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Go Backpacking > Destinations > Africa > South Africa > Day 4, Searching For Lions, Rhinos And Leopards

Day 4, Searching For Lions, Rhinos And Leopards

December 17, 2008 By Dave

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A black-backed jackal loses interest in the dwarf mongoose hiding in the dead tree

I arranged to stay a full third day in the park since I had yet to see a rhino, let alone a leopard. Luckily, Livingstone Trails could accommodate my request. It was also nice to relax into the rhythm of each day, now that I knew the routine.

A couple of antelope butt heads while a hippo will only reveal its ears above water

Highlights on day 3 included a black-backed jackal sniffing around a dwarf mongoose hiding in a dead tree. The mongoose would pop its head out of a small hole each time the jackal move away. These interactions are a lot more interesting than watching impala stand motionless under a tree during the mid-day heat!

A male lion sits in the shade of a tree

We also spotted the same lions as the first day, only they were about 100 meters back from the road this time, meaning they were barely visible without binoculars.

Another male lion stands

Despite being so far away, they were still fun to watch, and we stuck around a good 15 minutes. The lead truck, which I was in on this day, stalled again. Stuard bravely stepped out of his truck, cited how highly illegal it was for him to exit the vehicle in the park (let alone in the vicinity of 5 lions), and gave the truck the necessary push start.

At the end of the day, I overheard another guide telling Stuart about how his truck saw 2 lionesses kill a zebra and drag its body down a river embankment (and out of view). It must've been quite a sight!

Happy hippo

Hippos, elephant, zebra, giraffe, impala. The usual suspects were all present on Day 4.

I spent my third day with Elson (guide) in the lead vehicle

In the lead truck, we were entertained by Elson, the Livingstone guide. Being the first truck meant we had the best chance to see wildlife before it potentially ran away from the road and further back into the bush.

My one view of a white rhino

I caught a glimpse of a white rhino towards the very end of the day. Through my binoculars, I saw its full profile with the big horn, but it didn't stick around long, and soon all I saw was its butt chugging further back into the dense bush.

Sunset over Kruger Park

Back at camp, I saw a much better sunset from atop the water towers then I did on the sunset game drive.  We heard and spotted a hyena patrolling around our campsite as well.  Shining a flashlight out into the darkness, its glowing eyes peered back at us.

Still hoping to spot a leopard, I signed up for a 3-hour morning game walk my last day, rather than another drive.

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Filed Under: South Africa

About Dave

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 65 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Originally from New York, Dave now calls Austin, TX home. Find him on Instagram and Twitter.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jerry Haines says

    December 17, 2008 at 11:10 am

    Dave, this stuff is excellent. I’m going to go back through it more carefully to watch you living my fantasy. Which is what travel writing is all about, eh?

    Jerry
    (Who inflicted that travel writing course on you several months ago in what now must seem far away Arlington)

    • Dave says

      December 18, 2008 at 6:22 pm

      Hi Jerry, your comment is a big compliment! Thanks for continuing to check out my sight. I’m wrapping up a quick swing through Egypt, and still have to catch everyone up on Botswana.

      Arlington does seem far away, but I certainly think about home more often after 12 months than 6. Happy Holidays!!

  2. Jerry Haines says

    December 17, 2008 at 6:10 am

    Dave, this stuff is excellent. I’m going to go back through it more carefully to watch you living my fantasy. Which is what travel writing is all about, eh?

    Jerry
    (Who inflicted that travel writing course on you several months ago in what now must seem far away Arlington)

    • Dave says

      December 18, 2008 at 1:22 pm

      Hi Jerry, your comment is a big compliment! Thanks for continuing to check out my sight. I’m wrapping up a quick swing through Egypt, and still have to catch everyone up on Botswana.

      Arlington does seem far away, but I certainly think about home more often after 12 months than 6. Happy Holidays!!

  3. Debo Hobo says

    December 17, 2008 at 2:38 pm

    That looks way cool, I was just watching show on Discovery about these two guys and their crew that sat on the ground of the African wilds waiting for lions to come to attack a carcass they ha hung up in a tree. Of course they had themselves encased in a Plexiglas box for protection. Ummm I don’t see your box…

    • Dave says

      December 18, 2008 at 1:23 pm

      No box, but as the guides say, there’s no reason for them (and that goes for any of the animals) to attack the trucks.

  4. Debo Hobo says

    December 17, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    That looks way cool, I was just watching show on Discovery about these two guys and their crew that sat on the ground of the African wilds waiting for lions to come to attack a carcass they ha hung up in a tree. Of course they had themselves encased in a Plexiglas box for protection. Ummm I don’t see your box…

    • Dave says

      December 18, 2008 at 6:23 pm

      No box, but as the guides say, there’s no reason for them (and that goes for any of the animals) to attack the trucks.

  5. Canvas Stretching Machine says

    March 19, 2010 at 6:40 am

    that is what i call adventure…

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