Mpumalanga

On Monday, 8/10, our tour proceeded to Mpumalanga, known as the Land of the Rising Sun.  We travelled the Panorama Route and arrived at Perry's Bridge Hollow for 2 nights.  This would be our base for visiting Kruger National Park the next day, Tuesday, 8/11.  We arrived at the park early at 6:30 AM and waited in the line of autos to be admitted.  Fortunately we met our ranger guide and climbed aboard to be one of the first vehicles to head out for a day of exploration!
 
The morning was busy as we sighted elephants, giraffes, zebras, and assorted hoofed animals.  The highlight was the sighting of several female lions on the move.  A line of vehicles had formed and waited in hopes the lionesses would appear. Our patience proved worth the wait as we saw 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 cats on the hunt.  These animals move swiftly intent on their purpose to hunt and provide for others.  Amazing sight!

The afternoon added a barrage of baboons and vervet monkeys, as well as hippos, more elephants and giraffes, and a mongoose.  Our viewing ended with the sighting of an impala skin and horns hanging high in a tall tree.  Our guide told us when a leopard makes a kill, the cat will take his capture to a high place to savor and enjoy leaving only the remains.  A tasty meal is not shared with other animals!
 
My favorite sightings in Kruger were a lone rhinoceros and several Cape buffalo.  These animals are of prehistoric origin and are impressive to see as survivors of past ages.