If you want to see big cats like cheetahs, you have to head out first thing in the morning. After a 4:30 AM wake up call, we grabbed our cameras and headed down to the truck. We had Werner for a guide again and the same group of passengers.
Morning Game Drive
Knowing that we just missed seeing a cheetah mom and her cubs the night before, Werner headed straight for Hippo Loop. On the drive out, we saw some hot air balloons begin to rise.
Cheetahs
Our early morning push was rewarded with a sighting of Rain and her three cubs! Rain is known to be the best cheetah mom in the park and regularly brings her cubs into adulthood. She did lose one cub from this litter when a tourist vehicle blocked the road, separating her from the cub. A leopard got it before she could reach him.
It was amazing to see Rain and her cubs in the wild! Even after seeing cheetahs at the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, it was different to see them roaming in the grass. According to Werner, there are only 12 cheetahs in the park, so seeing 4 is a special treat. I left Pilanesberg last time without seeing any.
Cheetahs have 2,000 to 3,000 spots. They are the fastest land mammal, reaching up to almost 70 miles an hour in 3 seconds. Cubs will start following their mother on hunts at 6 weeks old. They will stay with her for up to 2 years.
Black Rhino
Next, we caught a glimpse of a black rhino in a dry creek bed. There is only one black rhino in that section of the park, affectionately called Bob.
Blue Wildebeests
A herd of blue wildebeests moseyed across the road. There were several calves in the herd that were interested in our vehicle.
A cattle egret scurried in between the wildebeests’ legs to snack on insects stirred up as they walked.
Wildebeest is Afrikaans for “wild beast” and the blue is for the sheen of its coat. Native Khoikhoi people used the name gnu for the animal.
Like zebras, wildebeest calves can walk within minutes of being born.
Giraffes
After a few more turns, we saw heads above the tree line – a group of giraffes. There were five in total plucking leaves with their tongues.
Giraffes technically don’t have defined herds, forming temporary associations instead. Like humans, giraffes have 7 vertebrae in their necks. Their coat patterns are unique, similar to zebras.
An easy way to tell males and females apart is by their “horns” called ossicones; females have hair tufts on top, while male horns tend to be bald due to fighting.
Zebra
A lone zebra kept up surveillance from a bush nearby.
Kudu
The last animals we spotted were some kudu in the tall grass. Kudu are one of my favorite finds – they are beautiful antelopes.
It was time to head back to the lodge for breakfast which was a buffet again. After breakfast was nap time – a little siesta in the room between activities. Then lunch before grabbing the camera and climbing back in the game truck.
Ivory Tree Game Lodge Standard Room
2020 Price: R16,793 (approx. $1,166) for 3 nights
Afternoon Game Drive
Our first big sighting was a herd of impala, wildebeests, and one little springbok. It is common for grazers like wildebeests, zebras, and impalas to group together while eating. Some have better hearing, while others have better eyesight. This gives them increased protection against predators.
Springboks are the national animal of South Africa. Their name is an Afrikaans word meaning “springing antelope.” They are smaller than impalas with a white underbelly and face. Dark marks run from their eyes to their mouth.
Grey Go-Away-Bird
One of the more interesting birds in the park is the grey go-away-bird. Named for its distinctive call – “go-way” – which echoes through the air. It used to be known as the grey lourie until it became more commonly known by the nickname.
Mankwe Dam
For our afternoon sundowners and restroom break, we drove to Mankwe Dam. The dam is the largest body of water in the game reserve. It was built by the farmers who owned the land before it became a reserve. There is a photo hide here as well, down a long wooden walkway, where visitors can watch for birds and other animals that hang out at the water.
Lions
We had fantastic spots to find 6 lionesses lounging along the bank. The setting sun made it a little hard to see but catching sight of lions is always amazing!
Hippos
On the opposite side of the hide, a mother hippo and her calf were splashing in the water.
Black-Backed Jackal
As became the routine, we drove back to the lodge for dinner. One last beautiful view on the way in was a black-backed jackal illuminated by a searchlight. After dinner, there was another late-night shower and then to bed.
Steph, others may put together puzzles during this
coronavirus but I turn to your blogs. Today I found that as much as I enjoy your commentary I have not truly appreciated your photos. Focusing on just the pics this time I found them remarkable and hope one day to take my own.
Thanks Liz! I’m so happy that my blogs were helpful during COVID-19.