On a Quest to See Vultures: The Hike That Almost Broke Me!

So, Day 5 of our Blyde River Canyon adventure arrived, and oh boy, did it deliver.

We had a hike planned that had been on our radar since before we even set foot in this neck of the woods. In response to my quest for local hiking suggestions, we were tipped off about a hidden gem —a not-so-well-known trail that promised a trek to the top of a mountain with a chance to see vultures. 

To be fair, it was made abundantly clear that this is a brand-new hike, and they’re still in the process of finding a qualified guide. They weren’t quite ready to go public with it, and understandably so—they didn’t want to risk jeopardizing the entire project. That’s why I’ve chosen not to mention the name of the hike.

Let me just put this in perspective though. I had joined a whats app group a few weeks earlier to do a hike to Vergenoeg to ultimately see vultures at the top. I had roped in Pepper to do the hike with me, but the morning of, Pepper had a crisis, and I needed to assist. So the MUCH anticipated hike was cancelled.

Fast forward to our drive to Blyde River Canyon, and I come across photos of that very hike that was ripped away from under my very nose — vultures so close you could practically pet them. Well, I thought.....this will even be another level...has to be. That's where the problem began really.

So I had contacted the person whose number I had been given, and specially arranged for this early morning adventure to begin at 6 am. 

Unfortunately, my excitement was slightly dampened by Salt’s ongoing recovery from his “24-hour bug” (or, if you ask me, his attempt to avoid my overly ambitious hiking plans). I offered him the option to cancel if he wasn’t up to it, but, with a stubbornness that only a true adventurer could muster, he insisted he’d be fine.

We woke up at the crack of dawn, which Salt greeted with his signature “grumpy but committed” attitude. As we drove towards what I hoped was our destination, I kept an eye on Salt, who looked like he’d rather be back in bed. 

I had received a message from the contact for another contact with directions the previous evening.

But when we turned into a village, it was so dark and obscure that it might as well have been the middle of nowhere. Following the GPS directions, we found ourselves at a spot that claimed to be our destination. Except, it wasn’t clear where we were supposed to go from there.

A quick phone call to our contact confirmed we were, indeed, in the right place—sort of. We were instructed to wait on the road, and a very friendly gentleman (who turned out to be the contact’s dad) showed up with his trusty companion (also a very friendly face).

We were instructed to park in dad's back yard, briefly met dad's wife.....awesome lady, and off we went. The walk through the village was at least a kilometer. It was still very early morning, so we were not horribly hot.

I had forgotten to leave my "it's freezing jacket" in the car...but no worries dad's trusty companion graciously offered to carry it all the way.

I am going to vent for a moment before I rationalize: Salt had to put up with my endless complaints about the difficulty and my rapidly dwindling patience. To be fair, he was right—I was being a bit of a whiner. But when you’re trudging through what feels like a never-ending uphill battle, your sense of humor tends to evaporate faster than the sweat off your brow.

So before I knew what hit me, we were off....walking over rocks which I would normally tread very carefully over. I was trying to keep up, so virtually as we started, I went tumbling on some rocks, and thank goodness only had a few grazes to show for it.

My guy (walking behind me the whole way to make sure I don't lag too much, carrying my "only when it's freezing" jacket) mentioned to dad to take it a bit slower. Which he did...for about 2 minutes.

This hike was the most grueling, strenuous endeavor I have ever embarked upon. 

The hike was a relentless test of endurance, and I could swear we barely stopped for a breather.

The landscape was about water, rocks, inclines, scrambling, flat trails......everything rolled into one hike. But I just wish I could have enjoyed it more!

By the end of it, I felt like I had been dragged up the mountain by sheer willpower alone. The reward at the summit? Unfortunately, my expectations had been set by the picturesque photo of vultures circling above from the trail I had missed the previous week.

Did we see vultures? Yes. Up close? Absolutely not. Am I being a spoilt brat? Totally!

It seems if we’d gone a bit later, we might’ve have been able to pet those vultures. But no, I insisted on starting before the world even had coffee.

Still, imagine if it was later, I would have been a sweatier, grumpier mess on the way back.....and no one would have wanted that!!

In hindsight, it was an incredible hike—tough and raw and authentic.....  just as I have continuously been in search of. 

We walked up a mountain that dad probably walks up every day. A stunningly beautiful mountain, and probably one of the highest mountains we have summited.

We walked through a warm and friendly village. 

Dad could not guarantee that we could pet vultures, and we didn't.

But let me tell you something.....We got back from the hike, and Salt's mom was broken. I collapsed on a bed and said I am going to nap. And nap i did...for at least an hour...this I do not do........ in fact wait just a minute...could salt have phoned ahead??

If you’re looking for a real challenge, this is it.....and you might even get to see some vultures!

Just so you know, I sent this blog to the organizer beforehand for permission to post, because I’m not about naming and shaming—especially when I know I was having a moment.

His response? Pure gold. He took my constructive criticism like a champ, agreed with me, and vowed to do better… though I’m sure he was fantasizing about pushing me off that very high and extremely beautiful cliff we had climbed! All the makings of a future business mogul.

He gave me his blessing… okay, maybe that’s a stretch. He told me he’s fine with me posting this. So if you’re craving an authentic hike, pm me and I’ll gladly give you his contact details and you can experience it for yourself—but please...refrain from acting like a spoilt little brat....they have had their fair share of those already.