Day 2 started early. Theo was waking the troops at 5:30 AM. Coffee was available before departing, but breakfast would be a couple hours later. The sun was barely up as we traversed the first river. We soon began seeing wildlife: many different birds, hippos, monkeys.

The breakfast stop was beside a stream at the Nkuhlu picnic site where beautiful flowers abounded. Hippos could be seen at a distance.

While Katie was away from her place at the end of the table, a monkey took her yogurt and ran up the tree.

Ravens and hornbills were also scavengers.

We saw lots of impalas, probably the most common of the mammal in the park. Here are two males at a watering hole beside a bridge. The strongest of the males will keep a harem of twenty or so females. The remaining males travel together.

This warthog crossed the road in front of us.

Behind this impala stands a kudu.

Vultures were always at the ready, either sitting or soaring.

Our first elephants were traffic stoppers.

Hippos and crockodiles seem to co-exist.

Some of the plants were dramatic.

The variety of birds was impressive. This colorful roller was sitting at the edge of the road watching for insects.

Erin, Rebecca, Katie
Jennie, Adele, Heather

The southern ground hornbill doesn't win beauty contests.

Even though the temperatures now were about the coolest of the entire year (low 70's), the wildebeest still head for the shade when the sun gets high in the sky.

Zebras tend to stand together, opposite facing. One's tail keep the flies off the other's face as they watch for predators in different directions.

This crested barbet was at an overlook that was one of the few ventures outside the vans:

The giraffes became the favorite animals of many of us.

Note the wide range of sizes of these elephants.

Late in the day, on the way back to Skukuza, we came upon a pair of sable. Theo said that he had seen them about a week prior, but otherwise not in four years.

We were now getting a little concerned about arriving at the camp before the gates closed. Being outside the camp after gate closing is a serious violation. Driving at night can be a danger to both passengers and animals. The fine can be significant. We were well on our way when we came upon a VW van stopped in the road. Beside it was a lion lying on the road. We stopped and watched. It eventually got up and began to walk in our direction. Theo put the van in reverse and waited for it to come along side. Then he backed the van beside it so we could get pictures. The lion didn't even acknowledge our presence, even though we were nearly close enough to reach out and touch him.

While this was a thrill, we were now certain not to get back before the gate closed. The two guys in the van followed us. At one point an impala darted in front of us, requiring Theo to brake and reminding us of the dangers of night driving. Indeed when we got to the gate it was closed. The other vehicle stopped right behind us and the guys got out and went to the gate. They obviously knew the guards and we were soon inside without issue. As it turned out, the guys in the other vehicle intentionally followed us rather than taking the back way into Skukuza. One was manager of the restaurant/bar in what used to be the old train station. Our guess is that the gate guards might occasionally have visited the bar and so would be acquainted with our angel. So several of our party visited the restaurant for drinks prior to dinner. We're sure the drinks were far less costly than the fine would have been.

This had been a very good day.

Continue on to Safari Day 3

Return to South Africa