We’re off to the night game drive and bush braai in Kruger National Park…

 

Today at 2:30 pm, we’ll head to Louise’s Marloth Park Information Center to meet our guide and driver for this afternoon’s game drive and tonight’s bush braai in Kruger National Park. Tom and I have done this many times over the years, sometimes with visiting guests, sometimes on our own, and other times with friends who happened to be in Marloth Park at the same time. On every occasion, we have had a fantastic time, and we are looking forward to doing it again tonight.

There is something especially exciting about entering Kruger later in the day. The heat begins to subside, the light changes, and the animals often become more active as the afternoon progresses. Of course, there are never any guarantees when it comes to wildlife sightings, which is part of what makes every game drive different. We can travel the same roads many times and have an entirely different experience each time. That’s the beauty of the bush. You never know what may be waiting around the next corner.

The cost for this fun activity, for those who don’t have a Wild Card as we do, is Zar 2,220, or approximately US $139.01 per person, including the entrance fee. It is a wonderful way to experience Kruger without having to drive yourself, especially after dark when our knowledgeable guides can spot animals we might easily miss. Plus, the general public must leave the park by 6:00 pm unless they are on an approved guided tour, such as the one we’ve planned.

We are particularly excited to share this experience with Di and Peter. They have been enjoying their time in Marloth Park, but their South African adventure will soon take them in another direction. Next Wednesday, they leave for their horseback riding and motorcycle adventures elsewhere in the country. It has been such fun having them here, sharing meals and laughter, playing cards, going on outings, wildlife sightings, and all the little moments that make having houseguests so enjoyable.

Then, only five days after Di and Peter leave, we’ll be heading off ourselves, this time to Madagascar for one week. We’ll be going on safaris and, hopefully, taking care of our new 90-day visa. After we return, if all goes well, we’ll settle back into our familiar lives here in the bush, just the two of us once again, enjoying our social life, spending time with friends, and eagerly watching to see who might wander through the garden each day.

Our dear friends Kathy and Don are here now, and it will be fun to spend time with them. Yesterday, old friends Les and Jerry stopped by for a visit, and it was delightful to see them once again. Living in Marloth Park has brought so many wonderful people into our lives, both new friends and those we have known for years.

Looking ahead, in October, our mutual friends Linda and Ken will be here for a short stay in one of Louise’s houses. Gosh, when I stop and think about it, we are truly blessed to have so many friends here in the bush and elsewhere in the world. After all these years of traveling, it is the people we meet and the friendships we develop that have added so much meaning to our lives.

But first, tonight, we’ll be back in Kruger National Park, hopefully spotting some amazing wildlife, enjoying a delicious bush braai, and sharing another memorable experience with Di and Peter.

Hopefully, tomorrow, we’ll have some good sighting photos to post from tonight’s game drive. As always, we’ll be keeping our eyes open, cameras ready, and fingers crossed that Kruger has a few special surprises waiting for us.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 27, 2016: