Apr 27 - Back to Johannesburg

 Apr 27  Back to Johannesburg

Sadly, all good things must come to an end.  We had one more game drive this morning before the usual group photo and thank you presentation to the staff at Nottens Bush Camp.  At each of our stays, Ronnie and Dee had us all gather together to thank the staff and to give them gratuities for their outstanding service. (We each paid a set amount before the trip and he handled all of that for everyone) Each of the lodges have gone above and beyond to make us comfortable and to add many little extras.  It’s a great way to handle the gratuity.

We were ready and in the jeep at 6:00 AM, wanting to take advantage of the full time on our last safari.  We weren’t disappointed when at 6:15 we spotted a leopard with his ‘prey’!  It was a young male holding and guarding a cushion!!!  LOL. Jeff said he must have ‘captured’ it at an out building!  The mother leopard helps teach her offspring to become independent by abandoning them, and then bringing food until she sees them with their first ‘kill’.  Then she never returns!  So when we saw the young one carrying off the cushion, we all hoped she wouldn’t interpret this the wrong way!!!

Jeff spotted this guy a little way off the road… guarding a cushion!

Maybe he decided to find a safer spot to protect it, so walked away carrying the cushion!  He took it quite high up into a tree… where it got stuck!

Finally he was able to wrestle it out of the branches!

And lie down to see what was inside?  He actually ate some of the stuffing!! This guy sure brought a smile to our faces!

Then , maybe he decided to find Mama Leopard and show her his prize?!?!  LOL

There weren’t too many animals out this morning. But we did see another giraffe with a wounded leg.  This guy looks like he has injured his ankle as it is definitely swollen and he is not able to put any weight on it.  How sad to see him trying to move on three legs.  

Our last encounter was at the coffee stop…

As always, Mary had her camera ready!

To catch this Hornbill…

He loved the crumbs from our biscotti!

Sadly, we had to head back to have breakfast and get ready to head to the airport.

The Skukuza Airport was such a neat little airport in Kruger Park!

We arrived into Johannesburg mid afternoon, said our goodbyes to those leaving on flights tonight and then Ronnie and Dee took us to the hotel in the airport where we are spending the time until our departure tomorrow evening!

I’ll try for another blog or two before we reach home!

M & D