Detailed Diary:

            December 25 (PM Drive):  Merry Christmas!  Upon arrival at Phinda, we were met by Matt and driven to Rock Lodge.  The transfer itself became a game drive.  Despite the heat, ~32C, a view grazing animals were out and about.  After settling into Rock Lodge (albeit for just one night), we enjoyed a relaxing lunch.  Then, at 4:00PM, our group of six began our evening game drive.  By this time, it was even hotter - ~35C – so our gaming focused near water holes.  We had success in finding two young male lions.  Initially they were lying on some muddy ground to cool off.  Then, we were able to follow them to a spring where they enjoyed some water.  As we moved away from them, we came across two very different birds – a Steppe Buzzard (large) and a European Bee Eater (small).  We also found some of the “usual suspects” – including a huge male Giraffe.  It was a fun and rewarding drive albeit we didn’t stop for “sundowners” as one of our companions said “it was a waste of time”.  Being nice guys, we didn’t insist and instead enjoyed a cocktail at the lodge with Presence and other guests before enjoying a group Christmas Dinner.  It was a very festive event!

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	Two male Lions trying to cool off
	One decides it's time to leave for a refreshing drink
	We followed these guys to a nearby stream
	The two brothers rest near the stream
	This is a Steppe Buzzard in the tree top
	This orange-booted antelope is a Nyala and they are everywhere in Phinda - including sometimes being right outside your door
	This male Giraffe is HUGE (look at its height compared to the trees)
	A beautiful European Bee Eater
	A small group of Wildebeest with some tiny babies
	A pre-dinner snap of us and our wonderful hostess, Presence; check out Ed's "tuxedo"

 [ T O P ]

            December 26 (AM Drive):  Despite the early hour, it was a hot morning albeit cloudy.  Our drive began by spotting several different groups of White Rhino; always a pleasure to enjoy these rare creatures in the wild.  Then, to our delight, we came across Black Rhino; a real treat!  Most were a bit skittish but we did manage some photographs.  One young male actually made a mock charge to the vehicle.  Then, another thrill – we came across a female Cheetah with her three sub-adult male cubs.  According to our guide, she had left them two days prior but they sought her out and the group was once again united.  After completing our morning drive, we transferred to Vlei Lodge until the afternoon of December 30 which continues below.

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	A vista from a high point in Phinda
	A group of Lions in the shrubs
	A lone White Rhino
	A group of White Rhino
	This Black Rhino made a mock charge towards our safari vehicle
	We locate yet another Black Rhino
	Two of the three sub-adult male Cheetahs
	The third brother laying alone
	The mother Cheetah stretching
	The mother Cheetah goes to join her sons
	Mom in a sea of spots

[ T O P ]

            December 30 (PM Drive):  Upon our return to Rock Lodge, we met our Ranger/Guide, Ricci.  She and our Tracker, Siphiwe, would oversee our game rides for the balance of our time in Phinda.  We shared our vehicle today with a family from Detroit – a mother and father plus their sons – one 21 years old; the other 16 years old.  We had a very productive drive and enjoyed seeing multiple animals and birds.  Also, Ricci and Siphiwe put together a great Sundowner table and we all enjoyed a nice cocktail in the bush (except for the 16 year old who enjoyed a nonalcoholic beverage).

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	A lone Giraffe
	A group of White Rhino - largest is in this photo
	This black & white bird is a Blacksmith Lapwing
	A Crocodile by the water's edge
	This Elephant stopped for a pose
	A female Elephant with a calf
	These beautiful trees are Fever Trees
	Look at the lovely cocktail table that Ricci & Siphiwe prepared for us!

[ T O P ]

            December 31 (AM Drive):  Our morning game drive was very nice.  We ran into multiple groups of White Rhino.  We also came across Buffalo and Wildebeest and several species of birds.  Later we found a female Lion resting.  As a surprise, Presence met our group in the bush with a table set with scones, juices and champagne!  What a treat!  After enjoying this break, our group chose to walk on a game trail back to the Lodge.

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	A female Wildebeest with a suckling calf
	A female Warthog looks our way
	A really impressive White Rhino
	This colorful bird is a European Roller
	Another White Rhino encounter during the course of our morning drive
	A massive Buffalo - no wonder this is a member of the "Big Five"
	It's amazing how this baby Zebra blends in with its mom
	And yet even more White Rhino; it's a "Rhino kinda day"
	This Lion is curious (and adorable)
	This Lion looks a bit more menacing
	Our surprise morning treat; thanks to Presence!
	A view of Rock Lodge from the walking trail

[ T O P ]

            December 31 (PM Drive):  Our afternoon drive began slowly – likely due to the heat – and we were primarily birding.  However, that changed when we came across a group of lion cubs playing on the road.  Eventually two female lions joined the group.  It was very nice to see the entire group!  Then, we came across the female Cheetah and her three sub-adult males in a quarry.  Initially, they were relaxing and then one male Cheetah left the group.  Some of the other vehicles in the area followed but Ricci & Siphiwe repositioned our vehicle to get closer to the remaining Cheetahs.  It was the right move because the lone male did return to complete the group of four Cheetah.  As it was almost dusk, the female Cheetah left to hunt and the three males joined her.  As some vehicles began to follow the group, Ricci & Siphiwe said that we should go further and take a loop road in hopes of re-encountering the group.  Well, ultimate success!!  We were able to view the final stalking and chase by the group of a female Nyala.  It was awesome!  Once the Nyala was down, the four Cheetah began to eat while the Nyala was still alive (yikes).  Thankfully, it died quickly and the Cheetah enjoyed their feast.  Interestingly, they ate quietly (as compared to lions) and they did so with one or more on watch at all times in the event a lion got scent of the kill.  Obviously, this experience was a “once in a lifetime” event we will never forget!

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	This large predator is a Black-Chested Snake Eagle
	What look like ornaments hanging from these trees are actually Weaver's nests
	Another HUGE Giraffe
	Lion cubs on the road
	This cub decided he/she liked hiding in the brush
	The mother Cheetah sitting alone in the quarry
	Two of the male Cheetah brothers a short distance away from their mother
	A closer shot of these beautiful creatures
	As dusk approaches and just before the group leaves the quarry to hunt, this Cheetah gets scent of a Lion and hisses
	As this and the following pictures are taken in very low light, make sure to enlarge  them for optimum viewing The Nyala Kill
	The Cheetah all take up an eating position on the Nyala
	The feast is beginning
	You can now see the Nyala entrails as well as blood on the face of one of the Cheetah

            After returning to the lodge, all guests and two Rangers and Presence (Lodge Manager) enjoyed pre-dinner cocktails.  Before dinner began, a group of Zulu dancers put on an amazing display of dancing.  The group was comprised of men, women and children – each of whom displayed amazing talent and agility.  It was a wonderful experience.  Then, we all enjoyed a fantastic holiday dinner.  The icing on the cake…. We returned to our bungalow to find that the room had been lit by candles with a bubble bath drawn.  The perfect ending to an amazing day and a great way to bring in the New Year!

            January 1 (AM Drive):  This morning we enjoyed another great ride with lots of game viewing.  It was a treat to see more Black Rhino as well as our first Waterbuck at Phinda.  Following our game drive, we stopped at Mountain Lodge to visit the gift shop featuring wonderful Zulu traditional arts.

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	This shy little guy is a Common Duiker
	This lazy Hyena is the only one we saw in Phinda
	A majestic Green Heron
	A pair of Waterbuck, again our first sighting at Phinda
	A White Rhino - they are truly prospering in Phinda
	A Black Rhino grazing in front of a herd of Wildebeest
	Yet another massive Black Rhino
	Here's a closer look at that unique prehensile lip
	If you look carefully, you'll see this Black Rhino is spraying to mark his territory

[ T O P ]

            January 1 (PM Drive):  At the request of our companions, our afternoon game ride instead became an afternoon walk.  Our companions had not been in the northern section of Phinda and wanted to visit the Sand Forest – a unique ecosystem.  So, we took a long drive and then walked through the Forest.  Obviously we didn’t have any game viewing while walking due to the noise of being on leaves, branches, etc.  However, we did see some game en route.  Unfortunately, we also had two flat tires.  Thankfully, Ricci and Siphiwe are experts at making changes and a nearby Ranger loaned us his spare so we made it back to the Lodge.  We had a nice group dinner including having Ricci join us as our companions had to leave Phinda the following morning.  (On an aside, about ten days later, Ed came down with South African Tick Fever.  Thankfully, we had some medication and his symptoms disappeared once he finished two doses.  Yeah!)

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	Two Water Buck with a small Crocodile in the foreground
	This is a Goliath Heron
	Ricci by one of the larger trees (Note the large rifle she must carry anytime she or we leave the safety of our vehicle)
	A look up into the canopy in the Sand Forest
	We returned back by foot along this windy road to retrieve our vehicle
	Did you ever wonder how a Giraffe drinks?
	A Green Chameleon (note the beautiful sunset!)

[ T O P ]

            January 2 (AM Drive):  Today we had the luxury of a private safari.  Our morning began by spotting one of those wonderful Black Rhino at a waterhole.  Then, we decided to try to find the pride of two female lions and their cubs by driving various nearby tracks.  Initially we spotted only a lone female enjoying a Warthog piglet.  However, thanks to Siphiwe, we ultimately located the balance of the group.  We followed them to the nearby waterhole where we originally saw the Black Rhino.  Now, there was a female White Rhino and her calf at the waterhole.  The lions took up position at the opposite end of the waterhole.  We had the pleasure of taking lots of photographs as well as taking “selfies” of us and the Rhino.

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	This Black Rhino is already cooling off; it's interesting he's in the waterhole
	He decided it was better to move on especially after our arrival
	Okay, we're begun our quest to locate the Lions.  Notice that Siphiwe has moved into the vehicle for safety reasons.
	Success!!  Can you spot the Lions in the long grass?
	This young Male pauses to check us out
	This female Lion is leading the group back to the same waterhole where we earlier found the Black Rhino
	Guess who's now taken over the waterhole?  A White Rhino
	Eyes meet at the Lion passes the White Rhino
	Enjoying a well-deserved drink
	The White Rhino's calf has now joined her in the water opposite the gathering number of Lions
	A close-up of a young male Lion whose mane is just beginning to show
	A great view of the calf and mother White Rhino
	The mother White Rhino lies in the water while her calf scratches on a nearby tree
	One of the Lions looks on
	Selfie time - us and the White Rhino
	Siphiwe gets his selfie with both the mother and calf
	Ricci gets in on the action too
	Back to the Lions...  Now that's a big yawn and a huge set of teeth!

[ T O P ]

            January 2 (PM Drive):  We were joined by two honeymooners from Germany.  Ricci went through an orientation and asked if there were any particular species the newcomers would like to see.  Yvonne said she really wanted to see an Elephant.  We hadn’t seen one in several days as they had moved to the north of Phinda but, as luck would have it, our initial sighting was a lone Bull Elephant.  Then, we came across so many additional species, but the highlight was getting great photographs of a massive Black Rhino.  It was the perfect way to end our wonderful game viewing at Phinda.

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	The lone Bull Elephant
	When he faces the vehicle, this guy guys looks HUGE
	This is a great Black Rhino photo; his prehensile lip is very evident!
	A Lion passing our vehicle during the last moments of our drive

            When we returned back to Rock Lodge, we enjoyed a lovely farewell dinner for just the two of us.  After dinner, Presence joined us for dessert.  It was a great way to end our nine nights at Phinda Private Game Reserve!

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