Part 2. Africa and Asia.

[love_the_life]

Which camp are you at at Londolozi? Last year daughter and I were at Varty (Mr LtL was supposed to come as well in light of his heart issues felt it prudent not to at the time). Loved it and had a fabulous time. Our guide was very keen on photography and so we would spend time waiting for the animals (knowing they were close) and then just watching and photographing them. We would move to where the light was better at times as well. This was right up the daughter's alley as she will spend hours waiting and watching.We also flew into Skukuza on Air Link and were picked up. Recommended way to get to the reserve. Also recognise the IC suite - had the same when stayed there going to Londolozi

 

[drron]

We also stayed at Varty camp and also loved it there.. Our guide might have been the same one as she predicted where the animal would go and had us lined up for the best shot. I will be posting a picture of our guide and tracker a little later.
And @Pushka we flew back into BNE on 27/2. Standing at the carousel I leant over, lost my balance and fell on my left. hip fracturing the neck of femur. The next day a large nail was shoved down my femur. Slowly improving.. They say I will be home at Easter.

 

[drron]

A fantastic complimentary minibsr.




Time for lunch.




Mrsdrron had he salmon Poke bowl.


And I had the burger.


And we finished with the ice cream.


Food was simple but tasty.

 

[drron]

I went on the afternoon game drive . Mrsdrron opted for a pre dinner nap. Had just left the compound and we meet some elephants.






And an older male by himself.

An assortment of other animals.










And then a leopard. An adult female with 2 offspring that are in the process of moving out.




She was obviously going nowhere so time for Sundowners.

 

[drron]

A beautiful lagoon was selected even though you sunset was not visible.











There are 3 types of weaver's nests. The white blobs in a couple of those shots are frog's nest.
A couple of G&ts just added to the beauty and piece and quiet.
Time to get back for dinner. A couple of sightings on the way. Wildebeest and hares.






Dinner was a typical South African braai. Breads were nice and the pea soup was excellent.





My plate. Part of a tomohawk steak and various local animals.


And sweets.
.

 

[drron]

The early morning drive certainly started well with the wild dog couple known in this area came trotting along the track.














They then disappeared into the bushes se we doubled back to the airstrip as we were going to the north side of Londolozi. The sun was rising.




And there were the dogs. They knew a short cut.

 

[drron]

The dogs were obviously going no where . A couple of elephants showed up so we headed off to cross the river to the northern part of Londolozi.


The river was higher than normal. A croc was quite close to me.










Quite a few vultures hanging around.


Often means a predator is nearby so our tracker was sent out on foot to see if anything was nearby.
There was.








We then stopped for our morning coffee. The tracker had a special coffee that I became addicted to. A capparulachoccie. Yes a cappucino with Amarula and chocolate. I had 2 every morning.
Of course after that it was back to the lodge for breakfast.

 

[drron]

A few more sightings on the way back to Breakfast. first Kudu.




Then giraffe.

 

[drron]

Breakfast.




Mrsdrron had the French Toast and I had the Eggs Benedict. both beautiful.




And great views back to where we had been that morning.




Then back to our room foor a nap before lunch.

 

[drron]

As a complication of my fall and subsequent hospitalisation I left unfinished our trip to Africa.. A little sad looking back at my photos Knowing I can't ever travel like this again. I'm sure I will appreciate what I can do in the future..

That day our pre lunch nap turned into a sleep. That meant we were refreshed for the afternoon game drive and once more back across the river which was still running fast. Just before we crossed one of the smaller animals.




and the ever present warthogs.


And a roller. Love their colours.




Vultures were spotted so we went to investigate

A dead baby buffalo. Our tracker thought it was stillborn. Part of the herd were nearby.




.



Next elephants. One asleep.

 

[drron]

Back across the river to find a good spot for sundowners. And what a display he sun put on as it went down. But first some animals.

 

[drron]

The last of the sunset and a peaceful way to end the game drive.


















and a traditional BBQ for dinner. lighting wasn't conducive for photos. The only ones that sort of came out.

 

[drron]

The next morning's drive found hyenas on the runway.










And a beautiful sunrise.


and elephants.

plus a baboon.




We turned around as another vehicle had broken down. Only one passenger so sh e came along with us . Our guide kept looking at the surroundings and noticed a head pop up.













Yes a leopard. The daughter of one of one of the eldest leopards..

 

[drron]

She walked right past us.




















The other 2 cars from Londolozi were now present butt our guide was confident that the would walk down the creek bed and we were parked on the bank. and that is what happened.














What a great end for the drive though we did pass some elephants on the way to the lodge.

 

[drron]

Back to the lodge for breakfast.


A bit of a nap and back for lunch.


With a lovely view.







Off on our game drive and first a bird showing off and taking his time crossing the road.










Finally we could move on. A rhino.


plus lots of impala.

 

[drron]

Our guide and tracker saw all the vultures.





They felt there was a kill nearby. the culprit was soon found.




H was recognised as one of a pair of bothers. I looked around and behind us was number 2.
















There was quite a smell but the lions obviously weren't worried.

 

[drron]

Time for Sundowners with our excellent team.







Dinner was again outside with poor lighting. came inside to get 1 picture. There were BBQ meats and salds as well

 

[drron]

Once again up before sunrise for the morning drive,


And s was common first we saw elephants.




and the Kudu




And then hyena..




Must be a kill nearby. But we got distracted by juvenile mongoose.







They put on a show for us.










but we had to leave them. first a call from another vehicle where a woman was panicking that she would miss her flight if she completed the drive so once again we picked up the other passenger whilst the other was driven back to the lodge. just after that we were told of a leopard sighting and to go down another track in case it doubled back.

 

[drron]

When we got to our pick up point the other guide had noticed something.








by the way it was standing and looked around they felt it was deciding about a chase we were asked whether we wanted to stay with the cheetah or do as we were told and look out for the leopard. We agreed with the old African saying that a cheetah in the grass is worth more than a leopard in the bush so we stayed with the cheetah.

 

[drron]

By now our guide knew what the quarry was and where the cheetah would attack from. So we said our goodbyes and went and waited where the tke down was going to occur.






We parked at the edge of some bushes and could see what she was after.


Then waited. However when the cheetah appeared it was only seconds until the takedown but we were in the perfect place to capture it.



















Unfortunately things weren't going to end well. The hyena turned up quickly. I had an uneasy feeling that maybe they followed us expecting us to find a kill.