By moving into our new home last year, we arrived with many imaginations about our “Jungle,” as we call it. The “Jungle” is actually our garden or backyard — an almost 4-hectare valley, a hilly, forest-like area that we overlook from our veranda all the way down towards Pietermaritzburg.
Before arriving, we became curious while chatting with the former owner and friends from the neighbourhood about what this area would be like. Our expectations about birdlife and wildlife ranged from the kinds of birds and small mammals we were used to in Europe to just about anything else.
Now that we are here, it all starts with the wonderful and entertaining sounds of our surroundings. Whether it is morning, afternoon, evening, or nighttime, the sound of our Jungle is always different and exciting.
The birds begin the early morning with their chatting, all mixed together like a class of young pupils just before the school lesson begins. As the wind picks up, it adds its own sound and changes the atmosphere. The sun starts to warm the valley and, with the rising thermals, the Crowned Eagle begins to glide over our Jungle, searching for its first prey of the day.
All of this happens in a totally peaceful and harmonious environment, where everything seems to exist perfectly for this moment in this part of the world.
And the Jungle holds it all together.
We enjoy every moment, at every time of the day.
If we listen carefully, we can also hear a small stream running down the valley through our Jungle, most likely joining the waters somewhere along the Duzi and eventually flowing into the Indian Ocean. It creates a constant sound that only changes with the wind and the amount of rain that has fallen.
We have never gone all the way down to the stream, even though there should be a small path leading there. One day we hope to open up this hike so we can meet the water and see where it travels.
The Jungle is a great place. That is what we have discovered so far, yet it still hides many secrets and adventures waiting for us. Even though we will never fully get to know it, we would never aim to.
As the sun sets and twilight arrives, we sometimes first hear — and then see — the bushbucks coming towards our veranda. They move very carefully past, trying to snack on some of the lush flowers nearby. They are very shy, and their character is the complete opposite of the monkeys around here.
One particularly experienced character often comes by to check whether we have our doors and windows properly closed. If not, he will grab toast, fruit, or chips so quietly and confidently, enjoying himself while we helplessly shout at him as he runs away with the groceries. He knows he will always win. He just has to be patient.
So our adventure with the Jungle continues. Every day is different, and there is always something new to discover.