Steppes In Africa; A Disney-inspired Safari-S is for: Split Day of Game Drives & T is for: The Other Half of a Terrific Day! (9/15)

[Steppesister]

I would rather see the animals from the ground anyway. The balloons at sunrise do make for a spectacular photo though!

I agree. I mean, maybe on a 2nd safari or after a really long one?

Looks like a pretty cushy vehicle!

It was and even better that I was nearly the only one in it!

Haha pretty sure we got that line on our safari too. Impala everywhere!

Some of the jokes reminded me of Jungle Cruise.

 

[pkondz]

(Things were busy at camp during the night!)

erm... those look... feline...

Love that one in the middle. Looks like it's bawling out the one on the left. The one on the right just doesn't want to get involved.

a 3-hour tour which includes brunch and cocktails and an hour or two up in the air was out of my budget at $600pp.

So...

I would've skipped it even at half the price. I've been up in a hot-air balloon. No... not in Africa, but... I'd want to be closer to the ground to get all those spectacular animal shots/encounters you've been getting.

Such a pretty shot!

I am not sure if the roaring is the male or the young female, but it was rather unnerving,

Terrific shot!

Nice shot of you.

Why, yes. Yes, I did have breakfast with the giraffes!!!

How cool is that?!?!?

Looks like he'd glow under a UV light.

Because there are times I have the sense of humor of a 4th grader.

Like none, other than the backside of a truck.

Ladies and gentlemen... the ninth wonder of the world! The backside... of the truck!

Oddly enough, sounds like you'll be exposing your own backside there. Huh.

When done doing your thang, you simply put the used TP in the provided brown bag and then put this little "goodie bag" in the seat pouch in front of you for disposal back at camp.

Ew?

But then again... better than littering up the country with TP.

Ok, ok, to be honest I never had a doody emergency.

Ok, ok, to be honest I never had a doody emergency. And trust me if I had to doo #2, it would definitely be classified as an emergency because I’d have a… well, I’d have to go pretty badly to need a truck stop for that.

Yeah... not something you'd want to do without a commode.

You’d think it’d be easier to find a dung beetle than say, a leopard, right?!

I actually have no idea!

I’d say that 99% of safari-goers want to see the Big 5: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, and Rhino.

Makes sense.
Quite surprised you actually saw one. I'd have put money on you not seeing one.
And a lot more money that you'd see all five!

then got bored and went off to do whatever leopards do in the morning.

Probably had a hare and nails appointment.
(Catching a hare with his nails.)

Wow!

This little dik-dik

It's not little! It's normal size! He was in the pool!
(Lemme know if you don't get this reference.)

the smallest species in Africa. At the shoulders, they are only 12-15” tall!!!

Tiny!
Had no idea this creature even existed.

Wow! Beautiful colours!

Those are stunning too.

One was a wee little snickerdoodle and another was a Hulk Hogan Wannabe.

But I'll stay outta the water with either/or.

Wonder if they’re very fast.

Nah. Go ahead and take a dip. What's the worst that can happen?

awwww...

(I need one of these! Please start a GoFund Me for my new pet!)

I present to you the "McDonalds of the Savannah"… the IMPALA!!

At first I thought you meant they were the most common food source for predators..
(and maybe they are?)

Lots of double arches out there!

...but then I saw what you were referring to!

(The males are certainly impressive!)

Those horns!!!

I'll end with a few more birds... because there were A LOT of them!!!!

You certainly got your money's worth on this trip as far as bird species goes.

(Grey Kestrel)

Huh. Interesting. I've heard of kestrels, but never actually knew what one looked like.

(Pin-tailed Whydah, seen before)

So pretty, though.

because of some unfortunate weather, there wasn’t a lot of game spotting on the back end of the day.

I'd demand a full refund!!

I took the opportunity to take some more detailed photos of the main tent of this luxury tent camp so you can get a good idea of how truly nice this place is.

Very luxe!

aww... my mom had those books (not those exact ones, but the Readers Digest books.)
I still haven't forgiven her for giving them away. I wanted them!

That looks interesting. Know what it is?

(Lunch with Impala!)

McDonalds, huh? Even in the middle of the Serengetti.

a group of Vervet Monkeys up to a lot of monkey business.

Go ahead and name another mammal with blue coloring on it (I did think of one). The ball’s in your court.

"ball's" in my court, huh?
You're nuts!

Okay... I immediately thought of one, but couldn't remember the name for it, so had to Google it. Mandrill.
Also... the Blue Whale, but I consider that more grey than blue. Certainly not a bright blue.

Snork!

Cute!

Great shot of the eyes.

There’s not much that grosses me out anymore

That implies seeing far too much gross stuff. Not sure that I envy you, that.

gigantic rotting hippo carcass square in the middle of the reeking cesspool of the pond.

Cool!

Circle of life.

Huh!

Like this shot!

With lightning speed, it lunged at the festering flesh and, with a fantastic “alligator roll” proceeded to tear off a tasty bite. Gulp, gulp, gulp!!! Amazing!! Raw, unadulterated nature in action!!!

Wow! That'd be so cool to see. Your own personal National Geographic show, right in front of you.

whoa...

Maybe the entrée didn’t have enough au jus.

a gargantuan hippo decided to take an afternoon stroll. This! THIS is a spectacle you will NOT see often.

No way! Would not have expected that.

his lazy buddies were busy poo flinging as hippos are prone to do. It’s like hippo instant messaging.

(ID pending. I've asked my Bird Group)

Oh, that's easy.



You're welcome.

Cooool. Like a big ol' dog.

I keep looking at your photos and going "Wow!"

Ah! So they don't just fling poop, but ear wax, too!

How cool is that! Never see a giraffe with birds perched on its neck!

(The gin I enjoyed. Never liked gin much at all until this trip!)

This may or may not have been the Corn Chowder that was listed.

Yeah... not sure if I'd be a fan of that.

It wouldn’t be my most favorite meal of the trip, which will probably surprise you a bit, but it was a very close 2nd.

Really!
Fish must've been darn good.

From Wiki: “Amarula is a cream liqueur from South Africa. It is made with sugar, cream and the fruit of the African marula tree

Huh!

I think I've seen that in our local liqueur store. Maybe? Looks familiar, nevertheless.

The Amarula was for sipping afterwards, but I only remembered that I had it after people were ready to head out.

Whoops!

It’ll be there though for the 2nd installment if I don’t sip it all myself with hot cocoa.

the lady who was all freaked out about the mouse on her bed seemed to be just as wigged at this little guy. Like…. Why?!

That lady is in the wrong country.

I am rather sure it’s Mr. Toad who found a place to call home when he was evicted.

There ya go!

His gravestone at HM is just a ploy. Don’t be fooled.

I'll never look at that headstone the same again.
Lies!

This little dude is a Darkling Beetle of which there are over 20,000 species. No, I do not have time to narrow it down more for you.

What??? What kind of shoddy TR writer are you???

Stay tuned… more to come in a couple of weeks…

Enjoy the wedding!