Kruger National Park

We left Johannesburg very early on August 28 for the 528 km drive to Kruger National Park. With stops it was a long trip and we finally arrived early afternoon, just in time to quickly eat a pre ordered lunch and head out on the first game drive - a sunset safari on a private reserve. We managed to see a few animals and enjoyed a beautiful sunset (and rising moon that I missed) and got back to our lodge during a very cold and windy drive.

Days 2 and 3 started with full day safaris with breakfast and coffee starting at 5 am. But it was worth it! We saw so many animals and they were all amazing. The highlight had to be the big elephant crossing in front of us and clearly keeping eyes on the vehicle! Lions, leopards, giraffes, impalas, wildebeest, zebra, kudu and some I don’t remember were spotted and in some cases in large numbers. A great day Another early start from the lodge to be at Kruger for the 6 am game drive and a chance to catch what we had missed - Big 5, Shy 5, Ugly 5 - we managed to see many.

The darn rhino escaped our viewing. But we made up for it with a fabulous lion performance. We first caught a large group lounging under a tree. The female away to meet the others that had crossed the road. After a lengthy greeting they meet the younger ones. The fun was just beginning as we watched them in a distance set the motions in place to trap and kill a wilder rest. We eventually left but apparently they got dinner after we left.

Our lodge was lovely with several painted huts for lodging. Inside a bit rustic but charming 

 Our final day at Kruger involved another early star for those who wanted it but this time we did a bush walk around the property to see some interesting trees and small 5 - in particular we saw the work or the anti lion and termites. Unfortunately those pictures won’t upload.