First experience in the Kruger was a night drive with a local guide called Joe. We saw Hyena, Elephant, Giraffe and owls pretty quickly. Warning signs about not leaving your vehicle reminded us that we were in dangerous country, with the possibility of Big Cats ever present …… We broke down - asked us to get out and push ….. it was pitch black but we sized each other up in terms of who would be slowest back into the truck (Lion food) and push started the Jeep …… Joe turned out to be a bit of a "cowboy" and his jeep kept stalling, usually halfway up a hill …… freewheeling back down to "bump start" became the norm. Joe even stopped on a dubious hill to serve sherry and Amarula …… The Family seemed very edgy.

The following day was a full game driving in the reserve and turned out to be the best day yet for sightings - Lions, Rhinos, a group of 15+ Elephants decided to cross the road as we approached, causing a slight delay but fine spectacle…….. Even the Impalas, who we were bored with by now, realised the need to "up their game" put on a dancing show culminating in a one-on-one fight between two young bucks. The day finished off with dinner from the truck and taking some beers down to the waterhole to watch the Hippos.

A break from game viewing, we spent a day visiting the Panorama Route which gave us some stunning scenery. We took in the 3 Rondavels, Bourke Luck's Potholes and God's Window.