5th Sept.  A pre-dawn wake-up call was followed by a very civilised hot chocolate and croissant overlooking the river surrounded by the sounds of an African dawn.  Could get used to this!  We then headed out for a 3-hour game drive guided by Walter where mammals definitely stole the show.  Back for a sumptuous brunch, while we enjoyed watching a White-headed Lapwing feeding next to a bull elephant right below our verandah.   We then birded our way south driving towards Punda Maria Rest Camp, picking up some good birds en route including Bat-like Spinetail, Eastern Nicator and Brown-headed Parrot.  That evening we took a night drive, just the two of us and Edward the driver, so we were each handed a spotlight to look for our own wildlife.  The drive proved very successful.  Avian highlights included African Scops Owl, Square-tailed and Fiery-necked Nightjars, but again mammals were the undoubted highlight, including a pride of seven lions lounging literally 2m from our vehicle.  It was an amazing experience to be so close to these huge carnivores.  Smaller mammals but just as interesting were a Civet and two Great Spotted Genets.  The night finished with three Spotted Hyenas right outside the Rest Camp gates.
Bird species total: 3117