(4 AM) and headed out for one of our favorite places, Pilanesberg Game Reserve. With the arrival of Elder & Sister Garret we wanted to start showing them South Africa. Elder Garret served his mission in South Africa between 1960 - 1963 under President Aldridge.
The game drive started out slow but as the morning progressed we started seeing animals, the usual Zebra, Wildebeest, Warthog, and Impala. We were hoping to see any one of the Big Five during this trip. After stopping at several Hides (sight seeing huts built next to lakes) we did not see much except for a bunch of Vervet Monkeys and some Hippos.
We needed to leave the park by 12 noon so as to get one van back by 4 PM so Elder Mincks could make it to the airport to pick up a couple coming from Madagascar to be translators at the temple.
At about 11 AM we had our first sighting of one of the big five - a Rhinoceros.
Shortly after leaving the Rhino we were notified by an oncoming car that a pride of lions had been sighted just ahead of us. We took off and no more than a half a mile ahead of us we saw cars parked along the side of the road. Upon arriving we were shown where the lions were bedded down and -WOW- our first sighting of lions in the wide. Just to see LIONS made the whole trip worth while.
Two Young Males
After spending considerable time watching the lions we headed for the exit gate. Just before getting to the gate we rounded a corner and right there next to the road were a group of Elephants, the third of the big three we sighted on this trip.
What a trip. Everybody concluded that this was, without question, the best game drive ever. Seeing three of the big five is a remarkable feat. Still looking for the elusive Leopard and Water Buffalo - maybe next time.
Our plans for an early lunch was disrupted by the traffic because today was a holiday in South Africa so the roads were packed with returning vacationers which made the drive home long and tedious.
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