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Hi Val!

I did not forget, just a bit busy at work . Great start with so many beautiful sightings . Just love the dassies and the lioness in the road is just special .
I am also glad that you have met Norman and Torticat in person .
Thanks for sharing your sightings with us, it is really appreciated

The dassie spotter is out again, Val

Also fantastic lioness sighting

Val,

What a pleasure to be able to have that gorgeous lion sighting all to yourselves for 30min.
Super to have met some of the Mites.

what grimaces she can do
like other people, nice to have Lionness for you alone

Anne-Marie, Trrp,Pumbaa, Barry, Hilda, Philip and Glen.........thanks for your very encouaging comments!!

Day 10 (Nov 9th)
Decided to drive the Shilawuri loop today, and what a good choice that turned out to be!!!
A mating pair of lions............wow!!














We spent about an hour with them, completely on our own, and then carried on to Letaba, hoping for a toasted chicken mayo sandwich.
Sadly though, we were told that they had a power cut, so settled for a plain cheese and tomato sandwich instead!!
We had had a few sightings along the way!!









We then drove up to the high level bridge, and came back via the river loop, and then the H9 back to Phala..............we were going to call in at Sable, but both needed a bathroom break, so came straight home........just in time!!!

To be continued................

the male Lion seems to have problem with an eye
magnificent pictures
and I love too the Korhaan

WOW, such an amazing sighting of the mating Lions.

Great pics of all round

Really enjoyed the episode. Loved it to bitz.

Cant wait for your next episode.

Wow!!! You guys have really had some wonderful sightings.

Lions pics are stunning.. love the face of the lioness in the 1st pic.. ......Bliss.... no road blocks

Val, your pics are just fantastic your Korhaan in particular is really welll taken. I think my camera is similar to yours and I hope that I can do it justice.

The pictures of the Lions

All other photos Thanks Crested Val

Wonderful sightings Crested Val and this is just the start of a loooong trip

What a good looking lion she had chosen

Aesome waterbuck picture as well

Thanks Val

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments..........once I've caught up, I'll reply individually!!!

Day 11 (Nov 10th)
We had been told that there would be routine maintenance caried out on the power in Phala, and that it would be off from 12md to 6pm, so decided that we would have a morning at home, and then go out while the powere was off.

We set off for Sable Dam, and for anyone wanting to know, the dam is quite full at the moment.

There was a large herd of Impala, but nothing else came to visit, so we carried on around the loop.

As we approached the main road, we looked up to the rocks for "our" klipspringer from last year, but he was nowhere to be seen!!

We saw Buffs, Giraffe, Impala and Zebbies along the H9 and Ellies, Baboons and a large wartie along the S131. We also saw European Bee Eaters, Yellow Hornbills,

We turned right onto the H14, and drove along it for about 15kms. Of course this was mid afternoon and it was heating up, so we really didn't expect to see much, and sadly we were quite right.

We did see a huge herd of Buff though, which was both sides of the road, and several ellies, one of which got such a fright as we came round a corner!!! He shot off across theroad at about 90 miles an hour, and disappeared into the bush!!
Val 1 - Ellie 0!!!

We arrived home at about 5.30pm and we were so pleased to find that the powere was on, so we poured ourselves a cold Gin & Tonic, and finished off Norman's smoked salmon!!

In case the power was off more than they had predicted we had decided on a simple meal..........cold chicken, potato salad, coleslaw and chopped beetroot!! It was yummy, and we washed it down with a glass of wine.

Then we watched the African sky, and listened to the night sounds while drinking our coffee and Amarula!!

"What will tomorrow bring?" we said.

To be continued.........

Hi Val, a lovely couple of days you had!

Love the leos, just stunning pics!

Thanks SM!!

Day 12 (Nov 11th)
The power was again predicted to go off for maintenance work from 12md to 6pm, so it was another lazy morning at home, and an afternoon in the park.
(Tomorrow we would be at the gates at 5.30am!!!)

As expected there was not much about during this hot part of the day, but we did manage to see plenty of Ellies, Zebbies, Baboon, Buffs, Impala and Warties.

Also Lilac breaster Roller, Red Hornbill, and Ground Hornbill.

Now home cooking roasted chicken, baked potato and baked butternut.

See y'all tomorrow bright and early when the gate opens.

To be continued................