Serengeti Day 5 Part 3 - baby eles, lion cubs, Lobo Lodge

Olive Baboons

Clusters of strongly scented white flowers of the Umbrella Thorn Acacia tree, as well as the associated seed pods, provide food for the baboons.

The blooms also attract a number of insects, as we can see here.

Elephants

Migration

The intention today was to look for cats rather than the migration, and although we did see a lone lion first thing and later a cheetah, we have also come across the migration – first the zebra leading the way just after breakfast, and now the wildebeest.

Reedbucks

Tawny Eagle

We are treated to a spectacular areal display by this impressive raptor.

Hooded Vulture

Elephants in Bologonja River

It is pure entertainment watching this little elephant (less than two months old) drinking, as the babies don't start using their trunks until they are around five months old.

With a bit more practice it won't be long before he's got the hang of it.

The eroded dry riverbank makes for a good scratching post.

Reedbucks

Also on the Bologonja riverbank, are three reedbucks. Normally solitary animals, it is unusual to see one male mating with two females.

Lions

Under a tree, we see a male lion, with a female on heat.

Nearby we see another female with couple of two-week old cubs, suckling.

We drive nearer to get a better view, and they retreat into the bush partially hidden from us.

They finally settle down at the edge of a thicket.

The cubs attempt to come out occasionally before being called back into safety by their mum, where they spend their time suckling, cuddling and sleeping.

Meanwhile, the male is completely crashed out after all the hard work of keeping his females happy.

Even though Malisa thinks the cubs will eventually brave it out into the open, we decide to move on to pastures new.

Grey Backed Fiscal Shrike

Bare Faced Go Away Bird

Eland

Hyena

Giraffe

We follow this gorgeous animal as he meanders along the ridge, beautifully backlit by the setting sun.

I experiment with creating some silhouetted images too.

Lobo Wildlife Lodge

It must be so difficult for the safari guides to get the timing right on the daily game drives: yesterday we arrived late because we saw a leopard fairly close to the lodge; and today we see nothing as Malisa makes his way back to camp. The result is that for the first time on this trip, we arrive at the lodge in daylight.

Cute door handle to our room

Finding ourselves with some unexpected spare time, we go walkabout to check out the lodge and its surroundings. Whilst the accommodation itself is rather basic and in desperate need of refurbishment, its stunning position on the edge of a cliff with unrivalled views over the savannah below is breathtaking.

Set among the rocks of a kopje, surrounded by trees, the lodge features lots of different levels and angles, with wooden walkways and stone steps connecting them all.

As always, we wish we had more time in the lodge when we see the inviting swimming pool

Look at that view!

The bar looks inviting too

The place is swarming with rock hyraxes – one even manages to slip in to the restaurant as soon as the door is opened.

After a quick shower we enjoy a pre-dinner drink, then wander up for dinner.

This evening we are the only guests staying, and Malisa is allowed to eat with us. Going by the table service and quality of food tonight, we'd be forgiven to think we are staying in a different hotel this evening.

That brings us to the end of yet another amazing day as arranged by Calabash Adventures - the best safari company by far.