Part 1…Night game drive and bush braai didn’t disappoint….Cheetah Day!…

We couldn’t have had a more unexpected and spectacular time than we had yesterday on the game drive, which started around 3:30 in the afternoon and eventually ended at the boma for the bush braai. What began as an afternoon of hopeful anticipation turned into one of those memorable experiences that reminded us once again why we never tire of going on safari in Kruger National Park.

We have been on many game drives over the years, some with visiting family and friends, others on our own, and many with guides who have shared their knowledge and enthusiasm for the African bush. Our fun and entertaining guide, Jan, was no exception with his corny jokes and wildlife tips and quips. We enjoyed every moment.

Still, no matter how many times we go, there is always that sense of excitement as we enter the park. You simply never know what might be waiting around the next bend in the road, hidden in the grass, standing beneath a tree, or moving quietly through the bush.

Yesterday, it seemed that our safari luck was working overtime.

Before dinner, we had an amazing game drive filled with sightings that had all of us smiling and talking excitedly. There is something contagious about the thrill of spotting an animal you don’t often see, especially when everyone in the vehicle suddenly realizes at the same time what is unfolding before their eyes.

One of the most exciting sightings of the afternoon was a cheetah and her three cubs.

They were some distance away, so our photos are not as close or as clear as we might have liked, but that hardly mattered. We all managed to capture a few shots, and just seeing this beautiful mother and her cubs in the wild was a special experience. Today, we are sharing the first batch of photos from our incredible afternoon.

Cheetahs are always fascinating to see in Kruger National Park, partly because they are not the type of animal you encounter on every game drive. Unlike lions, which may spend much of the day resting in the shade, or elephants, which often move openly through the landscape, cheetahs can be more difficult to spot. Their slender bodies and golden coats, covered in small black spots, blend remarkably well into the dry grass and surrounding bush.

It was good to see her eyes open. She rarely closed them for a few seconds to nod off.

A mother cheetah with cubs is particularly interesting to watch. Cheetah mothers are devoted and attentive, but the cubs eventually need to learn how to survive on their own. During the early stages of their lives, the mother provides them with milk and protection, while later she begins teaching them the skills they will need to hunt and live independently.

The cubs learn by watching their mother closely. They observe how she moves through the grass, how she watches potential prey, and how patiently she waits for the right opportunity. Hunting is not simply a matter of running as fast as possible, although cheetahs are famous for being the fastest land animals on Earth. Their remarkable speed is generally used in short bursts, and a successful hunt requires careful stalking, timing, and the ability to get close enough before making that explosive final sprint.

For a mother with cubs, life in the bush is especially challenging. She must find enough food for herself while also protecting her young from predators. Lions, leopards, hyenas, and other dangers can pose a serious threat to young cheetahs. As a result, a mother must always be alert to what is happening around her.

Watching the mother and her three cubs, even from a distance, made us appreciate just how fortunate we were to see them together. There is something touching about observing the interaction between a wild mother and her offspring. The cubs may be curious, playful, and full of energy, while the mother remains watchful, aware that life in the African bush requires constant attention.

After such an exciting afternoon, it was time to head to the boma for the bush braai. The evening meal was delicious and beautifully prepared, with fresh salads, several meat entrees, tasty side dishes, wine, beer, and traditional South African desserts to finish.

For me, it was easy to find plenty to eat with the salads and meat, and Tom, Di, and Peter thoroughly enjoyed the food as well. After the excitement of the game drive, relaxing around the boma and sharing a wonderful meal felt like the perfect ending to an extraordinary day.

As we sat there, still talking about everything we had seen, we couldn’t stop smiling about our incredible safari luck. The afternoon had given us far more than we expected, and we have plenty of photos to share.

Over the next few days, we’ll continue posting some of the highlights from this unforgettable game drive. Today, we begin with the beautiful cheetah mother and her three cubs, a sighting that will remain one of the special memories of a day in Kruger National Park, when it seemed that around every corner there was another surprise waiting for us.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 28, 2016: