Bateleur Camp Londolozi Private Game Reserve

... on with 10 chicks.
We saw jackal during
the day time whichwas unusual
since it normally is a nocturnal animal.
The scenic views along the rivers were
awsome in their beauty with the
elephants and crocodiles matched
against there natural backgrounds.
Dean, I had extreme pleasure discussing
your country and the worlds problem spots
in route from the park to Johannesburg ...

... of the variety of birds found in the area. Our hotel was 100 yards from the Paul Kruger Gate into the park. This gate lies to the Southeast of the park on the map.
To the west and south of the Kruger National Park are the two South African provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. In the north is Zimbabwe, and to ...

... the viewing stations overlooking the lodge’s watering hole for the other guests to return from their afternoon game drive (we were supposed to be on it as well, but were about an hour to an hour and a half late for it by the time we arrived. After cocktails we sat down for a three course dinner (again, this is what I’m talking about) and got to know the other guests at the lodge. The family with whom we would be safari-ing had kids that were about our age ...

... br>
In the room, there was a note telling us that our transportation would come at noon. This was interesting, because JB and Lindsey got a similar note that said 11:00. We decide we were in no rush to go to the other lodge, so we would take our time and leave at noon. When we first booked the trip, we wanted to add on one more day in the bush because we had heard that 4 safaris is sometimes not enough. Our travel agent said we ...

... over in an empty field for our sun riser. Choice of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate with muffins and cookies. You never stop eating at these lodges. We finished up and went in search of the leopard again. None of the other rangers had spotted him yet, but maybe we will be lucky. We drove around for another hour, but Van gave up once again, and we headed back to the lodge. Perhaps the evening will be better.

Breakfast is a big deal ...

... to town on the pizza and salad that was prepared. Joining us for lunch were Van and Niko, the rangers for the safari. Van sits at our end of the table and we go through the formality of small talk.

After lunch, we grab our stuff and head to the front of the lodge where 2 Land Rover's are parked. The trucks are open top with 3 rows of 3 seats. Then there is a driver and passenger seat, and one more seat on the hood of the ...

... late to see 20 elephants walk off into the forest so in the end on this drive we saw a lot of elephant butts! Next was a hippo sitting in a pond... watching us... Hippos are the most dangerous animal in Africa... reason being that if the hippo thinks that you are threatening its water habitat or if it has left the water and you are in the path way, the hippo immediately assumes you are a threat and will charge you and bite you in half... they have caused more human deaths than any ...

... and it felt like we were bearing north, so I was happy to let the wind rush in the windows as I bumped along. As hour 11 approached I started to sing. There's not much else to do when all you have to do is drive and be happy. Plus, when you are navigating dirt roads, it's ************* the look out for the more unusual species. The tiny beetles that catch the passenger's eye simply do not register when you are watching for the next 4-foot deep ...

Facilities at the "lodge" were quite nice, and the animals were amazing. I think I snapped more than 400 photos in the park alone. The experience was unbelievable, both in the Park and in the Sabi Sands Reserve - so many animals in their natural environments - never want to go to a zoo again. I saw the Big Five (elephant, rhino, tiger, leopard, and water buffalo), as well cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and on and on. The drives were ...

... had brought her son Tommy along. Tommy was about 4 years old, and decided to entertain us by acting like a monkey as well. It was pretty funny. We drove to Kruger Park and went to get in. Once again the omnipotent Lonely Planet let us down. We were expecting to pay less than $5.00 per person to get in. We were surprised by a $22.00 per person kick in the groin. Ouch... That's still cheaper than a round of drinks, or an X-tra large meat lovers ...