2025 South Africa, Zimbabwe & Zambia - Day #13 - Makanyi Private Game Lodge

Wild Dogs and Leopards

A Moving Day. We packed our luggage the previous night. Our luggage is going to be picked up at 7 am and trucked to our next lodge.

I am still struggling with a head cold.

We were up and moving at 5:05 am. I screwed up. For some reason, I got it in my head that we were going on the morning safari at 7 am rather than 6 am. Just before 6 am, Sharon realized that we needed to be out by 6 am. We got to the truck about 6:02 am.

It was a great morning. We came upon a pack of Wild African Dogs (4 adults and 10 puppies) feeding on a bushbuck. Interestingly, the adults let the pups eat first. Once the pups had their fill, the adults moved in and tore the remaining carass to pieces. The dogs have a lot energy.

One of the other trucks found leopard tracks. We ended up following a male leopard as he patrolled his territory. I continue to be amazed that the cats don't pay any attention to the trucks.

On the way back to the lodge, I got photos of two new animals: a black backed jackal and a Kudu.

We had scrambled egg corn tacos for breakfast.

Kevin and I both tried to update our blogs, but the wifi was bad. It has been pretty good over the first three days, but we weren't able to get anything done!

2025 South Africa, Zimbabwe & Zambia - Day #12 - Makanyi Private Game Lodge

Lions!

We were up again at 5:05 am and out on the morning safari before 6 am.

After wandering for about twenty minutes, our guide Carl got a call that lions had been spotted crossing a main road. We ended up spenting the morning following a pride of lions (a male and four females). One of the females had a broken front left ankle. Kevin called her Lefty.

While we were on our morning break, the lions took down a juvenile Cape Buffalo. We went back and watched them feed on it. After the group fed for awhile, the male started fighting with the females and dragged the carcass under a bush.

With the females sitting around watching the male, a Cape buffalo stampede started on the hillside. We followed the females as they went to check out the commotion.

I was surprised that the lions didn't pay any attention to the trucks! When we were following them in the morning or sitting and watching them feed they just acted like we weren't there.

We saw a black rhino on the way back to the lodge. They are rare and very aggressive.

Back at the room, I worked on my blog.

Both Sharon and I picked at a beet salad for lunch.

Given that I am still struggling with my cold and getting enough sleep, I took a nap for about 45 minutes.

On the evening safari, I got a better crocodile photo. We checked on the sleeping lions and then raced to watch some African Wild Dogs harass a Kudu. On the way back to lddge in the dark, the tracker and guide spent time looking for leopards. All that we saw was a scopes owl and a chameleon.

For dinner, Sharon had a prawn salad and quail (an odd quail sausage), while I had carrot soup and pork loin. The dinner was not very good.

We crashed early. I was asleep just after 9 am.

2025 South Africa, Zimbabwe & Zambia - Day #11 - Makanyi Private Game Lodge

from our Rothschild Safaris Itinerary

TYPICAL DAY IN THE TIMBAVATI

Situated in the heart of the Greater Kruger region, your experience in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve immerses you in the wild beauty of the reserve. Throughout the year, this vibrant landscape teems with life, where the daily dramas of resident species like lions, hyenas, leopards, and jackals unfold alongside herds of elephants, zebras, gazelles, and giraffes. Timbavati Private Game Reserve is a haven for large herds of elephants and buffalo, along with a substantial lion population. Notably, it is home to the rare white lions, first spotted here in the mid-1970s.

Your safari includes early morning and late afternoon excursions to witness wildlife as they emerge. Spend leisurely afternoons enjoying sunset bush-drinks and dining under a sky filled with stars. You will also have the opportunity to connect with local communities, learning about their culture in meaningful ways. In the evening, savor gourmet meals and gather around the campfire to share stories with fellow travelers.

GAME DRIVES
Set out on twice-daily game drives-one at sunrise and another in the late afternoon-timed to coincide with the hours when wildlife is most active. This region is especially rich in animal life, with regular sightings of lions and leopards among the many highlights. While rhino and wild dogs are more elusive, each drive offers the chance to witness powerful moments and an impressive variety of species in their natural habitat.

BUSH WALKS
Venture into the bush alongside a highly skilled ranger, who will guide you in tracking animals, identifying fascinating plants, and spotting some of the region's smaller, often hidden wildlife. With a bit of luck, you may even find yourself quietly observing a rhino at close range. Walking safaris are available during the winter months only.

STARGAZING
Makanyi Lodge offers its guests the opportunity to learn a little more about the night sky with the use of an amazing telescope. The lack of light pollution in this wonderfully remote region allows one to see the beautiful constellations of the Southern Hemisphere and have an unspoilt view of the Milky Way, often with the odd passing satellite.

Up at 5:05 am, we were out on the morning safari at 6 am.

New animals that we saw that I was able to photograph included white rhinos, waterbucks, hippos, the nose of a crocodile, an African hare, wart hogs and steenboks. We also saw a grey duiker, a drawf mogoose and some vervet monkeys. Midway through the drive, we passed through the large herd of cape buffalo that we saw last night. I am hopeful that we will see some lions in the next two days! Apparently, in the area, lions are exclusively feeding on cape buffalo.


Back at the lodge, we had breakfast. I had an omelet.

After breakfast, I worked on my blog for the previous day. I appreciate having some down time to sort through photos and organize some thoughts. I am enjoying the Wifi. We weren't sure that it would be available. Additionally, there is pretty good cell coverage in different spots.

Still feeling under the weather, I took a half hour nap.

They served lunch at 1:30 pm. There is way too much food. I had part of a salmon salad.

After lunch, Donna, Kevin, Sharon and I sat by the pool for a while. We then relaxed in the room.

The evening safari took off at 4 pm. While we saw lots of animals, the only new photograph was a seven foot highly venomous black mamba. In the dark, we also saw a white tailed mongoose. I think that the guide and the tracker were trying to find the leopards. While we covered a lot of ground, we didn't see them. One of the other groups from the lodge caught a glimpse of one female leopards as they were coming bacxk to the lodge in the dark.

Back from the evening safari, the guests and the guides sat around a fire pit with a cocktail. We finished the day with a late barbecue buffet dinner that included lamb chops and ox tail.

Sharon and I crashed about 9:50 pm. With the early morning starts, I really to get to sleep earlier!

2025 South Africa, Zimbabwe & Zambia - Day #10 - Makanyi Private Game Lodge

from our Rothschild Safaris Itinerary

TIMBAVATI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Timbavati is one of the largest and best known of the Kruger Private Reserves, extending over an enormous 500 square kilometers. The Timbavati is one of South Africa's undiscovered wilderness jewels; home to Africa's big five, in an area renowned for its biodiversity, ranging from savannah woodlands to grasslands and riverine glades. The reserve was established in 1956 by landowners. A unique feature of the Timbavati is the low rate of commercialization, with game lodges that are dedicated to preserving the sense of true wilderness. The reserve is also known for its population of rare white lions.

TRANSFER
Departure time 7:00AM: Transfer by road to the Cape Town Airport where you will be met and assisted with check-in and boarding of your departing flight to Hoedspruit.

CAPE TOWN-HOEDSPRUIT
SA Airlink 4Z657 - Departs 10:30 - Arrives 13:00

TRANSFER
On arrival in Hoedspruit, you will be met and transferred by road to your next accommodation. Should time allow; enjoy an afternoon game viewing activity.

MAKANYI PRIVATE GAME LODGE

Located in the southern sector of the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, Makanyi Private Game Lodge offers an authentic connection to the African wilderness, with breathtaking views over a tranquil dam.

Your suite, decorated in earthy tones, blends luxury and comfort with the spirit of the bush. The lodge features seven luxury suites and a two-bedroom Marula Suite, each with a sitting area and fireplace, en-suite bathroom with a shower, separate bathtub, outdoor shower, and premium amenities.

The main lodge exudes safari chic, with inviting dining and lounge areas, a viewing deck, swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center, and spa. Attentive staff ensure your stay is as seamless and memorable as the landscape that surrounds you.

Activities:

Morning & afternoon game drives, bush walks, fishing. Optional activities for an additional cost: photographic safaris and art safaris Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated. Walking and water activities are dependent on seasonal conditions and water levels.

Unfortunately, my cold is worse. Sharon and I both had a restless sleep. Up just after 5 am, we packed up the room and had a continental breakfast.

A car picked us up at 7 am and took us to the Capetown Airport. It was about a 50 minute drive.

Rothschild had someone meet us at the curb. He walked us to the luggage checkin, to security and then met us on the other side of security and took us to the gate.

We boarded a 10:30 am flight to Hoedspruit. It was about a two hour flight. We were on the ground just after 12:30 pm. It seemed like we taxied forever to get to the small terminal.

We were met by another driver arranged by Rothschild. After collecting our luggage, we headed to the Makanyi Private Game Lodge. It was about an hour and fifteen drive. Along the way, we saw a number of animals includuing giraffes, zebras and elephants.

We got checked in to our rooms and took a short tour of the facility. The rooms are very nice. I thought that the next lodge was supposed to be nicer, but it is going to be difficult to beat these acommodations.

The rhythm for the next week is going to be very similar. There will be a morning safari from 6 am to 9 am, breakfast at 9:30 am, lunch at 1 pm, an evening safari from 4 pm to 7 pm and then dinner at 7:30 pm.

We went out on the evening safari. Our guide is Carl and our tracker is Rondy. Over the course of the three hours, we saw wildebeests, a den of juvenile hyenas, giraffes, elephants, zebras, impalas, cape buffalo and a saddle billed stork. Driving back in the dark, we got glimpses of an African wild cat and waterbucks.
Back from the safari, we had dinner. I had soup and duck. Sharon also had the duck.

They don't want you wandering between the lodge and our room at night! After dinner, we had a night porter walk us back to the room.

Sharon and I crashed hard about 9:20 pm.