A new thread for Cheetah two. We will be seeing the group at Birkenhead House tomorrow. Looks like nice weather for two days but then rain. Cape Town is in a severe drought so that is good for the locals.

Sorry been a bit busy. We did the farm yesterday it was fantastic. We all loved it. Pictures will follow. Meredith did the sharks and went in the cage. She looked exhausted but happy she has wanted to do that for years. Food here at birkenhead for these two groups is the best we have experienced on any trip in the past. Everyone is happy.

Today a major storm is hitting Cape Town, they say the worst in 30 years. We will be traveling to la residence today. Hopefully the weather will improve tomorrow.

So happy you went to the farm Ngaire. Did you get to sit on Columbia the zebra? What a fun day we had there. So happy Group 2 is off to a great start. Enjoy La Residence!

We made it home with no incidents, great flights, all on time so a good first time KLM experience.

Yes Marcie all the girls sat on Columbia. Rocket the cheetah was a hit of course. Ken will post pictures.

The storm arrived and we transferred to La Residence. On arrival we were told that the transformer in Franschoek was a casualty of the storm and caught on fire. The entire area was without power so no lights, heat or hot water. The best case scenario was for power to be restored some time tomorrow afternoon. La Residence had an emergency generator but only strong enough for the main hotel foyer area.

They offered us accommodation at The Silo in Cape Town. So we had to decide to stay without power or go back to Cape Town and stay at the Silo for the next two nights. We did a secret vote and the majority wanted to go to Cape Town

We had a great lunch and then toured the rooms. People were of course upset they could not stay when they saw the rooms. They are all so unique. But no heat or hot water not a good idea.

So right now we are on our way to Cape Town. I have arranged for dinner tonight in this private dining room at the Silo that is really beautiful. When we stayed at the Silo the first night in Cape Town and I saw that room I could picture how neat it would be to have a group dinner there. But the Silo is expensive and so many places to stay in Cape Town i never thought I would have a group stay there. So terrible timing with this storm but out of our control and we will all make the best of it.

Tomorrow Cape Town is supposed to clear up and I will have dinner at Baja that I missed last time.

Had a wonderful time last night. The private room was exquisite. Food could not have been any better. The Kingklip was the best I have ever had and the steak (I ate half of Cheron's) was melt in your mouth filet. The early courses were fantastic too. I think we are all pretty okay now with missing La Residence. It is supposed to be raining in Franschoek and overcast here but not raining.

This property is more expensive than La Residence and only includes breakfast. But we have luxury rooms, included drinks and laundry and we think it is fun to try this brand new hotel that is "the talk of the town"

Everyone in the group handled the situation so well and I certainly appreciated that. They all were handed lemons and made lemonade. No one can control Mother Nature!

Like the first group this group bonded very quickly. Every time we come to South Africa we fall in love with people in the hospitality industry. No matter where you go the service and warmth of every property is remarkable.

Cornellskop, about 45 minutes outside of Hermanus.





George, Charmaine the animal trainer, Ken, Ngaire, Bo, Blair, Karin, Polly & Cheetah.

We are now at Narina at Lion Sands. So wonderful to be back in bush. The Sabie River is right in front of the lodge. On arrival elephants were walking toward to lodge. Two mothers and three babies one pretty young. They came right in front of us as we sat down to lunch. Playing in the water with the little one waving his trunk around and not yet controlling it well.

Lunch was outstanding but we were all anxious to go out so we skipped dessert and loaded up on the vehicles. Within minutes of leaving the camp we heard lions had been found. They were two young males doing what lions do sleeping and raising their heads now and then. For those on Cheetah 1 these were the two first males on the giraffe carcass at River Lodge. We left the lions and then heard alarm calls from a Impala. Our driver Ben wanted to investigate so went off road to check it out. We could not find anything. Then we went to river overlook and saw a bigger herd of elephant. Also the baboons were going crazy in a tree. Talk about a lot of noise. It was a stunningly beautiful spot with big trees, the river and boulders. Now it was getting late so we started to head back. The moon was unbelievable. It was a full moon that that kept peeking through clouds. The effect I will never forget. When it finally came above the clouds it looked so big and bright. Nothing like like the sunrise, sunset and the full moon in. Africa.

Dinner was outstanding. Most popular was Kudu but I opted for the chicken. They also had Norwegian salmon. As soon as we finished people headed for their rooms. We had a power outage from the main source of power. Amazing how dark it was. But very quickly they switched to the Narina generators so all was well. This morning the power was back to normal.

First morning at Narina. All I can say is WOW.

Zebra leaving camp, and then a sighting of a BLACK RHINO a very rare occurrence. These are aggressive rhino unlike the white rhino that is very calm. The vehicle do not approach them and the sighting was short. However we saw his head, horn and whole body before he ran off.

Next up LION A female with three cubs. The youngest about a year old. They were moving and the bush was really thick. This is off road driving on steroids. I have been on a lot of safaris but never experienced such tough off roading. Our driver Mark did an incredible job. How he went where he went was remarkable. We were following the lions through this thick bush and Mark's Instincts as to where the lions would be were spot on. We kept losing sight of them and then we saw them again. Finally they laid down. Mark had called in the other two Rangers, Simon and Ben. They arrived and the lions started walking again. They walked right in front of our vehicle. Ken hopefully got some great shots. We left the lions.

Time for a LEOPARD. Again in every tough off roading situation. This was a big healthy male, the Rock River Leopard. About eight years old. He was mobile and we crashed through the brush following him. He stopped and started a deep growl. Mark said he had seen something he did not like. The growl grew louder and he changed direction. And kept growling for quite some time. It was so neat to hear the leopard. At one point he passed within feet of the vehicle.
The other vehicles arrived so we them take our spot.

Okay, time for ELEPHANTS . A large herd walking down the river bank. Baboons were having a noisy day. Another beautiful part of the river.

So to round out the big five we were right next to a big herd of CAPE BUFFALO.

All in one morning, the big five and other animals.

We stopped for a walk in sighting. It ended up being a pancake stop. These were really very light crepes with both sweet and savory toppings. Served river side under a big fig tree complete with Bloody Mary's, Mimosas, other spirits and wines, hot chocolate, coffee and tea.
Everything was delicious. We took a group picture hope it turned out well

Then back to the lodge for a breakfast. After my two crepes I could not eat anything heavy so I had some fruit. This time the river was full of Cape Buffalo.

Fantastic morning. Big five in one drive.

WOW All in one morning! I'd say you got your monies worth! Those of us at home are loving your reports Ngaire....keep 'em coming!

Ken is having problems posting pictures so we are sending them to Julie and she will post them for us.

Ken's pictures from Narina Lodge:

Pictures may be delayed we cannot post from here. Internet is good and fast so we are not sure why Ken cannot access our SmugMug page.

Spent yesterday afternoon and this morning on Lions Sands property. Some great sightings aand the highlight was an adolescant elephant that was upset when we found him. He was giving attitude to the trees and bushes. He charged and trumpeted and excessive ear flapping multiple times of course he backed off each time. He was taking aggression out on the trees. One upset little Ellie. Last time he went back there was a ton of elephant trumpeting and noise. I believe mom was giving the teenager a talking to and we did not see him again.

This morning we checked a hyena den. Three adult hyenas were there but no little ones came out. Had a lovely morning coffee break in the hide overlooking the river. We also went down to river to view the hippos this is a beautiful spot.

The big news was wild dogs were on the Narina property this morning. Not sure if they saw the dogs or just the new tracks. So this afternoon we will be tracking to see where they rested and try and find them so we can be ready to follow them late this afternoon when they starting to hunt again.

MONKEY BUSINESS

During lunch the monkeys try to get food from the table. The staff have a paintball gun they use to keep the monkeys away.

One couple were sitting on their deck and the wife was drinking a Bloody Mary. The monkeys started gathering and they were enjoying watching them. They stood up take pictures of a monkey on the roof. The monkey jumped down, got into her chair and stuck a finger is the Bloody Mary and tasted it. I guess he decided he liked it picked up the glass and ran off with the drink.

Too bad you don't have video! What a funny lunch

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.

Ngaire - thanks for the report on an amazing day!

What an exciting day you had.....sounds great and you're making me miss Africa again. What lodge were you at without internet ? Sure doesn't sound like any of the lodges we've ever stayed at.

Love reading about Group 2's experiences and soon have Group 3 coming. YEA !

Lion Sands Narina had internet but we could not get on the site we needed to post pictures.

Just arrived at Rattrays so pictures soon.

Moved from Cheetah Three thread to this Cheetah Two thread. I got ahead of the game. -Julie on behalf of Ken




The little elephant that kept charging our vehicle.












This male is named the River Rock Leopard.


This is after the lions chased the Buffalo and the biggest male Buffalo turned on the lions
Ken's video shows how close the Buffalo confronted the lions. Have not been able to email that to Julie it was too big.


Eugene and his monkey paint gun.

On our drive the next day we saw a fantastic sight. A group of giraffes with five babies. One was tiny and the cord was still hanging so less than two weeks old. The others were small as well. We were really close and they crossed the road right in front of us. Ken will post pictures.

Last drive at Narina. I had decided to stay in as today's came drive would be short. But when the time came I had to go I did not want to miss anything. Thank goodness I went. We had an incredible black rhino encounter. Black rhinos are quite rare and aggressive unlike the calm white rhinos.

The other two vehicles were ahead of us viewing the black rhino but we had to change our course to get there. By the time we arrived he was walking off. We were a bit disappointed. The other vehicles left, we moved and the rhino started to walk towards our vehicle. He walked within about 50 feet and stopped. - really close a little too close for comfort. He was missing one ear and the other ear was torn and shredded. Our ranger and tracker were intense and you could see the total focus on the rhino. They turned on the car and banged on the door of the car he just stood there. So they banged again and this time he turned and walked away. We had some other sightings but that rhino was the highlight.

First day at Mala Mala. So wonderful to be back home again. For the Cheetah One people to know we have Fritz, Jacque, Theo, and a new ranger named Bruce. So happy to be sitting on the deck again enjoying lunch.

We went out with Theo. He is so good it is fun to just be out with him behind the wheel. Our highlights were a tuskless elephant in a mud hole spraying herself with mud. A rhino with a huge horn with a baby, a gennet, and a female with two cubs, one male and one female. They were on top of the termite mound.

Lion Dynamics here are interesting. One of the big males we saw on Cheetah 1 is still here. He is hunting the females and this female with the two Cubs has split off from the pride. If the male finds the Cubs they will be killed. The mother has a bad gash on her leg so she has been in a fight already.

Seldom see lions on top of a termite mound. Theo said she is watching and nervous about the male so is high on the mound so she is to able to see the male approaching. Right after we arrived the three lions went mobile. We followed them through the bush for about fifteen minutes. I love crashing through the bush following cats. She went on top of another termite mound and was sniffing the air. Then all three laid down and it was getting late so we had to leave. I sure hope these Cubs survive and the male does not kill them.

RHINO pictures I believe we cannot post because of rhino poaching. We are going to confirm this and if that is no longer true we will post the rhino shots.

Dinner was great and now ready to crash for the night. Ken is working on pictures right now.

WILD DOGS. This is a pack of three dogs. I was thrilled as we headed in that direction. The dogs had killed an Impala. But alas they went mobile and disappeared never to be seen again.

We heard there was a mobile leopard and they were following him and fresh tracks of lion in the same area. Off we went again and when we reached the " bicycle crossing' leopard we followed him through the bush for about 30 minutes. He is about 14 years old and was a little skinny and he was definitely hunting. There was a big male water buck he stalked but too big a prey for this old leopard. The water buck saw the leopard and ran. Then the leopard dropped into a full staking mode and slowly crept forward. We saw some guinea fowl and when he got closer he sprang into action. The quail went bokistic, flying and screeching as they all escaped. We hoped the leopard had caught one this old boy needed some food. This guinea just kept sounding the alarm so the leopard just gave up and started grooming. He had a big puncture wound on his leg, probably from a warthog or Impala horn.

We also saw a big male rhino and a mother and baby rhino. At the end of the game drive some beautiful bee eaters.

The mother was licking the baby's head.


Black Rhino in the distance, he was missing his left ear, a possible predator attack when he was younger.


Very close to us, he did run off.

Mala Mala:


White Rhino.

Bateleur Eagle.

Lilac Breasted Roller.

Swainson's spurfowl.

White Fronted Bee-Eater.


Male Leopard Stalking.

Water Buck on alert.

Amazing photos and blog of the sightings. LOVE seeing and reading about all the happenings !

I'm loving all the postings and photos too. It amazes me that after so many safaris every game drive offers a different experience. That's why I love animals and nature so much....always changing and always evolving. I hope that leopard finds some food soon!

Great excitement in the bar this afternoon. Everyone had a great day and saw different things. Our day started with fresh leopard tracks. We found the "bicycle crossing " leopard again and he was mobile. We followed him off road, knocking down trees and the normal thrill of following an animal. He seemed to be walking in circles and paid no attention to close by impalas. The ranger said he is a acting as if there was another leopard in the area. He walked into a thicket and did not come out. We circled the thicket and found him on a dead Impala.

The kill had happened recently and feeding had not begun but he had not killed it. Fascinating seeing him eat this carcass from the very beginning. It was done with almost surgical precision. He stopped eating and sniffed the air and made a menacing face. Then we saw a female leopard watching. She must have made the kill, smelt him and left the kill. She would never challenge a male leopard and he seemed undisturbed. He was still feeding on the ground at dark and by tomorrow that kill will be in a tree. So happy to see him have a good meal.

We ended the day with the pride of six lions united. While we were looking at the lions we heard hyenas. Then we got the call one of our group found an active hyena den with 10 week old puppies, adolescents and adult hyenas. 18 of them and this was the first time the den had been found. Great excitement but too late to go in to see them very thick bush and it was dark. The ranger who found them had trouble getting out in the dark in this thick unfamiliar bush. We heard them crashing around. Finally making in out to where the lions were.

Others saw a different leopard in a tree with a kill this morning. They went back and saw the leopard return to the tree and climb up to continue feeding. Plus lots of other great things too much to write.

So tomorrow two leopards in trees, hyena den and a stronger lion pride that might make a kill

To top that off roast lamb for dinner tonight. How much better can it get?

Not much, for sure. . Thanks for bringing us along!

Crazy heavy mist today messed with game viewing. About 9.00 am it cleared up and we had a great sighting of two bull elephants absolutely destroying a tree. Breaking off large branches the power of these animals is amazing.

The ranger who found the hyena den is going out today after breakfast to find the easiest way to reach it. Then this afternoon we will all go to the hyena den. I am very excited about this sighting.

Saddle Bill Stork.


Cape Turtle Dove.

Male Water Buck.

Male Impala in the mist.

Ken, your photography never ceases to amaze me! The pictures you have posted are just incredible. Niagara thanks for all the posts, it is almost like we are there with you. I have got to put this on m bucket list to do again.

Quick update. Hyena den was checked no hyena. They must have moved the den site. Darn!!
They move dens a lot as the smell attracts lions and the dens get flea invested.

We searched for two lion prides we have not seen but were spotted this morning. No luck

We find a herd of buffalo and they ended up all around us. Some were up and some were laying down. Being right in the middle of a herd of buffalo or elephants is really interesting. You feel as if you are a part of their world. Hard to explain but it is very different than viewing them any other way.

Stopped for sundowners and the monkeys were going crazy. So two cars checked it out and could not find anything. We just found a rhino. During the sundowners a single elephant made his way around the edge of the clearing we were standing in drinking. We watched him move around the clearing. He was not the slightest bit interested in our group.

On the way home we stopped to see the "bicycle crosssing" leopard. He was in the tree nothing left of the Impala. We took a lot of pictures and came down the tree. A really neat end to the day

Just one more day left now. Time just flies by when you are busy having fun.

What a morning.

Started looking for cheetah. Saw two very relaxed side striped jackals in an open field and one was trying to catch birds. The cheetah search was off as the word came WILD DOGS! The race was on and after this morning we named our driver. Rather than Mario Andretti he is Mario Ambrucie.

We found the dogs in the river bed just milling around with blood on their coats so they had a kill this morning. Then we saw a lion approaching. She was walking very slowly towards the dogs. The dogs saw the lion and they were barking and keeping watch. The lion keep coming and then started running. The dogs took off quickly. The lion stopped running and one of the dogs moved closer to the lion. There was a standoff. Finally the lion gave up and walked away.

We followed the dogs down the river and the dogs in the water with big cliffs on one side was a stunning picture. There were three waterbucks behind the sandbar. The dogs started to cross to the sand bank and then a male lion appeared from behind a bush and the dogs had to change direction and run again as the lion gave chase. The waterbucks watched without moving. All this was very exciting. That is what is so addictive about a safari. You never know what is going to come next the adrenaline gets pumping.

We went back to the road to try and find the dogs and the word came there is a leopard! Choices, leopard or wild dogs. We went for wild dogs. Mario Ambrucie hit the gas and we were off again. We found the dogs a second time and followed them as they were darting in and off the road. Then they went into some thick bush and we could not get through. Hopefully this afternoon we can pick them up again.

Yesterday Evening - Kudu, Cape Buffalo, & Leopard:

Wild Dogs and Lions!!!


We start of our morning was quiet, spotted a Side Stripped Jackal.

We raced to see wild dogs on the river.

The wild dogs spot a lion.

The female lion is coming.

A male lion joins in.

Wild dog run away.


The dogs run into the bush, we will resume our search at the evening game drive.

Could not find those dogs again. Once they lay down they usually stay put until around 5.00 pm. These dogs moved. Possibly the lions turned up again and ran again

Quiet afternoon drive as we spent our time trying to find the dogs but we saw two hippos out of water and four rhino rolling in mud and playing at head pushing. That was fun.

Standing ovation for the Rangers and staff. They did an amazing job.

Last post and not much time.

CHEETAH! Last drive final morning we found Cheetah. Plus it was an amazing sighting. Two males in their prime, mobile, climbing on termite mounds, and tree limbs close to the ground. Stunning animals. We got excited as warthogs were very close with three little ones. Cheetahs paid no attention. Great ending to a fantastic safari.

Sorry to be saying goodbye to this wonderful group but looking forward to seeing everyone in group three particularly sister June

In JNB now sad saying goodbye to everyone.

Saw Tim and Barbara as we walked to the hotel. Saw Mary Ellen and Jim as they walked past to checkin as we were sitting outside with Paul, Susan, Blair and Karen. Jim and Mary Ellen came down later and met Karin and Blair for the first time. Hugging people goodbye and hugging those arriving!

The group in Madikwe have had good sightings. Wild dog, cheetah and lion cubs. Can't wait to get back to the bush!!

Welcome Group 3....so happy we'll still get lots of updates. We have many friends in Group 3 and I know it will be fun for you & Ken seeing June and Ralph again. Which camp do you go to first ?

JAMALA in Madikwe. We won't get there until about 3.00 pm we might decide to stay and watch the waterhole, decide when we get there.

Six people have been in Madikwe for four days. They have had great sightings. Highlights have been Wild dogs, Lion cubs just 7 weeks old, and cheetah.