We arrived in Johannesburg and the sun was shining. Last night we ate at Oceans basket in the airport. The hotel has been refurbished it looks very nice. Everyone on Lioness One arrives today and it is another brilliant sunny day. Nice start. Tomorrow we are off to the Bush.

I remember that Oceans restaurant inthe airport. Really good seafood and a great price. Have a wonderful trip!

Wishing all of you a wonderful Safari experience....I'm green with envy !

Looking forward to the reports! I remember last year what a fun time we had at Oceans!!

Lion Sands is looking great after the fire two years ago. The refurbishments are a huge improvement. All three of our rangers are good. Hope we can get them for the next group.

Highlights the first afternoon on safari at Lion Sands.
Elephant day! Saw several herds of elephants with little babies. One of the babies put his feet on the back of another baby elephant. How much cuter can it get. The other highlight of the morning was a young male lion and three female lions on a buffalo kill that happened about when we landed. The buffalo was in water and the lions faces were covered with mud. Never seen that before usually on land. Lots of growling between the lions. Another young male was close by but no mud so he was not invited to the party. After we left two rhinos came to drink at the water near the lions. Great start to Lioness One.

Highlights the first morning.
Giraffe day! Giraffe everywhere of every age. In fact two different sets of young male giraffe’s necking (fighting with their necks). Ken got a great video but internet not strong enough to post that from here. We also were tracking wild dogs, tracks everywhere. We found a large female and young male hyena. We followed the hyenas for quite a while hoping they would lead us to the dogs but they eventually went off into thick Bush. A leopard was spotted by another vehicle but they lost him quite quickly. Finished the day with Ground Horn Bills. Very big birds with a red face. One of my favorite things to see that are not easy to find.

Highlights Second Afternoon
Leopard almost right away. Sitting on the side of the road was a two year old male leopard. Right in front of him on the road was an impala. It look promising the leopard was in a stalking stance. But the impala alarm was sounded so a missed opportunity for the leopard. The leopard headed off into the Bush and we followed some pretty heavy off road driving. We caught another quick sighting and then he started stalking impala again. He was in thick cover we just saw a movement now and then. But again the impala spotted him and sounded the alarm. We could not find him again. All three vehicles were searching. Dog tracks again but no luck. We saw a few other nice sightings. Big male elephant, hippo, a large crocodile, frisky kudu. A lovely afternoon. Weather is perfect not hot or terribly cold. Coat first thing and late in the afternoon but not broken out the gloves or hot water bottles yet.
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Baby Elephants are adorable and so much fun to watch.

I love reading reports from safari. Thanks Ken and Ngaire!! Happy tracking!

What a great start...love Ken's photos

Just arrived at Mala Mala like coming home. I have been unable to access LCT and been sending things to Julie to post.
Mala Mala has updated their internet and each room has its own connection. I am posting directly now on LCT. YIPPEE.
POSTING WHAT I HAD ON MY NOTES AND WILL PASTE APPROPRIATE PICTURES UNDERNEATH AS SOON AS I CAN. Unpacking and game drive shortly.


Not enough time to do all game drive reports as I realized I have 29 game drives to go. So will just share the highlights of the best game drives.

The morning gave us great leopard. Fabulous sighting and then we saw him again. We were charged by a young elephant, he put on quite a show. Mother rhino and baby followed by a big male. He got too close and the female started snorting and he froze completely. Still frozen in place when we left. Female dominance for a change.

The lion kill with the buffalo in the water from the first day developed this afternoon. Six hyenas whooping and lurking around the lions and lots of vultures. Neither the hyenas or vultures will come in until the lions leave. However we witnessed vultures mating which is a very noisy affair.
We were blessed with this event three times.

Late this evening one of our vehicles had an amazing sighting. Elephant herd arrived and chased the lions away from the kill with lots of trumpeting. We heard from the noise from a distance away and wondered what was going on. Then the hyenas and vultures were involved and it was absolute chaos. Something seldom seen I have not seen that in all my safaris.

We went to Dulini that we are using next year today. It is stunning and all those going next year I believe will love this lodge.

Final game drives at Lion Sands. More leopard this time the dominant leopard in the area. Plus another highlight was the hyena den with very young cubs.

The big excitement was a different leopard who we found hunting. He assumed the stalking activity but the impala saw him and he went mobile. Our vehicle followed and we found there was a rhino right in the path of the leopard. “Mexican stand off”. They froze looking at each other intensely. Then leopard walked straight toward the rhino. Cameras were clicking away and then the leopard diverted his course. Getting a leopard and rhino in the same shot was amazing. Then he came right to the vehicles and were using us for cover for a different impala. Literally right next to us -fantastic. Once again these impala spotted him and it was all over.

Next super sighting was elephants. A herd were at the river and we stopped the vehicle in their path. They came all around the vehicle extremely close it was amazing. A little one was playing around and was hilarious. There is nothing cuter than a baby elephant.

So busy all the time hopefully we can get pictures to you soon. Our stay at Lion Sands has been great. Outstanding sightings. Excellent rangers and trackers we have requested for our next group. Off to Mala Mala tomorrow.

Lion Sands:


Male Impala sparing.








White Back Vulture.

Beautiful photos Ken...thanks for taking us along. Sounds like such a wonderful trip. ❤️❤️

African Hoopoe

MALA MALA - like coming home. The last two game drives highlights.

It is cold now in the mornings, hat, gloves, blankets and hot water bottles are necessary

They knew a leopard had a kill in a small long grass area. We drove round and round and Ralph suggested we check under a particular tree where he though he saw a slight color change. Sure enough it was a leopard and her 8 month old cub with the kill. Tracker Ralph in action. We saw our first baboons in a tree.

Our ranger saw drag marks with leopard tracks on the road that were fresh. We went off road to investigate. We saw an impala carcass in a tree and then found the leopard close by. I love it when the ranger finds an animal by skill not just on the road. We had a nice sighting with her moving around and hoped she would go up the tree to her kill. No such luck.



A huge herd of buffalo probably 200 animals were making their way to the river. We were following. Then we heard crashing sounds and two large buffalo bulls were in a serious fight. It lasted about 3 minutes and they were really hitting hard and trying to hurt each other. They were not just sparring this was obvious. Never seen anything like this before the sound was amazing. When the buffalo reached the river it was a beautiful scene. The green grass, flowing river, bright sunshine with 200 buffalo with lots of babies who were nursing while their mothers walked. The birds were great as well. Lilac breasted roller posed for pictures, a fish eagle flew overhead and storks and other birds around. We finished off with three big bull elephants.





Super fast internet now at Mala Mala vast improvement. Dinner last night was so good everyone clapped the chef. Nice being home at Mala Mala.

Some people pictures from Lion Sands. The whole group.



Jim has a sore eye and we had a little rain one morning at Lion Sands. Jim wanted to play cards to fill in the time. The rangers bought their personal very old and obviously highly used cards for us to use. As we were not sure if Jim was infectious Barb had to hold the cards for Jim . Then Jim would point to the cards he wanted to play with a spoon, and Barb would play them. We had a ton of fun and Jim and Barb won the game.



Jim is at the doctors right now in Skukuza and we hope the doctor can help Jim get over this eye issue. He is of course a real trooper as those who know him would know he would be. Still on all the game drives. We call him “one eyed Jim”

Chris from New Zealand. He said since he was the shortest male he wanted to get some extra height.
I

Thanks for the great photos - lots of action. Never did I ever think I would call a Cape Buffalo cute, but those babies are adorable. So sorry about Jim's eye. Bad enough to have that happen anytime, but such a shame while on safari.

Where to start. Fantastic afternoon.

Started with a huge herd of elephants at the river. Lots of babies one just a few weeks old. Hard to get a picture of the small baby as females surround the baby and the baby is between their legs. Seems like they would step on the baby. The elephants were playing, blowing water and sand around. Great sighting.

Then onto the lions. They were 10 sleeping lions but would wake up, look at us and change position. Females and about 9 month old cubs. No males in sight. They have three male lions on the property the Gowie coalition but no sign of them yet.

Then next stop cheetah. One male and one female, also sleeping. But the male was nervous about the cars so he moved around so we had a good sighting of him. The female was totally relaxed and would raise her head from time to time.

Sundowner drinks with one other of our vehicles and on the way home we saw Hyena.

Ken took the pictures so I have to wait for him to get those to me to post.

Good at Mala Mala is so good. A buffet of nice plain yummy food, not all the fancy dishes. Everyone is happy and we finish dinner in just over an hour. Perfect as we are all pooped at the end of the day.

Morning drive.
Started out seeing two sets of rhino moms with fairly small babies. Starting looking for the large pride of lions with two large males when we heard those magic words. WILD DOGS!!!!! Bypassing everything we saw such as rhinos with a troop of baboons and raced to the dogs.

When we got there we found a pack of ten wild dogs with a kill. Great excitement, always “yipping” one dog on watch at all times. Vultures arrived and the dogs were chasing them off and the main reason for that was that vultures attract lions. The vultures won’t come in until the dogs finish but the vultures may get scraps that dogs drag off the kill. The alpha and Beta females both looked pregnant. Bodes well for the pack. All three of our vehicles got to see the wild dogs that made me very happy.

Pictures below from my iPhone not as good as Kens but I can get them up fast.

See tire wheel in the pack, vehicles do not bother them at all.



Vehicle pictured has Jim and Mary Ellen and Tim and Barb.


A picture of an eagle taken by Ralph



On the way back we saw the Lookout female leopard again. She walked over and came right up to our vehicle.

So sorry about Jim's eye. Ya'll are sure seeing the best....I'm so happy you got to see the Wild Dogs.

Afternoon drive
Still looking for the big lion pride. They were heard roaring but cannot be found. Dogs have disappeared. We saw buffalo and elephant in the river, and general game. We met for sundowners and one of the rangers said look on the termite mound. Watching us was a leopard. We finished our drinks and got back into the vehicles and drove up to the Leopard. It was the Split Rock Male. He just sat there looking at us then slowly came down off the termite mound and went into thick Bush. Nothing like sundowners with a leopard.

Ken will have a better picture of the leopard on the mound. Pictures from my iPhone of the vehicles looking at the leopard and the leopard walking into the bush past our cars.

The two Kens taking picture of the leopard on the mound taken by Barb.

WHAT A MORNING.

Got in the vehicle and I said “we want to find the big lion pride quickly and then go on a chase with wild dogs”. Everyone laughed.

Been out about 10 minutes our ranger scanned the river bed and said he found the lions. We did not believe him. We moved closer looking through the binoculars he was telling the truth there were the lions. Unfortunately they were on the neighbors property so we could not get closer. There were two big males, lots of females and 11 cubs still quite small. Visible with the naked eye but better through binoculars or a camera lens. The cubs were jumping and playing. The normal pattern for the lions is to move from that spot onto Lion Sands property so hopes high for this afternoon. During our time watching the lions lots of birds arrived and people had fun taking bird shots.

Then we left the lions and very quickly found wild dogs. It was a fabulous chase. The impala herd in front of us the dogs stalking low to the ground and sprung into action. They move so fast we were racing around trying to keep up with them as everything scattered in different directions. At one point impala running and the dogs chasing right in front of our vehicle. We heard the kill and within seconds we were on the kill. Won’t describe it or show it in a picture but they ate that impala so fast it was amazing. Never been this fast to a kill before. A hyena was in quickly he must have been trailing the dogs. He grabbed a piece of meat and the dogs then chased him off. All this in the clear just a few yards in front of the vehicle. Nice thing is that all of our vehicles got to see this action, although not at the same time but at different stages. But the scene is always changing and always active so everyone is thrilled with what they see.

Stopped for coffee and slowly headed back to camp. Right at the airstrip as two planes landed we saw more wild dogs. This time a totally different pack. This pack is seven dogs and one has a tail that is a stub. The pregnant alpha female has more white patches than any dog I have ever seen. They made a kill and were just resting but alert and walking around not sleeping.




Saddle Bill Stork.


White Egret.

Pictures courtesy of Barb

This is the rhino and leopard taken by Barb she had the best shot.




Jim and Mary Ellen

June,Ralph,Ngaire and Ken

Lynette, Mary Ellen and Bert

Barb and Tim

Great pics! Hi to everyone! We are pretty excited to be heading out on Monday morning. The lions seem to be waiting for me.
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Helen

Yes Helen must be. We did not see them this afternoon. We did see a baby nyala and the ranger said it was about two hours old. Still had after birth on its coat. Really tiny. Very quiet afternoon. Last chance tomorrow morning.

Final night the wonderful chef made me lamb chops. Great finish to four days of great meals.

Den & I are soooooo excited to be joining you for Tswalu Tuesday. It's so great to know what we're likely to be seeing and will make our 17 hour flight worthwhile. How many lamb chops did Chef make for you? I recall our (Ngaire & Sandy) having seconds or thirds on SS. Hope chef will make them again next week.
Sandy

Flight to Makanyi was with the same pilot we have had for three years now. Paul who is a ton of fun. Only 13 minutes in the air. This is a beautiful lodge. Lunch was great. Then off we went in search of lions.

We went to the large lake and all the hippos were sunbathing on the island in the middle of the lake. Neat to see them out of the water and there were small babies. A hippo on another part of the lake I guess sounded the alarm and was a stampede of hippos hitting the water. While we were watching the hippos we saw the lions on the opposite bank. Suddenly a large hippo comes out of the water and chases the lions up the river bank to the road. That was a wow moment.

We came around to the lions and found a single female lion calling. Our ranger said she was the mother of the three month old cubs. So we followed her as he thought she would lead us to the cubs. There was no response from the cubs. Our ranger thought another female may have taken the cubs to the pride. That is exactly what had happened.

The lions had a kill and when we went to the kill the tiny cubs were there. Cubs aged 10 to 3 months old, did not count but about 12 of them. At least four females, two sub adult males and the large male in his prime. So much activity I cannot describe it all. Best lion sighting we have ever had, totally thrilling. Nice thing about Makanyi is that we are able to stay as long as we like as we are the only lodge here so no need to make room for other vehicles. We were with them all afternoon. Leaving we saw a single elephant at the lake. A total LION day.




Dwarf Mongoose.

Next morning.

Dinner last night was wonderful. Finished by 8.00 pm with a la carte dining wonderful beef filet, sea bass or duck breast.

This morning we all asked to go back to the lion pride. Totally different from yesterday. All relaxing except the cubs who were chewing on the big males tails, fighting to nurse, and running and playing. Jumping on the adults back for the warmth. Just to be pushed off by another cub. Quite a few swats by big paws but the cubs kept coming back for more. The largest male was very tolerant more than any male lion I have seen. This pride is a once in a lifetime lion sighting. Big pride, big male, cubs of all ages and the tiny 3 month old cubs are absolutely precious.

Next stop two young. male rhinos. We were very close to them and they were totally relaxed. They came very close to the vehicle we could hear all the sounds of breathing, chewing amazing.

The wonderful thing about this lodge is that we are the only vehicles on the property so we can stay as long as we want. No leaving to make way for another vehicle. Those two sightings took up our morning. The quality time we spent was really special. One vehicle was with a large group of elephants and loved it.

I have been taking video as Kens pictures are so much better. While waiting for those here are the two iPhone pictures I took.

Male Rhino. Note the appendage he used that to scratch his belly, no kidding!!



One of the smallest cubs on the mothers back.

I'm loving your reports and photos....just can't get enough of these ! Thanks so much for taking us along on your safari. Nature at it's best.

Wow Ngaire! It all sounds fabulous! Can’t wait to be there next week!

Went out in an electric vehicle today. The best thing was that all the people in the vehicle can talk and be heard without the engine noise. Think it is the wave of the future.

More of the fabulous lions, they are not moving staying right at the dam. Most lions move constantly. Hopefully they stay for the next group. Sending videos to Julie to post on ou Facebook page. More buffalo, hippo and general game.

Going to see a new lodge tomorrow so may miss a game drive. A few of my shots from today. Kens will be far superior.

It looks like Jim and the lion are having a staring contest. Jim's eye must be better. We are really enjoying following you adventures. Looking forward to next year.

Morning game drive.
Started off headed for the lion cubs on the way the ranger found tracks of the female lions leaving the cubs. We decided to follow the females. Buffalo were in the area and the rangers found tracks confirming that they were headed to the buffalo. We drove to where we could see the buffalo and parked where the rangers anticipated the lions would cross. They were correct. The lions walked right where our vehicles were parked. The male lion was calling as well. Problem was it was onto a property we can not go.

At the same time the Birmingham pride was seen at a dam not far away. This is the pride we saw last year with the young cubs. They have new cubs including two white lion cubs aged 4 and 8 months old. By the time we got there they had moved away. We could not find them. Saw two types of owls, giraffe, baby zebra and other game.

Back to the lodge and then off to our site inspection and we were not back in time for the game drive. I hope it goes well this afternoon and we are looking forward to finding out what is happening.

Lion photos from Makanyi:

Black Backed Jackel



Coqui Francolin

Quick update.

The Lions were roaring a lot last night. The three males from the Evoca Pride (with all the cubs) were found eating a giraffe. Probably died of natural causes but found by the lions. Not in our property. The females and the cubs were in the same general area and we all spent time with them again today.

The Birmingham pride (with the white cubs) have not been found yet but they are here.

So just one game drive to go. I think we all want to go back to the Evoca cubs. It is not possible to tire of this sighting with all the antics of these cubs.

Picture from Ralph from today with the cubs on a termite mound.

They are soooooo cute !! I've loved all the photos you've shared. Thank you !

Spent the entire afternoon with the cubs. The adults were sleeping but the cubs were active. Just such a special sight I really hope they are here for the next group.
One last look at the lions.

Arrived at Tswalu. Nice smooth flight. Short game drive today we left at 4.00 pm but what a game drive. Aardvark pretty close great sighting he ignored us and was going about his business. The two male cheetahs who were mobile with a wildebeest close by. Then a stunning sable came running snorting and came closer to the cheetah. We thought he was going to charge them but he backed off. Saw black-backed jacket and many new antelope species as well. Great drive. We were only out 90 minutes. The lodge looks spectacular.

We made it to CapeTown! LAX to MSP to AMS to CPT. A really long day but Table Bay hotel is very impressive and we are thrilled to be back in So Africa. In the morning we will take the cable car up Table Mountain and then dinner at Golds restaurant to celebrate Jerrys birthday. The start of another great adventure.
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Helen

Went to black rhino today. Pretty far away and took a long time to find them. We were looking for a mother and baby. The trackers followed the rhino tracks on foot and the rangers looked for tracks on the road to be sure had not crossed the road. We isolated their location and then found them. At one point the mother laid down and the baby put his head on her back.

We also saw a large group of giraffes and a group of bat eared foxes. About six ostrich but a bit far away. We also saw a Kori Bustard the heaviest flying bird in Africa.

The four people from Lioness group two arrive today. Then we will be eighteen for the next three days.

As I am typing this looking out the big picture window in our bedroom a wildebeest and an oryx wandered past our room. The black bar on the oryx picture is our window frame. The rocks are right at our deck.