Another WOW day. After a great morning at lunch I was explaining to some first timers who asked me what was left to see. I explained about the levels of sightings. To just seeing an animal, to seeing behaviors and super sightings that are exciting or rare.

All of a sudden the Buffalo that had been peacefully grazing right in front of the lodge stampeded bellowing and kicking up clouds of dust. We all rushed to see what was happening as they entered the river. Then we saw a lion chasing them and another lion coming in on an angle towards the Buffalo. Then a big male Buffalo turned to face the lions and started charging. Fortunately Ken caught it on video and watching it I saw things I did not see at the time. His video shows how close the charging Buffalo and lions came together at a total standoff. Then the lions retreated a little. He zoomed in and you could see them panting. It was so exciting. We will send this video to Julie to put on our. Face book page. Some people did not want to go out on the game drive but wanted to wait and see what would happen.

However I knew the wild dogs had been sighted and I figured the lion and Buffalo drama was done for the day. Two vehicles went out and seven people stayed behind. We saw plains game and then found a leopard. He was grooming himself, they are very flexible. He was right at the side of the car. Beautiful clear sighting. We called in the sighting to the other vehicle and the lodge and they all headed to the leopard. One vehicle followed the leopard stalking a bush buck but no kill. Still a fantastic sighting.

But it was time to find the dogs. We had dropped off the two trackers where the tracks showed the dogs had entered a block. They scouted the area. Then we got the call. DOGS SIGHTED. We went at breakneck speed to get to the exact area are ranger said the dogs should be. The other two cars not far behind. It was thick brush but we did our best to follow on the bush then the dogs returned to the road. We took turns at the front as the dogs were obviously hunting. Different dogs breaking off to scout each side of the road. It was so much fun. Then an Impala ran across the road with the dogs in hot pursuit. They failed and returned to the road and ran off in an area we could not follow.

So we started to drive and almost immediately come across an elephant and right in front of the him were the lions we had seen chasing the Buffalo. The elephant ambled off and the lionswere right at the side of the road , really close. They got up and wandered a little way but it was dark and the ranger said we had to leave. He also said they are walking directly to the area we were having dinner.

Within a very short distance we broke off into a river bed where a stunning bush dinner complete with fires and tons of lanterns and beautifully set tables. The food was great and the freshly grilled bed amazing. They even had a bush toilet set up. While we were drinking our cocktails the Buffalo were bellowing. A magical situation. Buffalo, lions, elephant and wild dog all around us. Animals would not come into a fire and lantern lit area we were perfectly safe but just knowing they were all out there was exciting. Everyone was very energized from the afternoon adventures.

We finished dinner and started on our way back. With a few minutes the lion crossed the road in front of us and we saw the road was totally blocked with Buffalo. They looked magnificent in the lights of the vehicle but you cannot shine lights on Buffalo so again we had a scenario of lion and Buffalo but this time in total darkness. Somehow the ranger edged his way forward and the Buffalo moved to one side. No idea how he could see. We could hear the Buffalo to the side of in the grass but could not see them.

The first time safari man said "now I get it - super sighting are amazing"

This is an older lodge, no internet in the rooms, old style rooms that have some issues. However the setting on the river for the main lodge, the game, service, food and special events make up for any issues with the rooms.