Ambience Inn White River

... an end, Cozy had calmed down a little and was now just sitting on the ground and sucking his thumb like a little kid as he was taught. Jessica concluded with saying that he was a little crazy and would never be a fully normal Chimpansee in social behaviour again, but he had taken to himself to father some of the younger chimps - both to the surprise and fear of the caretakers!

The final enclosure held the other older and mature Chimpansees. Amadeus was king ...

... very
rare, a herd of tsessebe, just off the road. We followed this up with 3
hyena who came onto the road and offered a magnificent photo
opportunity with the rising sun. Next was a honey badger, who tried to
trick us by using a storm drain under the road to hide but eventually
showed himself and crossed the road in front of us. As the sun warmed
up the veld, one by one the usual suspects showed themselves including
a massive bull elephant at ...

... and video of it as it just lay on the branch. We waved another couple behind us to slow down and pointed out the leopard to them. We drove on after a few minutes onto Lower Sabie. This camp last year we were really impressed with, and it still looks excellent. We were surprised to see that the viewing area overlooking the river was taped off, no notice explaining why it was off limits. We walked around the very good shop there ...

... environment. Graskop is a short drive away. This drive should have been quite spectacular as it passes the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels. Unfortunately by the time we reached these attractions a dense fog had descended and for most of the drive visibility was down to less than 20 metres with just occasional brief breaks giving tantalising glimpses of the spectacular landscape. Our last two nights in South Africa were based ...

... the park with my own guide. And at a budget price. No complaints from me. I left very early in the morning on May 25. By early I mean 5:30am the sun wasn't even up then. I'm not a morning person at all but I was out of bed at 4:30 am like nothing because I was so excited. I was dropped off at one of the gates to Kruger around 6:30am. On the drive of the campsite I saw my first wildlife. It was a girafee and it seemed to just pop out of the bush as we ...

... moment on my trip where I just looked around and saw everything in slow motion and thought- where am I right now? It is a cool feeling. The baby shower was more like a baby bash. By the time I showed up the food was being served and the soon to be mother was covered in dough or something. I didn't get the full story on what the tradition was... but she was getting into the bath when I showed up. Music was blasting outside and I sat in the kitchen for a long time ...

... was the most protein I've had in awhile or the different food. I sat around with Binki and her sister and talked about everything from soccer, to 9/11 to AIDS, why the heck I'm over here... it was a great day, and I am already looking forward to next Sunday. I've made plans with the pastor to help out with the church Bri (BBQ) that is happening on the 10th of March. Alright, there is always more to write, but my time has run out. I hope everyone is well at home.

Arriving in Joburg and grabbing the connecting flight to Kruger's nearby airport in Mpumalanga, Henka promised to meet me at the door. The flight left me with a bit of an idea what I was in for - as we rose out of Joburg and left the wintery brown plains behind, a mystical land of mist-enshrowded mountains lumbered nearer and nearer. Anticipation so great.

... a marvelous view over the reserve and some mountains, a truly unique experience. Shortly after our arrival, we were served a "light lunch," consisting of some pizza and a salad (which we ate around). We then had a bit of a rest before mustering at 350pm for cake and tea before our evening game drive. [LYNNE: We usually skipped the tea and other drinks since the safari drive was three hours, but the cake was always delicious.] Along with Derek and Tumelo, we were joined in the ...

... with a book and Monkey who is now trying to get under my shirt :) Cloud-gazing in the evening and another **** story: after our pet gecko and the mice even a moth **** on my fleece! 2 Our second night in the tents passed just as peacefully as the first. Following half a day of fencing, I went along on a shopping trip to Lydenburg. I had 79 messages and could barely read a few because gmx then kicked me out and I couldn't log back in. Shame.