We had exceeded our expectations at the bible college and today we left for the Kruger. According to Google maps it was going to be a 5 hour trip and we knew we had to be checked in by 4pm. We decided to take no chances because the traffic could be heavy. We have seen accidents causing huge queues and if we were caught in one we still wanted to get there on time. We therefore left at 7am. We were also careful that drivers did no longer than a 2 hour shift at any one time. As it happened we had a very fast and pain free journey. We stopped at Nelspruit (near the national stadium) for a bite of lunch and a comfort break with a few shops to look around.

And then….. oh my word – WOW !!! - unbelievable. We stopped on a bridge just before going into the Kruger. It was a photographer’s paradise. Elephants, hippos, amazing birds, crocodiles. Helen burst into tears saying that she has been waiting 50 years for this. The word “stunning” is a gross under statement, what a wonderful welcome to the largest National Park in South Africa.

From then on it just got better and better. We checked in and a slow drive taking more pictures – monkeys, a warthog, birds, antelope, more elephants, etc. Then we reached our little huts. Really nice thatched cottages – fully air conditioned, comfortable beds and all the facilities that anyone could want. A few of us went for a swim in the pool, an unheated pool – but refreshing in this heat!

The past 2 weeks have been enormously rewarding but hard work and now the relaxation starts, and a different kind of fun.

by Tony

PS internet connection here in Kruger is very slow and not open all hours!!!

PPS This morning (Tuesday) some of us were up with the sun for a 6am safari and saw elephants, giraffe, buffalo, rhinos, impala, dwarf mongoose and some colourful birds. Some zebras were also seen in the distance- many more photos and WOW moments for the team.