Safari #3

Well I guess I've learned my lesson about shopping. I thought going shopping in a Zambin village would be more fun than shopping at home. Not so much. Ranie found a few nice things so it wasn't a total waste of time. When we returned to the lodge Ranie had a massage and facial while I sweat my way through a short nap. At 4pm it was time for our final safari. 

Safari #3 three started with us letting Abel,our guide, and Isaac, his spotter, know our goal was to see a leopard. Almost immediately upon our departure it started to rain. Turned out that was a good thing. Helped to cool things off quite nicely and didn't rain for long. We proceded to have wonderful encounters with elephants, giraffes and hundreds of Impalas ans bush bucks. But no leopards. We spoke with another safari group who said they had caught a quick glimpse of a leopard but they couldn't see it well. By the time we stopped for sundown drinks, and the sundown was awe inspiring, we'd still struck out on leopards. We did enjoy watching the hippos and elephants cross the river heading for night time grazing. 

Abel and Isaac were now on a mission to find leopards. The sun was down, clouds blocking most of the moonlight and Isaac was working the spotlight. Then it happened. In the distance, about 300 yards away the spotlight reflected off two spot in a tree.  It was clearly the eys of an animal. We approached to about 100 yards and we could see it was a leopard cub.  As we sat and watched we saw another cub in a tree ahead and to our right. Abel was determined to get us closer for a better look. 

Between us and the leopard cubs was a drying watering hole. The edges had mostly dried but there was still water in the toward the middle. Abel steered our Toyota Land Cruiser into the watering hole and stared to maneuver us closer to the leopard cubs. Of course we were all wondering where mama leopard was. The going was weary rough as as Abel tried to negotiate the deep ruts and holes left by hippos and elephants using the watering hole. In fact, we noticed a half submerged hippo about fifty yards to our right. As the Land Cruiser bumped to a rough stop, the leopard cub closest to us came ot of his tree and started exploring the watering hole. A short later the second cub left his tree and we lost sight of it. We watched the remaining cub play for about ten minutes as Isaac followed it with his spot light. 

When it was time to go Abel calmly announced, "Interestingly, we are stuck."  He them ask the men to get out of the Land Cruiser and push.  No big deal. We have two wild leopard cubs, a missing mama leopard and a hippo, the most aggressive of all the animals to humans, in our very immediate vicinity. So all us guys jumped out to help push. I had only taken two steps when I stepped in an elephant track. Not the stinky kind, just a big hole. The track was knee deed and I almost feel. The other guys were having similar problems. We were able to free the truck quickly and get back on our way with no loss of life or limb. However, one of the guys did fall and another saw something large drop from a nearby tree thought mama had come to protect her cubs. Thankfully it was a false alarm. 

Abel was now on the hunt trying to get us a better look at the cubs. Apparently seeing leopard cubs is very rare. Or find the mother leopard. After about 10 minutes driving through very heavy brush we spotted another set of glowing eyes. It wasn't mama but it was an adult male leopard. Abel got us into good position to the leopard walk across a field. Abel told us he thought the cat was heading for a nearby trail so he took us that direction.  We arrived where Abel expected the leopard to cross the road. When we stopped we noticed a lion and her cub walking in a drainage area to our right. The leopard was comic straight toward our truck. We all sat as still and quiet as we could. The big cat walked past us within five feet of our front bumper. I have to say this safari ride is definitely in the top five great experiences of my life. 

I tried to take pictures as all this was going on. I was able to snap one that isn't too blurry. I attached it for you. The video is better but I can't attach video. You can check it out when we get back. I've also attached a couple other photos from this evenings safari. 

This is our last night at Kafunta River Lodge. We had a wonderful time. The staff was friendly and helpful, the food great and views spectacular. If they could do something about the heat, this place would be perfect.