Day 71 of 111 (4/2/19) – Day 4 of 4 on safari at Rhino Ridge Lodge – LIONS!!


WOW! – What an amazing morning watching lion cubs play. We started out at 6:30 this morning and about 2 minutes into the trip we stopped to watch a bull elephant eating by the side of the road. He was barely visible in the dense foliage just outside the truck on Ingrid’s side. He was literally about 4 feet from Ingrid as he broke branches and stripped them for breakfast. That was exciting enough until we again found the lion pride, this time with the cubs visible and playful. Watching them frolic, just 50 yards from the truck, was an amazing joy. 


The family of 3 cubs and two lionesses lounged and scrambled under a beautiful shad tree. It looked as though they had planned their play to be mostly visible from the road to allow for optimum viewing for the passing safarists (that was us!). Occasionally the cubs would disappear into the high grass just to reappear nearby chasing each other or mom.  At one point one of the two lionesses sprang effortlessly over the other in a playful demonstration for the cubs. Even our guide was talking about this experience when he returned to the lodge. We will give him a good tip to help pay the 10 cow price to marry his fiancé. Do you think it was just coincidence that he told us that story on April Fool’s Day, was he just trying for a higher tip, or do you think he rally has to pay the 10 cow price to get married? I told Ingrid she was worth at least 20 cows, but I would have to negotiate that with her father, Gary. Gary should have held out for more, because I got a great deal!

I think a rhino ALWAYS has the right of way!

Secretary bird.

Eight giraffes visible from the Rhino Ridge Lodge.






Just a yawn, I think!??!!

 Cute lion cub.


Look this way.


Tail curling practice.



















Tomorrow we drive to Durban then catch a short flight to Cape Town, South Africa.

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