February 14, 2016
Durban, South Africa
Because of high winds our ship was about 3 hours late arriving in Durban which meant we were 3 hours late leaving the ship and going to Phinda Game Reserve for an overnight safari. One of the delays was getting the pilot on board for the Durban port. High winds prevented the pilot boat from coming alongside, so they used Plan B.
Upon arriving in port we boarded the van and headed northwest to KwaZulu-Natal and after 3 1/2 hours of driving we came to the gates of the park and were greeted by official representatives of the Reserve-- three adolescent males were sitting along the access road, with a park ranger jeep sitting nearby just to keep an eye on them.
Elephant taking a dirt shower
Earlier in the day Josi and Matt had spent three hours tracking a leopard. Shortly after we started Josi found the young male leopard resting on a rock ledge. Matt parked in the perfect location for photographs. Even Matt was excited about seeing the leopard and grabbed his camera!
Our drive lasted until it was too dark to see, but Josi still saw
animals and shone a red light on them so we could see but they wouldn't
be blinded.
This was taken in almost complete darkness 30 minutes after sundown. The camera was set at the highest ISO (25600) and just 1/25 second exposure. Behind the giraffe is one of the earlier hippos now out of the water and feeding.
In the red light are some of the lions that were wandering in the darkness around the watering hole.
After it became too dark for even Josi to see, we were taken to the Lodge for dinner. What an amazing setting: long tables, sand floor, under the stars, with lighted torches and lanterns on the table. Zulu young people grilled chicken, and cooked ox tail osso buco, side dishes and dessert...delicious.
Our suite was a building by itself with glass walls and sliding doors opening onto 2 decks, 1 with a plunge pool. The room had high high ceilings, a small step down sitting room and a gorgeous bath.
On our bed was information about the Reserve and a Valentine!
Durban, South Africa
Because of high winds our ship was about 3 hours late arriving in Durban which meant we were 3 hours late leaving the ship and going to Phinda Game Reserve for an overnight safari. One of the delays was getting the pilot on board for the Durban port. High winds prevented the pilot boat from coming alongside, so they used Plan B.
Upon arriving in port we boarded the van and headed northwest to KwaZulu-Natal and after 3 1/2 hours of driving we came to the gates of the park and were greeted by official representatives of the Reserve-- three adolescent males were sitting along the access road, with a park ranger jeep sitting nearby just to keep an eye on them.
Because of the delay, the young men and women of Phinda quickly took our
over-night bags and put us on 2 off road vehicles, 6 -7 people in each.
Our driver/guide was Matt and the spotter was Josi. Josi was amazing
and could spot animals when no one else could.
Three hippos in one of the few remaining water holes
Earlier in the day Josi and Matt had spent three hours tracking a leopard. Shortly after we started Josi found the young male leopard resting on a rock ledge. Matt parked in the perfect location for photographs. Even Matt was excited about seeing the leopard and grabbed his camera!
This was taken in almost complete darkness 30 minutes after sundown. The camera was set at the highest ISO (25600) and just 1/25 second exposure. Behind the giraffe is one of the earlier hippos now out of the water and feeding.
In the red light are some of the lions that were wandering in the darkness around the watering hole.
After it became too dark for even Josi to see, we were taken to the Lodge for dinner. What an amazing setting: long tables, sand floor, under the stars, with lighted torches and lanterns on the table. Zulu young people grilled chicken, and cooked ox tail osso buco, side dishes and dessert...delicious.
Our suite was a building by itself with glass walls and sliding doors opening onto 2 decks, 1 with a plunge pool. The room had high high ceilings, a small step down sitting room and a gorgeous bath.
On our bed was information about the Reserve and a Valentine!
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