We are packing for Cape Town now.  The weather is gloomy, and it matches our mood.  We are sad to leave this place, though I’m still processing why exactly.  The bush is just an incredible place to roam in.  However, lodge life is not real life and all things must come to an end. 

Some corrections.  Those last few pics were cheetah, not leopards.  My guides would smack me if they ever found out I mislabeled them.  Cheetahs have black spots and are rare in these parts.  Leopards have the rosetta pattern on their skin and are built completely differently.  Also, I goofed on the baby hyena and mother hyena.  (The baby is the cute, smaller one.)  I apologize to any South African readers who must have resisted the urge to pick up the phone and yell at me.  

We will speak again from the western coast of South Africa. 

d

Epic sunrise before our morning game drive.

We are on the jeep at this point, overlooking the bush, in early morning. 

This is my favorite water crossing, which is not what I imagine a water crossing to look like.  While perfectly safe, it is still a bit unnerving to drive through this.

The square posts mark the edge of the concrete block we are driving on top of.  Prudent to stay in your lane. 

Giraffes are the number one requested animal on safari.  While they are unusual looking, I’m not sure why that’s true.  They are just oddly stretched camels.