So. Africa: Summer '07
Africa Wild 2007 - Chris's latest photographic safari to South Africa.
A day of action
3rd August 2007
Perhaps our best day in the Kruger, so far. We head from Lower Sabie on the long drive north to Oliphants and are amazed as we are joined en-route by a pride of lions - three females and three cubs. They walk alongside our 4x4 for around 2KM before disappearing into the bush, heading for the river and a well-earned drink. Around Oliphants we encounter an angry hippo, who lets us know his displeasure at our presence. Water splashes everywhere. Then, just as we're about to head back, a large male leopard leaps from a tree and walks within 6 feet of our vehicle, lit by the glorious evening light. Spectacular! We've done the Big 5.
Tuskers
4th August 2007
Oliphants is a camp appropriately named. As we drive around the tracks and roads of the surrounding area we encounter several Tuskers, elephants with tusks that extend between 1.5 - 2 meters. These are second generation tuskers - the heart and soul of the Kruger Park. Elsewhere, through the dense bushes, we spot lions on a zebra kill, and a lone, young hyena just feet from our eager cameras.
Paws for thought
5th August 2007
Kruger is being kind to us on the big cat front. Early afternoon we spot a pair of mating lions, with a voyeuristic companion. Later, and close by, we find a leopard asleep in large tree, about 50 yards from the road. It's a great way to begin the end of our Kruger stay.
Savannah watching
8th August 2007
Our first full day at the private game reserve, near Kruger. We find savannah, the wild but friendly cheetah, on the fenceline. She follows us back into the bush and the photography is awesome. It's a real privilege to be so close to such a powerful animal. Night time is interupted by a flurry of spiked quills ... porcupine have taken over the kitchen food dump and wrestle with jackal for the leftover scraps!
Final flourish
9th August 2007
Our last full day in South Africa, so we make the most of it with an early rise. We head out looking for rhino, elephant and lion, among others. We spot the lions resting under a bush, seemingly full after a kill the previous night. Lunch is interupted by a close encounter with a crocodile, and we finally get a good sighting of the elephant herd late in the day. Camera shutters are beginning to graon under the strain of so many exposures! The evening brings a surprise ... a birthday cake and a chorus of happy birthday - to celebrate the beginning of my 30-10th year!
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