Now that most of us are back from ROAR2 and (more or less) over jet lag, I thought that I'd start a thread devoted to LCTers' special memories of this wonderful adventure.

We played this little game on our jeep (Rover, whatever) and at dinner the last couple of nights at Madikwe Hills: "What was your most memorable experience of the trip?"

Of course, we all have many, many "greatest hit" memories from this superb time in South Africa. Nonetheless, my dear fellow LCTers, the challenge I lay before you is to isolate one or two memories that are "Primus inter pares". It is my fond hope that these passionate reminiscences will not only remind the ROAR2ers of their experiences, but will also serve to excite (only in a good way, of course) those GAMEers, SAMBAers, and other potential visitors to the wonders of South Africa regarding the remarkable opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime memories there.

One of our jeep buddies who does not post here considered the fabulous leopard-in-the-gym at Leopard Hills as his favorite memory.

Here are our two contributions to Greatest Hits:

1. Fred - At Madikwe Hills, we were parked watching at very close range a large herd of cape buffalo. Suddenly, there was total chaos, with the buffalo bellowing and crashing into one another. We feared a stampede (yikes, not good for our little Rover). On the contrary, in an astonishingly short time (four to five seconds!!!), they'd formed into a perfect defensive ring, with the bulls on the outer ring, fully alert with their magnificent horns lowered against potential predators, the cows on the next ring, also facing out, and the calves in the center. After a while (when the two threatening hyenas wandered away), the ring broke and the herd went back to grazing. But the total thrill and chill of watching that societal organization remained. Even now, nearly two weeks later, I marvel at the magnificent experience.

2. Pat - At Leopard Hills, we watched the breeding lion pair spend about 40 minutes being emphatically non-breeding. Then, the beautiful lioness stretched and stood, making every sign of being ready to engage the clearly-interested male. However, as soon as he approached her amorously, she turned on him viciously, roared at him, and smacked him roundly across the face, before settling back down to doze. He, in turn, appeared to roll his eyes, then simply plopped down on his side, with his huge eyes (surrounded by his magnificent mane) trained on us, as if to signal his frustrated message, "Curses, foiled again!!"

More Greatest Hits, friends??

Cheers, Fred

Fabulous topic! one I can't wait to read everyday. Good one Fred

You said one or two so I will give you two. So hard to limit it to just a few very hard to chose.

Madikwe Hills:

Number one: All at the same time - grand central station of game viewing all this visible from our land rover at the same time.
A brand new lion kill. Seven lions including cubs gorging on the fresh kill in front of a watering hole.
Six rhinos with a new rhino baby probably only a few days old that could barely stand.
Two flamingos in the water that were obviously lost.
One jackal howling for help from his friends.
A tree full of vultures waiting their turn.

Number Two: Probably only important to me but seeing a Brown Hyena come to drink and a Brown Hyena pup come out of the den - incredibly rare sightings.

For ROAR 2

#1 - The leopard sightings with their cubs at King's Camp. Not only were they action oriented (no lying in a tree sleeping and looking bored with the ranger rover beings), but Patrick's enthusiasm and heroic driving to stay with the animals really added to our enjoyment.

#2 - At Madikwe Hills, it was following the hyena mom home to her den. The small pups were busy driving their adolescent babysitter crazy, running her in circles around the den. When the mother arrived, all of them leapt onto her to nurse. It was an amazing view into hyena society. The mother kept pushing some of the pups away, managing to keep order with her brood. The adolescent, after greeting the mother, collapsed on her side from the exhaustion of minding the three hyperactive, aggressive pups.

Pleasure, Anne

http://www.kingscamp.com/wildlife/reports/2008_08.html

I just read the latest report from Kings Camp. This is one of the most interesting Ranger reports I have read. Thought you might enjoy their highlights for the month.

Ngaire, that's a fantastic report & photos from King's Camp! Patrick found the Rockfig leopardess & her cub for us (which Anne described above) & we were in absolute heaven taking photos of her & her playful cub. (Animal Planet had a RR nearby in the area.) Sounds like lots of lion activity still going on there. There was 1 elephant carcass when we were there, several days old, so smelled too dreadful for rangers to take us to it. These photos are terrific.

Great thread, Fred!
Already mentioned above, my animal favs were definitely the leopardess & her cub at King's CAmp & the hyena cubs at Madwike romping with the babysitter. So I'll toss in a couple of "misc. favs":

1) The fly-by over Madikwe's airstrip in our 12 seater Caravan charter plane (Though it was a white knuckle experience for moi, thank you Grant for talking the pilots into doing this :) I'm a new woman after that exhilarating experience!)

2) The "late night stand up comedy performance" of the Chef at King's Camp. You wouldn't believe how funny this character is. His stories about his "battles with the baboons" sneaking into his kitchen were beyond funny in addition to his "kill of the elusive cricket" in his suite one night were award-winning. Great personality who kept us up late laughing & roaring.