While the cheetahs continued to elude us (unusual, according to Phillip, since they are usually very visible, while the leopards are hard to spot), our final two regularly scheduled game drives were amazing, and we continued to delight in just sitting and observing the incredible variety of animals that inhabit Shamwari. We spent time with the giraffes, rhinos and elephants that are in evidence throughout the reserve; we enjoyed the amazing assortment of antelopes that graze all over the area; we laughed and cried at the antics and behavior of the lions (laughing at the young females trying to rough house with Mom, and feeling so bad for the young male whom she continued to try to drive away from the pride because it was time for him to be on his own); we feverishly pursued the large male leopard as he snuck through the brush and up a steep slope, all the while calling out for his female counterpart to join him for some fun; and we determinedly tracked a group of Cape Buffalo which we finally found hidden in a thicket.
Phillip also treated us to a night drive, which was awesome. Armed with a spotlight, we ventured into the bush where we were immersed in total darkness, except for the sparkling eyes which surrounded us. We spotted many of our usual friends-impalas, giraffes, red hartebeests, zebras and springboks--as well as a number of nocturnal species, including Cape Hares and a huge porcupine! The most incredible thing, though, was just stopping and listening-the singing of the cicadas and the crickets was mesmerizing in the peaceful night, as all of the animals rested quietly, making certain not to create any noise to alert their predators to their location. Meanwhile, we kept our eyes peeled to the areas around our vehicle so as not to startle any of the large cats who may have been out in search of dinner, or the hippos, who had navigated their narrow paths out of the river to the plains where they were contentedly chewing down on their grass before settling down to rest.
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