Yes, awesome morning drive. We saw all the big 5 this am. Michael is a great ranger. In fact, we ran onto another ranger from main camp, and he told us Michael is the best of the lot.

Sketch internet so I will write a little then post. So if it stops short of completion you will know why.

Last morning at Mala Mala. Amazing!!!!!

The wild dogs appeared again and this time they were hunting. It was the best wild dog EVER. There were 12 dogs and following them not easy. They dash off as a pack and it is the ultimate of off roading. We saw them attempt four kills including two fighting impala males right on the open. I was sure my wish for a wild dog kill was about to come true.

The impalas reacted and got away, darn. Always a reason to come back.

There was a herd of zebra with a baby. The dogs paid little attention not worth risking injury with that many zebras. Next amazing thing that happens is that the zebras started chasing the dogs and had the dogs on the run.

Then a hyena turned up and kept the dogs in view. The dogs could have killed the hyena but again the risk of injury was too great.

Finally the dogs found water and laid down. Back comes the hyena and three of the dogs started to chase it away.

We would like to have stayed longer but our flight to Madikwe required us to leave.

Before Leaving Mala Mala:

Currently at the Johannesburg airport awaiting our flight home. It has been an amazing trip. I loved meeting everyone. Jill reminds me oso much of my favorite aunt Velma--loved her so much and it was just like having her back again. Favorite scene from the whole trip. We are going on our walking safari. The ranger is giving us instructions about not wandering off or getting out of the group. Kim says "Alice!" At the exact same time, I say "George!" We know who the wayward children are.

MADIKWE.
The first nights game drive was very different. It is hard to come from a "go off road for anything lodge to limited to big five sighting off roading" A mind adjustment is necessary. We did go off road. Tough off roading to say the least this area was thick thorn bushes. Best to come here first but the logistics do not work.

First evening. We saw elephants, zebra, wildebeest, and two sleeping three year old male lions. Nothing super exciting but the size of the three year old male when he stood up was Impressive we all got some good shots.

Drive the first morning - our bad timing morning.
Two of ladies found it very cold the last day at Mala Mala so we decided to go to winter hours and have a full breakfast at 7.00 am and go out when we finished and still stay out three hours. This way we avoided the very cold start. However as we left the lodge we heard cheetah had been spotted, a coalition of four makes. They were mobile and we raced out as fast as we could. Almost the vehicles lost visual. Great disappointment, then they found them again in a different spot they had been chasing an impala. We were excited again we got there when a car pulled out for us but at that moment they were lost. We went in thick thorny bush to try and find them again. Our ranger got off to track on foot when it got too thick and he said it was so thick he could barely walk through it. We tried to find tracks on the road where they may have crossed but no luck.

Then we heard the two big male lions were sighted and they were sleeping. Still we were excited just to see them. Off we raced to the lions. By the time we got there a herd of elephants entered the area with the lions and the lions left and were lost again. As I said a BAD TIMING MORNING. We did see a two month old zebra that was adorable and running and playing

Afternoon game drive
We started the search for the cheetahs. Patrolling the roads with other vehicles but to no avail. We finally gave up. The two male lions had been found again right at our lodge. So we headed in that direction and arrived about 5.15 pm. Best at that time as they may start to stir. Both our vehicles were watching the lions sleep. Looked like they were down for the count. One of our vehicles decided to leave for sundowners but we decided to stay longer, that was a wise decision. It takes patience on safari to wait for things to happen.

The smaller of the two lions started to stir and got up. To our delight he started to roar. Then we heard a roar in return. That sparked the other larger male and they were both roaring. It was fabulous. We called the other vehicle to return but they missed the roaring.

The lions starting moving and both vehicles followed and we heard that the responding roar came from a female lion on the airstrip. The two lions were headed in that direction. Fortunately this was a much easier off roading area. One male has a lighter mane and the one lion has a heavy black mane. They are stunning together, we followed the Lions for about thirty minutes. They walked right next to the vehicles several times. It was so much fun. It was getting dark when we reached the airfield.

There were three vehicles with female already. so the two groups would merge. Since we had been mobile we got priority but they let all five vehicles stay. Big concession but there was no doubt the stationary vehicles were not disturbing the lions.

The bigger male took the lead on the airstrip but then flopped down. The smaller male moved to within about 50 yards away from the female. A bunch of roaring started with all three lions joining in, I was thrilled the other vehicle got to hear that. Then the smaller smaller male flopped.

The ranger suspect this is a female unknown to them so caution on all the lions part was the order of the day.

Two jackals heard the noise and came to investigate I am sure hoping for a kill. Finally we left the cautious lions and returned to the lodge.

Now if only we can find those cheetahs and a brown hyena!! That would be the icing on the cake.

HIS MORNING THE TIMING WAS PERFECT AND INCREDIBLE

Word was out they found the cheetahs it was a distance so we drove very fast. On the way we found lions. A male, female and year old male cub playing on the road. We went past them as fast as we could and the young male made a threatening gesture I guess we sped by too fast. No time for lions.

What a sighting. The four cheetahs at a water crossing were all drinking. Unfortunately we could not get a head on shot. They started to move and marked their territory on an abandoned building. We followed them for about 20 minutes off road and fortunately it was not too thick. It looked like a couple times they were going for a kill, but it was not to be. Finally they all laid down with two of them in the open for perfect pictures. Couple of times there was some interaction with licking and smooching. We had the sighting to ourselves so we could stay as long as we wanted. Hyenas were vocalizing in the area we hope one would come in it never showed up. There could have been interaction but the animals would not fight. Too much chance for injury to both species.

On the way back we stopped at the river where the cheetahs had been drinking. It was an idyllic scene. Monkeys were playing on the bank, the birds were everywhere and we saw a very rare bird , the African fin foot. We were not allowed to get out so we decided to have vehicle room service for coffee and muffins and watch the action. It was a slow moving river with a little a litter rock drop down. The reelection was amazing, the temperature was perfect. A totally tranquil scene.

We decided to look for the lions as we returned to the lodge. We were to enjoy yet another great sighting. We found the two males walking and followed them off road. One female and three cubs joined the males with normal social greeting and cubs jumping all over the males. We stayed and watched them move around and flop down as lions do. They were not all sleeping just the female was out for the count.

We have two more game drives left. Tonight we will focus on the brown hyena. Something that cannot be seen at the other camps.

Madikwe offers the normal animals but also different animals and it takes a little more time to find them. The landscape is desert like totally different and dust. But Madikwe always seems to deliver some outstanding experiences. The cheetahs and lions have been spectacular.

Madikwe Safari Lodge:












Four Male Cheetahs.

Pied Kingfisher.




African Finfoot.

WOW Ken, pictures are spectacular !

LAST EVENING DRIVE

Before lunch we played our first game of cards. We decided we needed to play hearts in the bush.

The game drive started out slow. We visited the water pan and saw seven giraffe. We must have just just missed them drinking. After spending a little time with the giraffe we headed off in search of springbok and brown hyena. We are in an entirely different area that is very barren. A group of impala gave us a great show with the males chasing each other and the females. I always enjoy watching chasing impala.

We arrived at the hyena den and no baby hyena in sight. I am sitting in the vehicle with zebra around watching everyone getting a sundowner and writing this post. Off to the brown hyena den. Kim saw the baby hyena run back into the den. We waited for a while and then started back.

We saw springbok right next to the road and got some great shots. A few zebras and antelope on the way back.

Right at the lodge. BROWN HYENA were spotted. Our vehicle got a pretty good look at them in the spotlight. There were two of them. The other vehicle came back and got a quick glimpse. Not the best sighting BUT we did end with brown hyena.

Last drive tomorrow.

We are in the lounge at CDG waiting for our flight home. We spent our last day at Lion Park which was pretty cool and certainly better then Sitting around the airport They offered a cheetah walk and a lion walk as well as a lion cub encounter. The cubs were a bit bigger and older then we expected but very cute. We got to pet and take pictures with 2 big male lions and and 1 distracted cheetah. ( he could not take his eyes off the giraffe down the road!) This park has several very large signs on its property advising that they provide for their lions for life and never sell them to the kill parks. I knew that ahead of time and so was comfortable with this experience. Miss everyone else.
-----------------
Helen

Alice and I are in Jo'burg waiting for our flight to London. Three hour layover there then on to Boston. This morning game was beautiful and mellow--- a nice way to end. We were with Ken and Ngaire. It started out with two hippos in water. Lots of birds. The funniest thing was a couple warthogs playing. The smaller one running in circles chasing his tail! A lilac breasted roller was trying hard to impress by making big swooping dives. The wing colors were spectacular. Can't believe it's over and what a fabulous time with had. Excellent group and experiences.

Sounds like a fabulous time! And, Ngaire, you finally got plenty of wild dogs!

Hate that I missed the cheetahs. They look so beautiful.

Our flight from Doha to Chicago included yet another medical emergency, actually 2 but the first was before we took off from Doha. We were all loaded up ready to go when the FA announced there would be a delay because medics were coming aboard to assess a lady who was having a medical problem. They ended up taking her off the plane. No idea what was wrong with her, but she didn't look that sick to me. Anyway, I turned to George and said "Thank heavens they offloaded her so I don't have to deal with another medical emergency in the sky."

Problem was they then had to go through all the hand luggage in the plane and have everyone identify their luggage just in case she was faking illness and had planted a bomb. At the same time, they had to find her checked luggage and take it off the plane. That took a while, so we were pretty delayed leaving. Fortunately, we were able to make up most of the time in the air.

Anyway, about 1/2 way through the flight, they call for a doctor. A 89 year old man from India, in coach, was feeling shaky and faint. I went back. I started assessing him, but fortunately a doctor from India, who could actually speak Hindi, so could communicate directly with the man, showed up and I let him take over. Medics did come off load him when we got to Chicago.

You are never completely on vacation. Those of us who fly long distances are glad people like you are on board.

A Few More Photos From Madikwe:




Impala.


Our Last Sundowner for Group two.


Jack & Jill.


Male Springbok.


Warthogs enjoying the moment.




Male Greater Kudu.

Took the artwork that George purchased to get framed this am. $850 later. But it will look really nice.

Phew! Must be a gorgeous frame! It will be a fabulous reminder of a fantastic trip.---------------
Helen

It was 4 pieces, Helen, but still!