Monday was up to the usual weekly routine of chill time under the trees before starting the week. Diane and Wayne went into Alberton while I did some office work. They were back late afternoon just in time for Donovan to pop in for a visit with Wayne. Tuesday Wayne started organizing himself ready for his journey home. I cleared his washing for him and he started to pack before him and Donovan went out, saying cheers to various friends and having a braai together. We got a Steers lunch so he could have a good take away for the last time. Diane and I spent the evening in front of the TV and having our Milo before I made and organized some picnic food for our trip to the Lion and Rhino Park. Hubby was at a committee meeting for the car club and only got back after midnight. We had another violent storm which went on for hours during the night – the rain was widespread and many areas of the country were badly affected with flooding.
Wednesday morning we were up fairly early and after organizing the dogs and gardener left for the Game Park arriving late morning as the traffic was still quite hectic. At the gate we got tickets for the Wonder Cave for Wayne and Diane (Hubby and I had been down several times already). Once through the gate we followed the signs for the cave stopping along the way for pics. There was a large male Sable on the side of the kopjie with a female and her baby in the gully at the bottom. The baby was too cute peering up at us with his mom. We saw some springbok and zebra as well before reaching the cave where there were bus loads of people waiting to go down. It was still a half hour before the next tour down the cave so we decided to go through the park and come back later in the hope it would be quieter then. As we drove away we came across a large tortoise on the side of the road munching on the grass growing there. He took no notice of us and carried on with his meal. There were wildebees and buffalo herds grazing to the side of us. They must all be enjoying the lush vegetation after all the rain we have had. Further up we spotted two rhino walking along and Diane got a couple of good pics before they disappeared into the bushes. We reached the wild dog and cheetah enclosures and went inside. We only saw the wild dogs from a distance but were able to get good pics of the cheetahs. Next was the lion enclosure where we arrived in time to wait for the daily feeding time. While waiting we had our picnic and something to drink. The rangers went around the area hooting continuously to let the lions know it’s time to come feed before driving into the feeding area in front of us. Diane glanced behind us and was delighted to see a lioness walking past the car. She was joined by two lions coming down from the other side. The bakkie with the food came past us and dropped the carcass off for them in the middle of the feeding spot. Another group of two lionesses and a lion joined the first group. It was amazing to see them close up like that. They sniffed around the carcass but obviously weren’t too hungry as they all circled around before flopping down around it. We left as we were happy with all the pics we had and went down to the crèche area. On the way we passed a salt lick where a pair of warthog were wallowing in the mud with a group of zebra. In the crèche were white lion cubs and normal lion cubs as well as a tiger and a pair of jaguars. Running around the whole area were squirrels who were very tame. After our wander through we headed back to the cave, passing the salt lick and mud hole again. This time a pair of buffalo were wallowing in the mud. The cave only had a couple of cars parked there and we sat in the shade waiting for the next tour to start. Wayne and Diane thoroughly enjoyed the tour through the caves and of course taking plenty of pics. When the tour was over we left the park as it was now after three. The traffic on the way home wasn’t too bad and we were home about half four. Wayne quickly showered and got ready for the airport. I helped him finish his packing while Diane put his holiday pics on a disc for him to take home. He can’t wait to show all his friends back in Oz his pics. Donovan arrived to fetch Wayne for a final goodbye of the family before going to the airport. After they left we got organized and also left for the airport where we met up at Capellos for drinks and a snack meal. We had a good time and were able to chill together for the last time before Wayne had to go through ready for boarding his flight.
Wednesday morning we were up fairly early and after organizing the dogs and gardener left for the Game Park arriving late morning as the traffic was still quite hectic. At the gate we got tickets for the Wonder Cave for Wayne and Diane (Hubby and I had been down several times already). Once through the gate we followed the signs for the cave stopping along the way for pics. There was a large male Sable on the side of the kopjie with a female and her baby in the gully at the bottom. The baby was too cute peering up at us with his mom. We saw some springbok and zebra as well before reaching the cave where there were bus loads of people waiting to go down. It was still a half hour before the next tour down the cave so we decided to go through the park and come back later in the hope it would be quieter then. As we drove away we came across a large tortoise on the side of the road munching on the grass growing there. He took no notice of us and carried on with his meal. There were wildebees and buffalo herds grazing to the side of us. They must all be enjoying the lush vegetation after all the rain we have had. Further up we spotted two rhino walking along and Diane got a couple of good pics before they disappeared into the bushes. We reached the wild dog and cheetah enclosures and went inside. We only saw the wild dogs from a distance but were able to get good pics of the cheetahs. Next was the lion enclosure where we arrived in time to wait for the daily feeding time. While waiting we had our picnic and something to drink. The rangers went around the area hooting continuously to let the lions know it’s time to come feed before driving into the feeding area in front of us. Diane glanced behind us and was delighted to see a lioness walking past the car. She was joined by two lions coming down from the other side. The bakkie with the food came past us and dropped the carcass off for them in the middle of the feeding spot. Another group of two lionesses and a lion joined the first group. It was amazing to see them close up like that. They sniffed around the carcass but obviously weren’t too hungry as they all circled around before flopping down around it. We left as we were happy with all the pics we had and went down to the crèche area. On the way we passed a salt lick where a pair of warthog were wallowing in the mud with a group of zebra. In the crèche were white lion cubs and normal lion cubs as well as a tiger and a pair of jaguars. Running around the whole area were squirrels who were very tame. After our wander through we headed back to the cave, passing the salt lick and mud hole again. This time a pair of buffalo were wallowing in the mud. The cave only had a couple of cars parked there and we sat in the shade waiting for the next tour to start. Wayne and Diane thoroughly enjoyed the tour through the caves and of course taking plenty of pics. When the tour was over we left the park as it was now after three. The traffic on the way home wasn’t too bad and we were home about half four. Wayne quickly showered and got ready for the airport. I helped him finish his packing while Diane put his holiday pics on a disc for him to take home. He can’t wait to show all his friends back in Oz his pics. Donovan arrived to fetch Wayne for a final goodbye of the family before going to the airport. After they left we got organized and also left for the airport where we met up at Capellos for drinks and a snack meal. We had a good time and were able to chill together for the last time before Wayne had to go through ready for boarding his flight.
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