my30somethingadventures
a 30 something girl having adventures for today to make memories for tomorrow.
Sun City: February 2019 holiday
Our February ended on an adventerous note with a holiday to one of our favourite places – Sun City. Staying in Sun City means getting to spend hours in Pilanesberg National Park soaking up precious time in nature while spotting wildlife and beautiful birds.
The temperatures were super hot and we enjoyed 37+ degrees each day.
This is close to one of the hides in Pilanesberg.
Inside a hide.
The birdlife this trip was amazing. The picture above is the Yellow-Billed Hornbill perched on top of a tree. Hubby and I keep a list of birds we spot (called lifers) and we added quite a few this holiday. The wildlife was spectacular and as we drove around each day we really appreciated the beautiful sightings.
I shared this hippo showing his bottom last week. We’ve only ever seen hippos in water so this was an exciting surprise.
Two beautiful Zebras
I’ve always had a fondness for Warthog and can never resist taking a picture of them! This one was happily eating some grass and didn’t mind us parked nearby.
This Warthog was feeding her young ones under the shade of a tree.
A Black-backed Jackal walking away after getting a drink of water.
One afternoon drive we spotted a large chameleon crossing the road. It was a sweltering day and he was just taking his time across the hot tar – not a care in the world!
Another evening while driving back to the entrance gate, we had a storm which cooled things down for a few minutes. It quickly cleared and left behind a beautiful rainbow.
In Sun City we visited the Valley of the waves and went on a water slide. Twice.
We visited the Maze on a super warm evening and got some lovely views of the Palace.
Enjoyed lots of breakfasts and lunches at the Lost City Golf Course.
As well as at the Gary Player Country Club.
I visited the hairdresser at the salon at the Country Club for a trim and went to the gym for a couple of workouts.
This is a picture of one of the sunsets we saw early in the week. We were about to exit the Park and make our way back for dinner. Such a stunning start to the evening.
We enjoyed lots of braais in our apartment at Sun City in the evenings. Sitting on our balcony with a drink while we discussed our day and which part was our favourite.
We were optimistic that we’d get to see a Leopard again (seen a Leopard on the last 3 trips) but as the days went by we tried not to get our hopes up.
We knew that getting sightings of the Big 5 is no guarantee and so each day brought with it the suspense of wondering what was around the corner! On our second last day we went to the Park super early and saw…….YES….a Leopard. Breathtaking experience as always! Hubby got some photos and the very next day (our last in the park) we spotted another! You never know what you are going to find when you visit Pilanesberg National Park and that is part of the fun! I don’t have any pictures on my camera but hubby was lucky to get a few and I’m hoping he puts them on his website soon.
That afternoon, after lunch at Gary Player we made our way to the airport for our flight home. We’ve been back for just over a week and I’m ready to return 🙂
xx
That looks like such a fun time! Love the wildlife pics 🙂
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Thank you – it is such an amazing place to visit 🙂
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Oh wow, beautiful photos. Those zebras are so cool! I’m glad you had a wonderful time – it looks just lovely.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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Thank you – we had fun taking photos of the zebras and they didn’t mind one bit 🙂
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Looks like you had such a fun time! I would love to be able to see all those animals. Definitely adding it to my bucket list if I ever get a chance to visit. 🙂
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I hope you add it to your bucket list and get to visit one day 🙂 Highly recommend it as a great holiday destination 🙂
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First, I have to say that lipstick on you is darling – I know, out of all those breathtaking photos, I am the weirdo who mentions your lipstick. I had to. Sorry not sorry.
Those are some wonderful shots and I especially love the sunset. My word. How peaceful. I just adore all the animals too. The hippo bum is still my fav from last week. Cracks me up!
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Thank you so much Kim – I took ages before finding a lipstick that actually suited me and finally got it right! I use a Clinique pop lipstick and a light layer of lipgloss over it and it makes a nice combo.
The hippo bum is one of my favourites – so glad you like it.
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That photo of the giraffe is EVERYTHING! ❤
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Thank you – I got quite a few giraffe pictures but this was definitely the best one 🙂
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Beautiful, beautiful photographs. Looks like such a nice time away for you two.
Photo faves include: the giraffe, the hornbill, the Ele, hippo bum and of course, momma warthog feeding her babies. 🙂
You guys have such good luck with seeing leopards as of late. I’m so jealous! Well done! 🙂
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Thank you Lindsay – we had a great time and cannot wait to go back. The leopards were so amazing to see – we spend hours each day in the Park looking and it is just all about timing and luck at the end of the day. Arriving a few minutes (earlier or later) at a sighting can make such a difference!
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Are the leopard skittish when they see humans? Do you see Cheetah? Or are they more rare/elusive?
Also, Have you ever been to David Sheldrick in Nairobi?
I’m just in awe. 🙂 Id be sitting in the park as well and likely with my mouth agape because I’d be so, so amazed by the beauty. I have a feeling that the day I make it over there, it’s going to be hard for me to leave. I have such a calling to Kenya especially it’s boggling.
I always love your adventures and live vicariously through you, at least for the moment. 🙂
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I wouldn’t say they are skittish because we’ve had a few encounters where they walk very calmly in front (or around) our car. They move with purpose but don’t seem to be too much in a hurry.
But they are very elusive so spotting one is quite special and we try not to get our hopes up if we don’t get a sighting.
Yes we have seen Cheetahs before and they were lovely 🙂 With Cheetahs and Lions they are often in a group but Leopards (the ones we’ve seen) have always been on their own. There is just something about a Leopard sighting that takes my breath away (every single time).
I haven’t been to David Sheldrick in Nairobi but I’ve heard it is amazing. I hope that you get to visit Kenya one day – you’d have an awesome time!
That is so sweet of you, thank you for reading my posts – I really enjoy sharing hubby and I’s adventures on my blog 🙂
XOXO
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