Our wake-up knock was at 5:30am, and I was so excited that I didn't have any trouble getting out of bed. We meet the group at 6:00 for tea, coffee, and pastries. It’s still dark and cool, and there are blankets and hot water bottles waiting for us in the land rover. Our group decides to rotate seats, so Dennis and I are seated at the top of the land rover this time. The first thing we see are giraffe. One crosses right in front of us. They are amazingly graceful with those long legs. We also see a couple of white rhinos – to me they are scariest looking of the big 5. The lions and leopard look like big kittens (Yes, I know they are dangerous, but they still look cute), and what can be cuter than a baby elephant. Then we see a huge herd of elephants. They form a line – mother – baby – mother – baby – mother – baby, and start walking right toward me.
I swear each one looked me in the eye. I was close enough that I could have reached out and touched them. The driver started the engine each time they got too close. I could feel my heart beating in my throat, but WOW – AWESOME! Let’s do it again! Our tracker picks up lion tracks, and we find 3 lioness. They split up and it looks like they are going after some prey, but they move away and it’s time to head back to the lodge where we are met by Crystal with a cold cloth and some Amarula cream liquer to warm us. I sure love this place!
After a fantastic brunch, we have a few hours to relax before our next game drive. We see monkeys right outside our window. I decide to play poker with several of the other guests. We use rocks and twigs for our chips. I'm lousy, but it was fun. We Our game is cut short because there are giraffes and warthogs right beyond the electric fence. It's interesting to watch the giraffe spread their front legs so they can kneel down far enough to get a drink. I run to get my camera and get some great shots. Of course, Dennis is already there with his camera. Our poker game is forgotten.
Afternoon: After lunch, we head out on our afternoon game drive. This time our guide decides to take us North in search of cheetahs (the second hardest animal to track). We drive at least an hour and see nothing. Just when John is ready to give up, he gets a report that they have been spotted by another group. We find two beautiful cheetahs and spend some time watching them. We then track some hyenas – scary looking creatures. We head home, but stop to have a sundowner (kind of like happy hour in the bush). A termite mound provides the backdrop for our bathroom. I think I’ll skip the drinks next time. As we head back to the lodge, we seen lions walking down the road. Our guide informs us that they are brothers. They are in no hurry. They just kind of saunter down the road. The only Big 5 animal that has eluded us so far is the cape buffalo. The night sky is amazing – I don’t believe I have ever seen so many stars. Our guide points out the Southern Cross. I feel very small.
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