While we were having the breakfast (including fresh squeezed guava juice) the owners of the Blue Cottages discussed with us our plans for our remaining time, and as they had lived in Zimbabwe were able to provide us with some good direction, in particular mentioning to include in our itinerary the Great Zimbabwe Monument, which was unknown to us.

Hoedspruit is near the top end of the Drakensburg Range which stretch south into Lesotho, our goal was to reach Sabie by nightfall.

We set off into the mountains and were taken with the green tinge to the rock faces which looked spectacular with enhancement from the sun. We passed through the Abel Erasmus Pass (a tunnel through the mountain) to Worlds End at the top of the Blyde River Canyon. While not in the Grand Canyon league, it is very different and commands awesome views and is in fact rated as the worlds third largest canyon. At one lookout is the landmark 'Three Rondavels' which sit out from the canyon wall much the same as the blue mountains 'Three Sisters'.

Our route took us onto the various spots of interest and we had time to stop at Gods Window, Pilgrim's Rest, Bridal Veil Falls and Lone Creek Falls. At one point crossing a waterway we spotted a family of baboon playing below the bridge, we parked and walked back to video them. While we were watching we could hear the male barking to the group, then we realized the barking had moved to behind us, so we quickly opted to return to the safety of the car.

We arrived at Sabie and booked into the Merry Pebbles Holiday Resort in time to be able to catch up with our washing and have a swim in the heated pool. That night in the restaurant we found the waiter had good English and had met Nick Farr-Jones, he also introduced us to another Ozzie from Mt Gambier, who we had a chat and drink with. Back at our cabin in good spirits we struck up conversation with the Dutch couple next door and talked travel until after midnight.

Tomorrow we plan to book the train from Gaborone in Botswana through to Zimbabwe.

Footnote: Ukhahlamba / Drakensburg Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features in the book Unforgettable Places to See before you die.