Antarctica & Cape to Cape on Cloud 2-21-24

[highplanesdrifters]

Afternoon Drive 

It's Rhino time!

 

Dung Beetle

He rolls this ball of dung, finds a lady, then fills it with eggs. They hatch and live off the ball.  Cool.

 

 

We need to cross the river.

 

 

On the catwalk posing.

 

 

A quick spin by a Leopard spot. 

He's got his kill stored up in the tree.

 

 

Whoa! Look at him, those eyes.

 

 

Those teeth.

 

 

And.....food Coma.

 

 

 

 

Back to Rhino time.  This is a Rhino Midden.  Alpha male defecate there.  Other males defecate nearby to say...."we're cool, just passing by".  If he defecates in the Midden, It's game on.

 

 

We bushwacked for 30 minutes. Turned a corner and presto. Looking at us like, ha ha here were are on the road.

 

 

Followed them into the bush. We were soon surrounded by 6 teenage males running in all directions messing with each other. Very chaotic.

And then they decided to focus on us. Yikes.  Quite a memorable moment.

 

 

Mama and baby not far from the teenage hangout. 

 

 

Vulture

 

 

Well deserved Sundowners.

 

 

 

 

Spun by to say hi.  Still guarding his dinner.

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Morning drive in search of a male lions.

 

Well these guys don't want to miss their flight. They slept on the airstrip.

 

 

 

 

Time to get up!

 

 

 

Chow is on the table at the end of the airstrip. 

 

 

Pick up the pace.

 

 

What a sunrise.

 

 

 

 

Hippo Wildebeast hookup.

 

 

Eagle, pretty sweet.

 

 

 

Now, about that Lion.....

[highplanesdrifters]

 

Back on track to find the male lion.  

 

River crossing first. 

 

 

 

Then find the Wildebeast. Find them, we'll find the lion.

 

 

What is he smelling?

 

 

What are they looking at?

 

 

Where the heck is he?  We've been scouring the bush all morning!

 

And ta da.....they're running from something.

 

 

 

 

They all stood at attention keeping an eye on him.  Like beacons for all the other animals. 

 

 

 

What a guy.

 

 

On the way back to camp we got this sweet little show.

 

 

Um, maybe we should back up.

 

 

These lazy guys just sit there and open their mouths waiting for fish to swim over the dam.

 

 

Fortunately we do not need to catch our food.   Back to camp for breakfast and a nap.

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

View from Granite lodge dinning to Sand river. Although we did not see any, Elephants and Hippos are commonly sighted.

 

 

Londolozi is truly 6*.  Best food we've had in ages. Service is perfection.

 

Typical breakfast. There are plenty of healthy options.  But not today.😁

 

 

 

After Breakfast, a laze in our dip pool.

 

 

Followed by a nap.

 

 

Giant plated lizzard came for a visit. Scared the heck out of me.

 

 

We usually skip lunch, or something very light.

 

It's 3:30. Alrighty, time to suit up and afternoon safari.

 

Our drive out of the lodge.

 

 

Agenda.  There's been a Lion hook up. We're off to see the tryst.

 

Monkey in the road.

 

 

Why don't giraffes get more street cred?  I just love them.

 

 

 

 

Look at the pom poms on this little guy's head. He's about 3 months old.

 

 

Mahogany

 

 

And here's the happy couple. They mate for 4 days straight every 15 minutes. Yes you read that right, 24/7.

 

 

A little territory marking.

 

 

Sensitive content. 

 

 

It lasts less than a minute or two. 

 

 

And like clockwork, 15 minutes later. She's a little less enthused this time.

 

 

After that interesting but almost mundane show, time for our last sundowners. 

 

Gin and Marula Tonic. 

 

 

Wave clouds.

 

 

 

[lincslady]

Just fabulous.  Giraffes are so elegant, aren't they.  Something I had not noticed before.

[Port Power]

Giraffes are my favourite African animal.  I love watching them.  I totally agree, @lincslady, they do look elegant.

[taxatty]

The funniest video clip I ever saw was from a nature movie many years ago in an IMAX theater. Two lions mated, and within 3 seconds thereafter, the male lion rolled over on to the ground and started snoring loudly. Every adult woman in the theatre couldn't control themselves laughing.

[highplanesdrifters]

On 3/29/2024 at 11:22 AM, Port Power said:

Giraffes are my favourite African animal.  I love watching them.  I totally agree, @lincslady, they do look elegant.

 

I have to agree with you and @lincslady

 

A shot just for you ladies.

 

[highplanesdrifters]

On 3/29/2024 at 12:39 PM, taxatty said:

The funniest video clip I ever saw was from a nature movie many years ago in an IMAX theater. Two lions mated, and within 3 seconds thereafter, the male lion rolled over on to the ground and started snoring loudly. Every adult woman in the theatre couldn't control themselves laughing.

 

Sounds just like our experience, only the opposite. I suggested that in the second video the lioness had a headache. Too funny in both cases. 🤣

[highplanesdrifters]

Off we go on our last drive.

 

Good Morning!  Those 4:44 wake ups come awfully fast.  But oh so worth it. 

 

We found our roaring male rather quickly.

Sound on for the videos in this post for full effect. 

 

 

Handsome boy!

 

 

A little territory marking to start the day.

 

 

 

Announcing himself and calling to his brother.  Apparently siblings who get along.  They haven't read their parents will yet or cleaned out the house.😁

 

 

Lady luck is with us today.  We found his sleepy brother. Not far away.

 

 

Along with his pride just waking up.

 

 

Dad is roaring in the distance. Time for the pride to answer.  What a wake up call.

 

 

Happy family, playtime begins.

 

 

 

 

Dad's here!  He's a bit skittish around the females. Rightly so, they can gangb up on him when they're in the mood. Might as well mark the ground to show a little machoness.  

 

 

Now they get down to some serious playtime.

 

 

 

 

The signal is given. Time to move on.

 

 

 

Kirst our guide knew they would be thirsty and headed through the bush, positioned us perfectly for the next Act. She did this every day with every animal as if communicating with them telepathically. 

 

 

 

The thing that shocked me was how close we were to these Apex predators. Often within 15 feet.  Never more than 3 trucks at a location and 6 in a vehicle, unless a family requested more. Animals walking right next to the truck was common. I did not pet them as they sauntered by. Oh I wanted to, hands were sat on.

 

And it's time to move on. 

 

 

What a pleasure to spend the morning with this pride.  We must head back to camp and pack. Augh!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Port Power]

Of all the tales I have heard from friends or people I know, including my own safaris in Namibia and South Africa, you have seen more animals, and more people variety of animals, than us all.  Obviously you chose the correct safari park!  Thank you so much for sharing.

[jpalbny]

Catching up with your safari pictures. Wonderful! And the leopard sightings were incredible. Glad it wasn't too crowded. Hope the packing and the return to reality isn't too traumatic for you.

[highplanesdrifters]

4 hours ago, Port Power said:

Of all the tales I have heard from friends or people I know, including my own safaris in Namibia and South Africa, you have seen more animals, and more people variety of animals, than us all.  Obviously you chose the correct safari park!  Thank you so much for sharing.

 

You are too kind. It certainly felt overwhelming and still does. Our guide started calling us the lucky charms. Between Antarctica,  the C2C and Safari, we are still in the "did that just happen" phase. 

[highplanesdrifters]

38 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

Catching up with your safari pictures. Wonderful! And the leopard sightings were incredible. Glad it wasn't too crowded. Hope the packing and the return to reality isn't too traumatic for you.

 

Thanks JP. Reality, ugh....you know the drill. Cure, book another trip. 🤣

[highplanesdrifters]

There are a few more Critter pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elephant skull. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lovely Birthday Song for another guest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

 

We caught our breath at Clouds in Stellenbosh before the long haul home.

 

Thanks everyone for coming along!  It was one for the record books.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jpalbny]

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

 

Thanks JP. Reality, ugh....you know the drill. Cure, book another trip. 🤣

 

We just spent a fun week in São Miguel. I'm living the drill tonight as we get ready for work tomorrow. 

 

Many more planned.

[highplanesdrifters]

10 hours ago, jpalbny said:

 

We just spent a fun week in São Miguel. I'm living the drill tonight as we get ready for work tomorrow. 

 

Many more planned.

Sao Miguel - interesting.  Lovie is requesting more land trips.  Just catching up.  Did you report on it somewhere?  Retirements around the corner, yes?  I've got lots booked through 2025, but nothing in 2026.  Should I panic?  😂

[drron29]

Thanks for this marvellous trip report. I am officially jealous.

But you have confirmed my decision to go to Londolozi after our cruise in 2026.

[RyanJCanada]

Fantastic trip report, thanks so much @highplanesdrifters! We had been looking at a Namibia driving safari but are now in the final stages of booking our stay in Sabi Sands in 2025.

[highplanesdrifters]

1 hour ago, drron29 said:

Thanks for this marvellous trip report. I am officially jealous.

But you have confirmed my decision to go to Londolozi after our cruise in 2026.

 

@drron29. I wish you all that we had. Londolozi is the first place I have been to in a long time that delivered a 6* experience.   Everything was perfect. They provided all you might need without asking for it.  Trucks have water, heavy rain ponchos and blankets. The food was 6*. Excellent boutique wines, many bespoke gins along with specialty tonics were all at the ready.  I suggest doing the tour of their village. There are 260 staff, school, nice housing, wastewater treatment plant, amazing kitchens, wow.  You have picked a good year to go, 2026 is their 100th anniversary. Can't wait for your report.  Who knows we may bump into each other.😃

[highplanesdrifters]

1 hour ago, RyanJCanada said:

Fantastic trip report, thanks so much @highplanesdrifters! We had been looking at a Namibia driving safari but are now in the final stages of booking our stay in Sabi Sands in 2025.

 

Thanks for the kudos.  Please keep us posted on your decision. I mean that sincerely.  Service by Airlink was quite good, although seats small, 2/1 config. Suggest getting seats on the 1 side. SZK airport small but very modern. People lovely.

 

Something to consider when booking - how many people do they put in a truck and how many trucks allowed at a stop.  On the border with another lodge we saw 9 people crammed into a smaller truck, ugh.

[RyanJCanada]

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

 

Thanks for the kudos.  Please keep us posted on your decision. I mean that sincerely.  Service by Airlink was quite good, although seats small, 2/1 config. Suggest getting seats on the 1 side. SZK airport small but very modern. People lovely.

 

Something to consider when booking - how many people do they put in a truck and how many trucks allowed at a stop.  On the border with another lodge we saw 9 people crammed into a smaller truck, ugh.

We ended up going with Dulini - we’re shooting to do 3 days at their Dulini Moya and 3 at Dulini River. Not quite as upscale as Londolozi but we’ve heard really good things about them - they also confirm that it’s max 6 to a vehicle, so glad we checked that.

Good to know about Airlink - that’s who we’re looking at for flights.

[highplanesdrifters]

25 minutes ago, RyanJCanada said:

We ended up going with Dulini - we’re shooting to do 3 days at their Dulini Moya and 3 at Dulini River. Not quite as upscale as Londolozi but we’ve heard really good things about them - they also confirm that it’s max 6 to a vehicle, so glad we checked that.

Good to know about Airlink - that’s who we’re looking at for flights.

 

Just checked out Dulini - looks pretty swanky upscale to me!

[jpalbny]

8 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Sao Miguel - interesting.  Lovie is requesting more land trips.  Just catching up.  Did you report on it somewhere?  Retirements around the corner, yes?  I've got lots booked through 2025, but nothing in 2026.  Should I panic?  😂

 

I'll eventually post some pix in the Cooler.

 

Less than 35 weeks to go! And no need to panic. We have nothing booked past July 2025.