He was constantly looking round in case someone came to steal his meal.

The adult zebras know they are too big for a cheetah, so they just stood there staring him out.

He'd given up on the zebras and was now on the prowl.

Our guides checking out leopard tracks, despite their best efforts this one got away.

The spotter at the front of the vehicle.

A kipping hippo, they don't like the sun so mainly graze during the dark.

An Orb spider, I jumped back as I only noticed it when I was right on top of it, was a good 5 inches

A couple of warthogs, with an amazing mohican

Laying on their backs with their feet touching, not a bad life for some.

Having a sniff, they later had a go at mating.

A jackal, not sure if it was his day or not.

A dry river bed, though it does fill up with a few days of heavy rain.

There is definitely something prehistoric about rhinos.

Four old buffalo bulls, retired now and just doing their own thing.

Never realised how quickly tortoises actually do move.

I'm going to do a comparative photo with the tortoises on the Galapagos Islands.

A Very Early Start

December 29, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

It was up at 4:45am this morning to be ready for the 5:30am drive. Out here, the early bird catches the worm, translates into the early cheetah catches the baby wildebeest. Which is exactly what we witnessed after 45 mins or so. I always thought these things were quite quick, but it seems cheetahs actually strangle their prey, which in this instance took around 10 mins. I did feel really sorry for the wildebeest, though 3 hours later I was tucking into bacon and sausages for breakfast, so I suppose you do need to keep a sense of perspective.

On leaving the room at just after 5am this morning there was a hyena on the path about 5 yards from our door. I think I was more intrigued than concerned, but it was probably just as well he soon made off, as I didn't really know what to do.

We were back for breakfast by 9am and then spent a relaxing morning and afternoon, only interupted by lunch, until it was time to go out again just before 4pm.

On this afternoon's drive we saw a couple of lounging lions who after a stroll got quite frisky. Then an elephant with a very young calf, a couple of rhinos and some old buffalos grazing away without a care in the world.

Then it was back in time for a quick beer round the campsite with the other guests before dinner and an early night. We were the last to head off to bed, at around 9:30pm. One thing they are quite strict on is that after dark everyone has to be escorted back to their rooms just in case of any encounters. Showering in our outdoor shower before bed always has my mind racing about what might be out there in the darkness. Never showered so fast in all my life!Read more