We Finish Our Safari at Lion Sands and Continue at Sabi Sabi Game Reserve

On our game drive the next morning we headed back to the spot where the lioness tracks were found the day before—us and about 4 other Lion Sands vehicles.

Mr. Croc waiitng on lunch

Mark had convinced some of the other drivers and trackers as to the good likelihood that lions could be spotted. As we crossed the bridge over the river, we spotted a small crocodile swimming in the water.

A steenbok

A little further along, we stopped to watch a steenbok grazing next to the road. By the time we got to the area, the pride had been tracked and spotted.

Lion tracks on the road

It consisted of 5 lionesses sans any cubs which were probably hidden along with last night’s kill. Mark positioned the vehicle into a viewing position and the cameras came alive. The animals were absolutely beautiful.

She looks tired

We were really amazed at how calm and relaxed the animals were given all of the commotion so closely surrounding them.

She IS tired

As the vehicles that arrived earlier would leave, Mark repositioned us so we could get good close-ups of the lionesses. The cats seemed to just want to rest and sleep, perhaps due to a busy night of hunting.

My tail itches!

A couple of them were busy cleaning themselves and biting areas that itched from tick or insect bites. Because they didn’t seem to want to do anything but rest and sleep, it wasn’t long before the cameras stopped clicking.

Is there something out there?

But it was still great to just stare at them. After our time was up we left for another vehicle to take our place.

We rode back along the river looking for animals that might be taking an early morning drink when Emanuel signaled a stop.

Verreaux's Eagle Owl

He pointed up in a tree where a Verreaux’s Eagle Owl was perched on a limb. This is the largest owl in all of Africa and is a very handsome bird. Moving on and re-crossing the river, we found our crocodile sunning itself on one of the islands (Capt. Larry would later have some crocodile for lunch).

Getting nice and warm

We stopped and watched another memory of elephants for a while and found another juvenile resting on the ground. As the mother moved on, we watched this little one orchestrate a series of moves that got him back on his feet.

More elephants

Rounding a bend in the road a warthog and 6 piglets were spotted, but as soon as we stopped for pictures, mama and her babies scurried into the brush and all we could capture was the amusing way the piglets scamper through the brush. Returning to the lodge, we breakfasted and then prepared to check out.

As much as we wanted to continue our stay at Lion Sands, the itinerary called for a change in venue.

Termite mound on way to Sabi Sabi

Today we would be packing up and moving to the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve, a private concession adjacent to the park and a similar operation to Lion Sands. However, the Sabi Sabi reserve was once a huge farming and ranching operation which today presents more open meadows/grasslands type of terrain which is more appealing to certain animals.

African Cape buffalo

Mark drove us to the reserve; a 45-minute drive on back roads through both reserves. Along the way we spotted several huge termite mounds that prompted some questions.

Sabi Sabi dining area

We were told that termites are one of the oldest species and that they perform a very important role in the decomposition of dead trees. These mounds generally only signify about 40% of the colony’s development with most of the structure remaining underground. The termites will vent the mound of heat that is generated by the metabolic activity of the millions of residents by punching holes in the side to let heat escape. In this way a constant 52° is maintained below ground.

Arriving at Sabi Sabi, we were greeted with mimosas as we registered and the manager gave us an overview of the operation.

Lounge area

We scouted out the common areas—pools, bar, conference room, lounge, and spotted a herd of African Cape buffalo in a large pond behind the lodge. This was another of the “Big 5” that we could scratch off our list.

Our bed

When we got to our room, we were pleasantly surprised by our luxurious surroundings and amenities, and we had a much shorter walk to the main lodge. Again, we had a free mini-bar and snacks and a lot more storage space than Lion Sands, but overall both places were pretty comparable.

View of our room

After unpacking our luggage and learning how the light switches worked, we found that it was time to head out for our afternoon game drive. We dressed in the short time we had left and found our ranger, Kerry, and tracker, Doc, and were ready to roll.

Jane's bathtub

We had only traveled a short distance from the lodge when we spotted 3 white rhinoceroses grazing away (seems these fellows are constantly eating due to their poor digestive tracts).

White rhinos

We snapped some photos and moved on. Up in the trees he pointed out a Bateleur eagle sitting on a branch. The bird was very well camouflaged and some in our party had a really difficult time identifying it, after which it flew away.

Bateleur eagle

Further along we happened upon a small herd of Cape buffalo next to and in the road. Kerry said that this was a group of old bulls (because of their thinning hair) and that they were probably replaced in their former group by a younger bull challenger.

Be cool big buddy!

Considering how aggressive these animals can be, Kerry seemed to drive awfully close to them (with Capt. Larry on charging side!) as we moved on to find other animals.
Kerry must have received a report of a lion sighting, but she sure didn’t let on.

Lioness with cubs and kill

We calmly drove to on the road when Doc signaled us to go off road. Spotting another parked vehicle we circled around and our jaws dropped at the incredible sight were looking at—a pride of 4 lionesses and 4 cubs eating a cape buffalo they had killed.

Roll over, dammit!

They had torn the buffalo’s abdomen open and the cubs were lined up with their heads inside the cavity hungrily devouring its innards. Likely worn out from the kill, the adult cats seemed content to just lie there and rest.

Lioness approaching other members

Kerry said that the buffalo would probably be finished by the following morning and the remains left would be consumed by hyenas and vultures. As she said this we noticed a vulture in a treetop waiting his turn.

Feasting away

As we were watching a fifth lioness approached the group looking for a meal. The other lionesses suddenly became very alert, but Kerry said that the newcomer was likely another member of the pride or the lionesses would have moved to stop her if she wasn’t one of them.

Buffalo is soooooo good!

She said that lions are pretty good about sharing food within the pride. We did notice the buffalo must have put up a fight as a couple of the lionesses displayed bloody wounds. After watching this for about 45 minutes we left the scene so some other stragglers could get their vehicles positioned.

Cloudy sunset tonight

The sun was getting low in the sky so we headed to an open spot that would be suitable for viewing sunsets, chased some zebras away, and had safari happy hour. It’s all good.