We adopted a chimp

Both I and Layla love animals. I have visited Jane Goodall´s Chimpanzee Eden in Mpumalanga,  South Africa, three times (once with Layla). It´s a wonderful place and home to 34 chimpanzees.
One cute chimp called Dinka followed us every where we went. He seemed to be crazy about Layla and the keeper said that they might buy him a doll of his own.

Dinka is keeping an eye on Layla.

We adopted a female chimp named Jessica who used to be kept in a South African circus (Boswell). She was locked in a small cage and when she tried to grabbed people through the wire net, they cut three of her fingers off. I´m so happy that Jessica and the others chimps can live happily ever after in Chimp Eden.

Our Jessica.

Did you know? Chimpanzees are one of the closest relatives of humans (the others are gorillas and orangutans). We share 98 percent of our DNA. The number of genetic differences between humans and chimps is ten times smaller than that between mice and rats.

You can read more here: Chimp Eden

Wild friends

I want to tell you more about the animals we saw in the Kruger Park. My favorite animal is the rhino. This is a white rhino mom and her baby. White rhinos are very friendly. We sat a few meters from them and they just continued grazing. Sadly, many rhinos are killed. If it doesn´t stop, there will be no rhinos left in the wild when we grow up. I think hunting is extremely stupid. 

Last year, 9 white rhinos were killed in the reserve. Only 8 remain.

 I also like giraffes a lot. This mom and baby came walking next to the road. So cute!

Hello up there!

Watch out! Hungry lion ahead.

Elephants walk very quietly.

Layla´s favorite animal is the zebra.

Did you know? White rhinos can weigh more than 3.500 kg and run 50 km/h. The African elephant can weigh 7.000 kg!

Love from the Kruger Park

We went on safari in the Kruger National Park.

We stayed in a cool place called Makalali Game Lodge.

Layla came with us in the safari jeep.

Luckily, Layla was allowed on the game drives (though you have to be at least 6 years old). Our kind game ranger Amos said it was okay as long as she didn´t cry.
Next time, we´ll tell you about the animals we saw.

Fun time with Layla

Hello doll,  

It is very hot in Johannesburg. We have been spending a lot of time in the pool. Layla really loves swimming.

Love from 

Tholakele & Layla