South Africa Birthday Safari 7th - 15th June 2026 Part 2 12th - 15th

 Friday 12th June. Having spoken to Marc and Katja who had earlier done the Kruger Park trip said how good it was and had seen Secretary Bird there I was keen to go. Fortunately 2 more couples wanted to go so a trip was arranged for today. 

Leaving at 5.00 am in a canvas covered jeep we took the 1 hour journey to the Orpen Gate. Stopping at the visitor centre for coffee and a comfort break just as it was getting light. It was apparent the vast open plains were so different to the wooded area I had spent the last 4 days in. We soon started seeing birds and mammals.

Ring-necked Dove

Helmeted Guinea Fowl

Brown-necked Parrot

Green Vervet Monkeys

Crested Francolin

Cape Glossy Starling

Cape Glossy Starling

Crested Barbet

We arrived at the Satara Rest Camp around 9.00 am for a comfort break and breakfast which was cooked by our guides on the barbeque

After which we headed off north finding a family party of Southern Ground Hornbills

A very distant pair of adult Lions were seen

Lions (imagination needed)

African Fish Eagle

Hippos

Kudu

My luck was in as we approached 3 Secretary Birds running alongside the road and then one flew and landed in front of the jeep.

Secretary Bird

We continued on seeing more animals until we reached The Oliphants River.

Waterbuck at Oliphants River

Oliphants River

We made a U turn here and started heading back to Satara for lunch but after a little while we came across a couple of jeeps watching a Leopard. We spent the next hour watching it watching and stalking  an Impala.

As time was getting on and we hadn't had lunch we left the Leopard to it and returned to Satara for our late lunch passing 

Osterich

Yellow-billed Hornbill

While having our lunch of Coronation Chicken wraps and salad we were kept entertained by a squirrel and more birds.

Southern Masked Weaver

Southern Red-billed Hornbill

Red-billed Buffalo Weaver

Red-billed Buffalo Weaver

On leaving the rest area at the entrance a Spotted Hyena ran past then hid in the grass 

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

We now started the drive back to our lodge passing more animals including elephants and a couple of Lions sleeping in a ditch next to the road.

No time for a sundowner today, we finally arrived back at the lodge in the dark. A superb day and so glad I decided to do it.

Saturday 13th. Once again a safari at 6.00 am

Waterbuck

Lions again

We were able to take a different track and then meet them face to face.

We next went looking for the elephants again but more excitingly came across a Cheetah, well hidden in the grass. Eventually he stood up but I couldn't get a picture as it was obscured by a tree then, fortunately Lilyella one of the guests in another jeep did.

Cheetah by Lilyella

Despite searching again in the afternoon we couldn't find the elephants and had to make do with the usual and two new birds for the trip.

Impala

Marabou Stork with White-backed Vultures

Wooly-necked Stork

Saturday 14th my last day and last safari this morning, and another go at finding the elephants, first up were 3 Rhinos

Next were the Hippos

Then Bushbuck

Bushbuck

Then Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Finally we came across an area where the elephants could be heard moving through the bush and now it was a waiting game hoping they would cross the track.

Waiting

Then eventually

Finally heading back to the lodge for breakfast we saw some more Warthogs.

and finally the last animals of my trip

After breakfast it was time to pack my bags as I had to be out of the room by 11. I spent the next hour and a half around the pool with a couple of beers as a pair of Bateleurs drifted over. The car arrived to take me to Hoedspruit airport at 12.30 for the short journey there where I checked in for the on time 14.30 flight to  Johannesburg. With luggage this time going straight through all I had to do was go through security and have a long wait for the once again on time 19.25 to London Heathrow arriving 5.30 am UK time on the 15th. Luggage collected quite swiftly then underground to London Victoria and the 7.50 train back to Ore and I was indoors around 10 am. 

I was apprehensive of doing this trip on my own but it all went straight forward with no problems and at the end of the day possibly one of my best trips ever with all the hoped for species seen Lion, Rhino, and Secretary Bird plus the bonus of Cheetah and so fortunate to be up close to a Leopard once again.

Next trip for a big cat has to be Brazil for Jaguar!