What an eventful day!

During breakfast (as usual before dawn) a male lion could be heard roaring close by.

Straight after breakfast, the vehicles shot off, heading to the Plains to find the noisy big cat.

There he was - as the sun was rising, enjoying the early morning, walking through streams and deep water ...

After getting wonderful photographs, it was time to move on.

And not far away, suddenly there were more lions. The four lionesses with the three subadults were playing in the sun. The activity caused much mirth, and the photographic opportunities were limitless.

Eventually the pride, tired from their romping and exertion, lay down in shade for a siesta.

The ODP Safari group decided to use this time to track the buffalo herd who had ventured quite far into the Plains.

So they set off to follow the buffalo. Follow? The terrain, wet conditions, water, mud, sogginess and marshiness made the going very challenging and the vehicles got stuck four times.

But they persevered and with laughter and hilarity, they kept going.

After numerous tsessebe, and lechwe running through the water, two Side-striped jackals provided a focus of attention and some super shots.

After lunch in the bush, off to the buffalo.

The buffalo are now in Silver Eye's territory, so it was no surprise that within moments, there was Silver Eye herself, but alone. No companions. She was very close to the buffalo and appeared quite hungry.

Now for the highlight of the day.

Most of the ODP Safari group decided to take a helicopter flight over the Plains.

Wow! The views! The animals! The patterns! The water! The light!

Hippos, buffalo and lechwe were spotted easily.

And there was Silver Eye ... her pride had caught up with her, and they were getting closer and closer to the buffalo.

Finally, driving back to the lodge after the exhilarating and beautiful helicopter experience, there were the seven lions from earlier again, this time bathed in the golden late afternoon light. Another photographic dream!

Tomorrow everyone is very anxious to get to Silver Eye as early as possible ...