Little K first game drive

We headed out. Roofless jeep this time. I think we like it. Less things blocking views. But also less things ie no poles to brace cameras and no shade from the sun.

We saw some elephants. Again one got more than curious with us. Came 10 or so meters from the jeep. We were quiet and still. Then he decided to leave. Seems he was interested in Nancy's red top - a no no color. Of the three primary colors, sky is blue, vegetation is green. So red is something they don't see in nature and it sticks out and it disturbs them.





We saw some more zebras, Impalas, red lechwe and kudus.

Our guides then saw lion tracks and drag marks. We followed and came across the lion eating a mostly finished impala. We parked again oh so close next to another jeep also watching. I felt more vulnerable since the jeep is open, and just so available to anything that wanted us. Left then headed out. The lion paid us no attention. They ignore us, our cameras, the clicks, out talking, my coughing. Just don't stand up and make yourself look like it is not part of the jeep.




















We stopped for drinks, I had a screw driver, at a swampy area. Time to add some clothing, the sun is down. Out on an island was a croc.









On our way back, it was now dark, we caught up to a hyena strolling down the same road. We figured he was on the scent of the lion's kill. He was. Once he came to the drag spot, he sniffed, and turned left. Of course, we followed. Just as he spotted the lion, she spotted him, he turned and bolted past our jeep. She ran after him at top speed right past our jeep.


We heard some rustling, a yelp, and then nothing. He got away. We proceeded to the kill. She came back and passed us on the way back to her kill. She them laid down and proceeded to finish her meal with vigor. You could hear the rib bones cracking as she crunched through them. We were told she was now in a hurry to finish in case the hyena came back with a couple of others. Two to three hyenas could possibly kill the lion. At best they would drive her away from her meal.








Another vehicle approached. They radio each other when they spot interesting things so all can share and they can track animal movement.

On the way back we spotted a giant eagle owl. They can grown 2 feet tall. What a magnificent bird.





Time for dinner. As we drove home the temperature kept dropping, it was now cold. The sky, clear, the stars, unbelievable. The milky way looks milky. Then the are the dippers, upside down, and the southern cross. What an amazing sky.


Dinner as always was fantastic. Time for bed. Up at 0600 for our next adventure.

Sandibe to Little Kwara - "down time" ?!!!

Breakfast. I had the toast bacon and eggs fort. Gee saw it and asked for the same with sausage. He liked it. Said he would start eating it that way.

Word on the street was a cheetah was spotted. Clever. So we decided to go and find it on the way to the runway. But we would have to make fast time. We did. Gee drove that jeep like a bat out of hell. Not like the lackadaisical bats that were hanging above us at breakfast back from their nightly feeding. Just before seeing it, nearby we spotted a couple of jackals.





After a half hour or so of speeding through trails, a couple of deep water crossings, through side roads lined with thorny brush, there it was. Sweet.




Many many photos later, after he decided to nap before his afternoon hunt, we left for the airstrip. And a bonanza came upon us. We ignored the elephants. Then came a herd of zebras, small and large. Many More giraffes, both young and old. Impalas. And I'm sure other animals but by now I had images of them all.








After a short plane ride on what looked like a newer but same size plane, we arrived at our new camp 10 minutes from the runway. The camp seems smaller, only 5 suites. The tents here are actually made of canvas, but in the air, wooden floors, outdoor shower, and a bath tub. Lisa likes bath tubs. We got here around 1:00 giving us some down time finally.




















We showered, settled down, Lisa on the deck, me inside reading a photo magazine on the iPad when Lisa called me out to see the herd of Impalas below and all around our deck. Sweet. I snuck out, took many images, coughed a few times to perk their ears up, and finally they left. I went back in to resume my reading.


Geno get out here, a wart hog in the distance. Out I go. Yup. These pigs are tough to photograph. They ran whenever we came close to them. Look, 4 more. They are coming this way. They did, the whole family. They hung around like the impalas so that I could shoot them. Not under the best
conditions, from up high, backlit, mix of shadow and sun. But I did, and loved every minute of it. The whole time they saw us, but alertly ignored us. SNORTING, GRUNTING, softly but continuously the whole time.








As I type this, they are back, and Lisa is now on the deck with her camera. Sweet. The animals are doing a drive, to our place. Unreal. Cool. Did I say sweet. And we need to get ready for our first drive here, high tea at 3:30 and we drive at 4:00.

Gotta go. Cheers.

Camp Sandibe Review...

In well under 24 hours after arriving, while on the ride from the airstrip and two other game drives, we saw more animals than we expected so quickly and easily. We have seen elephants, mongoose, storks, wart hogs, cape buffalo, impala, cranes, antelope, baboons, hippos, kingfisher, fish eagle, geese, wildebeest, giraffes, lions, plain zebras, African wild cat, spring hare, and various and many birds.

Coolest things...

While in the midst of an elephant heard. We had to keep our method of escape planned so that they did not surround us. A couple looked at us and postured to try and drive us away. We watched them bathe in mud holes to cool themselves, and we've seen a couple of them running. You cannot outrun them if they decide to chase you. One one occasion, one big guy got aggressive with us and threatened to charge us. Out guides handled it very well, always aware of what the animal might do and what we should do. Number one, keep still, little movement. Than can run at 40 km/hr.








We saw a leopard in a tree eating a impala with a hyena on the ground waiting for it to fall out. We saw the leopard again today. After finishing the meal, she left the tree to lay in the grass to groom. We parked 4 yards away to watch.





We were also in them midst of a lion pride today. 2 males, 3 females, and 2 cubs. A large male was lying in the road, we slowly in he'd forward making him move. He did slowly. On a couple of occasions, the came very close to the jeep. We were told not to move. Once it was a female, but the last encounter was the large male. He was less than two paces from the jeep, we could here him breathe. Wild! Cool! A bit scary.














On our first morning here, we found elephant dung and tracks and hippo tracks around camp. They visit during the night. Our tent (not really a rent) is on a small stream/bog where hippos live. We hear them every morning. On our first evening back from a game drive, the people in tent 3 had to be driven from the lodge (main area) around to their tent since there were a couple of elephants hanging out. At night, we are not to go out, and we a escorted each time we a outside.


On the game drives, I occasionally have to pee. To so so, I jump off the jeep and go to the side or around back, and the guides watch and occasionally fan our clapping making noise.


The animals see the jeep. They see the jeep as a big thing not to mess with. But do not stand up otherwise they distinguish you and so you become food. And if they are near, we are to keep still. Talking is fine. For the most part, they ignore us. Or at least tolerate us.





Each night after midnight you hear the hippos splashing around, making noise, doing whatever they do, doing whatever they want. Two nights ago around 2:30 AM Lisa whispers which at that time of night seemed like a yell (from the window), "Geno, Geno, come here". I got there too late. A hippo had come out of the water and stopped right in front of her, 5 yards away, in perfect profile. By the time I got there, I saw him walking away in the distance.


Tree eaten by elephants. If they do not kill it, the trunk will regrow.




The 4x4 jeep is cool. When we go through water, the bottom floods. The complete engine is under often and I swear we come close to tipping it sideways in some of the waterways. I'm told not even close.


The mornings are cool. We dress in several layers including hats and gloves. We usually go out at 0700. The jeeps have heated seats - blankets and hot water bottles. We slowly peel off clothing. By 1000 it is very nice and by noon it is hot. The reverse happens as the sun goes down. We usually come back from the evening drive after dark, 7pm.


Sleeping is a dream, larger than king size bed, find hot water bottles under the sheets, the be draped with netting. So toasty, even though we have open windows (ie they can't close). So nice to sleep.