Wednesday, April 23, 2014

NGALA SAFARI LODGE

Flew to Hoedspruit from Cape Town in 2.5 hours and after a 1 hour road trip we are at Ngala Safari Lodge in the Timbavati Game Reserve on the edge of Kruger National Park.  The reserve is unfenced  and animals roam free, so no walking anywhere at night (even to dinner) without calling for an escort.  Cabins must be locked (3 different locks) to keep baboons out.  They are very smart, can open a lever door handle, and like to steal cosmetics and medications if no food is available.
Evening safari at 4.00 pm with plenty of game including three Rhinos and then, in the middle of bush land, arrived at a clearing where they had set up dinner for all the guests.  It was an incredible environment like fairyland under the stars, and a highlight of the trip.  About 200 paraffin lanterns dimly lit the site, and the most magnificent three course meal will be an evening to remember for many years.  There was even a complete bar set up - nothing was too much trouble.  This lodge rocks!  
It was a lucky night for us, because they only do this twice each month.
The morning's 6.00 am safari led us to a hyena den with two females and two cubs. They were much larger than we expected ( about 1 metre high ) and rather smelly.   One of the cubs was being rejected by the mother, appeared very underweight, and the guide indicated to us that it may not survive.

Rhinoceros seen on the evening game drive

Glorious sunrise at 6.00 am

Male kudu in the bush, very close to our jeep

Colourful guinea fowl

Female hyena with her two cubs, healthy one feeding

Two female hyenas at their den which is a burrowed-out anthill

A snack and cuppa ready for us in the bush after the morning game drive

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