Re: First Morning Game Drive

We got an early start this morning and headed out on our first morning game drive. It was chilly out and the morning started off a bit slow. We spotted a couple of different birds and impala. They say here that seeing an impala is like seeing a McDonalds, pretty common. 

We met back up with the buffalo herd we saw last night and watched as they grazed. There were many young buffs including one that was only a day or two old! 

From there, our ranger followed some lion tracks. By the river, we spotted three lionesses sleeping with very full tummys. 

We saw our first herd of elephant. It was an all female herd led by an enormous matriarch. All of the elephants in the herd are somehow related. They snacked on some leaves and gave themselves dirt baths to rid of and prevent parasites. 

Next, we encountered a male rhino. He had a large round body with short stubby legs. Unfortunately, he was not very cooperative and did not let me get a good picture of him.

Then, the real excitement came. We got to witness four lion cubs chowing down on a buffalo kill. Their mom and one other lioness slept nearby already full from what they ha already devoured before the cubs ate.  All of the sudden, they all jumped up and started running away. A third lioness in their pride had arrived to join in on the fun. The two other lionesses got up and started to eat again. All the while, about a half a dozen vultures circled overhead.  The cubs started to come back, but all the noise the lionesses were making while eating scared three of them away. One brave cub gradually worked his or her way in and got some more to eat. We sat and watched this for a long time. It was interesting to see how territorial they were over their food. They would growl and sometimes get a little vicious towards one another.

We are now back at the camp where we will soon have lunch and return to another drive this afternoon.

Until then....

Xoxo, Lindsey

My Very First Game Drive!

First safari

We arrived at Mala Mala Private Game Reserve and were informed the we had been upgraded to their nicest camp, Rattarays. The camp is beautiful and peaceful. The room  has two bathrooms with heated floors and a private pool! 

In the afternoon, we departed on our first game drive. It started out with spotting a couple birds, impala, zebras camflouged in the bush, and a giraffe across the river. Next thing we know, we were right within feet from two leopards! The male was sleeping and the female awake. Our ranger Graham informed us that these two were "honeymooning." Sure enough, after a bit of a wait, the female got up and sat on the male. This is her way of initiating. She laid back down and he got up and they did it "like they do on the discovery channel!" Definitely not something you see everyday! The whole mating ritual lasts all of about 30 seconds, but happens multiple times.

As we continued on, we came across three sleeping lions, two female and one male. They gave us a couple good photo opps, but were pretty boring as they passed on hunting tonight and just slept. 

The night set upon us and it grew bitterly cold. Since it was so cold, there was not as much action tonight. However, at one point our rangee drove us into the middle of a herd of buffalo.  The animals did not even care that we were there. They continues grazing and laying down to rest. Our drive concluded by spotting a hyena while we were looking for another safari vehicle who had been following a leopard. It was definitely an incredible first day!

Xoxo, Lindsey

Some different foods I have experienced thus far: ostrich burger, hard boiled quail egg, antelope, oxtail, and passionfruit.

Ps I am working on getting pictures up, but it is late and I have an early start in the morning. Hopefully, I have time to post a couple tomorrow.