Day 2 in South Africa, May 5th 2017 (early morning- & late afternoon game drive in Pilanesberg National Park)

My first early morning game drive. Woke up at 5.00 AM and after a small breakfast went down the 132 steps from the Tshukudu Lodge to the bottom of the hill where the safari vehicles were waiting for their passengers. It was still dark when we left at about 5.45 AM. We drove towards the Mankwe Dam/Hippo Loop area in the middle of the Pilanesberg National Park.

coffee break at 7.30 AM

bridge to hide at Mankwe Dam

  

Day 1 in South Africa, May 4th 2017 (from Johannesburg International Airport to Pilanesberg National Park)

sunrise over Africa

LX 288 approaching Johannesburg

my route from JNB to Pilanesberg National Park

Tshukudu Bush Lodge in Pilanesberg National Park

first view of the Pilanesberg!

african highway traffic

entering Pilanesberg National Park through Bakubung

all excited to see the Big 5

my first sighting of the Big 5 was not a good one.......

but it got better!

african road block

just one way out - in reverse!

first view of Tshukudu Bush Lodge

you can hardly see him, but he's there, welcoming you at the steps leading to the lodge, Happy Harry

the lounge at the lodge

our Tshukudu ranger Ally

and off we go on our first afternoon game drive!

one of the Tshukudu Lodge safari vehicles

zebra's

more zebra's

and 1 more zebra

more passionate photographers on board

little bee-eater

waterbok

majestic......