The November full moon was still visible in the sky
when the knock sounded on my door
05h00!
“This is your wake up call” said the muffled voice.
“Thanks” was my response, but I had been up for a while.
Checking camera gear for the morning game drive
that was due to leave at 05h30.
Our transport awaited in the early morning light.
However, before heading out into the park, there was coffee, tea and biscuits
 available to the guests.
“Which way to go”…a Wildebeest seems to be acting
as a traffic warden at this intersection.
This species is said to have been designed by a committee.
Why do I say that, I hear you ask…
It has the horns of a buffalo, the body of a hyena, the stripes of a zebra,
tail of a horse and the brain of a guinea fowl!
There are White Rhino…which are grey
There are Black Rhino…which are grey
And then there are red Rhinos…which are White.
This is in fact one of the latter.
A White Rhino that has been rolling around in the red soil.
Buffalo always look at you as if you owe them money.
These two Dagga boys both have that look.
Many visitors to the park will tell you that they have never seen buffalo here,
and this duo was one of three separate groups
that we encountered on our drive.
Luck?
Or a good guide who knows where to look for these elusive animals?
Lambing season has begun in the Pilanesberg.
As these two Haartebeest youngsters can attest to.
Back to the Lush Private Game Lodge for breakfast.
And if this was not sufficient, there were also hot breakfast offerings.
I have to commend the Chef on the crispy bacon that I enjoyed.
The best EVER. Not easy to get just right, but on my plate
PERFECTION.
Time to head back to my room for a post breakfast nap.
On their web site, the lodge boasts Emperor beds in the accommodation.
I had no idea how big they actually were, so I did some research.
An Emperor bed VERY BIG…
at 215cm x 200cm!
At home most of us have a queen size, 152 x 188 cm.
And most game lodges go with a king size, 180 x 200
Sleep is for when you return home, NOT when you are at a game lodge.
That being said, I was able to get in a couple of afternoon naps.
However, I digress…
Guests are not woken for afternoon tea and the game drive,
so set an alarm or you will miss out on one or both activities.
(Don’t stress, the field guide will not leave you behind)
When the lodge manager told me about their watermelon pizza,
I had visions of a regular Hawaiian pizza which has pineapple,
except that it would substituted with watermelon.
Boy, was I mistaken!
“Hello there”
This young elephant was most inquisitive as it and the herd
 walked past our vehicle.
This is usually the best view that you have of a Hippo.
This particular individual was not going to give us any sort of display,
as it was extremely hot and the water was FAR more inviting.
The first Impala babies of the 2018 season.
I hope that this one makes it to adulthood.
This pride might make that quest difficult.
These three are part of a larger pride of about 9 individuals
that were scattered under bushes on a hillside and as a result,
were impossible to photograph.
Even the Rhino had youngsters!
A tree squirrel was alarm calling…
We were hoping that it would lead to a predator sighting.
As it turned out that WE were the reason for the call.
And no, this small rodent is not wearing a tracking collar.
Look closely and you will see that it is just a short branch.
Time to find a spot to enjoy the evening sun-downers.
The best evening game drive snack selection EVER!
Ans, of course, and array of beverages to accompany
those snacks.
As the sun dipped below the Western horizon,
the sky changed colour, signalling the fact that it was time to head back to the lodge.
And to a stunning choice of plated dinner offerings that awaited us.
The perfect ending to what had been an interesting day in the bush.
To find out more about this lodge and what it offers,
please visit their website:
 
The latest addition to my sponsors list…
The Olight SRS2UT Intimidator.
Marketed locally by:
 https://torchsa.com/
My camera brand of choice for more than 4 decades!
When it is time to print out my special images,
this is the company that I rely on to do that.
Bush gear to make me blend in…
in comfort and style.
https://www.ruggedwear.co.za
I have worn these shoes in the jungles of India
and on the beaches of Croatia.
Not to mention, many game reserves in Africa.
They are probably the most comfortable pair of shoes
that I have ever owned.
When I get home. I rely on this ISP
to provide me with high speed fibre connectivity
to enable me to get my postings published in record time.
www.cisp.co.za
This powerbank is my constant companion
 while I am travelling.
It can do up to 4 full re-charges of my phone before
needing to be charged.
Supplied by…
When offered an option…
ALWAYS be Batman.
The newest of my travelling companions.
To find out more about the collectible Funko range of figurines,
visit:
My new addition, this awesome laptop bag from Solo.
Padded for protection and with enough pockets to keep
almost everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink in,
this is definitely an stylish addition to any business presentation.
Be it in the boardroom or the bush.
This bag can also be worn as a backpack.
There are straps in a hidden compartment that can be deployed
when you need both hands for other purposes.
To find out more about the stylish Solo range,
visit:
A new “tool” in my camera bag.
This locally made product was indispensable when using a long lens.
The ball and socket might look simple…and it is,
which is why it should be in the gear bag of every serious photographer.
This locally made, deceptively simple device is ideal
for tracking birds in flight or animals in motion.
The base can be used on a beanbag or a tripod,
with the ball being fitted to the camera.
The simplicity of the device allows to to move from supported
to hand held in a fluid motion.
There is also a version that can be used on a car window.
To see more about the product,
visit their Facebook page:
Or order directly from:
Â
www.sablogawards.com
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