Rattrays Mala Mala Private Game Reserve

... such a hit at the last place. The community areas were very nice, even better than Jackalberry as well. I was starting to think this place wasn't so bad. In the distance you could see a large group of monkeys playing in a tree. They would run up and jump out of the tree, one after the other. Not a bad way to spend your lunch.

There were 11 guests staying in the lodge today, so I figured we wouldn't be so lucky and have our own ...

... outdid themselves. The meat buffet tonight consisted of capital 'T' tender oxtails, some of the best lamb chops around, and more chicken. JB and I tried to go back for seconds, but all that was left were few pieces of chicken. For dessert, we enjoy some malva pudding and I am a happy camper. The drinks continue to flow, and Lindsey goes around asking everyone their favorite animal. Lots of people pick leopards (probably just to mock us ...

... hide in the trees and watch. Elephants truly are amazing animals. They just walk wherever and eat whatever they want. I tried to get that amazing picture, but I had to remember to just watch as well.

We get back in the car and continue on, seeing kudu, waterbuck, a male cape buffalo roaming by himself, and more species of birds than we ever knew existed. We stopped right at sundown in an open field to enjoy some ...

... and it also makes you really tired! That night we stayed up with the group and watched the stars till all the food and drinks were gone... it was spectacular shows as these diamonds light up the sky... the stars are so much cooler in the middle of nowhere! Bed time wasn't early... lets just say that! But it was nice to lay down and relax... until my damn nemesis came back... and again I ran around chase this mythical bat who seemed to be everywhere and nowhere all at the same ...

... and have time to relax before we enjoy dinner at the Lodge. DAY 4 We again set out at dawn and do a thorough morning drive before we have breakfast. We depart thereafter on our scenic drive as we explore the Panorama Route. We visit Graskop, God's Window and a magnificent waterfall before we reach our overnight stop at Pilgrim's Rest. We check in at the fabulous old Royal Hotel and have time to catch a glimpse of the town ...

... at how much fun it was driving around and seeing these magnificent animals up close! In addition to hippos, elephants and antelopes we also saw giraffes, zebras, a rhino, baboons and small tree monkeys. The giraffes actually ended up walking out in front of our car, not 30 feet from us. It was so exciting! The next two days were even better. We drove around all day and saw lions sleeping, wildebeast, warthogs, wild dogs, hyenas, mongooses, an ostrich, tons of amazing ...

It's not often that you can say a dream has been fulfilled. Well today, one of mine came true. I don't remember when the word 'Kruger' first entered my vocabulary, but it is a place that has held enormous mystical reverence in my heart for a very long time. Infact, writing this, I can't quite believe my luck. I've just spend two wonderful days in KNP and found heaven. (http://www.knp.za) When I was asked if I wanted to come along on the trip, I ...