JNB-WDH

Well here we are at JNB airport sitting in the British Airways Galleries lounge having cheese and crackers and wine waiting for our flight to Namibia. Thank heavens for Michael's executive platinum status that gets us into such places. It is the only way to travel.
We are really looking forward to seeing Namibia, but cannot leave South Africa without a few last comments about our stay here. Last night's game drive started out comfortably warm but as boring as seeing 4-5 zebras again and again can be after days of game drives. Then as the sun was going down and it was just getting chilly again and we were getting a bit frustrated, what shows up right by the side of the road but a young female leopard (pictures to follow) clearly intent on something in the grass on the opposite side of the road. So she sat there staring across right in front of us forever.
We were apparently really spoiled at Sabi Sabi last year where the leopards are, by all accounts, very habituated to the vehicles and where we had wild dogs conveniently treeing the leopards for our viewing please. It seems that in the rest of the world, leopard sightings are usually so brief (more like the other day) that rangers hardly ever call them in because the cat will undoubtedly be gone by the time anyone else gets there. I swear that for me watching a leopard is every bit as mesmerizing as sitting in the Cistine Chapel or staring at the David. I could have stayed for hours, but we had to be polite eventually and move on for others to get a chance to see her. But she gave us a fabulous last drive in Welgevonden.
Last night turkey dinner in honor of Jon Dill's birthday today. Reluctant goodbyes to friends, new and old. And then an early departure via transport to JNB this morning.
Always sad to leave but always sad to arrive someplace new. More later.

Last day in South Africa

Michael is off with the group right now buying packing tape and such to bundle up his latest purchases for travel tomorrow.
I am staying here at the Lodge for a couple hours of "me" time doing laundry and organizing things for packing.
The good news is that the sun seems to be coming out. The last day and a half have been very cold out on the game drives so it will be nice if this evening's foray could be a bit more pleasant and provide a little more viewing. Last night we did have a rhino "nudge" the car, and came across our two male lions again. And this morning we had to cut our coffee break short because the hippos were coming across the pond towards us. But it would be nice to find the lion cubs or another leopard this evening. Hopefully they will as desperate as we are to enjoy the warmth.
Tomorrow morning off early to JNB to fly to Windhoek, Namibia.
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Way to go Melody

Headed back to the lodge looking forward to shelter, warmth and coffee, we were all chatting while Melody, bless her heart, was still scouring the hillsides looking for animals. And what to her wandering eyes should appear but a leopard, yes a leopard, sprawled out on a rock 100 yards or more away. Amazing. Even more amazing because it elected to come down off the rock, through the grass and down and across the road right in front of us. Stunning. So a great drive after all.
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cheetah

We were out this morning on a cold, overcast and blustery day getting a little frustrated with the fact that the animals were apparently not interested in braving the elements to make our acquaintance when we got word of a cheetah with a kill just a ways south of us.
So we high-tailed it on down there hoping to see her before some larger predator stole it from her. She had dragged the antelope a little ways away near a bush so that when she'd lay down we couldn't hardly see her. But when she'd pop up to survey her surroundings, she was beautiful. There are only three cheetahs known to be in the park so we feel very fortunate.
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Here's an easy one.

For those of you who didn't correctly identify the mystery animal from our night drive as a spotted hyena in pitch blackness, this is an easy one.
We've seen lots of elephants here - in small groups and in large groups. Nursing babies and jousting males alike.
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Still on safari

Day three at Hlegamanzi in Welgevonden. Had two very long game drives yesterday and ate out on the plains for dinner not getting home until 11:30PM last night. Off again at 6:30AM. Back for breakfast then immediately into town for shopping: two masks, one serving spoon, one wire and beaded lion, one spear and some little things. Back for lunch and just now stealing a few moments to write.
The Lodge is stunning. The area is spectacular. The food is good and plentiful. And Jon and Melody are gracious hosts.
Altogether having a great few days here.
More later. Gotta go search for leopards.

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Simba.jpg

Howdy from Welgevonden.
Arrived yesterday afternoon and have been on two game drives and eaten about 6 times.
Seen a lot of animals already. This lion was about 6ft away as I snapped away.
Heading out again.

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