Day 7: Leopards & Lions Galore

Similar to yesterday, we started the afternoon drive along the Sand River. We saw four Crocodiles. I have never seen that many before on one game drive. Really amazing.

We then came across a breeding herd of Elephant. I have way more photos than anyone should ever take of elephants 😀. I am captivated by the babies. This youngster got so tired and hot, it kneeled down and then plopped on the ground for a rest.

So on my three prior trips to South Africa, I don't believe I ever got a good photo of a Mongoose. This is my third species on this trip--a Slender Mongoose. Yay!!

Next Omega heard that there was a Leopard family (Mom, Dad, 2 Cubs) in the south part of Sabi Sands. We drove a long way and when we finally got to the male eating a Nyala in a tree, the mom and two cubs had left. Lucky we have such a good tracker. Joel had us go through some really heavy bush and spotted the mom and two-month old cubs. They were so camouflaged the cubs were hard to see.

Another beautiful sunset.

As usual, we started out bright and early this morning. We barely made it out of the lodge, when we came across this White Rhino. His horns are cut to keep poachers away. It's kind of sad to see the Rhino's with no horns, but it keeps them alive--that's the important thing.

Its back was full of these Red-Billed Oxpecker birds. I finally got a close-up of them.

We then came across a flock of Helmeted Guineafowl. Some of these roam the grounds of Inyati Lodge.

This Crowned Lapwing was in a field by the side of the road.

We saw lots of antelope and warthogs. Here's a female Kudu with a camel-type hump on her back.

The Mhangeni Pride (2 males, 3 females, 10 cubs) took down a Cape Buffalo early in the morning. This video shows the skin of the buffalo moving. That's because one of the cubs was inside eating who knows what (apparently the good stuff).

This is what the cubs looked like when they came out. Dripping wet.

Dad is taking a rest from chowing down.

Fairly close by was a Side-Striped Jackel. I'm sure it will be quite some time before the Lions leave and he can come in.

On the way back to the lodge we saw this wounded hippo walking cross the bush to get to this watering hole.

As we were watching the hippo, a herd of elephants came in for a drink.

You can hear the matriarch of this herd trumpeting in the first video.

As we were driving back to lodge, Omega explained how Rhino's mark their territory.

And we came upon one of my very favorite birds in Africa--the Lilac-Breasted Roller.

I love the Inyati Lodge!!