Safari Day Two

Sorry this is so looooong...

Where to start... it's been all non stop action and excitement. Starting last night:

The evening drive was spectacular. Not only did we have a close encounter with four big white rhinos, but also with two lionesses and male lion who was hiding behind the branches. It was only when I looked at the photos on the iPad that I could see his eye, watching us all the time.

We drove out at 4pm. I'd just had a shower, didn't dry my hair, and the effect of driving in an open topped vehicle was like using a very hot hairdryer on full. When we came back, I looked as if I was wearing a small white haystack on my head. No worries - the meal was a barbecue in semi darkness by candle light round an open fire.

We went OFF the off-road! The rhinos were amongst the trees, but TJ, undeterred, just drove in round the trees or indeed over the smaller trees with us all ducking and diving to avoid a 'Safari tattoo' - a jab by the acacia thorns which are about three inches long and lethal. I did get my tee shirt ripped, but the folk at the back, higher up, have a much harder time.

We watched the rhinos for ages, and one came walking towards us, got within a metre, then stopped and looked at us for ages. Then the others gathered round to inspect us. We had to keep very still and very quiet. There was another jeep, not as close as us, who then decided to leave, and some of the rhinos were round the back of our vehicle. TJ couldn't see what they were doing, and radioed that he might need 'back up'. Eek! But we made a (hasty) retreat. The rhinos here have been de-horned to stop poachers.

We then found where the lions were, and got very close to the two females. We watched them for ages, but the big male did not show himself (though you can see one of his eyes behind the others.)

Then we had drinks in the open, looking at the big orange moon rising. Perfect end.

But it wasn't the end. We had a barbecue meal, which was excellent. And I must say, the glasses of wine are very big!

Today:

A 6am drive, where we had coffee by the water hole looking at the hippos. Well, looking at the hippos' flapping ears. We also did a foot safari. We couldn't drive near the elephants because they were in a gully, so we walked along in a line, silently, behind TJ and got near enough to hear them crashing around in the trees nearby.

I must say, TJ is a wonderful tracker. At one point he stopped, got out, narrowed his eyes, and pointed.

'Elephants are just down there, going in that direction'.

I was impressed and asked, 'Wow. Did you smell them? Did you hear them?'

'No', he grinned. 'I heard it on the (CB) radio.'

After breakfast we went off for a river cruise. Actually, a river dam cruise. In the third biggest canyon after the Grand Canyon and one in Namibia. (I'd Google it if the wifi wasn't so dodgy). It was the most amazing scenery. And we saw hippos hippos' ears from afar.

A brief rest, then out for the evening drive. TJ was determined to find elephants, but he was the only driver out, and they usually all help each other so it's easier to locate them. We found the rhinos again and eventually found two elephants just on dusk. And of course, TJ just drove in and over the bushes and trees to get near to them!

Just had a lovely meal. Ostrich, which, if I didn't know, would not have known. But the excitement continues! Two of the chaps just got engaged on a sunset drive. Very romantic, one of them hadn't a clue, and the other organised the whole thing. Vuyani Lodge have been wonderful in assisting this, with a picnic, champagne, white table cloth by the waterhole with hippos just on sunset. They were to have a romantic evening meal by the open fire tonight, but they came and joined the group, as they've made so many friends here in the few days. Champagne is still flowing as we speak, but we piked out - too tired, too old, and can't risk a sore head in the morning.

Hey! My step app on the iPhone says I've done 5,339 steps! How can this be? It must be all the bouncing around we do on the safaris! So that's a bonus.