Sept 10, Day 18, part 1

We set the alarm for 5:15 so we could take showers, pack the backpack (thank you again, Colleen), and grab breakfast before meeting our guide at 6:00. We were surprised, but not in the least disappointed, that we were the only ones in the Jeep again. There is a large group here but apparently they are part of a guided tour. 

Sunrise was lovely and chilly. While the temperatures are set to reach 96, we needed our winter jackets and wish we'd brought along our hats and gloves to keep us warm with the cold morning and wind. 

We saw a number of animals. Large herds of different types of antelope

and a honey badger, which, we were told was a rare sighting, but we were on the hunt for lions. Our guide is very good at following lion tracks

and soon we were at a watering hole to watch a lioness tracking a giraffe and a few antelope. As we watched, I hoped that the lioness would be successful, but not harm the giraffe.

We watched the patience of the lion as she stalked, slowly moving from one spot to another, waiting for the antelope “to relax.” However, once she got closer enough the antelope sensed her presence and were off. In the meantime, the giraffe had moved along.

The lioness moved across the road in front of us and began tracking another, larger group. She was joined by another lioness and three cubs. All looked undernourished and I hoped the hunt would be successful.

The morning drive was scheduled to last three hours. Happily, our guide seemed just as interested as us to see the lioness be successful, but once we'd been out for three and a half hours, we really needed to turn around and get back to camp, 30 minutes away.

We spotted another lioness on the way, some elephants, many different antelope, and a pair of cranes. All in all, a very successful morning. 

Back at the camp, we spotted a number of animals coming to drink at a spring-fed watering hole. I was excited to see a herd of giraffe.

Now, it's siesta time - a chance to catch a nap before lunch and the afternoon game drive.

Sept 9, Day 17

We made our way to the airport. There were a number of people in official looking vests offering to help but I wasn't sure if there were airport employees or car guard style “I’ll offer a service then expect money from you”  “helpers,” so I refused and we found our way to check-in and through security. 

The flight was bumpy but still they served a hour lunch on the one hour forty-five minute flight: beef bobotie, rice, green beans, and carrots along with roll and salad with roasted vegetable and lemon cake for dessert. Amazingly, it was all pretty good.

After making it was through the health check, they take your temperature, purchasing a visa, getting our suitcases, and getting through customs, we were met by a driver who drove us in a nice air conditioned van to the edge of the city and the end of paved roads where we met the driver who would take us to the camp where we would be doing our Safari. Our luggage was switched to an open-air Safari drive jeep, and off we were on a two+ hour drive down unpaved roads. 

This wasn't a game drive but we spotted lots of elephants, Impala, zebra, water buffalo, and a pair of giraffe! Most were too far from the road for my camera.

There is just something really special about spotting these animals in their natural habitat! 

We finally got to Robins Camp and were given the opportunity to go on a short evening game drive.. Of course, we said yes. We got to a water hole just before sunset and got to watch elephants with their babies, drinking and spraying water, and then throwing mud in their backs. The mud not only cools them down but also smoothers any parasites that might be bothering them. 

We'd hoped to see big cats on the way back but we weren't so lucky. 

Two nights ago we were freezing in a cottage with no heat. Tonight, we sleep in a much warmer place

 with only a ceiling fan and a mosquito net. It was drawn for us while we were at dinner. Hopefully, we won't need to take advantage of this tonight.