21 August 2015
A slightly
different tour than our standard safaris as this one was the Best of Both
Worlds tour.
A chance too not
only experience a Safari or two but also to enjoy some amazing scenery in the
area.
The first day
and after checking into our lodge the guests went straight out on their sunset
drive.
A gorgeous
sunset this evening was followed with plenty of Impala and duiker, some
elephant and buffalo, one giraffe and the highlight a female leopard relaxing
right next to the road.
A great way to
start the tour!!!
22 August 2015
Today was a
trip away from the Kruger with a Panarama tour.
The chance to
see some breathtaking scenery culminating with a drive up to the top of Blyde
River Canyon.
Although Gods
Window was a washout the weather did clear up to allow for some stunning views
throughout the rest of the day.
23 August 2015
Today my turn
to do some work as I took the guests out on a safari.
The day was a
cold and overcast grey one but this didn't stop us getting some great sightings.
The first
highlight was two big male lions only twenty meters from the road. With the
weather conditions as they were the pair of them were in no mood for any action
but they did continuously pop up their heads to watch the tourists come
and go. With both in the open we could get some great photos.
The second
highlight was an absolute peach. We had heard about a leopard killing an impala
and so after lunch headed down that way.
Instead of
finding a leopard with a kill we found four hyenas finishing off the last
remains of the impala.
We then
spotted a female leopard looking very nervous in the top of a tree. Eventually
the hyenas moved away, with very full bellies, only to return thirty seconds
later to chase the leopard back up the tree after she had the audacity to climb
down.
After the
hyenas had left a second time the leopard climbed down and too our surprise was
joined by a second leopard, her cub, and they sniffed around looking for any
scraps of the impala that might remain.
We were then
told that the cub, in its excitement, had dropped the carcass out of the tree
giving the hyenas a free meal!!! Then if that wasn't enough a third leopard
appeared out of the bush.
After
realizing dinner was cancelled the mum and cub decided to leave going through
the drainage tunnel under the road and out of sight.
A fantastic
end to a fantastic day!!!
Throughout the
day we also saw plenty more including elephants, rhino, more lions and hyena,
giraffe, warthog, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, vervets and baboons, impala, kudu,
crocodile and two sightings of the rare sable.
Birds included
fish eagles catching a fish and then fighting over it, bataleur, grey heron,
lilac breasted rollers, vultures, tawny eagle and three separate sightings of
the 'rare' southern ground hornbill.
24 August 2015
Our final
morning and still time for a final activity. The bushwalking is always an
activity which is enjoyed by the guests. It's a totally different experience
being on foot where you can learn more about the smaller aspects of a national
park.
As well as
that they also saw a family herd of elephants with a few little ones, some
impala and some kudu.
Then it was
time to say farewell to the park, transfer to Nelspruit and say our goodbyes.
Amy, Andy, Hun
and Jerry leave us to go and explore Cape Town. It has been great having you on
tour and thanks for sharing so memorable experiences with us.
