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!

 

[missjackiemcg]

All of the leopard pictures were just awesome--what a gorgeous creature! It actually made me smile, too, as I remembered that when Jimmy was little, he really liked the leopard animatronic at the Rainforest Cafe, because it's long tail hung down over the bathroom doors and twitched this way and that. The pictures brought back that memory I hadn't thought of in SO long!

You must've felt incredibly lucky at all that you got to see in the way of elephant behavior on this trip! Startling, for certain, but I bet not every safari guest is lucky enough to see so much happening. Same with the crocs and the hippos. What an adventure, honestly.

Also, I know it's a stretch, but my eyes see a wannabe Hidden Mickey in the dew drops on the right side of this flower. And who am I to argue?

 

[Wood Nymph]

That crocodile is really fat. Was he gorging on the dead hippo?

The main tent looks very cozy with all the rich wood. It looks like a really nice place to relax.

 

[Steppesister]

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

I think so. Rawr!!!

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.

HAHA!!! It does look like that.

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.

You definitely have a point. I've been in helpicopters and that's super awesome, but I think for THIS place in the world, staying grounded is best.

Such a pretty shot!

I think this was my fave of the lot.

Terrific shot!

Wish it was a bit sharper. But I do love the composition.

Nice shot of you.

Thanks!

How cool is that?!?!?

Almost as cool as lunch with the elephants the day before. And hippos in Ngorongoro.

Looks like he'd glow under a UV light.

The birds are so, so colorful there. So much brighter and pretty than our birds here.

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.

Not nearly as cool though as the Back Side of Water.

Ew?

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

For sure! They really do a great job at keeping little down to almost zero. In fact, at least once we stopped to pick up trash to take back to camp.

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

And, yet.

I"ve done loads and loads of camping and National Forest lands tend not have potties either.

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!

Exactly!!! I'd say I was really, really lucky.

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

Ok, that was....

masterful.

Wow!

I just wished the background was better. Even a little. As it is, it's garbage.

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

I have heard the reference, but don't know the movie.

Tiny!
Had no idea this creature even existed.

I don't think I'd heard of them until I started researching for this trip.

Wow! Beautiful colours!

This seems to be the singular fan-fave of photographers (of birds anyway) because of those colours.

Those are stunning too.

I just loved those little bee-eaters!

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

If the creatures you can see don't get ya, the ones you can't will.

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

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

I do wonder if they actually are. They are just EVERYWHERE!

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

Such a hilarious design!!

Those horns!!!

I kind of think they might be the loveliest of all I saw.

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

I need to do a so-far count.

I'd demand a full refund!!

I think I'm past the statute of limitations.

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!

HAHA, I wonder if our kids thought the same when we got rid of the Britanica set.

That looks interesting. Know what it is?

I think it was either lamb or beef kefta with some veggie salad. No idea what the sauce is.

"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.

BINGO!!! It took me a little bit to think on it, but have seen mandrills in the zoo. They are indeed.... colorful.

Great shot of the eyes.

FINALLY!!

I need new camera gear.

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

I'm a healthcare worker.

Like this shot!

Fun! Sometimes it's good to get macros...

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

1,000% Not just sightings, but some truly amazing drama!!

Oh, that's easy.

You're welcome.

Ironically, it ended up being an Eastern Grey Woodpecker.

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

I really loved that one. Probably one of the 3 best of this chapter.

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

Kinda like Shrek. A little.

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

If memory serves, this soup was one of the more bland ones.

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

I love the bottle art!

That lady is in the wrong country.

Mhm... like maybe somewhere that there is no nature at all. Or perhaps a zoo.

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

You're welcome.

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

A somewhat, sometimes efficient one.

 

[pkondz]

You definitely have a point. I've been in helpicopters and that's super awesome, but I think for THIS place in the world, staying grounded is best.

Thought so.
I mean… if you’ve never been in a balloon… or if you e been on safari before or have a lot more time… then I can see it.
But… I’d go on safari to see animals. Like you’ve been doing.

I think this was my fave of the lot.

Can see that.

Almost as cool as lunch with the elephants the day before. And hippos in Ngorongoro.

You’re certainly getting an adventure.

Not nearly as cool though as the Back Side of Water.

Nothing is as cool as that.

In fact, at least once we stopped to pick up trash to take back to camp.

Huh!

I"ve done loads and loads of camping and National Forest lands tend not have potties either.

Well there ya go.


Literally.

Ok, that was....

masterful.

I just wished the background was better. Even a little. As it is, it's garbage.

Disagree. Focus on the subject.

have heard the reference, but don't know the movie.

It’s actually from a Seinfeld episode.

I kind of think they might be the loveliest of all I saw.

Won’t disagree.

I think I'm past the statute of limitations.

Well, shoot.

BINGO!!! It took me a little bit to think on it, but have seen mandrills in the zoo. They are indeed.... colorful.

Yuss!!!

What do I win?

I'm a healthcare worker.

Yeah… nuff said.

I really loved that one. Probably one of the 3 best of this chapter.

Again… agree.

Kinda like Shrek. A little.

Yes!!

Mhm... like maybe somewhere that there is no nature at all. Or perhaps a zoo.

 

[buzzrelly]

While Hassan and I trucked along, others chose to take in the morning sunrise from the air. I had contemplated adding this experience to my package, but 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. I’m sure it was fantastic and something I’d consider for next time, it just wasn’t something I could do this trip.


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Such a gorgeous shot!

As always, it was absolutely lovely!! And as always there were a few curious guests nearby!

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Very nice pic of you!

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

Words cannot describe how absolutely regal and beautiful this animal was. Just stunning. From its perch high in the tree, it watched for prey, groomed itself, then got bored and went off to do whatever leopards do in the morning. We probably stayed there a good 30 minutes just shooting photos, admiring how lovely it was, and observing its behavior.

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Your pictures are amazing. This must have been so cool to see in the wild!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

I tip my hat to your fine photography skills my friend! You trip looks like it was amazing! My youngest did a African field study in Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe through her university and loved every minute of it.