Safari Day Three

Every drive is different, and each one is terrific. Even if you're driving round for ages, trying to find the big animals (and really, we're just as excited seeing tiny wee mongooses) it's great fun, just being in the bush, sitting on the jeep and actually doing exercise (5,297 steps today according to my iPhone app).

Today TJ was tracking elephants, another group was tracking cheetahs, and another group was trying to find the lion cubs. TJ was in and out of the jeep, reading the tracks, often stopping just to listen. Then we heard the cracking branches and bigger crashes of tree being pushed over. Well, he'd heard it long before us.

We drove in and had a VERY close encounter with a group of elephants. It was breathtaking. We sat and watched, a couple of feet away, an elephant digging up roots (for moisture) and delicately pulling up or breaking small green shoots. It then crossed over its back legs - a resting position - and just chomped away contentedly. I love the sounds. It was magical.

We drove further through the trees and came round to see the baby. In fact, there were several babies in the group, and one was suckling. Others were tossing dust over themselves. Just everyday behaviour, and it was such pleasure to be able to watch it for quite a while.

By this time, the cheetahs had been located and so we set off to see them. The other vehicles had left, and we drove up to see two cheetahs lying in the shade under a big tree. They looked chilled out, well fed and barely acknowledged our arrival.

TJ said, 'OK. We are going to walk to the cheetahs.'

'Pardon?' we said in unison.

'We're all going to walk to the cheetahs.'

And so we tiptoed along behind him, and got within a few yards of them. They didn't bat an eyelid. But we did. We were agog. We all stood there in hushed reverence, while TJ told us all about them. How amazing was that! Apparently no cheetah has been recorded as attacking a human. Yet.

If the morning drive was good, the evening one was breathtaking!

We watched the elephants coming down to the waterhole, and two of them went in and splashed around and played for ages, pushing each other under. Then another one joined in the fun. Even TJ was mesmerised, as he hasn't seen that very often. I filmed them for about 10 minutes. It was very special.

Then we popped in to see the cheetahs again, who were still lazing around looking effortlessly beautiful.

When we had our G&Ts at sunset by a waterhole, JR had to use the 'restroom' in the bush (TJ went ahead and made sure there weren't any snakes at the appointed spot). She had been slugging water all day, due to her swollen ankles (a fellow guest gave her that tip) and the 34°. I had warned her about the consequences.

We then found a group of lions wandering round near another waterhole. We watched them for ages, and when the other vehicles left, of course TJ then drove through the bush to get even nearer. We followed them down to the waterhole, where they had a drink and then had a group hug. They were so affectionate with each other, and just ignored our spotlight.

By this time we were late back for tea, an excuse for TJ to hurtle at 100mph - great fun!

But as we were hurtling, who should block the road but a big giraffe, chewing the cud. He wouldn't move until TJ drove slowly towards him. Then, after the next mile or so of hurtling, who should be wandering up ahead on the track but a lion! We followed him into the bush, of course, and he was roaring for a mate, I think. LOUD. Magic.

This evening we had kudu stew. Nice.

Another great day!