl, Bengal
Eagle Owl, Rock Kestrel, Verreaux’s
Eagle, Lanner Falco and Pale Chanting
Goshawk amongst others.
I quickly learnt that a Cape Eagle Owl
is not to be trifled with. He was on the
ground and I was concentrating on my
camera when the bird sunk one of his
talons through my jeans and thick socks,
drawing blood.
Moris laughed and said: “You are
lucky... he flew down and clawed my
head the other day!” Apparently he gets
mean if you don’t have food.
When Moris said he will take out one
of the corn snakes so I can get a better
photo, the speed of my retreat made him
realise that he was dealing with a full-fledged Ophidiophobic!
The petting enclosure with its
rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, dwarf
goats, ducks, geese and turkeys was
moremystyle.slAGBooM&kirkWood
What’s also my style is driving around
in the new D-Max. I decided to head
back on the R342 towards Addo
campsite. A short distance before the