Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 23 Author #226 Share Posted March 23 (edited) Living Desert Tour Part 2 Remember this guy, the water beetle? He is about to meet his demise. Meet the Chameleon. The guides feed them on a regular basis and they can recognize individuals. Who knew. 20240322_122650.mp4 They are also fond of having their tails scratched. 20240322_123532.mp4 A few refreshments at the beach the back to the ship. The usual vendors outside the port. Finished packing and suitcases out the door. Edited March 23 by highplanesdrifters 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 23 Author #227 Share Posted March 23 Departure Day AKA, hurry up and wait day. We got stuck with the last charter flight at 5 p.m. Ugh. They kicked us off the ship at 10 a.m. for a Township tour of Swakopmund and a "lite" lunch. Airport drop at 3pm. Oh boy, a bus ride and banquet buffet. Perhaps I was a tad quick to judge given previous experiences. It was an interesting and lovely day. We visited the previously segregated suburbs of Swakopmund. Cultural traditions are strong and the area blends many classes. We were treated to song, dance, food and an explanation of the many cultures that merge. 20240323_111508.mp4 20240323_112621.mp4 Town scenes. 20240323_104743.mp4 I sure hope this company has a good method to keep their products separated. How about a lite lunch. It started with a delicious salad full of fresh berries, our first in 6 weeks. A few of the entrees. Sprinkbok Schnitzel Local fish Vege rice dish. A great spot on the warf with tasty food. 20240323_135126.mp4 A Flock of Flamingos on the way to the airport. All in all a lovely day. Except for all the guests who now fell the need to push and jump the queue more than before it was a rather civilized flight to Capetown and Check in. Off to Londolozi tomorrow, 8am pick up. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare RyanJCanada Posted March 23 #228 Share Posted March 23 39 minutes ago, highplanesdrifters said: Thanks for the kind words. No kids on either leg. Just adults acting like children. We had a particularly high ratio. But it was made up by all the fantastic people we met. There were kid's on our previous Antarctic trip. I'd say 8-14 years old, a total of maybe 5. There were also older teenagers lurking about. They were all great kids, spoiled by Expedition Staff and well loved by all crew. I wouldn't hesitate to give yours the gift of that amazing place. Paris Morocco sounds fab. Did you post anywhere? Ha! Yes, we ran into some of that ourselves... but very glad to hear that the good outweighed the bad. Kids were definitely spoiled by crew, expedition staff and even their fellow passengers last time - they're really looking forward to Galapagos this summer and Antarctic / Cape-to-Cape in 2025. As for our recent trip, we ended up live-posting both Morocco and Paris on our blog here: Morocco - Morocco Storybook Tour – Day 1 – Unknown Longitude Paris - Morocco Storybook Tour – Day 12 / Paris – Day 1 – Unknown Longitude For Morocco, we did an Arabian Nights 'storybook' tour with Black Tomato, while Paris was mostly on our own except for several private day tours with Context Travel. And did I hear you're going on a safari after this? Hope you'll take us along for the ride... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisintime Posted March 24 #229 Share Posted March 24 (edited) @highplanesdrifters Thanks for taking the time to give me such a thorough answer to my question about the impacts of the avian flu, including all the pictures. Looks amazing! You've given me great insights and I really appreciate it. It's a big help in preparing for the adventure next year. Edited March 24 by cruisintime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 24 Author #230 Share Posted March 24 13 hours ago, RyanJCanada said: Ha! Yes, we ran into some of that ourselves... but very glad to hear that the good outweighed the bad. Kids were definitely spoiled by crew, expedition staff and even their fellow passengers last time - they're really looking forward to Galapagos this summer and Antarctic / Cape-to-Cape in 2025. As for our recent trip, we ended up live-posting both Morocco and Paris on our blog here: Morocco - Morocco Storybook Tour – Day 1 – Unknown Longitude Paris - Morocco Storybook Tour – Day 12 / Paris – Day 1 – Unknown Longitude For Morocco, we did an Arabian Nights 'storybook' tour with Black Tomato, while Paris was mostly on our own except for several private day tours with Context Travel. And did I hear you're going on a safari after this? Hope you'll take us along for the ride... Oh goody, more travel blogs to read, thanks. C2C - I wish you everything that we had. And that's a lot. Safari, cmon along! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 24 Author #231 Share Posted March 24 7 hours ago, cruisintime said: @highplanesdrifters Thanks for taking the time to give me such a thorough answer to my question about the impacts of the avian flu, including all the pictures. Looks amazing! You've given me great insights and I really appreciate it. It's a big help in preparing for the adventure next year. I went through the same angst, so happy to help. Knowing what I now know, I'd go back again next year in a heartbeat. I hope you'll take us along. It will be fabulous. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 24 Author #232 Share Posted March 24 We got situated in our Capetown hotel around 9pm. Silversea put us up at Capital on Orange, nice hotel. I started thinking, what was I thinking? We're tired, we've just had the most amazing trip. We should have gone home and digested. But nooooo, I had to book a Safari! So let's go. We flew into Skukuza, the airport for Krueger National Park. My kind of baggage claim. Our driver met us to take us to Londolozi in Sabi Sands. Five minutes into the trip to Londolozi we see a Leopard. Not the best snap....but a Leopard five minutes from the airport. I was hooked. Along the way we were treated to a plethora of wildlife. Zebra, Giraffe, Antelope, Warthog, Hippos, the list goes on. We weren't even on a game drive yet. This was just zippy drive bys. 20240324_140438.mp4 I love me some Zebra. 20240324_141815.mp4 Next up, afternoon game drive. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 24 Author #233 Share Posted March 24 Afternoon Game Drive We finished a quick orientation by 3:15 and they asked if we could be ready be 3:30. Quick change and off we went. We saw so much. Just the highlights for now. Me thinks they are pointing the way. 20240324_161428.mp4 Lion Pride Food Coma, Giraffe kill. Look at that belly. This kill will last them a few days. The panting helps with the Coma. 20240324_163046.mp4 20240324_163644.mp4 Hyenas coming around to take over the kill. They're a little too early and outnumbered. Crock surfing for fish. 20240324_183117.mp4 Sundowners! Not a bad Day One. 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandlockedLolli Posted March 25 #234 Share Posted March 25 6 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said: Afternoon Game Drive We finished a quick orientation by 3:15 and they asked if we could be ready be 3:30. Quick change and off we went. We saw so much. Just the highlights for now. Me thinks they are pointing the way. 20240324_161428.mp4 58.15 MB · 0 downloads Lion Pride Food Coma, Giraffe kill. Look at that belly. This kill will last them a few days. The panting helps with the Coma. 20240324_163046.mp4 19.31 MB · 0 downloads 20240324_163644.mp4 34.85 MB · 0 downloads Hyenas coming around to take over the kill. They're a little too early and outnumbered. Crock surfing for fish. 20240324_183117.mp4 17.31 MB · 0 downloads Sundowners! Not a bad Day One. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandlockedLolli Posted March 25 #235 Share Posted March 25 Wowza. Just when you think it can’t get any better! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 25 Author #236 Share Posted March 25 13 hours ago, LandlockedLolli said: Wowza. Just when you think it can’t get any better! Just wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 25 Author #237 Share Posted March 25 5 a.m wake up. Leopards on the agenda. Not sure if the Leopards got the memo. First up and always a fave Zebra. The boys having a bit of fun. 20240325_055724.mp4 An old Buffalo deserted by the herd. A little sad. Black backed Jackel. Those ears! A surprise pride of different lions. Heck ya. Might have been up to 20, with kits of all different sizes. Quite a scene change from yesterdays carnage. 20240325_064248.mp4 Look how close we get. Showing the love. 20240325_064134.mp4 20240325_064823.mp4 Now about those Leopards..... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 25 Author #238 Share Posted March 25 Meet Nkoveni. We spent the rest of the morning stalking her while she was stalking dinner. Dinner just a hundred yards away. Stalk 20240325_070240 1.mp4 Super stalk, will she pounce? 20240325_072303.mp4 So much going on as the lion pride is not far away. Could be dangerous. A lot of tension and pressure. Shes got 3 hidden kits to feed. Sadly, no luck for her yet. We went for a coffee break while she took a nap. Oh Hello! Imagine the sock bill. 20240325_084914.mp4 Heron Croc We returned to Nkoveni, she was still napping and then woke up with a big yawn. Maybe I don't want to pet her. Is she coming to say hello? 20240325_095412.mp4 Yikes, I could have given her a pet. 20240325_095446.mp4 We'll say goodby for today. Thanks for the amazing show. We've been out for over 4 hours. Time for a little breakfast. But wait.... Elephant break. And that was just the morning! 20240325_082514.mp4 20240325_101049.mp4 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 25 Author #239 Share Posted March 25 Afternoon Drive Agenda A few male lions with their ladies. Wink wink. A spectacular afternoon with occasional sprinkles, which gave us a few rainbows. However, the lions had other plans and skipped over to the next reserve. No worries still lots to see. After all, we did see 4 of the "Big 5" this morning. Giant herds of Impalas and Wildebeast. They may be ubiquitous but I am thrilled to be amongst them. 20240325_162435.mp4 This guy practicing his dressage moves. Interspecies meet up. 20240325_162409.mp4 Shinny and sparkly after the rain. Hungry Hippos Oh my, another big boy! Did you know they are right and left tusked? No really, I'm serious, it's true. Really, I'm not kidding. 20240325_162910.mp4 Kirst our most excellent guide still looking at lion tracks. Which way did they go? Mongoose. Such a ***** face, quit the truck rumbling I've got a souffle in the oven. And the sweet spot, Gin tasting. Thank you Kirst and our tracker Lucky who spent most of the day on foot in the bush. Wow, what a day. 8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchell810 Posted March 26 #240 Share Posted March 26 Stunning photos! A safari has always been on my list; looks like I'll need to take a break from cruising to make this happen sooner. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 26 Author #241 Share Posted March 26 8 hours ago, mchell810 said: Stunning photos! A safari has always been on my list; looks like I'll need to take a break from cruising to make this happen sooner. Same here, I wish we had done it sooner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fletcher Posted March 26 #242 Share Posted March 26 4 hours ago, mchell810 said: Stunning photos! A safari has always been on my list; looks like I'll need to take a break from cruising to make this happen sooner. More care and research needs to be done for a safari than almost every other type of vacation. You can be lucky or you can make some very expensive mistakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DavyWavey70 Posted March 26 #243 Share Posted March 26 I'm loving following along HPD, SA is one of my 2 most likely options I'm looking into for next January, the other being a round the world trip. These great posts might be swaying me to bring SA forward a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kej1 Posted March 26 #244 Share Posted March 26 Londolozi one of my favorite safari lodges and a great place to see leopard. Next door at Singita nice too. I’m really enjoying your photos and missing South Africa! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare drron29 Posted March 26 #245 Share Posted March 26 In 2026 we have a cruise ending in Capetown. Leopard are also on my bucket list. I have seen a couple but at great distance so we have picked Londolozi to spend a few days after the cruise. Graet to see your photos even that behind the undergrowth. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southerngoose Posted March 26 #246 Share Posted March 26 If you book a cruise to Africa to do these safari excursions, is it possible to know if the excursion is available prior to signing up for the cruise? I wouldn't want to book a cruise where everyone else goes on the excursion but me. 😞. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 27 Author #247 Share Posted March 27 23 hours ago, Fletcher said: More care and research needs to be done for a safari than almost every other type of vacation. You can be lucky or you can make some very expensive mistakes. Hear hear. I spent days working on it. Will post about the process. @drron29 Sounds like you have done your leopard research. Londolozi is "THE' leopard place. More reports to come. We are in the Granite suites. Highly recommend. Learned that Granite and Tree House tend to get the more senior trackers. But I believe you can request. If so, grab Kirst and Lucky. 😃 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 27 Author #248 Share Posted March 27 15 hours ago, southerngoose said: If you book a cruise to Africa to do these safari excursions, is it possible to know if the excursion is available prior to signing up for the cruise? I wouldn't want to book a cruise where everyone else goes on the excursion but me. 😞. This was booked separately from the cruise line. I would recommend doing that. The cruise excursions are usually overnight quickies. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 27 Author #249 Share Posted March 27 A.M. Drive Started out nice and quiet. A few waterbuck. Owl Yellow billed something. Sorry my brain can only remember so much. Rumor of leopards and Tracks. Which way did they go? Chatter on the radio, two female leopards fighting. Hold on tight. We went flying through the bush. The match up. Upstart Xinkhova looking to take over some teritorterritory. Three Rivers. The previous underdog, or should I say under cat. She has survived against all odds. He mother was killed by a Lion when she was quite young. Fought her way to the top. The territory. Didn't get the fight on film. Xinkhova was chased off. Here she is headed away. A little blood on her face. 20240326_072650.mp4 Three Rivers showing off. Marking territory. 20240326_071849.mp4 The higher she gets her scent, the more dominant. 20240326_070806.mp4 Now she's masking her sent in dung. Can't quite explain that one. And eating it. Really can't explain that! 20240326_071302.mp4 Quite the victor. That was just part 1 of the a.m. 20240326_070535.mp4 20240326_070040.mp4 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 27 Author #250 Share Posted March 27 We are still on the morning drive. If the Leopard show wasn't enough, we bumped into the elephant herd. All different sizes of little ones. Serious grazing 20240326_074609.mp4 They walked down the hill and passed a few feet from us. Oh my! 20240326_075504.mp4 Show's not over. How about this preformance? Cuteness factor off the charts. 20240326_075339.mp4 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now