So we had a great time in Cape Town. I got some more of the beads I liked and bought some for clients that wanted them. Most of us went to Baia for dinner it was great. With exchange rate everything was a bargain.

December 7
We have now arrived at Mala Mala. First evening game drive was excellent. Lots of elephants, baby impalas are adorable, zebra, wildebeest, hyena, rhino, giraffe. This morning we followed a leopard called the Island female who we have many times before. She came right next to the vehicle. She is about 8 years old now. We saw a mating pair of lions but they were just asleep, no action. A new coalition of lions came in and ousted the Gowrie males. This is a new coalition of four males. Cannot remember the coalition name. Two have injuries and the other two are in their prime and big. Although this Lion was sleeping he was impressive, very black mane.

Not as hot as I had anticipated. Highs in the mid eighties. It has been over 100 and those high temperatures are predicted again for next week. We came at just the right time. Usually have rain at this time of the year but they have not had much rain yet. Sky is clear and partly cloudy. I also anticipated more bugs but that has not been the case.

Food was great last night. Roast Lamb and Kingklip. Plus a stunning chocolate cake. At breakfast a incredible array of fruit. Including passion fruit, leeches, berries, papaya, pineapple and other standard fruits. I was in heaven. Today we are going down to Rattrays for lunch and will go out on the afternoon game drive with Harvey, Richard, Kieron and Mary.

Wild dogs have been around. Two packs, one with eight dogs and one with 21 dogs. Got my fingers crossed.

HIghlights December 8,

Day was filled again with a variety of great sightings. Lots of stunnng big horns on Kudus, Waterbuck and Nyalas. A hippo with a big yawn, and lot of birds we have not seen before as we have never been on safari in the summer before. We did see the Saddle Billed Stork they are stunning birds .A group of 4 female lions provided great viewing opportunties. At 2.30 pm while we were driving to Rattrays we saw four female lions crossing the landing strip. On the game drive we followed up on the lions and found them. Once was eating a leg of an impala they others moved and around and one female went for a drink that seemed to last forever. We ended the game drive with a joint sundowner which was great. Pictures will follow.

Today was Miriam’s birthday. So the staff did the singing and dancing to celebrate and got Miriam up to dance around the table. It was fun that were really great as usual.

Highlights December 9
Game viewing has been great not too much looking for animals as actually seeing the animals. Started off today with two hyenas within in a minute of leaving the lodge. Then a whole pack of about 6-8 hyenas came running toward the two other hyenas who seemed to be intimidated by the new arrivals. There was a impala carcass in the tree nearby.

This was followed by a leopard who was rasping announcing her presence. Giraffes, tons of baby impala. Then we moved to a group of zebras with small foals, a Klipspringer, a large herd of buffalo deep in the bush, and two young male lions, one with already a pretty good mane. They were watching the buffalo.

Ken has a new camera and he is working on pictures and he will get some posted at some point in the future. In the meantime I took some with my iphone, not great but pictures nevertheless.