Deb: This morning we told Brett and Rogers that we’d like to see lions. The guys didn’t disappoint and surprised even themselves at how fast they located them (albeit entirely at the other end of their 8000 Ha park! We joined them on their “hunt” although we didn’t get to see what they were after, however, as they eventually head into the bush – but not until well after some great photos and video of the pride. During the time we joined the lions, some of the young ones stopped dead in front of us and began investigating us. They realized we were no threat and just plopped down all around us for a relaxing time. They were quite playful, and only later did we realize that they were probably playing with Brenda’s dropped glove! We were happy for Brenda, Di, Maria (a vet from Argentina), Rachel and Kyrt (a couple from Ireland) as it was their first sighting.
After returning from the drive, and breakfast, we went over to a nearby cheetah conservation centre where we learned a lot about the fastest animal on earth (120 km/hr). After a brilliant video on the project we were soon whisked off for a tour of their cheetahs in several enclosures (from large enclosed wildernesses to smaller feeding ones). We were treated to more details of the cheetahs, mating, kills, etc. and then carried onto other animals in the project: Caracalla (pointy, bobcat-like ears), Bengal tiger (yep, rescued from a poorly managed circus), wild African dogs (long ears, long colourful coats), even local lizards!
We had such a brilliant safari this evening. The highlight was being amongst a herd of elephants while they were eating. They ripped up the grass with their feet and picked it up with their trunks. They gave it a good shake to get the sand off before putting it into their mouths. At one point they were just a couple of meters in front and beside the vehicle – a little too close for comfort for my liking! I am sure too that Brenda needed a change of underwear when a young bull investigated us. When one of them standing right in front of us stared us down, Brett put the truck into reverse and sped backwards. Later he related that on one of his safaris a huge male bull had put his trunk right over the vehicle and then planted his two tusks on either side of his head. He said that fortunately everyone in the vehicle remained calm and he, himself, didn’t move a muscle. The elephant eventually backed away.
We had so many different sightings – giraffe, kudu, warthogs, bushpigs, jackals,
Hyena, hornbills, impala, and antelope. One of our favourites were the hippos – five of them in an inland lake. At one point one of them stretched its mouth into a toothy yawn exposing a cavern of pink flesh. Although it looked like they were swimming, Brett told us that they actually just walk along the bottom of the lake – none of us knew that hippos can’t swim as they seem to ‘float’ with their heads peeking above the water. We were surprised to learn, too, that they can hold their breath for up to six minutes. They can even sleep in the water while automatically coming up and down for air!
Once again we stopped in the bush for a ‘sundowner’ before heading back to the lodge. It feels so ‘Out of Africa’ when our little table, complete with tablecloth, is set up it the bush. The girls indulged in some South African merlot while the guys downed a cold beer. The boys happily drank their lemonade and, as per usual, were fully engaged in the conversation – people we have been meeting are so good with kids! Lots of story-telling and joke-swapping going on! Ryan banters non-stop, as per usual. Brendan, too, has been talking up a storm to anyone who will listen to him – we have never seen him so happy and engaging!
After returning from the drive, and breakfast, we went over to a nearby cheetah conservation centre where we learned a lot about the fastest animal on earth (120 km/hr). After a brilliant video on the project we were soon whisked off for a tour of their cheetahs in several enclosures (from large enclosed wildernesses to smaller feeding ones). We were treated to more details of the cheetahs, mating, kills, etc. and then carried onto other animals in the project: Caracalla (pointy, bobcat-like ears), Bengal tiger (yep, rescued from a poorly managed circus), wild African dogs (long ears, long colourful coats), even local lizards!
We had such a brilliant safari this evening. The highlight was being amongst a herd of elephants while they were eating. They ripped up the grass with their feet and picked it up with their trunks. They gave it a good shake to get the sand off before putting it into their mouths. At one point they were just a couple of meters in front and beside the vehicle – a little too close for comfort for my liking! I am sure too that Brenda needed a change of underwear when a young bull investigated us. When one of them standing right in front of us stared us down, Brett put the truck into reverse and sped backwards. Later he related that on one of his safaris a huge male bull had put his trunk right over the vehicle and then planted his two tusks on either side of his head. He said that fortunately everyone in the vehicle remained calm and he, himself, didn’t move a muscle. The elephant eventually backed away.
We had so many different sightings – giraffe, kudu, warthogs, bushpigs, jackals,
Hyena, hornbills, impala, and antelope. One of our favourites were the hippos – five of them in an inland lake. At one point one of them stretched its mouth into a toothy yawn exposing a cavern of pink flesh. Although it looked like they were swimming, Brett told us that they actually just walk along the bottom of the lake – none of us knew that hippos can’t swim as they seem to ‘float’ with their heads peeking above the water. We were surprised to learn, too, that they can hold their breath for up to six minutes. They can even sleep in the water while automatically coming up and down for air!
Once again we stopped in the bush for a ‘sundowner’ before heading back to the lodge. It feels so ‘Out of Africa’ when our little table, complete with tablecloth, is set up it the bush. The girls indulged in some South African merlot while the guys downed a cold beer. The boys happily drank their lemonade and, as per usual, were fully engaged in the conversation – people we have been meeting are so good with kids! Lots of story-telling and joke-swapping going on! Ryan banters non-stop, as per usual. Brendan, too, has been talking up a storm to anyone who will listen to him – we have never seen him so happy and engaging!
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