Frankfurt

The first big leg of our journey home is over. Uneventful, although a bit bumpy, and everyone slept. It was fun to smell sauerkraut as we walked through the airport to our gate. I am now sipping rooibos tea to remind me of Bushman's Kloof where it was growing. 

We had several hours to wait in Johannesburg so we all went to the Apartheid Museum. Very sobering experience for everyone. But really worth it. Also, a nice chat with the black driver who was a youth during those years.

Anyway, we are filled with thankfulness for this lovely experience with the Nichols and Jackson. Although some of us struggled with colds we all were safe and healthy and so well taken care of by these lovely people we met in SA. 

I think we are looking forward to home now and will try to beat the snow!

Thanks to all of you who read and responded to my blog. I loved sharing our experiences.

A blessed 2015!!!

Final Game Drive with New Sightings

This morning was our final game drive. It was a lovely morning with perfect temperatures. There had been rumours of African Wild Dogs entering the area last night. The rangers have an uncanny ability to find them. Just 20 minutes into our drive a herd of Impala is in full flight. The Wild Dogs have caught a young Impala and are enjoying breakfast. A pack of at least 10. 

Next, we find three sleeping lions and soon after, a mom and daughter leopard pair. 

Near the river we come across a single hippo out of the water. This proves my point that they ar not always in the water during the day! This one stares at us for a while and then settles back into the mud.

It was a lovely morning and now we must pack. First flight, to Johannesburg. Second one, to Frankfurt. Third one, home!!

Warthog and Such

Within minutes of this evening's game drive we were surrounded by elephants again. They communicate with a low rumble which is amazing to hear. It is a bit nerve wracking to be near them because they are so big!! 

We came across a warthog at close range. It actually has wart like things on its face. 

Petro, our spotter, has eagle eyes and noticed a leopard hidden on top of a termite hill.

Finally, we were treated to female lions nursing their young. What a treat that was. The big male lay some distance away, fast asleep.

We are getting tired of all the early morning rising. One more game drive before we head home!

Oh, yes. We also saw three white rhinos wallowing in a pond.

Happy New Year

Another game drive this morning. We saw "only" another leopard, some elephants and a few sleeping lions. We also had another flat tire. Not surprising with all the rocks, thorns, etc.

After our coffee break, John, Jeff, Ryan and the ranger with his loaded gun walked the last five Km back to the lodge. I did not go because I didn't want the stress. The guys have just come and they did not see any animal. But how was I to know!

Last day here. Tomorrow the long trek home again.

And.......There's a More!

The afternoon game drive was somewhat uninspiring to start. We were on the hunt for hippo sightings. Both the Sabi and the Sand Rivers flow through the reserve. I am paranoid about hippos. We were charged two years ago in Zambia and that might be why. We saw a few in the water and left it at that.

After a lot of bumpy driving around we came upon a lioness and four small cubs in the middle of the road. One cub was hers and she was babysitting the other three! We could hear the Cubs meowing. Once in a while the lioness snarled at them. Unbelievable to watch.

Then off again to an appointment. This turned out to be a special sundowner in a clearing for the whole lodge. Entertainers and everything. Delightful.

On our way back to the lodge it got dark. The engine got turned off and we sat in darkness. While we were discussing constellations we could hear a lion huffing near by. Wow!

There were more dancers entertaining at the lodge. All for New Years Eve. I was grabbed by the hand to dance with one of the performers. What could I do? The kids thought it was hilarious. But they got their turn, too.

Dinner was set up down below on the river bed. Lanterns everywhere. Very, very festive! A whole springbok had been barbecued. It was delicious! A very delightful evening!

We are not staying up to see in the new year because we have a game drive at six AM as usual!

Very Close Encounters

After yesterday, I don't know what there is left to say. However, on this morning's drive I did not need binoculars. Within 10 minutes we drove into a breeding herd of elephants. Two big moms started to make their way towards us. We all got quite nervous. Our guide told us to trust him that these elephants were not aggressive. We sat very still as they reached the vehicle. After a while they lost interest and sauntered off. 

Next, we came across two big male lions. They were so close, 8 feet or so away. One of them opened its yellow eyes and stared at us. The guide advised us not to stare back!

Then a beautiful, young female leopard, walked in front of us, completely unconcerned.

Within half an hour a big male leopard was loping on the road. It was marking its territory with squirts of urine. The guide pointed out the smell of it (we were that close again) and it was the smell of buttered popcorn. I am not kidding!

Dumay, the ranger, suggested a bush walk for tomorrow. Yikes! Do I dare??

It does not feel like New Year's Eve one bit!!

A Leopard at Last!!

What an afternoon game drive we had today! My heart is still racing! First off, we finally found a leopard. A lovely big male trying to have a nap under a tree. It's belly was heavily distended from a recent big meal.

Great, we thought. How can the leopard sighting be topped. We soon found out! Let's look for some rhino, says our ranger. Off we go on the very bumpy trails. We get into a wooded area and suddenly around a corner we surprise and are surprised by a group of 5 black rhino. Black rhino have pointy mouths, are a bit smaller and much more aggressive than white rhino. They also had a calf with them. 

Immediately they came at us. The ranger banged his hand on the side of the vehicle's metal door and that stopped them and they ran off. We were told that it is special to see one black rhino but we saw FIVE! 

We passed some more Cape Buffalo (freaky things, too) and stopped for a sundowner in a big clearing. Visibility is good for when we all get out of the vehicle. You can see animals approaching.

We are ready now to go back to the lodge and dinner. However, we now have a flat tire! All those bumpy roads! Everyone has to get out of the vehicle. To add an edge to the experience three white rhinos are near by and approaching us. We all are instructed to stay on the far side of the vehicle. I use my binoculars to make sure they are the (somewhat) gentler white variety. The tire is changed in record time and we hop back in. 

The light is rapidly fading by now. Suddenly, we spot two lionesses right in front of us in hunting mode. They completely ignore us. Impala near by are vocalizing a warning to their kind. All around us we hear a hissing sound like steam bring released. Really quite amazing. 

When it is almost dark we reach the lodge and a spectacular dinner outside in a boma, complete with a fire and lanterns everywhere, is waiting for us. I am not sure how we are going to top all of this tomorrow!