We were invited for three nights at Boulders Lodge, but Tanya couldn’t get more leave, so we had to leave on the Sunday, see how far we could get, and then complete the drive home on Monday (which was a public holiday, “Family Day” aka Easter Monday).
So we left as early as possible, which gave us the road and this pack of hyenas all to ourselves.
It was still pretty dark, as you can see. Tanya’s camera coped better than mine.
Down the H1-5 we found a clump of cars, people pointing. Three lionesses, although we can only really claim seeing two.
About 300m from the road.
I spotted the likkewaan crossing the road, made a quick U-turn so that Tanya could get pictures.
The southern part of the Kruger is cat country. Saw this male lion under a tree.
And a bit further on, an unknown number of females and cubs. We didn’t stop for long, the road ahead was calling.
This is the tiniest little elephant ever. Must be very very new.
And from there it was pretty uneventful. Left Malelane gate around 14:00, drove straight past Hananja on the way back (it was dark already) and got to Bloemfontein at around 23:00. Booked into the Sun 1 (the hotel formerly known as Formula 1) which is inexpensive and more than adequate most times (this time, the water was fine the evening but cold when we got up at 06:00, so I skipped the morning shower and we hit the road).
Got home late-ish Monday afternoon. All’s well what ends well and all of that.