Ken, I must say that the "hyena kisses" picture is amazing. (All your photos are, of course, but that one really did it for me). We are missing being along for the adventure but enjoying the posts.
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Helen

Lots to share. It had been so quiet at Mala Mala in the morning and afternoon and that is not normal for Mala Mala. But then things changed.

Just at dusk after tracking prints all day of Lion and leopard we heard some guinea fowl all upset. We knew there was a leopard in the block so our driver Griff said let me go check. Not expecting much he did not take his gun.

He came hurrying back to the car with a pretty stressed face. He up had walked into the three KRUGER lions, two males and a female. These lions were here from Zebra 2 and had come over from Kruger and would not let vehicles close. The lions were even mock charging vehicles. Earlier in the day he had said he was not happy walking in anywhere that the lions could be.

We approached slowly in thick bush. One male was looking at us very intently but the ranger approached slowly but after being growled at two weeks ago I was surprised he was going in with the thick vegetation. We managed to get to a place we could see them, then the lions got up and started to walk. Crashing down trees we followed. I was shocked how calm these lions were after mock charging two weeks ago to ignoring us like habituated lions. We were really close then one walked in touching distance of our vehicle and went behind. Bill was in the back seat and not too happy with the lion right at his back.

The other two vehicles arrived crashing trees and making a lot of noise. The lions were totally disinterested in our vehicles. So nice to see the transformation from snarling to calm.

We pulled out and then Marc and Arlenes car followed and Arlene spotted a leopard. The one we had been looking for all day. The lions had walked right past him. That leopard took off fast.

It was an amazing sighting and all the vehicles were in involved n

This morning again started slow but then picked up fast.

We found the same group of lions about three miles from where we saw them the night before. They had moved a long way. They were mobile and we had great views we called the others.

Two vehicles were with two other males already so they stayed with their Lions. I heard those males were acting out with one male proving its dominance by treating the male like a lady if you get my drift. Amazing never seen that before. Then a group of Cape buffalo came upon the lions and the buffalo chased the lions away. Again something I have never seen. The interaction between animals is amazing. You can never "see it all".

We stopped to have coffee and our ranger Fritz went to check the area of the men's bush restroom. He came back and said there was a big male leopard at the bush restroom who left when Fritz approached. So we packed up quickly and then found the leopard and our other vehicles all came as well.

One vehicle saw a bull elephant in must, rhino, lion, Cape buffalo and leopard in this mornings drive. Finally the game all came out of hiding.

So now just the wild dogs to put the icing on the cake. They are in the area and seen everyday until we got here. They are afraid they left the den site as there are too many lion. The day before we arrived the lions were chasing the dogs.

Now we wait to see what this afternoon brings.

Arlene took this photo of a White-fronted Bee-eater having lunch:

:

More Mala Mala Photos:


Cape Buffalo enjoying a mud bath.


Hippo with passengers.




Lions we found last night.


This morning we found the same lions about 4 miles away from last nights sighting.


The female was with them.


Nice spot for a coffee stop.


The leopard we found close by.

What a day! The morning was great but the afternoon was even better. We started off with a lovely sighting of elephants heading to river. We parked nearby and watched them all drink.

Then the call a leopard had been found. We followed the leopard on the sandy river bank. She sat down in a clearing. This was one of the leopard Cubs that is just under two years old we saw with their mother with a kill on Zebra 2. She moved to a termite mound and sat on the top. Then another leopard appeared that was on the backside of the termite mound. It was the other female cub. Next on the scene was a hyena. The leopard on the top of the termite mound changed her posture to a stalking attitude. The hyena came closer on the road. The leopard left the mound and got closer to the leopard. Of course it was a stand off as no action would take place between the two, but it was great to watch.

We left as we got the call WILD DOGS had been sighted. Yahoo - off we went. The dogs were at the den which is great news as we thought they had left. There were 10 dogs in total including the alpha female who was very pregnant. I just hope she has those puppies at this den site. That would be great for Mala Mala.

The dogs did their normal play ritual that takes place before a hunt. Eventually it looked like they were going to hunt and we followed. They went off Mala Mala land but then came back. After some off roading following the dogs they headed back to the den. We had to leave it was getting dark

On the way back we saw rhino and one vehicle saw lions.

Tomorrow Ken and I decided to go out early in the hope of seeing them hunt. Eight are going early, four at the normal time and four are staying in as they are leaving and not going onto Madikwe.

Hopefully I come back tomorrow with the news I saw a wild dog kill.

This is a link to Russell's blog he has some great pictures.


https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q8ft38l1kol7a3d/AADlFqJ2Vz-si2pB17VrpXBxa?dl=0

Up at 0500 to see wild dogs; i sure hope we get to see a kill!!!

We saw the dogs hunting no time leaving for the flight. Be back later

Very exciting I'm sure, even without a kill. Excellent idea to go out early!

Very scary to think of Griff coming across those Kruger lions on foot without his rifle. Amazing how they calmed down though; luckily for Griff.

The morning drive was great - too great no one wants to leave Mala Mala.

We left about 6.00 pm and headed full speed to the site of the den. Alas it appears we were too late the dogs had left already. So we started driving the area. From another vehicle we heard they found the the dog but the dogs had travelled a long distance. Driving as fast as we could we headed in the direction of the sighting.

On the way we saw five hyena some had bones. Obviously from a wild dog kill that must have taken place earlier. Then we saw the dogs some had blood on them so a kill had taken place. The dogs were still hunting. They had the classic spread out and focus in the task at hand. We were able to follow them for a while off road but they started running and we lost them. We went back to the road and headed for the area where we expected them to emerge from the thicket.

It took a long time for the dogs to come through so it was suspected they made another kill. The dogs came out into the clearing and started playing. Then the headed back to the den. I did not see my kill but I got to see the dogs again. I do not want to leave!

Coming home more excitement. This time the lions. Three females and two teenage cubs they were on the move and hunting. We followed them for quite a while off road and they were heading straight into a large herd of buffalo. Problem is there were only three lionesses and the cubs would be no help. But there was an old buffalo standing alone and our odds were good they would attempt a kill. All the vehicles were going nuts changing position hoping for a kill.

It looked promising but not to be the buffalo escaped and the lions laid down. We watched them looking longingly at the buffalo but too risky for them go into a big herd. It was time to leave and head in for breakfast and our flight to Madikwe.

Mala Mala is a hard act to follow but last group Madikwe delivered on some great sightings. Hopefully it will do so again. We need the cheetahs and those roaring big Kalahari lions, some jackals and brown hyena to put the icing on the cake.

MADIKWE
We arrived at Madikwe after a two hour flight. Our first game drive was slow. Some zebra, and two rhinos we followed to the water to watch them drink. Of course they got behind a big bush.

The day was all about a leopard in a tree with a kill from last night. Leopards are the holy grail at Madikwe. Seldom seen they are slowly getting them habituated. So only one vehicle at a time and if the leopard is calm two vehicles. So we all spent a lot of time just driving around waiting for our turn. The other vehicle got to see the leopard move the kill higher into the tree.

For those on zebra two Clive did his wine tasting in the lounge and it was much more comfortable than doing that in the bush. Tomorrow he is doing a whiskey or scotch tasting. Not my cup of tea but I know some of this group will like that.

Our roaring lions are right now in the North and the cheetahs are in the South. So hopefully they will move closer to our area or as Joe says " we will have to go find those big boys"

MADIKWE MORNING GAME DRIVE

We had a great morning. Started off with a large herd of Cape Buffalo headed for the watering hole. Amazing how fast they can all drink and then take off together. Probably no more than 10 minutes and they were gone. Then we came upon a group of 18 to 20 giraffe. All ages it was lovely.

Followed by one of my favorite sightings. A carcass with vultures. This was a giraffe with lots of vultures including one with a pink head I had not seen before. The vultures were fighting over the carcass. Then in comes a brown hyena. The brown hyena are not found in Sabi Sands so it is great to see them. They are very reclusive and not easy to see. This brown hyena was feeding on the carcass and pretty relaxed. Amazing how she pulled bones and the strength the hyena had. Ken should have some good pictures of the sighting. Then a black backed jackel arrived and eventually walked in front of our car.

We stopped for coffee and then heard lions were on the mornings program. They were some distance away so we knew we would be late back. On the way we saw some groups of zebra and wildebeest along with some warthog families.

The lions were sleeping and it was the same pride Zebra group 2 saw. We saw the mothers and Cubs and the smaller of the two males. One of the females moved around a bit but the male lion was out completely. Hopefully we will see them roar before we have to leave. The cheetahs are way down south now but we hope they will move this way.

On the way back more zebra and springbok. The cutest thing was the ground squirrel who posed for us nicely close to the vehicle.

Ken is working on pictures now.

More Mala Mala:






Young Female Leopard.




Young Hyena Intruder.


Spotted the Hyena and they went seperate ways.

Wild Dogs at Mala Mala:








On the hunt.




Always time for play.

Last drive at Mala Mala:


Had an itch.


Lions on a hunt.




Lions are hunting the Cape Buffalo.




Hiding from the Cape Buffalo.

Gordan, Mike, Fritz, & Griff.


Flying from Mala Mala to Madikwe Safari Lodge.

Astounding picture of the Bee-eater!

Fabulous pictures and reporting Ken & Ngaire. I wish there was a ZEBRA 4, I hate to see this end.

Truly enjoyed all three ZEBRA trips through this thread and pictures posted. Thanks to all. I know you have a lifetime of memories.

OMG just read that "an American woman" was killed in a lion attack at the Lion Park outside Johannesburg. This is the same place we were at just a couple of weeks ago at the end of our Zebra 2. We walked with and pet those big boys. No info yet on what the victim was doing at the time.
Haven't seen any recent postings from Zebra 3 and am hoping everyone is still at Madikwe?
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Helen

I'm thinking Group 3 is heading home today, but I'm not sure.

I saw the article too, Helen. Kate sent a link. It says she was driving in a car with the windows down. I was wondering if that was where you guys went.

Click here for the article

OMG, Helen, that is where you went?! Of course, if it is posted all over to not drive through with your windows open, I would think they say it for a reason.

Such a tragedy, she was only 22. That is the same place we went but we skipped the drive thru part since we were coming from "real" safari. But we were driven into the lion enclosure where the guides picked out 2 lions to come out with us. I am not sure if that is where the drive thru thing happens though? I was hoping that the victim had done something stupid so the park could justify not putting the animal down. Of course Barbara now feels totally vindicated because we kept teasing her about how nervous she was!
-----------------
Helen

George called me on the phone about this about 5 minutes after you posted. Of course, the girl was foolish to not follow posted instructions. I hope they did not put the lion down, as it was just being a lion.

On the way home no time at Madikwe to post pictures had a great stay but I posted reports ABOVE kens Mala Mala pictures.

That incident with the lion happened on the self drive part of lion park not on the walk with the lions that are habituated. They are warned to keep windows closed but do not listen. Those lions are probably not habituated at all and in a vehicle one would be safe but not with windows down. This happens in Kruger when people get out of cars to take pictures. Just really dumb behavior.

Additional reports from Madikwe. It is amazing how so much happens and if you do not write immediately you forget. I had to look at the pictures to relive the game drives.

Afternoon game drive - A fun and delightful drive - no cats or big things but a terrific and fun drive with the animals behavior.

We started off with another large group of about 18 giraffes including a very small baby that was playful and running and kicking his hind legs. This was a great giraffe sighting we stayed with the for a LONG time we did not want to leave.

We also had some great warthog and stopped at some impala for quite a while. This is the rutting season and the male impala are so funny. Chasing the women around and snorting and fighting with each other. Standing impalas get boring but impalas doing their antics are great fun. We stayed here for a while watching the show.

We saw zebra eating dirt to get the minerals in the soil. You would swear it was a watering hole. Again a very young zebra imitating the adults behavior it was great to watch.

Then the simple ground squirrels put on a great show for us. Right at the vehicle running around, digging and playing.

NEXT MORNING GAME DRIVE - CHEETAH DAY

We had the great news that the cheetahs had returned to this part of the reserve. These four males are stunning and so big. We took our time waiting to let the "rush" of vehicles tHat wanted to see them subside and they were to resting not moving. They had a kill during the night. This way we could spend longer at the sighting. So we just drive around waiting our turn. This reserve has fewer antelope but far more zebras and giraffe and in bigger groups.THese animals are more fun to watch than the antelope. Plus they have a lot of rhinos, both white and black. We only saw,white rhinos.

After some yummy muffins and hot morning drinks we went to the cheetahs. They were laying in the shade. Our patience paid off as they were starting to stir and stretched and moved around a little. They are so much more alert at rest than lions as the chertahs are the weakest cats and very vulnerable. At all times at least one cheetah was looking around. This sighting did not match zebra two experience but still great to see them.

AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
We decided to go check out some other lodges and miss the game drive. I always like to keep checking to increase my knowledge. We found one very good possibility but it only has five rooms so a bit small. However a stunning lodge with a fantastic watering hole, would love to use this lodge. We saw necking giraffes, and three giraffes drinking at the waterhole at the same time. Giraffes are great drinking they have to spread their legs and bend down to drink.

So many lodges have tons of steps and rooms located so far from the lodge it is so inconvenient. Or great lodge and average rooms, or great rooms and not a great lodge. Also the rooms are not the same, two great suites and the rest of the rooms are small so not good for a group Others have not enough rooms or too many rooms. It is a challenge to find suitable lodges to use for a group where I can take the whole place and change the schedules to suit the group. I did see a great but expensive property great for a family.

After our site inspections we met up with our group for the final part of their game drive. Only about 30 minutes left. The group had been to a brown hyena den and saw a young brown hyena pup. This vehicle on a prior drive saw a BRAND NEW rhino baby and the ranger reported the birth to the park managment. That would have been great to see.

On the way back we saw a female leopard in the road, at the same spot were two rutting male impalas. Would we see a kill? We stopped the car and waited. The leopard crossed the road in a stalking stance. Impalas were still rutting. It was pretty exciting. However again not to be. We could not see the leopard and it was pretty dark and we did not want to try and follow and interfere with the chance of a meal for the leopard and rutting impala stopped. They probably saw the leopard and ran. If there had been a kill there would have been noise.

LAST MORNING
We all decided not to go out as we could only have an hour drive as we had to catch the plane to JNB. Plus we needed A morning to sleep in and pack as we were facing the flight home that night. When we got to the airport the plane was there from the night before but no pilots. So we went to a nearby waterhole. We saw a hippo then coming back to the airport we had a great rutting impala show (I love to watch this behavior) and a large herd of zebra racing across the road. Probably about forty of them running fast. Question was WHY? Unfortunately. No time to find out but possibly a predator.

So now Zebra is over. Ken and I had the pleasure of 54 game drives. We were not sure if this would be too much with the three groups back to back. We could have easily stayed longer. The little later start and early nights really make it so less tiring. It has been fantastic and all three groups had wonderful sightings. I would do back to backs again for sure.

Madikwe Photos:










Brown Hyena.




Male Springbok.


Ground Squirrels.

Have enjoyed all the reports and pictures from Zebra. Thanks everyone for taking us at home along.

I would do back to backs again for sure.
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Ngaire, Jerry and I would join you again in a NY minute! Thanks for such great memories.
----------------------
Helen

Thanks for the brown hyena pix, Ken. I never got a really good look at one.

Would have loved to see that rhino birth!

More Madikwe Photos:


Male Leopard hidden in the Shepherd Tree:


Warthog - Mother and Piglet.




Yellow Bill Horn Bill.


African Wattled Lapwing.


Zebra are eating dirt to get their minerals.


Four Male Cheetahs.


Big Yawn.


Same Cheetah.


Top to Bottom, Left to Right - Ken, Marc, Arlene, Russell, Mitch, Susan, Ngaire, Bert, and Joe our Ranger.

I love those photos Ken! The leopard hidden in the tree awesome. The bird below the Yellow-billed Hornbill is an African Wattled Lapwing.

Hi Kim, thanks for the help with the bird. I didn't have a clue.

Rusty sent me this link for videos he took. There is some good footage here for anyone that wants to watch it.

The video is 34+ minutes long. You need to click on this link when you have time to watch it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2EEmBuiHR4

Sensational video! Brings back so many memories!