SA Day Twelve

The overnight rain had cleared by the morning, and so we could sit out on the deck for breakfast. The English couple we keep bumping into joined us - they’re heading back to CT and home.

Our driver arrived to take us to our next destination- a safari lodge. It was about three hours away, and a fast drive with dual carriageway much of the way.

We had lunch as soon as we arrived, then put some warmer clothes on ready for our first game drive. It has been raining for days here, so we’re lucky that it’s been dry for us. Though out on the game drive in an open jeep, it got very chilly by 5/6pm!

The drivers at the lodge keep to the roads - during our last (wonderful) safari, our driver would drive all over to get us near the animals. And so, we sat in the cold, far away from some small trees and bushes, because the other jeep ranger reckoned the cheetah and four cubs were sleeping in there, having killed and eaten a Kudu (a large deer) baby. I liked all their detective work - the crow flying around what must have been what was left of the carcass, the lone Kudu mother standing on the hill looking back at the place where her baby had been taken…

I was riding ‘gunshot’ (ie, beside the driver) because I couldn’t climb up into the vehicle, but there was a step for the front seat. Good view of any big beasts!

Our luxury tented accommodation is just that. Our verandah looks out over the watering hole, we have a log fire, electric blankets, air con heater, well stocked complimentary bar, and a bath with a view. We shall sleep to the sound of the bullfrogs, and hope for some more animal excitement tomorrow.

I am quite impressed with the iPhone zoom lens. It’s not fantastic, but it’s adequate for my purposes. Hope we get a bit nearer tomorrow…