Sep 30: Bush Bashing

Part of the Balloon deal was a game drive afterwards, but this was in a tough old open sided 4X4 that could tackle the rougher tracks and ford streams and mud.  I can't describe how thrilling it was to find a cheetah who was hunting some Impala to feed her 5 Cubs.  Twice we sat quietly as she stealthily stalked.  The first time she got close enough to chase, her cubs got too close and spooked the impala.  The second time she actually made a charge for the impala ... I think we stopped breathing when that happened!  Unfortunately she failed at that one too: her prey took flight ... Her big brood remained hungry.

And so we continued our explorations: wallowing hippos, basking crocodile, hyenas cooling off after gorging breakfast and got really close and personal with a pride of relaxing lions.

Oh, and did I mention the grazing giraffes and elephants?