Obviously we hadn't noticed this sign!
There were lots of colourful birds flitting about. We later discovered that they are Weaver birds, so called because of their distinctive elaborately woven nests.
Aren't the nests fascinating!
While we were wandering about the staff were preparing a dining table under the tree for a Thanksgiving celebration.
Ghost Mountain Inn with a tree behind it full of Weaver Birds' nests.
The nests have a back entrance as well as a front entrance!
In the afternoon we were transferred to the Hluhluwe- Imfolozi Game Reserve which covers a combined area of 90,000ha. It was here that the white rhino was saved from extinction.
The first animal we saw was a warthog - I think warthogs are really cute!
A female Nyala. She seemed a bit curious about us!
We were only minutes into our drive when the ranger spotted a lioness - he said they had noticed that there were 2 lionesses with cubs in the area but the cubs would be hidden somewhere so it was unlikely we would see them. The lioness was obviously interested in something. There were a group of impala who swiftly made their way to the boundary fence where men were working. Safety for them!
Meanwhile, closer to us, was a fan-tailed Widowbird. It was fascinating to watch in flight. Its tail was amazing!
The lioness is alert to something!
Ah - a warthog!
Gradually getting closer to her prey.
Zigzagging ...
There's a family of warthogs and they have become aware of danger!
Let's go!
The nyalas are alert too and take flight out of harm's way. Monkeys in the distance catch sight of the lioness and start chattering.
Buffalo wallowing in a water hole.
Weaver bird nests beside the waterhole.
Then there was a stampede of buffalo across the road in front of us. Jim just caught the end of it.
What a look of disdain!
This is a Widowbird like we saw earlier. This time Jim managed to get the tail. This is a male and he grows the tail and dances in the air to attract females. I'm not sure if Jim were to dance in the air it would have the same effect!
This is a yellow-billed kite.
This is a Kurrichane thrush. Hasn't it a lovely red beak.
Male Nyala.
There's something really special about seeing giraffes in the wild. It's almost as if you believe that they can't really exist - and then they do!
This giraffe is really tall and the ranger told us that it is an old giraffe.
These warthogs had been wallowing in the red mud.
From now on, with one exception, it's a white rhino feast! We rounded a turn in the road and saw the first two. The ranger found a better way round where we would see lots more.
They totally ignored the jeep.
Wow, locking horns!
Mother and baby!
And in the midst of this activity a Hammerkop.
What a day! Hluhluwe-Imfolozi gave us 4 hours of scenery, birds and wild animals and a well-informed commentary from our ranger.
En route to the hotel Lutendo told us that, as an apology for the mix up the first night, he had bought some gin and tonic and some wine for us to share. That posed the dilemma of glasses as we were all reluctant to ask the staff to give us empty glasses so we could imbibe some of our own alcohol. However, we got over our reticence and wine and gin and tonic was demolished!
That evening we were entertained once again by Zulu singers and dancers.
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