APRIL 11th - After a 2 hour drive from Grootbos we flew from Capetown to Skukuza a lovely new airport at the entrance to Kruger National Park and were met by Terry our guide for the next 3 days. We were joined by a couple and their 14 year son from Barcelona. It was a 40 minute drive to Selati Camp and along the way we saw zebras, giraffes, kudos and impalas. There are 4 lodges in Sabi Sabi including a contemporary one with a gym and is the lodge we expected to visit. We are in the oldest lodge but we have to take what we get. Supposedly, we have the "honeymoon suite" and the nicest view of the 6 units. I think the only difference between our unit and the others is we have both a shower and a bathtub on an open second deck - not that we're likely to show our bodies to the whole world. Unlike the Botswana lodges, Sabi Sabi has electricity (not a generator). The unit has 4 lamps and lights which are supplemented by several kerosene lanterns something I've not seen since I was a young girl.
High tea was served at 3:30 and we left on a 3 hour game drive at 4 meaning that the last hour is in darkness with a powerful lantern to light up the area. We spotted kudos, and a nyala before coming upon a male and female leopard. It is mating season and they were having a grand old time. It is apparently very painful for the female when the male withdraws so he bites her neck to keep her from swatting him away. She has a short memory as she is back for more in a matter of minutes. We must have watched them for 45 minutes. During their 4 day mating season that is all they do - no hunting for food.
There were a lot of clouds so no sunset but we had our sundowners and proceeded back to the lodge. Along the way our spotter found a chameleon, zebras and the usual impalas.
APRIL 12th - Left on a 3 hour game drive at 6am. Compared to Botswana it is quite warm in the mornings and becomes hot and humid early. We found a pride of 6 females lazing on the road. They were only about 100 yards from a herd of Cape buffalo but must have been tired from traveling most of the night and were paying no interest to them. Again, we were lucky to get so close to the female lions. We saw wildebeests, bushbucks, zebras, warthogs, etc on our way back to the camp.
After breakfast Terry, armed with his rifle for our safety, took a couple of us on a bush walk. We expected to see small animals, birds, flowers, etc. but we came across 2 rhinos. We had to backtrack around them and get to a safe distance. Hopefully, they will still be in the area for our afternoon drive.
Pictures - 1 - the leopards
2 - the lions
3 - the buffalo
Great pictures. Those cubs look pretty cute.
ReplyDelete