The other 4 people who had been sharing my truck decided to sleep in this morning, so I had the truck all to myself. They have a staircase/ladder I could use to get in the second row – it has a shorter side wall to crawl over. I was so nice to up higher and have the whole row to myself. Simba (my ranger/guide) asked “animals or birds”? I opted for birds.

Warning: Lots of bird photos to come.

We found some new ones for me plus my favorite eagle – the Bateleur. We also found a cute, tiny owl and a pretty woodpecker. Here are some of the interesting birds we saw:

Red-backed Shrike

Bateleur Eagle

Cape Glossy Starling

White-browed Sparrow Weaver

Wood Sandpiper

Common Ringed Plover

Lilac-breasted Roller

Black Kite

Bearded Woodpecker

Pearl-spotted Owlet

Hamerkop - these birds build one of the biggest nests for the size of the bird.

Crested Barbet

Red-billed Hornbill

After a while we heard a lot of screaming baboons. This usually only means one thing – LEOPARD!

So we headed that way. Suddenly we heard a loud growling that led us to where the leopard was hiding deep in the trees. I don’t know how these guys can see them when only a tiny bit is visible, but these guides are amazing. We drove through the bushes to get closer.

But the leopard was so accommodating – it got up and moved out in the open so I could get good pictures. The baboons were screaming the whole time.

Then she decided she had had enough and showed us her backside.

We also saw a big, bull elephant. I took a video - it was x-rated as his "fifth leg" was really active.

Returned to the lodge, I changed into some traveling clothes, finished packing then had a nice breakfast. My same driver came and drove me to the Victoria Falls airport, about an hour away. Got checked in then went through Security. Everyone had to take off their shoes – getting my hiking boots off is a challenge when there is not a chair to sit on. But made it through, then immigration. At the gate met up with the couple who had been on a parallel safari, just staying at different lodges. It was nice to have someone to watch my bags while I used the restroom. That’s one of the hardest thing about traveling alone is having to always take everything with you each time. Then losing your seat when you come back.

Boarded the plane. In economy the seats are 2-2 and I had 2 seats to myself – YEAH. They served a nice little box lunch, then I fell asleep for the rest of our flight. Had a clear view of Cape Town and Table Mountain as we came in for a landing.

My meet and greeter was waiting as I got off the place, the couple had their own greeter – crazy. Got through immigration and my greeter had already found my luggage.

He took me out to my driver and we headed into town. At the “hotel”, the other couple had also just arrived. The “hotel” is more a small collection of small apartments. Mine was up a very steep flight of stairs. My luggage that I had shipped from Johannesburg was there waiting for me – double YEAH!!

There was no restaurant in the “hotel” and I was too tired to go out and wander the neighborhood to find a place to eat so didn’t bother – I can afford to skip a meal…

Tomorrow – Cape Town tour on my way to get on the ship.