. 12TH Fri. Bera Safari Lodge Morning/Evening Leopard Drives

Our host told us gleefully that the morning drive would leave at 5.30am as the driver would take us to a site slightly further out where leopards had been spotted yesterday. 

 For the morning drive we were issued with a blanket each which helped a little but, again, we were seriously cold despite wearing many layers of clothing, hats and scarves. It didn't get light until 7am so it wasn't possible to see much After unsuccessfully driving round hills/caves potentially housing the leopards we stopped for a hot drink around 8.30 at which point our driver got the 'heads up' from another spotter that a leopard with cubs had been seen. So we drove at breakneck speed to the site and were rewarded with the sight of Mummy and 2 cubs. They were quite a long way up the hill but our driver was very keen not to intrude and alarm her – the photos aren't the best … but we're so lucky to have seen her and her very healthy-looking youngsters who are around 12 weeks old. 

 The scenery here is really quite stunning with amazing rock formations and lovely lakes  ... a few pics

We got back to camp after 4 hours to a very nice breakfast – part Indian and part Western and then just chilled for a couple of hours.

The French couple have left, they were only here for one night.   A large party of Indians has arrived - I believe they are friends from college days who have decided to hold periodic get-togethers in different regions to get to know their country better.   They are a lovely friendly bunch but we're a bit 'out of it' when they converse in their own language.    One couple live in Orpington, Kent (near where I was born) but they have a home here in Mumbai also.  

Evening drive 4pm. We had a much nicer driver/spotter this time … he drove far more sensibly and we only went about 15 minutes away from the camp. We sighted leopards a couple of times but always from afar so our photos aren't the greatest – we did the best we could and at least we can say we've seen several now. 

Our Spotter pointed out a couple of mongoose(s)? playing on the hillside - goodness he certainly has good eyesight.  Even on maximum zoom our cameras barely picked them out as they were a long way out (probably quarter of a mile)

As the light went, we had the same rigmarole of the drivers/spotters driving around in the dark with flashlights trying to catch the 'headlamp' shine of the leopard eyes but thankfully the Indian contingent got bored and asked the drivers to return to camp so we didn't spend quite so long sitting around in the cold evening air.

Each night the outdoor fires are lit and all the guest sit around chatting and enjoying complimentary drinks.   Wine is difficult to get in India (at reasonable prices) but I really enjoy the local 'Old Monk' dark rum with coke and David has been happy with G&T.   Very civilised and a great way to get to know everybody else