20 June, 2015 Tembe Game Park Early morning call at 6.45 had us rugged up, coffeed and ready for game viewing. We had a very upfront encounter with a large group of elephant, giraffe and some new birds to add to the list. Coffee watching the buffalo feed then back to camp for breakfast and a lazy day before the afternoon game drive. We added 2 lions to our list plus the privilege of watching the biggest elephant I have ever seen scratching his back so close I...

19 June, 2015 Lake St Lucia to Tembe Elephant park As per our minimal planning plan we called the Tembe Elephant Lodge and yes, they can accommodate us for the next 3 nights. Please arrive by 2pm for lunch and game drive at 3pm. (2 things attracted us here. First, it's indigenous land where the local tribal people have got together, proclaimed it a reserve and also run it in conjunction with KZN Conservation service. The Lodge is also run by the local people w...

18 June, 2015 Himeville to Lake St Lucia Time to search for warmer weather so we packed & headed for the coast. On local advice went off the beaten track through Ixopo towards Umtinzini then onto N2 motorway. Lots of people walking the side of the road and a few cows and goats, otherwise totally uneventful. We constantly marvel at the housing growth, the number of houses with power and the immaculately turned out school children. A small stretch of the road...

17 June, 2015 Himeville, Sani Pass, Himeville Today dawned bright & clear & cold - perfect conditions for our trip up Sani Pass. It's not too long before we hit the dirt and off we went. Only 4x4 vehicles are permitted to ascend - the SA police at the border post see to that. What a great experience, it was so cold our eyes were streaming so they were quick, efficient and polite. There are ablution blocks on both sides - absolutely spotless. On we went...

16 June, 2015 Himeville It's Youth Day today, a public holiday in commemoration of the 1976 Soweto Riots which has made it a long weekend here. We are off on our way to Himeville to prep for 4x4 up Sani Pass tomorrow, but before this we plan to have morning tea with Bruce & Jennie Rooken Smith ( second cousins ) who live in Howick area. A pleasant and uneventful drive to Himeville, lovely scenery and before checking into the local institution ' The Himevi...