We are at the beginning of a South African safari trip. This morning we flew from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit and drove to the Rietspruit Game Reserve. We managed to get there in time for lunch and an evening drive.

We came upon a small troop of vervet monkeys in a tree. These monkeys weigh about 9-12 lbs. They eat fruit, plants, and insects and have pouches in their mouths to store food for later.

We came up on a pair of male cheetas who were just hanging out and came right by our truck. Male cheetahs, often littermates, can form coalitions which sometimes last their entire lives. Together they defend territory against other males and improve their survival chances. 

We spent a while with them.

This reserve is fully fenced and we were at the edge of it.

A Nile crocodile sunning itself in the water. They average 6-9 feet long. No idea how long this one was as we didn’t get close.

This male Southern White Rhinoceros was standing a bit in front of a group of females who were back behind some bushes. He gave me the opportunity of one photo, but then went back to the ladies. His horn has been removed to help protect him from poachers.

Female common duiker. These small antelope grow up to 20 inches tall. They are very shy and often run off before I can get a picture.

After sunset we came upon a pride of lions going out to hunt.

One of the males waiting to be served by the lionesses.

A lioness backlit by another safari truck’s headlights.