Day 7…Kruger National Park…Birds in the park with our photos…Exciting experience last night…Thermal Game Drive…

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It’s always challenging to photograph a hippo with its mouth open. This was safari luck!

Although we aren’t avid bird watchers, we enjoy seeing some of the many species of birds in Marloth Park and Kruger National Park. We see many interesting species while stopping at Sunset Dam in Lower Sabie.

How Many Types of Birds Are in Kruger National Park?

A Cape Buffalo on the shore of Sunset Dam in Lower Sabie. Also, another yellow-billed stork is standing on the back of a submerged hippo.

When people think of Kruger National Park in South Africa, they often picture lions lounging under acacia trees, herds of elephants crossing dusty roads, or leopards draped over branches. But there’s another world in Kruger that’s lighter, faster, and more colorful — the world of birds.

A spoon-billed stork.

Kruger National Park is home to an astonishing 500 bird species. That’s right—within its 19,485 square kilometers (7,523 square miles), Kruger holds one of the richest bird diversities on the African continent. This vibrant collection of feathered creatures includes everything from massive eagles to tiny sunbirds, offering a full spectrum of colors, shapes, and sounds.

Of those 500 species, about 253 are permanent residents. You can spot these birds year-round, no matter when you visit. The remaining species are either migratory — flying in from Europe, Asia, or other parts of Africa during certain seasons — or nomadic, moving based on the availability of food and water.

Another view of the spoon-billed stork.

The sheer variety is breathtaking. You might see a lilac-breasted roller flashing its iridescent wings as it swoops to catch insects, or a martial eagle surveying the savannah from high above. In the riverine forests, if you’re lucky and very quiet, you might even spot the elusive pel’s fishing owl, a bird so secretive that finding it feels like winning a prize.

More spoon-billed storks.

Among Kruger’s many bird species, a few stand out so much that they’ve earned a special title: the Big Six Birds. Modeled after the famous Big Five mammals (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo), the Big Six Birds include:

  • Lappet-faced vulture: The largest vulture species in Africa, with a wingspan reaching up to 2.9 meters (over 9 feet).

  • Martial eagle: A powerful bird of prey known for its strength and sharp eyesight.

  • Saddle-billed stork: A striking wading bird, unmistakable with its bright red and black bill and towering height.

  • Kori bustard: One of the heaviest flying birds in the world, often seen solemnly striding across open areas.

  • Southern ground hornbill: A large, charismatic bird that spends most of its time walking the ground, foraging for insects and reptiles.

  • Pel’s fishing owl: The mysterious, nocturnal hunter, usually found near large bodies of water.

Black-winged stilt

Each bird species contributes its thread to Kruger’s life fabric. The park’s diverse habitats — from dense riverine forests to open grasslands and thorny bushveld — create countless niches where different birds can thrive. Whether it’s the acrobatic swoop of a bee-eater catching a dragonfly mid-air or the solemn flight of a heron skimming over a dam, every moment feels alive with movement.

An Egyptian goose at Sunset Dam.

Visiting Kruger during the summer months (October to March) can be especially rewarding for birdwatchers. Many migratory species have arrived to breed during this time, and the park pulses with even more energy. Birds wear their brightest breeding plumage, and their calls fill the air from before dawn until long after sunset.

A Cape buffalo with numerous oxpeckers on its hide.

Birdwatching in Kruger isn’t just about spotting species to tick off a list, though many enthusiasts enjoy that aspect. It’s about slowing down and tuning into a world that’s always there but easy to miss. It’s about noticing the tiny weavers meticulously building nests, the stealthy herons poised at the water’s edge, or the flash of a kingfisher darting like a jewel across a river.

In short, Kruger National Park is not just a paradise for the “big” wildlife seekers; it’s equally a treasure trove for bird lovers. With around 500 species filling the skies, trees, rivers, and bushveld, the park offers an endlessly rewarding experience for anyone willing to look a little closer and listen a little longer. Every visit holds the promise of a new feathered friend to discover.

Lots of hippos.

Last night, we went with resident Rodger on his Thermal Game Drive in Marloth Park. Rodger is sending me a few videos of what we saw. Once we receive them, we’ll post the videos and our photos. It was a fascinating experience we’re anxious to share.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 17, 2015:

A lone female was stopping for a drink. The edge of the open vehicle is shown in this photo, illustrating how close we were to her. For more photos, please click here.

Day 6…Kruger National Park…More photos…

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What a magnificent animal!

Following are the top ten facts about elephants, along with more elephant information:

Elephants are fascinating creatures with many remarkable characteristics. Here are 10 amazing facts about them:
1. They are the largest land animals: Elephants are the largest land mammals on Earth, with African elephants being the largest.
2. They have incredible memory: Elephants have an impressive memory, known for remembering specific locations and recognizing individuals after long periods.
Some elephants were alone, but most were in small family units and big “parades.”

3. They communicate with vibrations: Elephants communicate not only through sounds but also through vibrations in the ground, allowing them to communicate over long distances.
4. Their trunks are incredibly versatile: An elephant’s trunk is not just a nose but also a hand, mouth, and breathing tool for smelling, drinking, bathing, and more.

This parade started crossing the road.

5. They have the longest pregnancy: Female elephants have the longest pregnancy of any mammal, lasting around 22 months.
6. Their skin is incredibly thick: Elephant skin is thick, often 2.5cm, and folds to retain more water, helping them cool down in the heat.

Some tourists were impatient, trying to maneuver their way around the big beasts, which is dangerous. An elephant can flip a car in a few seconds.

7. They are excellent swimmers: Despite their size, elephants are good swimmers, using their trunks as snorkels.
8. They are extremely intelligent: Elephants are considered one of the most intelligent animals on Earth, capable of self-awareness and recognizing themselves in a mirror.

We waited patiently for them to clear the road before we continued.

9. They have a keen sense of smell: Elephants have a remarkable sense of smell, allowing them to detect water sources up to 12 miles away.
10. They can’t jump: A fascinating fact is that elephants, despite their robust build, cannot jump.

It’s always exciting to see the much larger matriarch who leads the way for the others.

African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth and are known for their intelligence, strong social bonds, and iconic physical features like their large ears and tusks. There are two main species:

  1. African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) – Found in grassy plains and woodlands across sub-Saharan Africa. They are the larger of the two species and have curved tusks and large, fan-shaped ears that help them stay cool.

  2. African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) – Smaller, with straighter tusks and more rounded ears. They live in the dense rainforests of Central and West Africa and were only recently recognized as a separate species due to genetic differences.

There were numerous occasions when they crossed the road.

Some cool facts:

  • Matriarchal societies: Elephant herds are led by the oldest female, the matriarch. She’s like a wise grandma who remembers migration routes and watering holes.

  • Communication: They use rumbles and infrasound to communicate over long distances—sometimes even miles apart.

  • Memory and emotion: “An elephant never forgets” isn’t just a saying. They’re known to mourn their dead and show empathy.
We spotted a yellow-billed stork at Sunset Dam.

Sadly, they’re also under threat. Poaching for ivory, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict have caused a decline in their numbers, especially for forest elephants. Conservation efforts are ongoing, with national parks, anti-poaching laws, and international wildlife protections in place—but challenges remain.

This was one of the few photos we could take of Cape Buffalos, one of the Big Five.

We continue to enjoy trips to Kruger with our friend Lisa at least once a week after she leaves on May 1. It’s been such a joy sharing this stunning bush lifestyle with her.

Last night, we attended Quiz Night at Giraffe for another excellent evening. Kathy, Don, Connie, and Sandra joined us. We didn’t win but came in fifth of 12 groups. There were 64 players for the night, a massive group for this fun event.

We couldn’t believe how many elephants we saw in Kruger.

Soon, Tom will drop Lisa and me off at the Imbewe Spa for a pedicure for me and a massage for her. We booked the Thermal Game Drive for tonight at 7:00 pm, but we’ll have to change the date if the rain continues since the roads are so much worse in Marloth Park in the rain.

Bats were in the thatch rafters at the Mugg & Bean in Lower Sabie.

That’s it for today, dear readers. Hoping all is good with you.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 16, 2015:

In Kauai, spotting these yellow-tipped stamen on this Anthurium was a first for us. For more photos, please click here.

Day 5…Kruger National Park…We’re back from another game drive…

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Last week, we spotted a lion with a Cape buffalo kill on the guided game drive.

Here are some facts about Kruger National Park we’d yet to share:

Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s most iconic and expansive wildlife reserves. Located in northeastern South Africa, it spans the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga and covers nearly 20,000 square kilometers (7,700 square miles)—roughly the size of Israel or New Jersey. It’s a major bucket-list destination for nature lovers, safari-goers, photographers, and anyone seeking a wild, immersive experience in the African bush.

With the dense bush, taking photos was tricky.

Highlights of Kruger National Park:

1. The Big Five:
Kruger is one of the best places in the world to see the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—in their natural habitat. Spotting all five in one trip is common if you’re lucky and spend a few days exploring. There are no rhinos in the areas we visit on our safaris. At some point, we’ll drive further north to spot rhinos in a protected area to avoid poachers.

A “parade” of elephants crosses the paved road.

2. Biodiversity:
The park is home to an astonishing diversity of life:

  • 500+ bird species

  • 140+ mammal species

  • 100+ reptile species

  • Countless plant and tree varieties

3. Self-Drive Safaris:
Unlike many other parks in Africa, Kruger is self-drive-friendly. You can rent a car, grab a map, and set out on your game drive. It’s safe, relatively easy, and gives you total freedom over your safari adventure. We make a point of embarking on a self-drive in Kruger once a week. We prefer self-drive to guided safaris since we can tour at our own pace. We often arrange a guided safari for the extra experience when guests visit.

It’s always exciting to see elephants cross a road.

4. Accommodations for All Budgets:
From luxury lodges like Singita and Royal Malewane to SANParks rest camps (like Skukuza, Satara, and Lower Sabie), there’s something for every budget and travel style. Many rest camps even have shops, restaurants, and guided game drives. Since we have such a lovely holiday home in Marloth Park, we don’t see a reason to pay for the rest of the accommodations in Kruger.

The females always protect the calves.

5. Night and Guided Walk Safaris:
Beyond daytime game drives, Kruger also offers night safaris and guided bush walks—incredible ways to see nocturnal wildlife and learn about smaller animals, insects, and plants you’d probably miss otherwise. We are going on a Thermal Night Drive in Marloth Park tomorrow night.

A lone elephant, perhaps searching for the family.

6. Nearby Attractions:
While Kruger could easily fill a trip, it’s also close to scenic areas like the Panorama Route, featuring Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes, all of which we previously visited.

We must keep our distance from large male bulls who can easily charge a vehicle and tip it over.

The three of us are going to Quiz Night at Giraffe Pub and Grill tonight. At 5:30, friends Kathy and Don, her sister Connie, and Don’s cousin Sandra will join us for dinner and to play the game. It should be extra fun with our friends.

Have a fantastic Tuesday!

Be well.

Photos from ten years ago today, April 15, 2015:

In Kauai, the sun is waning on a less cloudy evening. For more photos, please click here.

Lucerne Day in the bush…

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We laughed all day at their stuffed mouths as they devoured the lucerne.

It was a fantastic day as the three of us were mesmerized by the steady stream of wildlife coming to partake in the treat we provided. Daisy’s Den delivered two bags of pellets and the lucerne yesterday morning. A bale of hay costs ZAR 265, US $13.85, delivered, and was well worth the day’s enjoyment for each of us.

The wildlife visited all day to dig into the lucerne (hay) we had delivered by Daisy’s Den.

Of course, while Lisa is still here and thereafter, we will continue to buy the hay for the days we don’t have much to do and plan to stay at the house most of the day. The excitement of the lucerne seems to last only for a day when it’s first delivered. From there, the volume of the spread-out hay diminishes by the hour as wildlife breaks down the volume in the pile.

Zoom in to see a piglet lying down and eating.

After a full day of sitting on the veranda, by 4:45 pm, we were freshened up and ready to head to Jabula for our 5:00 pm reservations at the Cheers-like bar for drinks, food, and an endless stream of guests, some we knew and some we were yet to meet.

It was fun to see Lisa having such a good time. It’s been easy having her here. She’s a delightful house guest who is easygoing without annoying quirks and possesses a passion for everything she sees and everything we do. Her lovely personality has made meeting our friends and others delightful for them and her.

Even Bossy was in on the action.

It will be disappointing to see her go in 2½ weeks. As always, we’ll return to our usual routine of entertaining ourselves as we revel in the special aspect of living in Marloth Park, close to Kruger National Park and the entertainment resources nearby.

Last night, Jabula was another fun fest, as usual. The lively and animated conversation swirled around at the bar as we enjoyed our drinks and, eventually, our dinner while chatting with others surrounding us.

Norman was having a good time eating the lucerne. All the animals got along in the pile of hay.

Once we returned to the house around 9:00 pm, we all sat outside on the veranda, thoroughly entertained by a thick-tailed bushbaby making sounds we’d never heard in the past. We used a spotlight to see it in a tree and wondered why it was making so much noise.

When we wandered to bed after 10:00 pm, the bushbaby was still screeching while we wondered what it was all about. About 20 minutes after we went to bed, the noise stopped, and we could get to sleep.

Norman, Nina, and some of their kids and grandkids joined in.

It’s been a busy morning with many visitors stopping by. As soon as I upload today’s post, we’ll head to Komatipoort for grocery shopping. Leon is coming for dinner tonight, arriving around 3:00 pm today.

Have a great Sunday. We may not post tomorrow since we are going to Kruger National Park in the morning.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 13, 2015:

In Kauai, check out the clouds in the mountains. For more photos, please click here.

Day 4, Kruger National Park…Guided game drive…Another fantastic evening at Jabula…

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“What the heck? I’m standing on a hippo!” says the yellow-billed stork, “I thought it was a rock.”

This morning, Daisy’s Den delivered two bags of game pellets and a bale of lucerne:

“Lucerne, also known as alfalfa, is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the legume family (Fabaceae). It’s a highly nutritious forage crop used to feed livestock and is also known for improving soil fertility by fixing nitrogen in the soil.”

The animals are gathered around the broken-down bale and having the time of their lives. They are all getting along well and enjoying chomping. Tomorrow, we’ll share some photos we’ve taken today of their hilarious antics while eating the lucerne.

We’d planned to go to Komatipoort to buy a few groceries, but now that the lucerne was here, we didn’t want to leave and miss the opportunity to see the animals gathering around the bale. It’s such fun to watch them devour this great source of nutrition.

The yellow-billed stork seemed content, standing on the back of the hippo.

Norman just arrived, but Big Daddy is busy at the bale, and Norman gets all fluffed up to illustrate his dominance. Tom gets the squirt gun and sends Big Daddy away since he’s had plenty to eat. Now Nina and the kids and grandkids are here, and they are making their way toward the bale. Hopefully, the entire family will have an opportunity to dine together.

Four warthogs arrived and are also working in the bale. It’s been quite an eventful day in the garden, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share this excitement with Lisa.

Leader of the troop of the baboons.

Speaking of sharing the excitement with Lisa last evening, we had a spectacular time at Jabula. We hung out with Leon, Fritz, and other people we knew and met some new people. The evening was festive and entertaining, with lively music on their sound system and YouTube videos accompanying the songs on the TV monitor.

The evening was perfect. The food was exceptional, as always, and the staff and manager, Corrine, provided excellent service. Dawn had gone to Joburg to visit her daughters.

This marula tree was eaten on the underside by giraffes.

Yesterday morning, we headed to Kathy and Don’s house to visit and drop off a bag of pellets for them. It was delightful seeing them, their sister Connie, and their cousin Sandra. On Tuesday night, they’ll join us for dinner and Quiz Night at Giraffe for our new team, Smarty Pants. That should be fun!

A lone elephant grazing on vegetation. Elephants can eat a significant amount, typically between 150 and 300 kilograms (330 to 660 pounds) of food daily. They may spend up to 16 hours a day eating, and their diet consists of various vegetation like grasses, plants, bushes, fruit, twigs, tree bark, and roots.

Today is a lazy day; tonight, we’ll head back to Jabula for dinner again. We have a busy week ahead and look forward to another excellent week.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 12, 2015:

The Jackfruit is known for its health benefits. See this link for nutritional details. For more photos, please click here.

A glorious evening in the bush…Back to Kruger photos tomorrow…

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We call this type of sunset photo the “Eyes of God.” Amazing!

Last night, we had a wonderful time at Lefera Restaurant at Ngwenya Resort, a few kilometers outside Marloth Park. We sat on the veranda having sundowners, and at 6:00 pm, we went indoors to their dining room to have the buffet dinner.

Sunset on the veranda at Ngwenya.

I was disappointed that I had forgotten to bring the camera, as the views of the river were spectacular. Here are a few photos.

It’s unbelievable that the all-you-can-eat buffet is priced at only ZAR 200, USD $10.35. Tom hosted the dinner for the five of us, and the total bill, including drinks, tax, and tips, was only ZAR 1548.65, US $80.16, averaging ZAR 309.69,  US $16.03.

The ambiance on the veranda, overlooking the Crocodile River with many animal sightings, was superb, and the service was impeccable. The food on the buffet was top-notch, and we all enjoyed hefty plates of delicious meats, vegetables, salads, and other side dishes.

Our friend Lisa, enjoying a tropical drink at Ngwenya last night.

I enjoyed the desserts, including a local favorite, Malva pudding, and another sweet and creamy concoction. I took a small taste of each and swooned with delight. But I had to stop for my health and commitment to losing weight, which is going well but slower after a month of working on it.

Here is another photo from the veranda last night at Ngwenya.

Sweets are not included in my diet unless I bake something suitable using keto sweeteners, almond, and coconut flours that don’t raise my blood sugar.

Soon, we are leaving to bring a bag of pellets to Kathy and Don’s home on the river. We wanted Lisa to meet them and to see them again for a few minutes.

We’ve had a lot of visitors this morning, including about 60 mongooses, six kudus, Mac, the impala, and a friend, Norman’s family without him, several bushbucks, and much to our delight, finally, two funny hornbills with their delightful antics. The bush sounds were outstanding this morning; we all reveled in the majestic environment.

That’s it for today, folks. We hope you enjoy your weekend. We sure will!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 11, 2015:

In Kauai, I squealed when I spotted this gorgeous Rhododendron at the Princeville Botanical Gardens. For more photos, please click here.

Day 3, Kruger National Park…Guided game drive…Leopard day…excellent night game drive and dinner…

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Of course, the leopard was seen at quite a distance in a tree, which hampered the photos’ quality.

As mentioned earlier, seeing the Big Five is unlikely in this area since the rhinos have been moved further north to more protected areas. Poaching has caused the obliteration of tens of thousands of rhinos in South Africa for many years.

Leopard loungin in the tree.

Here’s a chart with rhino poaching statistics from this site:

South Africa: A rhino poaching hotspot

Chart showing rhinos poached in South Africa 2006 - 2024

As a result of moving the rhinos, the likelihood of seeing The Big Five in this area is slim to none. The Big Five are described as follows:

“The Big Five refers to African lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and Cape buffalo. Today, the phrase is usually used to market safaris, but it was first coined by big-game hunters more than 100 years ago.”

When sharing a vehicle with other passengers, we can’t sit as long as I’d like to get good shots, as the leopard frequently moves on the tree.

Thus, spotting four of The Big Five, except the rhino, on our morning drive on Monday was quite a thrill to share with Lisa and a joy for Tom and me. But, it isn’t so much about The Big Five as the experience of being in the park and the sightings of many other species, which we’ll continue to share over the next several days, including photos from last night’s night drive and dinner in the bush.

The heaviest wild leopard in Southern Africa weighed around 96 kg (212 lb) and measured 262 cm (103 in).

Today, we only have to run to the ATM at the Bush Centre, and tonight, we’re taking Louise and Danie out to dinner with us in Ngwenya for the Thursday evening buffet. It’s hard to believe the cost of their “all-you-can buffet” is only ZAR 200, US $10.30! Amazing!

The heaviest wild leopard in Southern Africa weighed around 96 kg (212 lb) and measured 262 cm (103 in).

We’ll be at Jabula tomorrow and Saturday evenings, so I won’t cook again until Sunday and Monday. It’s fun being so busy with so many activities.

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll be back tomorrow with more photos of our adventures.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 10, 2015:

These Angel Trumpets at the Princeville Botanical Gardens are known to be hallucinogenic and abused by some who partake in its effects. We’d seen these flowers in Madeira, Portugal, and had no idea their drug-like properties. For more photos, please click here.

Day 2, Kruger National Park…Guided game drive…Very cloudy day…Excellent evening at Quiz Night!…

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We love it when elephants cross the road!

Note: Sorry about our photos not being clear. Humidity has destroyed our camera and cannot be restored. We will purchase a new camera when we return to the US in May/June.

We certainly had a great time at Quiz Night last night. The three of us went to Giraffe Pub and Grill for dinner, followed by 2½ hours of playing the trivia game. Our table of six included us and Marco, Patty Pan, and Sidney.

A young elephant, alone in the bush.

We didn’t win, but we had a fantastic time. I now see why Tom had such a good time a week ago when he went without me, and I stayed behind, slightly under the weather. When he returned, he raved about how enjoyable it was, and last night, Lisa and I could see why.

Giraffes at a distance.

I sat next to Patty Pan, whom we’ve known since first visiting Marloth Park in 2013. We had a good time chatting and giggling during the game. She is an Honorary Ranger in Marloth Park and works hard, taking her position seriously.

An oxpecker on the neck of a giraffe, eating bugs and ticks.

While there, we ran into a few couples we knew, and it was nice to chat with them during the breaks. After reading our posts, one of the couples came here a few years ago and eventually purchased a home, staying here most of the year. They bought a beautiful house that doubles as a lodge, enabling them to rent a portion of the house while they are away.

Today at 3:00 pm, a safari vehicle will pick us up for an evening game drive followed by a bush braai in Kruger National Park. Tom and I have done this several times and thoroughly enjoyed it each time. Searching for and hopefully finding nocturnal animals in the park is quite an adventure, and we’re excited to share it with Lisa.

A hadeda bird.

The food at the braai will offer some meat I can eat, vegetables and salad. South African dishes are often starchy with added sugars, so I will carefully choose what I will eat, ensuring I stay within the parameters of my way of eating.

In the interim, the three of us are seated at the big table on the veranda, enjoying the wildlife stopping by and an endless stream of lively conversations. It couldn’t be more enjoyable.

A lone giraffe.

We’ll dine in tomorrow night, and then it’s the weekend for two more nights at Jabula. We are loving how busy we are and look forward to more activities.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 9, 2015:

This adorable pair of Northern Cardinals visits us several times each day. He’s sharing the nuts that we leave on the railing with her. How sweet is this! For more photos, please click here.

Day 1, Kruger National Park…Guided game drive…Very cloudy day…

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This scene at sunrise prompted us to take photos.

Being ready to head out the door to the safari vehicle at 5:00 am was a bit challenging. Still, the three of us managed to be prepared to go when Martin, our Kruger guide, arrived in the 10-person safari vehicle with two other guests already in tow.

We were concerned that in a 10-person vehicle, one or two of us may be stuck in the middle of three seats across and unable to take photos easily. As it turned out, there were only five of us. Lisa and I sat in one seat with Tom alone in front of us. We’d have no problem taking photos from our prime positions in the tiered seating game drive vehicle.

What’s the difference between a black-headed vulture and a red-headed vulture? But once again, they found that hemoglobin — and not carotenoids — is the main pigment responsible for the red coloration of the turkey vulture’s head skin, whilst eumelanin is the source for the coloration of the black vulture’s black head skin.

Since it was so early in the morning, the 20-minute drive to the Crocodile Bridge Gate was windy and cool. We’d all bundled up in layers and wore hats, and the time passed quickly while we were cool in the early morning temperatures.

Once we arrived at the gate, the guided safari vehicles were first in line, while tourists self-driving were in another row. By 6:30, we were processed and heading into the park. We used our Wild Card annual pass, and Lisa purchased a single-entry pass. Louise had arranged the guided tour at Marloth Park Info Centre for the six-hour morning game drive at the cost of ZAR 980, US $50.33.

Vultures only eat dead meat. They do not hunt for live wildlife.

Although we saw four of The Big Five with no rhinos in the areas we traveled since they’ve all been moved for safety reasons (to avoid poaching), we didn’t see a tremendous number of animals, not as many as we often see when we do a self-drive.

However, the sightings that Martin pursued after communicating with other drivers were worth the long distances we drove to specific locations. There, we saw the elusive leopard and, later, further away, male and female lions with a Cape buffalo kill.

Vultures are often seen in dead trees because the sturdy, leafless branches provide stable perches, unobstructed views, and a safe place to roost, especially for scavenging birds with flat, chicken-like feet.

We spent most of the six hours racing in the bouncing vehicle. My Fitbit registers the bouncing as if it were steps. At the end of the six hours, my watch registered almost 6000 steps when we only walked from the parking lot where Martin parked the vehicle to the Mugg & Bean restaurant in Lower Sabie, where Lisa and I had an early lunch. Tom wasn’t hungry and didn’t order.

An hour later, we were back on the road, with multiple elephant sightings in the process, as we returned to the Crocodile Bridge, where our six-hour tour was ending.

Spotting elephants in the wild is always an extraordinary experience.

We generously tipped Martin for a good day and were anxious to get in the house to review our photos. Later, we had a lovely dinner, and we all headed to bed early to make up for lost sleep. For the first time since we arrived, I slept well for over eight hours, woke up refreshed, and was ready for a new day.

The three of us are seated at the table on the veranda using our laptops. Tom is listening to podcasts using his earbuds, and Lisa and I are working on our respective websites, posting photos and information about our safari day. Here’s the link to Lisa’s site.

This is a younger elephant whose tusks are continuing to grow.

Tonight, the three of us are going to Girafe Bar & Grill for dinner and then “quiz night,” a three-hour group trivia game with many other locals and tourists in attendance. The locals take this game very seriously, so it should be fun.

We’ll add the remainder of our many photos over the next several days. Please check back.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 8, 2015

A juice bar on wheels in Hanalei, Kauai. For more photos, please click here.

A lazy Sunday with lots of activities planned for the upcoming week…

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Mac was unhappy that another male impala came into the garden, “This is my house,” he says.

Shortly before we headed out the door last night for Jabula, Norman, Nina, and four of their kids and grandkids stopped by. It was Lisa’s first opportunity to see Norman and his family. We squealed with delight while I cut up carrots and apples for them. It was such a pleasure to show our friend my favorite animal.

We left for dinner a short time later, having another great evening at our favorite restaurant. We sat at the bar, engaging with manager Corrine and various guests who stopped by for drinks and dinner. As always, the food was exceptional, the service was spot-on, and the ambiance was its usual charming African decor and appeal.

A zebra was drinking from the pool.

Yesterday morning, we visited Louise and Danie at their Marloth Park Information Centre down the road from us to talk to her about a few activities we’d like to book while Lisa is here.

We jammed-packed these events since the school holidays and Easter week are coming, and everything will be booked. Here’s our week ahead, including the following:

  • Monday, 5:00 am: A safari vehicle for ten guests will pick us up at our house to commence a guided six-hour safari/game drive in Kruger National Park. We won’t be posting tomorrow since we’ll be busy working with the hundreds of photos we expect to take on our safari. However, we will post the remainder of the week, sharing our Kruger photos.
  • Tuesday, 4:30 pm: Heading to Giraffe Bar and Grill for dinner, followed by an evening of “Quiz Night.”
  • Wednesday, 3:00 pm: We’ll be picked up by a guide with a safari vehicle for an afternoon and evening game drive. We’ll enjoy the evening game drive with hopes of spotting nocturnal wildlife, followed by “Dinner in the Bush” outdoors, surrounded by wildlife in Kruger National Park.

  • Big Daddy.

  • Thursday, all day and evening: Spend the day and evening at the house with visiting wildlife, cooking on the braai, and savoring the peace and quiet of bush living.
  • Friday: Drive through Marloth Park in search of wildlife; 4:45 pm, head to Jabula for drinks and dinner.
  • Saturday, 4:45 pm, head to Jabula for drinks and dinner.
Multiple species in the garden.

It will be a fun week, and we’re looking forward to all of the events, especially sharing it with our friend Lisa, who’s loving every moment.

Once we’ve done the guided game drives, we’ll begin going into Kruger on self-drives a few times each week, stopping at the Mugg and Bean and the fabulous gift shop in Lower Sabie.

Soon, I’ll start prepping dinner. Tonight, Tom will have stir-fry leftovers from Wednesday, which we’d froze and defrosted in the refrigerator, and Lisa and I will have hake on the braai. We’ll have fresh buttered green beans, Greek salad, and keto lemon poppyseed muffins.

Young male bushbuck.

It’s overcast today, pleasantly cool and comfortable. We’re doing laundry, but the clothes won’t dry for days with the high humidity. At night, Tom will haul the laundry rack indoors, where we’ll leave it while we’re on safari in the morning. This way, we can ensure that monkeys or baboons don’t take our clothes.

Have a wonderful Sunday, wherever you may be. We send love and good wishes.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 6, 2015:

This is the only health food store within a half-hour drive, Healthy Hut. The inventory is abundant with fresh, locally grown organic produce, grass-fed meats, free-range chickens and eggs, and food and health supplies one would find in a much larger location in a big city. Pricey? Yep! For more photos, please click here.