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I well understand the need for sleep. I have perfected the art of a two hour power nap during the hottest part of the day. But some great sightings your Dad got.

For the big five

Love the lizards basking on the rocks

Don't feel bad Mel................we had been visiting Kruger for well over 30 years before we discovered Sunset Dam!!

Sorry to hear your were not too well and missed a fruitful morning drive.

Love the lizards!!

Hi Mel

So happy for your dad.

But OMG I know exactly how you felt. On our very last day in the Sabi Sand we decided to get an early start to the airport and miss the morning drive, never have done that before ever.
After all we had enjoyed a couple of fantastic close up sightings of the magnificent four majestic male lions so were more than happy despite the niggling feeling of unease. Our group returned to say goodbye just as we were leaving and we stupidly insisted they tell us what they saw....yes the four brothers had bought down a buffalo and we missed it. I will never get over that or miss a drive again.

Hi Melph and Melph's Dad

What lovely sightings you folk had again.

Congrats to Melph's Dad for getting up early and being rewarded with the lion and leopard sightings

Melph wrote "I vowed NEVER to sleep in again for the rest of the trip!!"

Melph I think the moral of the story here is

"The early bird catches the BIG FIVE"

Oh no Mel! I have read too many stories here on the forums of people deciding to stay in the morning, and the rest of the family then going out and seeing great sightings. And now it happened to you as well. I'm sure you are still kicking yourself... Anyway - I'm sure your dad was super happy! He had some lovely sightings!

I know exactly how you must have felt Mel. On my first ever trip to Africa we hadn't seen any lion for the whole week... and on the last morning I just couldn't make it out of bed due to a tummy bug. So only my dad got to see a pride hunting buffalo

But well done Melph's Dad for such a great set of sightings

Hi to all - Melph68's Dad here -
Just to make some comments on my Big 5 day! On rising about 5am started getting ready to go hunting big game sitings. Melph68 did not want to get out of bed. I decided - no problem - I would go out alone and what a good decision that was.
Firstly, not nore than 1km from the gate - there they were. 3 fantastic lions, lying on the road and not another car in sight. What a delight. Eventually, after about 20-30 mins, they got up and moved into the bush, I was just thrilled!
On continuing down the bitumen road for about another 5-6km when suddenly, out of the bush, appeared a leopard about 100m in front of me. He/she was not moving fast, but by the time I got there its tail was disappearing into the bush. I thought "this is my lucky day!" No pictures, but the scene will remain in my mind for a long time.
I continued on down the tarred road for about another 4-5km and turned on to the dirt road towards the dam where we had seen the hyenas andd rhinos previously. Alas, nothing at the first dam, so continued to the second dam, and again nothing. So doing a U-turn and returning to the first dam, my heart skipped a beat - there were two rhinos just wandering off on the other side of the dam. Again - no pics.
WHilst sitting there for 15-20mins, thinking how lucky I was, out of the bush came one, then two, then three hyenas. Very slowly at first then they decided it was safe to play around - much to my delight. They danced in the water, chased each other and at times just lay in their backs in the water. This went on for about 30 mins and again, no other cars. This time I was able to get pics which Melph68 has posted.
I was just leaving as another car arrived and we talked and watched for a bit longer whilst the playful trio carried on.
Time to go so I backed out from the dam and headed back to the camp. Had gone approx 2-3kms on the tar road when I noticed something moving across the road about 50m in front of me, It was a long black snake and was halfway across the road and just as I got to that spot, its tail was all I could see. I THINK it was a black mamba -- YIPEE!!
I continued on back to camp. On arrival proceeded to report my journey to a disappointed girl, and I thought that she would not believe me (or at least not talk to me) but she did, Thank God. My good luck had sparked her enthusiasm and not long after, we both set off to find more animals. ......and we did! Ended up a great day.
Melph, Dad still loves you and has permission to return to Africa with you in 2015.
PS: Forgot about the big bull ellie chasing cars along the tar road in front of me that morning.....Just great!!
Melphs Dad

What a fantastic morning

Oh melph68 a lesson to be learnt: don't sleep in ever

Oh my word Melph68's Dad, you had a wonderful morning drive! Fortunately, although it is not always possible to take pictures, especially when you are driving alone, it is imprinted in your mind where nobody and nothing can take it away!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful drive with us!

Hi Melps Dad,

What fantastic sightings you had.

Thanks for sharing your lovely experience with us

I am sure you are counting the days till your return in 2015

Oh Mel... I feel your pain
Such conflicting feelings when you've missed out on so much, but (at the same time) are still happy that your Dad had a wonderful morning...

BUT - you still had a wonderful drive afterwards - the lizards are AWESOME, I've never seen so many in the one spot!

I have to say - your Dad's pics of the playing hyenas are just lovely, and they brought a smile to my face. I am a big fan of hyenas - I think they are very entertaining to watch, and I'd love to see them playing in the water one day!

I'm so glad to be back on board with your adventures - you really do bring the Park to life when you recount your trip there, I'm enjoying your TR more and more with each instalment!

hi all melphs dad again
i just wanted to say a big thanks to all my new friend at the forum and shareing my fantastic experiencs
melphs dad

We thank YOU Melph's Dad! Can't wait for your next trip to read all about your wonderful sightings again, and also look at your stunning pictures!