WC2010-African Safari- Male Leopard

I promised you more on this guy!!!

He is an adolescent male leopard, 14 months old.

Londolozi is known for the leopards that live there. We came upon him about half way through the first game drive. He was snoozing in a cool area under some trees.

He still hunts with his mom, as he has not refined his hunting abilities. Forest told us he hunts his prey by running at them in a straight line- not zig-zagging with finesse like older animals. When not looking with mama for food, he likes to hang out by himself..not unlike human teens!

See how close we were?

(and yes, Foster has been told that he is a dead ringer for Eddie Murphy MANY MANY times....)

Big Feet!

His tail seemed to have a life of its own.

I could have watched him all afternoon long!!!

WC2010-African Safari- First Drive and Dinner

We had just about 45 minutes to relax and change if we wanted to... a cup of tea or glass of champagne, and we were off on our first game drive.

Our ranger, Foster, drove the Land Rover, and our tracker, Like, sat up front. Only when he spotted lion or leopard tracks would Like join us in the Rover. We did have a rifle mounted on the dashboard "just in case"- but never felt the least bit nervous, even when close to the animals. And I mean CLOSE!

Coming from the South, it did not seem hot to me-quite pleasant really, in the upper 80's f. But the hippos still like hanging out in the water most of the time.

And crocodiles like basking in the heat whenever possible.

More on this guy later!

After an hour or so, the sun started making its way down

and we stopped for cocktails, with our ranger Foster, giving Jill a help out of the Rover.

We watched baboons come out for their evening meal.

Babies hitch a ride whenever they can.

As the sun began to sink, we loaded up and headed back for supper.

In the dark, we headed back to camp, just catching a photo of this rabbit scurrying across the road.

Back at Varty Camp, we gathered in the outdoor boma, or eating area,

and our cook explained our menu for the evening...

Ostrich sausages, impala meatballs, chicken, and all sorts of delightful sauces and vegetables to accompany.

It was absolutely the most wonderful day, and all too soon, it was off to bed, to fall asleep underneath a thatched roof.

Our wakeup knock would come at 5am!!

(Oh, to let everyone in on the name of our merry little band.."The Order of the White Frog"...When we started out on our first drive, we stopped by the pond that has the tree with the fish eagle. Foster pointed out a small white frog hiding on the branch of a bush. Ed stated flatly "I didn't come all the way to Africa to see a white frog!" We all howled with laughter, and became the "Order of the White Frog.")

WC2010- African Safari-arrival

I think the reason it has taken me two MONTHS to share my travels to Africa is my trying to get my hands around the sheer scope-the immensity- of the 48 hours or so I spent on safari. But with some organization and determination, I am going to accomplish this NOW...or at least TRY to give you, my dear reader, a taste of what an amazing time I had had at a place called Londolozi.

These posts-right now it appears there are 15 in all- are dedicated to my dear friends and fellow members of Captains Voyage Forum, especially my friend Jan-Olav, my VERY PATIENT cousin Merrill/Bob (I'll explain the name this summer!), and most especially the amazing adventurer who made this whole incredible odyssey possible, my wonderful and much-loved mother, Jane Hutchinson James.

So to begin.....

We left the Crystal Serenity in Port Elizabeth, South Africa at 7am on Friday morning, February 12. We were a small group- 5 guests and our escort, Pauline, who is the wife of Serenity's golf pro. Six travelers- the perfect size to fit into one Land Rover! We were a fun group-Pauline, Jill, Ed and Lee, Jane and Elizabeth. (EP 365 Day 149)

We were driven to Port Elizabeth's airport and checked in for our flight to Johannesburg.

Airborne, we could see Serenity in the harbor.

and we headed inland away from the Indian Ocean.

One hour later, the capital of South Africa came upon us.

The Crystal port agents loaded our minimal luggage and off we went to the "other" side of the airport, to make the second half of our journey into the bush.

Federal Air services several tiny landing strips in the interior of South Africa and it has a lovely facility to relax in before boarding your plane.

This is the plane that took us to Londolozi, and others onto Mala Mala afterwards.

I was delighted to find the first row seat was vacant, and I had an up-close and personal view of the pilots for the hour-long flight.

Takeoff!!

Before I knew it, we were landing...and then selecting our bags.

And I had my first incredible view of Londolozi.

We loaded up in our open Land Rover and watched the plane take off for Mala Mala, just a 5 minute flight away.

On the way to Varty Camp, we had glimpses of what was to come...

and were greeted with a happy welcome.

The grounds are simply magnificent.

We walked into the main lodge, and before I could take two sips of my welcoming champagne, I had the camera out and was taking the first of many MANY photos!