Pilanesberg National Park

On Wed (19th) Leon and Joan Shuker treated us to two nights at the Manyane resort in the Pilanesberg National Park, in Northwest Province. We had rain off and on, but it was clear for the two morning game drives (beginning at 5:30 am!) The first morning we took the guided drive, and the second morning we drove ourselves. For Americans in Africa for the first time, it was quite amazing to drive by grazing zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, and many different kinds of antelope. We did not see too much of the "big 5", but on the first day we glimpsed two rhinos lying down in the bush, and the highlight was two lions on the second day. These were also lying down, and not right close to the road, but still...lions! Loose!

Other sightings included a black-backed jackal, whose rest in the road we disturbed twice, and warthogs (including a visit from a mom and baby right on the grounds of the resort.) Besides the iconic African mammals, there were many interesting birds, including a couple of different hornbills, fish eagle and another eagle, pearl-spotted owlet (which is tiny but preys on other birds), weaver birds, shrikes of 2 kinds, grey heron, spoonbill, helmeted guineafowl, and many more--including the one pictured, which we haven't found the name of. The antelope we saw included large numbers of impala, steenbok, waterbuck, red hartebeest, kudu, and (we think) springbok. Oh, and dung beetles, which are truly hilarious to watch.

Our parting gift from the wildlife was a raid by several vervet monkeys, who clearly know when breakfast is over...and they show up to see what they can get. One broke into the kitchen and escaped with several packets of sugar.

We hope to see more of the wildlife before our time here is over, but of course that's not our main purpose here. Nevertheless, this was a wonderful introduction to some of the beauty and diversity of what our Creator has made. May we give Him praise even half as effectively as these creatures!