We interrupt this blog for lions, elephants, giraffes and a warthog

Someone suggested I post some of my South Africa safari pictures here. My response: Try and stop me!

I flew into Johannesburg in February, looked around for a couple of days, then rented a car and drove 300 miles to Kruger National Park. I "camped" in rough, atttached huts (think 1955 motel quality) in a few different fenced compounds. There's no exploring Kruger on foot or camping outside the fence (for reasons that soon become obvious). 

I took truck safaris that leave just before sunset and just before sunrise. And I drove from compound to compound by myself. (I also did a walking safari, with two rifle-toting guides. I had to be cautioned a few times for dawdling, because I kept pausing to take too many pictures!)

The whole experience was wonderful. All the South Africans I met were warm and welcoming. And considering my "good" camera conked out just before I left, I got some pretty good shots with just my phone.

My first elephant!

Zebra herd

Giraffes in a relationship

There's a hippo in my bathtub! 

Sunrise Buffalo

Rare warthog sighting

She was as curious about me as I was about her!

This lion walked right by our truck, untroubled by 40 tourists. 

But if it had been just one person, he would have pounced!

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The lion's girlfriend followed close behind, but stopped for a few minutes to size us up.

Ranger Rick ready for a sunrise safari.