During our morning game drive we started to track the leopards, we came across a female set that were fresh however she went into thick brush and we weren't able to follow her. As we were driving around hoping for her to show her face, we came across the Buffalo. We've now been told that water buffalo is not the correct term for these big beasts! It's just buffalo. Since our guide and tracker believes that the leopard is stalking/following the buffalo, it's not likely we'll be able to see her.
So we headed to another area of the park, where it's possible for the leopards to be. We ended up coming across a heard of giraffe, zebras, a heard of 8 rhino (which apparently is, "national geographic stuff" according to our guide) and ended up in the middle of a elephant herd. There was the cutest baby elephant! He danced around and was having a grand old time! I do have a video, but not sure how to add it. I might have to get Jonathan to add it later. But here is a cute photo of him.
Not only did we see a baby elephant, we also saw a baby zebra!
As we were heading back to the lodge, our tracker managed to find a great find, a small pride of lions! With Cubs, young ones moms and even the dad!
This is just the morning too!
After our morning drive we headed out to Lion Sands Tinga Lodge, which is a private reserve but is right next to Kurger National Park. We actually had to go through the Kurger gate and everything to get to the lodge as the reserve is open to the park. So we're not technically in Kurger, but we are. People who are not staying at one of the Lion Sands lodges are not permitted to access the reserve property and vice versa.
Shortly after we arrived we headed out for our evening drive. As we Were leaving the lodge we came across a hyena just hanging out under the sign, with a belly so fully she looked pregnant. After that it was fairly uneventful, until a leopard popped out on to the road. He wandered into the bush and ended up laying down and we were able to get nice and close to him! He completes out Big Five! I will admit, that rangers are the craziest drivers out there! When you actually think about the fact that you're in an open air (no top), no seat belts, and the ranger is driving over everything and anything to get you a good view... It's pretty crazy. Our ranger basically off roaded through half the park it seems for us to see the leopard!
He was clearly just waking up from his long day of snoozing and I managed to get a few photos of him yawning.
This place is pretty amazing. These is about a total of 12 people staying here, so it's quieter. Plus the private pool and patio is pretty sweet. Don't have to worry about fighting over patio chairs or having someone saving them for their friends that never show.
Only down side is we do have to be escorted to and from our rooms at night.
-Audrey
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