March 30  African Safari Day 1

We had to meet in the Hollywood theater this morning no later than 7:45. There are 6 couples and Mary Leja is our escort.  Everyone was on time and we went out and was greeted by a guide and in the van on our way to theDurban airport by 8 am.  The guide had our tickets and got us all checked in. He walked us to security and could go no further.  We had to change planes in Johannesberg and another guide was to meet us there.  We had a little time before our flight so we all just sat and talked.  It was a great flight and although we left over 20 minutes late we arrived on time.  We headed to baggae claim and of course all the bags came out but men. Finally we got mine but where is the guide????  We waited for 15 minutes and Mary tried to reach the tour operator to no avail.  We needed to get to the Federal terminal per the I formation given to Mary.  As the tour people never showed up with our van Mary had us pile I to cabs and she told them she would pay.  We get to the Federal terminal and find out that is wrong I formstion we need to go back to the main terminal.  Back in the cabs we go. Get to the terminal a porter is running us and all our luggage (1 33 lb bag per person) up to the counter.  This is after 1 and the flight is 1:30. The woman at the counter says sorry that flight is closed you will have to wait till tomorrow!  Now we are suppose to land near the lodge and have our first drive. Mary is beside herself and nicely explains this to this women who didn't care.  Mary even asked if she could call the gate and the woman refused she was a real Witch.  One of the other girls asked her why she wouldn't call the gate to see if we could get on and she said "because I said no".  We would not leave the counter and all 13 of us where discussing how to get there the taxi driver said it was about a 4 hr drive and we could rent a "party bus" that sits 15. Back and for we went and the other woman called the gate and they said they were waiting for us to being us down.  So this nice lady as opposed to the witch took us through security for crew and we were running down 2 escalators and then we had to take a bus to the gate.  We had to walk outside. When we boarded this small jet no one was on. That is why they waited for us.  One other person arrived right after we got on.  It was a safe flight and  the airport was beautiful for a little airport especially   We were met by the two guides Mike and Enock in the 4x4s we would go out in and the two trackers were in the pickup truck with the luggage. We arrived at the lodge in about 25 minutes and we checked in and were taken to our rooms.  Unbelievable. I will post pictures.  We were told that lunch would Be served at 4 pm today.  Our luggage was already in our room and it was almost 4 so we headed to lunch.  It was outside and they had a lovely buffet. We were told to be careful about leaving our doors open as the monkeys open the mini bars. As we were sitting there I could see the monkeys watching us and I told someone here comes the monkey sure enough it swooped down and stole a piece of bread and ran away,   It did it two more times!  Okay not happy about monkeys being over my head!!!!!!

After lunch we had our first drive and it was awesome. The first thing we see are elephants.  They are great and I am so excited they are my favorite.  We see a Kudo and all types of antelope.  We are driving around and it is getting dark and what do we happen upon but a lioness.  The ranger said that three of the lions just had a kill a couple of days ago they killed a Cape buffalo and ate it so they are really full and lazy.  She was just lying there and everyonce in awhile she would roar. It was fabulous.  We headed back to camp and they had a wonderful dinner outside with a roaring boma (fire) the Rangers (guides ate with us.). We are not allowed to walk at night alone we were taken back to our houses and were so tired we called it a night. We have a 5 am wake up call. I can't believe we are here and we saw a lion so close!  Somebody pinch me so I know I am not dreaming!

He actually roared for us.  I have a video.