On safari first time in Kenya in 2006 I wore shorts every day but some others didn't. I guess it depended on temperature and the legs. ( I don't remember the month but it was warm to hot.)

On our previous trip, my husband who has lived in So Cal for a very looong time, spent the morning drives in his parka, gloves and hat and wrapped in 2 blankets with a hot water bottle. Those of us who grew up in NY found it a bit more tolerable than that but it was cold!
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Helen

It is the wind chill in the open rover that makes it feel cold. I always seem to have cold ears so I use a ski head band thing that goes over my ears. Light weight gloves are also helpful. By the time the sun is up for an hour or so it warms up and is very comfortable. A fleece jacket is what I use. The opposite happens in the afternoon game drive. Starts warm and then as it gets later and the sun starts to go down gets colder and you need to layer up.

I can deal with 50-70. A windbreaker with a fleece underneath will do well in early am and late pm

We finally have a few free hours so I am catching up and able to post a few photos.

This morning's highlight was watching a pride of lions successfully stalk a warthog. One of the lionesses finally made the kill, stashed the warthog, and rounded up her offspring for a snack. We had seen lions trying and failing to catch an impala before, but never seen success.

Here's a collage of the process.

We followed the young lions awhile; they fanned out, circled, watched and waited; finally one of moms made the kill and left the warthog in the bushes. Our rangers maneuvered us around to wait in the area through which the young lions would eventually travel to the kill, so you see their approach in several of the photos. Then there was a tussle over the goodies, growling and jostling until one young one grabbed a good piece and mom watched over while he ate. The cub emerged a bit bloody around the mouth, did a bit of grooming and finally collapsed for a little rest.

Some leopard pix from two days ago:

On our last morning at Mala Mala our ranger located a leopard deep in the bush after hearing monkey chatter and spotting the direction the monkeys were looking in. We came across a male leopard lounging around in the grass after enjoying part of an impala which he had dragged up into a tree.





After observing him for awhile he suddenly became alert. Sure enough another leopard arrived on the scene. This turned out to be his father. The younger leopard had been injured in a flight, probably with his father, and had a big gash on his side. The dad was frothing at the mouth as he approached, evidently expecting a fight, but the younger one just watched as he jumped up in the tree and proceeded to enjoy the impala.

The son is up:





The dad moves in:







The son gives up and lies down

My last photos from Mala Mala, sorry for the delay:




Check out that tongue.


Black Backed Jackel.


Domant male white rhino chasing away the younger male rhinos

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Younger males leaving the area.


Arrival at our bush breakfast.




The rangers were our cooks for our breakfast.




The view from the camp during lunch time. The elephants came over from the other side of the Sand River.

The Rangers: Nick, Yuri, Brett, and James, were all first class rangers.


Two of the four Manyeleti lions that have taken over the Sabi Sand Reserve.


They took down the cape buffalo the night before.


Vervet Monkeys in a tree.


A troop of baboons.

So much happens it is hard to post but the highlights the last two drives

A female leopard with a kill and a young male leopard trying to take that kill. Bottom line women rule and the young male was chased away after some snarling and growling. This all developed over about a 45 minute time period.

The event that Leslie so beautifully shared with her pictures and text.

Sleeping elephants. Never seen that before there were two adult females and a baby sleeping standing up. Now and then they would move a foot -repositioning just like we do. The baby laid down. It was so peaceful, absolutely delightful to see.

Last night we had a fantastic bush dinner, the scene was all lit by lanterns. This morning a great bush breakfast. The fruit here is really fantastic I have been eating tons of fruit.

ADDITION
This afternoon's game drive. A baby rhino that came up to the car probably four feet away he was curious. Mom did not care at all. Looking forward to seeing Ken's pictures for this sighting. Then we went back to the hyena den and after a little bit of patience the female hyena's came back and the babies came out - priceless.

Last game drive in the morning. Then we leave for Singita Sweni, our last camp. The time is flying by.

Singita

Today was wonderful, three different cats in one day.

First a fantastic tracking effort by our ranger and tracker. The tracker said "the lions are in here I will walk in and see if I can find them" He only took about three steps and we heard a very loud growl. He backed up to the safety of the vehicle.' New saying "human bait - works great"

This was part of a pride and there were 25 lions there. Two big males, some females and 15 cubs from 7 months to 2 months old. Feeding frenzy over the zebra. The big males would not let anyone near and the kill and finally a cub crept in and then other lions joined in. It was an incredible scene but the noise was even better. The small cubs mewing for milk, the adult lions growling and fighting from time to time.

On the way back we saw a cheetah first one many of the group had ever seen in the wild. Then later that afternoon we saw a leopard.

Of course we saw all the normal game, elephants, giraffe, antelope.

One more full day and a morning drive then Rhino is over. Fantastic sightings and a wonderful safari.

First time cheetah sighting for us!

Cheetah rollover and stretch





Tummy rub please!



A little morning yoga in the bush. Their flexible spine is a key factor in their speed.

Leslie,your photos sure capture the beauty of cheetahs. Just gorgeous.

i am loving this thread so much. This is making our trip decisions for the next 2 years very easy. As always love the photos, Ken you get better each trip. Leslie you are amazing as always.
Thank you all! you make us so happy!

In the City Lodge Hotel and only a short time to post.

Had some great sightings at Singita, hard to tell which camp had the best game as they really were all very good. Too many stories to tell. For those that had not seen cheetah Singita certainly delivered. We saw a cheetah on a fresh kill in the afternoon. The next morning the cheetah was still there. Along with a vulture and eagle who were patiently waiting for their turn at the kill. Perfect light for photographers and she kept sitting or standing up to check for other predators.Amazing that this kill was not stolen by lions, hyena or leopard.

This has probably been the best safari for game we had it all.

Wild dog, good leopards, lots of lions, including killing a warthog, huge lion pride with cubs with lots of action, coalition of four big males, great cheetah, elephants, huge bufflao herds, lots of rhino including black rhino family with baby, two hyena dens. Plus a ton of great plains animals sightings, giraffe, wilderbeast, rutting impala, waterbuck, kudu, and many other animals.

There were many unique sightings too not all big but things I have never seen before. Sleeping elephants, giraffe crossing a river a rare event, two vultures fighting over a stick they ended up breaking, a caravan of caterpilars where they all link up and form a huge long line, lots of little things. The bush never fails to amaze.

A few more photos:

How I have loved all these wonderful photos! One of the most fun things to me has been to see all the water. When we were there in September most of the riverbeds were bone dry. I love the animal crossings. Thanks s much for taking the time to post for all of us at home! Safe travels!

Wow, the photographers are amazing. More bird pics, please.

Maddy and I want to try swimming with the hippos. It may produce world record times.

Looking forward to 2015

The tiny (relatively speaking) baby hippo is soooo cute. And of course, I love the kitties. Can't wait till next year.

After spending a few days in Rwanda we are on our way home. We got some great gorilla pix but I can't transfer them off my camera until I get home, so here are a few more photos from South Africa.

Everyone's favorite. baby elephant from Mala Mala. He had lots of fun practicing mock charges and was so fun to watch



This zebra has something to say to the troops





Flirting giraffes



Bashful lion



Imapalas grooming

A few Ken inspired shots

Oxpecker riding on a giraffe



Lions drinking

And some Cape buffalo

Seen through the bush in our walking safari



Hanging in a river bed, No sense of personal space...



A little head butting to pass the time

WOW! Leslie and Ken, you always amaze me with your talent but this time I think you have truly outdone yourselves. You have somehow captured the personalities of these beautiful animals. Thank you!

Leslie, the b&w zebra shots are stunning!

Leslie, I just love your photos, and the interesting way you have portrayed them. Am hoping someday for a return trip to Africa. You all surely had the best game sightings ever recorded on a BK group safari!

Okay Leslie --- these are putting the guys with their BIG GUN cameras to shame. Sensational pictures and each one tells a story. You have such a talent for photography and writing! Thank you for taking the time to share them with all of us - much appreciated.

Thank you all for such nice comments!

I will do a new thread about our Rwanda extension, with more photos and details, but here are a few shots of some of the mountain gorillas and a golden monkey:

Thistles, yum!



The flirt:



See how close you get! This is the #3 Silverback of the group we visited.




Golden monkey:

Ken and Leslie, I am speechless at your fascinating photos. You guys are pros!

Our fearless leaders - Photo shot by Brad

What a cute photo of both of them
Good job, Leslie and Brad.