We were offered dinner when we got back but I was too full and tired. The next morning, 5am wakeup for our first drive - and it was the best 'official' drive of the trip.
Our first sighting was a herd of impalas.
We saw several baboons at various points.
And finally, lionesses.
We would end up getting
much closer to lions on our next drive as well as elephants and giraffes. A few comments about the safari:
- You sit in an open Jeep that can be bumpy and potentially intimidating if you're so close to animals (and we would get very close to animals later on)
- There is a lot of sitting and waiting on Safaris, in hope animals might wake up and do something
- You might follow animal tracks to find them, ultimately in vain. Many of the best sightings come when you don't expect them.
- Dependant on the game lodge, you may have to share 'sights' with up to 7 other vehicles - this would happen later in the afternoon.
- It is ridiculous how often you get fed. A breakfast pre-Safari, a breakfast post-Safari, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. If you're a fitness junkie, you won't like getting fed so much, not to mention it is difficult to do a lot of exercise given any gyms may be limited and you need to be escorted at night.