More wonders in the bush with Kady and Rich…Only four more days until they depart…

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This is the thick-tailed busybaby that walks the veranda railing at Jabula, enjoying the bits of banana the staff leave for him.

Today’s main photo is of a thick-tailed bushbaby, which few have ever seen. Every weekend when we dine at Jabula, we see this elusive nocturnal animal when the staff places a piece of banana along the railing to attract their nighttime visitor.

Guests are always in awe of seeing this special creature, and phones are busy attempting to take a photo of this difficult-to-capture, fast-moving animal.

Here is some detailed information about the bushbaby, at least twice the size of the tiny bushbabies:

The Thick-Tailed Bushbaby: A Nocturnal Acrobat of the African Night

The thick-tailed bushbaby (also known as the greater galago), Otolemur crassicaudatus, is the largest of the galago species and one of Africa’s most captivating nocturnal primates. With its oversized eyes, expressive ears, and extraordinary leaping ability, this elusive creature has adapted beautifully to life in the treetops. Found in wooded areas, forests, and savannas across eastern and southern Africa, including parts of Kruger National Park, the thick-tailed bushbaby is both mysterious and marvelously equipped for life after dark.

Giraffes in the garden.

Weighing between 1 and 2 kilograms and measuring up to 75 cm in length (including the tail), the thick-tailed bushbaby is significantly larger than its more diminutive cousins. Its long, bushy tail not only helps with balance when leaping between trees, but also serves as a visual identifier. The body is covered in dense, woolly fur that ranges in color from gray to brown, allowing it to blend effortlessly into the treetop shadows.One of the bushbaby’s most striking features is its enormous eyes, perfectly adapted for night vision. These primates are entirely nocturnal, and their sharp vision is complemented by acute hearing, thanks

their large, mobile ears. Bushbabies can swivel their ears independently to detect the faintest rustle of leaves or insect movement, giving them a near-surreal awareness of their surroundings.

Their diet is varied and omnivorous. Thick-tailed bushbabies feed on fruits, tree gum, insects, small birds, and even eggs. They are particularly fond of the sticky exudate produced by acacia trees, which they harvest by gouging into the bark. This makes them vital to their ecosystem, as they help with seed dispersal and control insect populations.

The magic of giraffes in the garden continues to amaze us.

Social by nature, thick-tailed bushbabies often live in small groups, although they forage alone. They communicate through a variety of vocalizations, ranging from sharp barks and grunts to eerie cries that echo through the night. These calls serve to establish territory, alert others to danger, or locate one another in the dense forest.

Their locomotion is another marvel. Thick-tailed bushbabies are powerful leapers, capable of jumping over 2 meters from branch to branch using their strong hind limbs. On the ground, they move with a bounding gait, but they’re much more agile and comfortable among the trees. Their hands and feet are equipped with opposable thumbs and grooming claws, which aid both in movement and personal hygiene.

Despite their adaptability, thick-tailed bushbabies face several threats. Habitat loss due to deforestation and the expansion of human settlements continues to shrink their natural range. In some regions, they are hunted for bushmeat or captured for the illegal pet trade. However, they are currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, thanks to their relatively wide distribution and ability to live in both protected and modified environments.

Big Daddy stops by several times a day.

For those lucky enough to hear a thick-tailed bushbaby’s calls on a warm African night, or to glimpse its wide eyes in the beam of a flashlight—it’s a magical reminder of the life that thrives while the world sleeps. Agile, intelligent, and adapted to the night, the thick-tailed bushbaby is a quiet yet vital part of Africa’s nocturnal ecosystem.

On another note, in four days, on Tuesday, July 15, Kady and Rich will begin the long trek back to the US. The layover time in London has been reduced from nine hours to seven, which helps a little. We’ll be anxious to hear how they are feeling once they return. It’s never easy, but it seems that going from east to west is a little better with time gained as opposed to lost.

Last night the four of us had dinner at Ngwenya Resort enjoying the meaty buffet and its wonderful offerings. This all-you-can-eat buffet with delicious meats and side dishes is ZAR 200, US $11.22. With our drinks, tax and tip the total bill was ZAR 807, US $45.28.

We’ll be sad to see Kady and Rich leave but, Tom and I will easily roll back to our usual active lives in the bush with our human and animal friends. As always, life will be good.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 11, 2015:

Ironically, one of our favorite wild animals at the Cairns Tropical Zoo was the Dingo, looking familiar to us as a domesticated dog. However, Dingos are wild animals, and many attempts to domesticate them have failed. For more photos, please click here.

A rare and special sighting in Kruger National Park…Quiz Night results…

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This was the first time in a long time that Tom and I had seen a jackal. Read the information below about jackals.

Jackals in Kruger National Park: The Clever Canids of the Savanna

In the vast expanse of Kruger National Park, South Africa’s premier wildlife sanctuary, jackals may not be as imposing as lions or as majestic as elephants. Still, they are among the most fascinating and adaptable creatures in the park. With their sharp wits, resourcefulness, and eerie calls that echo through the bush at dusk, jackals play a vital role in Kruger’s ecosystem.

There are two species of jackals found in Kruger: the black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) and the side-striped jackal (Canis adustus). Both are members of the dog family and are known for their cunning nature, often likened to foxes or coyotes in behavior and appearance. The black-backed jackal is the more common of the two and is easily recognized by the dark saddle of fur running down its back, which contrasts sharply with its rusty-colored body. The side-striped jackal, less frequently seen, has a grayer coat with light stripes running along its flanks.

The jackal was searching back and forth for food.

Black-backed jackals are highly visible in open savanna areas, particularly during early morning and late afternoon. They are vocal animals, often heard before they are seen. Their haunting, high-pitched howls and yelps serve as a form of communication with family members and a warning to rival jackals. Visitors to Kruger often hear their calls at night, part of the park’s wild, nocturnal soundscape.

Jackals are opportunistic omnivores, which means they will eat almost anything available. Their diet includes insects, rodents, birds, reptiles, fruit, and even the leftovers from predator kills. They are excellent scavengers and are often seen trailing behind larger carnivores, such as lions and hyenas, in hopes of snatching scraps. Despite this, jackals are also skilled hunters in their own right and can take down small antelopes, especially when hunting in pairs. Their intelligence and adaptability allow them to thrive in both open plains and more wooded areas.

It was exciting to see several Cape buffaloes and elephants at the Verhami Dam, which we’ve seldom seen.

One of the more fascinating behaviors of jackals is their monogamous pair bonding. A male and female will form a lifelong pair and defend a shared territory. They often raise their pups together in dens, with both parents actively participating in feeding and protecting their young. In some cases, older offspring from previous litters may remain with the family to help raise the next generation, a trait more commonly associated with social species, such as wolves.

In Kruger, jackals play a significant role in maintaining the ecological balance. By scavenging carcasses, they contribute to natural sanitation and help limit the spread of disease. Their predation on rodents and insects also controls populations of potential agricultural pests.

Though jackals are abundant, they often go unnoticed by tourists, who are more interested in spotting the Big Five. However, for those who take the time to watch these intelligent creatures, jackals offer an intriguing window into the subtleties of life in the bush. Their interactions, vocalizations, and social dynamics reveal the complexities of survival in a challenging environment.

What a fine view of an adult and two young giraffes against the backdrop of the pretty sky.

Side-striped jackals, more elusive than their black-backed cousins, prefer areas with thicker vegetation and are primarily nocturnal. They are less vocal and more solitary, rarely seen during game drives. Yet, their role in the ecosystem is just as important, and spotting one is a rare and rewarding experience for any wildlife enthusiast.

In a landscape dominated by giants, jackals remind us that intelligence, adaptability, and cooperation are equally powerful tools for survival. Observing them in Kruger is a testament to the park’s biodiversity—not just in size and spectacle, but in the subtle, everyday lives of its quieter residents.

We spotted this elephant near the road close to the Verhami Dam in Kruger.

Last night, we headed to Giraffe Pub & Grill for Quiz Night, and although we didn’t win, we came in fourth place and won back the per-person entry fee of ZAR 30, equivalent to US $1.68. It was such fun to play, and we will return on our own next Tuesday, the day that Kady and Rich leave to return to the US.

Tonight, we are going to braai and stay in for the evening. They are having a great time, and it’s been delightful to share the wonders of the bush with them. We’ll be back with more tomorrow.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 9, 2015:

Interesting decorations and vegetation growing in the yard of a house in our area of Trinity Beach, Australia. Notice Fred Flintstone on the left in the photo. For more photos, please click here.

Introducing our friends to a lively night at Jabula!…Tourist transportation hazards…

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Last night, we had a fantastic evening at Jabula.

Last night couldn’t have been more fun. We arrived at Jabula a little later than usual. We wouldn’t have been sitting at the bar, given the vast number of sports enthusiasts watching the rugby game, so we headed directly to our assigned table on the veranda.

The service, the food, and the ambiance couldn’t have been more perfect, even amid the vast, rowdy crowd. The staff provided exemplary service and food. Thanks to Dawn and Leon, Corrine, and all the staff for a superior experience. We even got into the exuberant dancing on the dance floor to the lively popular music after the game ended. What a fun place to share with our friends.

On another note, here’s an important article that may be of interest to our readers who rent portable personal transportation while traveling.

From Travel & Leisure at this link:

“Major Tourist Destinations Have a Hidden Transportation Hazard That Leaves Travelers and Locals Vulnerable—What to Know

Are micromobility devices a growing safety crisis? By Staff Author, Published on July 5, 2025

  • E-bike and scooter injuries have surged, according to researchers at UCSF.
  • Many tourist cities are restricting the use of micromobility devices due to an increase in accidents and safety concerns.

The newest travel hazard in cities might be something you aren’t expecting at all.

Electric scooters and e-bikes are ubiquitous throughout many cities worldwide, and they aren’t inherently dangerous. But the sheer number of them, combined with the potential for serious accidents, makes them a real and serious travel hazard for visitors.

The setting sun was a perfect backdrop for some photos.

A 2024 study by researchers at UC San Francisco found that injuries from e-bikes have doubled every year from 2017 to 2022, and injuries from scooters have risen by 45 percent annually.

“This increase in accidents not only introduced a demographic shift but also underscores an urgent need for added safety measures,” co-lead author Adrian Fernandez, a chief resident with the UCSF Department of Urology, said in a statement on the UCSF website. “There are undeniable health and environmental benefits to micro-mobility vehicle use, but structural changes must be taken to promote safe riding.”

In response, many major tourist destinations, including New York, Madrid, and Paris, have taken steps to ban or severely limit e-scooters, while others are on the verge of becoming scooter-free. Often, e-bikes and e-scooters behave in ways around pedestrians that put both riders and walkers at risk of injury.

Though serious injuries are rare, they do happen. In 2024, a woman was severely injured in West Hollywood when she was hit by a motorized scooter, suffering a fractured skull and brain swelling that required hospitalization. An American man in Sydney nearly died after being hit by an e-bike that was being ridden in an area where it was not permitted. He needed emergency brain surgery and spent weeks in a coma.

We had a fabulous time with Kady and Rich.

And most run-ins between people and micro-mobility devices go unreported. Many more people have close calls or are injured by speeding scooters, and these experiences can make people nervous in cities, which in turn affects tourists. Tourists can also be responsible for close calls, as they rent e-bikes and scooters to joyride around unfamiliar cities, leading to potential accidents. Riders of e-devices might feel unsafe riding on main streets alongside cars but then become a hazard to pedestrians on sidewalks. Designated scooter lanes can be helpful, but they are not always available.

“As micro-mobility vehicles become more embedded in our daily lives, understanding and addressing the safety challenges they pose is critical,” corresponding author Benjamin N. Breyer, MD, MAS, the Taube Family Distinguished Professor and chair of the UCSF Department of Urology, said on the UCSF website. “By doing so, we can harness the full potential of micro-mobility to create more sustainable, healthy, and safe urban environments.”

Today, we’ll stay in and enjoy the bush, along with an excellent homemade meal. Perhaps we’ll play cards, and without a doubt, the conversation will be lively and animated.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 6, 2015:

The house we rented in Phuket, Thailand, was built around its private pool. For more photos, please click here.

Another stunning day in the bush with friends…WiFi security at airports…

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Rich took a selfie of us.

Last night, the four of us went to Jabula for Kady and Rich’s first experience at our favorite restaurant. They loved the environment, the bustling crowds, and, of course, the food. We had another fine evening together in the bush.

The following article appeared in my search results this morning, which I found imperative to share with our readers.

Mr. Bushbuck and Nathan, Norman’s son, got into a little scuffle in the garden.

From Travel & Leisure Magazine:

“This Is One of the Biggest Cybersecurity Mistakes You Can Make at an Airport, Experts Warn

Travelers may want to think twice before connecting to free airport Wi-Fi. By Greg Iacurci Published on June 17, 2025

Cybersecurity experts are aligned that travelers should avoid public Wi-Fi at airports. Please continue reading to learn why it’s such a significant risk and how to access the Internet safely while traveling.

While cruising an airport’s public internet network may feel like a convenience, criminals can easily exploit those networks to steal sensitive data from unsuspecting travelers, experts warn.

“It’s definitely among the worst things you can do at an airport,” Matthew Hicks, a cybersecurity expert and associate professor of computer science at Virginia Tech, told Travel + Leisure.

We had offered them food, but they were at odds about the territory.

Public Wi-Fi is a shared internet connection, often over an unsecured network. Users are therefore vulnerable to hackers, who can intercept data like credit card details or account passwords, and install malware onto consumers’ devices, according to experts.

About 40 percent of Americans have had their data compromised while using a public Wi-Fi network, according to a recent Forbes Advisor survey of 2,000 workers who regularly use public internet. Yet, 23 percent of users said they think public Wi-Fi is entirely safe, and another 43 percent said it’s somewhat secure, the Forbes survey found.

Anything you do on airport Wi-Fi should be something you’d be comfortable with the rest of the world knowing about.

— John Breyault

Because travelers often have ample downtime before flights—and may be in an area without cellular connection—airports are a common access point for public Wi-Fi, Hicks said.

Consumers reported losing more than $16 billion to internet crime overall in 2024, a record high and a 33 percent increase from 2023, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A zebra is taking a rest in the garden.

Personal data breaches were among the top three most common complaints received by the FBI, it said. “As nearly all aspects of our lives have become digitally connected, the attack surface for cyber actors has grown exponentially,” B. Chad Yarbrough, operations director for the FBI’s criminal and cyber unit, wrote in the Bureau’s annual internet crime report. “Scammers are increasingly using the Internet to steal Americans’ hard-earned savings.”

Be careful of fake Wi-Fi networks.

Scammers also often try to trick travelers into logging onto fake Wi-Fi networks, John Breyault, vice president of public policy, telecommunications, and fraud at the National Consumers League, a consumer advocacy group, told T+L.

The four of us at Mugg & Bean, including our friends Rich and Kady, in Lower Sabie, when another diner offered to take our photo.

Someone trying to connect to the O’Hare Guest Wi-Fi network may unknowingly access another—perhaps “O’Hare Guest 2” or “Chicago Airport Wi-Fi”—controlled by a criminal. “Make sure [the network] is the one run by the airport, and not someone setting up a honeypot,” Breyault said.

In 2024, the Australian Federal Police charged a man for allegedly establishing one of these so-called “evil twin” networks to steal people’s personal data. He did this at airports in Perth, Melbourne, and Adelaide, among other places, AFP reported.

Accessing the correct network will “eliminate most of the real attackers,” Hicks said, adding that travelers can ask airport personnel if they’re unsure.

Many kudus and impalas were in the garden, including Mac, our resident impala.

How to safely use Wi-Fi at the airport

Using your cell phone to establish a personal internet hotspot is among the safest ways to access the web in an airport. This simple step will reduce the number of attackers to “near zero,” according to Hicks. That’s because it’s a private cellular connection instead of an open Wi-Fi network. “You’re not sharing that connection with everyone else in the airport,” Breyault said. “Your data will be much safer in transit.”

If that’s not available, experts recommend using a device with a “virtual private network” or VPN, which is an encrypted connection that offers an additional layer of security. Hicks’ best advice is to buy one from a reputable, U.S.-based company.

Travelers should ultimately avoid logging into financial, email, social media, or other sensitive accounts over airport Wi-Fi, Breyault noted. “If you’re just checking the weather, that’s one thing,” Breyault said. “If you’re checking your bank account balance, that’s something different.”

“Anything you do on airport Wi-Fi should be something you’d be comfortable with the rest of the world knowing about,” he said.”

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 5, 2015:

Viking Mekong Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review | CruiseMapper
We booked the Viking Mekong, the river cruise, to tour Vietnam and Cambodia in 2017. For more, please click here.

Part 4…Kruger National Park with friends from US…Happy Fourth of July to our US family and friends…

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An elephant family strolls along the banks of Sunset Dam.

Happy Fourth of July to all of our family and friends in the US. Here’s some information about this holiday for our international friends.

The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, when the thirteen American colonies declared their independence from British rule.

What is the Fourth of July all about?

On this day, Americans honor the birth of the United States as a sovereign nation. The Declaration of Independence, drafted mainly by Thomas Jefferson, boldly asserted that all men are created equal and have unalienable rights—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

A lone male elephant searches for food.

How Americans Celebrate

1. Fireworks:
The night sky lights up across the country with fireworks displays—both community-organized and backyard shows. The tradition is tied to John Adams’ wish that the day be celebrated with “pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations.”

2. Parades:
From small towns to big cities, patriotic parades featuring marching bands, veterans’ groups, community floats, and flag displays are a common sight.

3. BBQs and Picnics:
Families and friends gather for barbecues, cookouts, and picnics. Grilled burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, watermelon, and apple pie are classic fare.

4. Patriotic Displays:
The American flag is everywhere—on clothing, homes, cars, and public buildings. People often wear red, white, and blue to show their patriotism.

5. Music and Concerts:
Free outdoor concerts featuring patriotic songs, such as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” and “God Bless America,” are held in many cities.

Black Ibis birds pecking for food on the Crocodile River.

 Cultural and Emotional Significance

Beyond the celebration, the Fourth of July is a time for Americans to reflect on the country’s founding values: freedom, democracy, and resilience. It’s a day filled with both pride and gratitude for the freedoms many Americans enjoy.

However, in recent years, it has also become a moment for some to reflect critically on the nation’s history, including issues of racial inequality, colonialism, and the evolving meaning of independence in a diverse society.

Interesting Facts

  • The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped 13 times every Fourth of July in honor of the 13 original colonies.

  • Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island is a quirky tradition watched by millions.

  • John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both signers of the Declaration and former presidents, died on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration was adopted.

Whether it’s about fireworks over the National Mall, a backyard picnic with loved ones, or a quiet moment of reflection, the Fourth of July is an integral part of the American identity.

We spotted hundreds of hippos in Kruger National Park.

May all of our family and friends who celebrate this memorable holiday have a safe and meaningful day.

Last night, the four of us headed to Ngwenya Lodge for dinner at the Fiera Restaurant. The views over the Crocodile River were spectacular, the ambiance inviting and appealing, and the food was indescribable – very delicious for a buffet.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 4, 2015:

The Cattana Wetlands in Australia offer excellent expansive views. For more photos, please click here.

Part 3…Kruger National Park with friends from US…Exciting experiences and photos for first time visitors!…

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A turtle on the injured back of a hippo at a waterhole in Kruger National Park. We realize this doesn’t look like a hippo, but it was without a doubt.

Kady and Rich prefer to spend time on our veranda rather than embarking on tours or long drives through Marloth Park. Kady tends to get queasy riding on the uneven, potholed dirt roads, which ruins the experience. Instead, they are content to watch the wildlife in our garden that arrive in a steady stream, dine out in one of the restaurants in the area, and enjoy our homemade dinners, such as the one we had last night.

A Cape buffalo snoozing in the sand.

We had delicious, well-seasoned lemon pepper chicken flatties, roasted vegetables, baked potatoes, and a Greek salad. While the flatties cooked on the braai, the four of us played the card game Five Crowns and enjoyed sundowners on a perfect-weather evening in the bush.

After many late nights, we all went to bed by 10:30, and Tom and I managed to sleep for at least eight hours. Feeling much more lively today than we did yesterday, we had only gotten five hours of sleep the previous night.

A face only a mother could love.

Today, at 3:00 pm, we’re leaving for Ngwenya to watch wildlife on the Crocodile River and then have the buffet dinner in the restaurant around 6:00 pm. The food may not be quite as good as what we’ve had at our past dining experiences since they arrived last Saturday, but the ambiance makes up for that.

Then again, tomorrow and Saturday, we’ll be making our usual visits to Jabula for dinner, and we’re excited to share the fun times and great food we always love at the lively bar and restaurant,  as well as commiserating with owners Dawn, Leon, and their manager, Corrine.

Elephants were gathering on the shore of Sunset Dam. We kept an eye on them and they eventually crossed the road, our second such sighting in one day.

Kady and Rich haven’t completely recovered from jet lag. Combining that with all of our fun late nights, they tend to sleep in while Tom and I are out on the veranda early in the morning. Tom is always outdoors an hour or two before I am, since I stay in bed longer and then shower and dress at the start of each day.

Kady and Rich said this will be the first time in their lives they have been outside the US on the Fourth of July Independence Day holiday, which is celebrated tomorrow. No, there are no fireworks here in Marloth Park for two reasons: one, the fire hazard in the dry bush is high, and two, there are very few Americans here.

Mom and youngster.

This has been our lives for almost 13 years since we began traveling the world in 2012. I think there was one time that we happened to be in the US during the Fourth of July, and we celebrated the occasion with family.

When holidays, celebrated in the US, occur while we are in other countries, we don’t mind at all. We’ve grown accustomed to letting those dates pass without the usual fanfare. It’s all about embracing where we are at any given time rather than hanging onto the past.

Enjoy more of our Kruger photos. We’ll be back tomorrow with more.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 3, 2015:

Holloways Beach in Cairns, Australia. For more photos, please click here.

Oh, What a Night!…Welcoming friends to the bush!…

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A trail cam photo of a genet ready to pounce on the leftover piece of filet mignon from last night’s dinner.

Buying a bale of lucerne was a great idea when Karen and Rich first walked into the house and saw a forkl of kudus standing at the veranda, especially an impressive Big Daddy, the size of which we hadn’t seen lately.

Their journey was long and exhausting, as we’d warned them, but they managed to get four hours of sleep on the second red-eye flight from London to Johannesburg after the unbearable ten-hour layover. Sheer exhaustion helped them to sleep sitting up in the uncomfortable airplane seats.

Young kudus are pretty adorable, as are the adults.

We’d expected them to need a nap and time to recover before dinner. Still, they were both so enthused about being here and enjoying the wildlife, and our lively conversation, that we all stayed up until midnight, sitting outdoors at the table on the veranda, bundled up in hooded sweatshirts and jackets in the cool 55°F, 13 °C weather.

We’d had a fantastic night commiserating about the events in our lives over the past few years, since we’d last seen each other in The Villages, Florida, in 2023. Of course, Karen and I stayed in close touch regularly, over the almost 13 years since we began traveling the world.

When the driver drove them through the park on the way to our vacation home, they saw many animals, including giraffes, along the road. Then, when they arrived at our house, a bevy of various species graced us with their presence throughout the remainder of the afternoon and the evening.

Many kudus came to call after Tom spread the lucerne in the garden. They ate the lucerne but also waited at the veranda’s edge for pellets.

No words can describe how exciting it is to share the wonders of Marloth Park with friends or family, especially those who have never been to Africa before. It’s a never-ending thrill ride of sheer awe and appreciation for the magical world around us, seen face-to-face like never before.

One can certainly see photos and watch videos of wildlife that take one’s breath away. However, nothing compares to seeing the animal’s attentive gaze into our eyes, creating an indescribable connection that is never expected.

Trail cam photo of zebras munching on lucerne.

It’s almost 10:00 am, and they are both still sleeping. When they awake, I plan to make mushroom, cheese, and onion omelets for all of us for a late breakfast, after which we will plan our day and evening. Neither of them is interested in embarking on any tours.

We’ll go to the river, visit Kruger National Park, and take a guided night game drive with dinner in the bush. This will allow them to experience many of the local restaurants we enjoy, especially Jabula on Friday and Saturday nights. They’d prefer to do whatever we enjoy doing while living in the bush, perhaps even joining us at Quiz Night on Tuesday.

No doubt, we’ll all have a great time as we share this magical place with friends we’ve loved and enjoyed for many years.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 29, 2015:

The sidewalk along the beach in Palm Cove, Australia. For more photos, please click here.

Today, our friends arrive!…Excited to see them and share this wonderland with them…

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Several impalas in the garden.

Over the past 36 hours, I’ve been texting back and forth with Karen, providing support as they’ve had layovers on their way to South Africa. They had an over ten-hour layover in London, more than we had with nine hours almost two weeks ago when we returned to South Africa from the US.

They have just arrived in Joburg with a three-hour layover and will then fly on Airlink to Mpumalanga/Nelspruit/Kruger Airport. They should arrive here in about five hours.

Given that it takes almost two full days to travel from the US to South Africa and back, we’ve often discussed how few Americans we’ve met in the bush over the years. Considering that travelers from the US spend almost four days traveling to and from South Africa, it’s no wonder that we rarely encounter Americans in Marloth Park.

Often, Americans book their flights and accommodations through a travel company; they rarely know about Marloth Park and thus promote it. On rare occasions when we meet Americans, we often ask them how they discovered Marloth Park. In most cases, it was through someone they knew who had been here.

Three of four giraffes in the garden.

Additionally, when Americans visit this general area, they typically end up booking one of the tented camps in Kruger National Park, which offer a range of accommodations from luxury to basic, with options in between. Typically, they spend three to five days in Kruger and then take off for tours in and around Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Alternatively, if they have time constraints, such as returning home for work or other obligations, they may stay for a total of ten days and then return to the US.

Of course, many of our readers and friends who have come to Marloth Park after reading our posts have stayed for extended periods, like us. However, we’ve never known anyone who has spent as much time in Marloth Park as we’ve, other than those who have purchased homes here and become permanent residents, including South Africans from various locations and citizens of different countries who have come here and fallen in love with it.

Here was the fourth giraffe looking for anything to eat that may have fallen on the ground.

Here’s an updated overview of how many Americans travel to various countries each year, including South Africa:

U.S. International Travel Statistics

🔹 Overall U.S. Outbound Travel

  • Nearly 100 million Americans traveled abroad in 2023, similar to pre-pandemic levels (~98 million in 2019).

🔹 Popular Destinations (U.S. Visitors per Year)

Destination Annual U.S. Arrivals
Mexico ~39 million (2023)
Canada ~10 million (2023) estimated from monthly ~2M
United Kingdom ~5 million
France ~5 million
Germany ~4 million
Italy ~4 million
Spain ~3.8 million
Japan ~3 million (2024)
South Korea ~1 million
Dominican Republic ~3 million (pre‑COVID estimates)

  • In 2023, 353,975 Americans visited South Africa (Jan–Dec) — a 35–40% increase from 2022 news24.com+14sanews.gov.za+14www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au+14.

  • In 2024, the U.S. remained South Africa’s top overseas market, with 372,362 arrivals, up 5.2% from 2023. (Source: sanews.gov.za, +4gov. za, +4travelandtourworld. com)

  • Little birds pecking at seeds that fell from the birdfeeder.

Regional Summary

  • North America (Mexico + Canada): ~50 million U.S. tourists annually.

  • Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain): ~20 million.

  • Asia (Japan, South Korea, others): ~4 million.

  • South Africa: ~0.37 million in 2024, ranking among the top long-haul destinations from the U.S.

  • Caribbean & Central America (Dominican Republic, etc.): ~3 million.

Key Insights

  1. Nearly 100 million Americans travel internationally each year.

  2. Mexico and Canada are the dominant destinations, with approximately 50 million U.S. visitors combined.

  3. Europe draws around 20 million, led by the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

  4. Asia is gaining, with ~4 million, including around 3 million to Japan.

  5. South Africa, as a long-haul destination, welcomed ~370,000 Americans in 2024.

  6. Dominican Republic attracts around 3 million U.S. tourists annually.

We’ll be back tomorrow with more and will continue to post while Karen and Rich are visiting.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 28, 2015:

This was one of our favorite spots, located on William Esplanade in Palm Cove Beach, Australia, since the colors reminded us of the village in Placencia, Belize, from so long ago. For more photos, please click here.

We’re back…Busy days and nights…

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Our boy Norman has been stopping by frequently. He loves the sweet potatoes, apples, and carrots, but is less fond of the pellets. He looks healthy and well-fed.

Not only have we had dinner guests and been out two of the last three nights, but our days have also been busy preparing everything for our dear friends Karen and Rich’s arrival tomorrow afternoon. After all the years we have talked about them visiting us in Africa, it is finally coming to fruition.

Tuesday evening, we participated in Quiz Night at Giraffe Pub & Grill and had a fantastic time as usual. The questions were tough, and with Tom not feeling well, he couldn’t contribute as much as he usually did. (Thank goodness he is fully recovered now and has had plenty of sleep.)

Here is Nina, Norman’s partner. She either visits with the kids and grandkids or on her own. On occasion, she’ll visit with Norman and the entire family.

Thrilled I didn’t catch whatever he had, I am energized and ready for our upcoming guests. They are in the air now and will chat with us along the way. We expect them to arrive in Marloth Park around 4:00 pm tomorrow, Saturday.

On Wednesday evening, our dear friends who live in Marloth Park joined us for dinner and a delightful evening spent chatting outdoors, first at the bar and later at the table. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too cold in the evening, and we all stayed comfortable without hoodies or jackets.

Take a look at the tusks on this big warthog, Tusker. We no longer feed warthogs, which is disappointing, but they are very destructive, especially during this drought. We can’t possibly feed them enough.

Now that June 21st has passed, we are entirely into winter here, and cold mornings and evenings are to be expected. By the time we fly to Spain in September, it will start warming up again. In the meantime, the daytime weather is perfect, mild, not humid, and comfortable.

Last night, we joined Louise and Danie for dinner at Bos Restaurant in the Bush Centre, located across the parking lot from The Butchery. There were only a few options for me on their menu, so I ordered grilled calamari and a side salad, which was fine.

Hal, our favorite wildebeest, stops by now and then.

Today, we’re doing a pile of laundry that accumulated over the past week. It’s a sunny day, so it should dry quickly. We wanted to complete all our household tasks before our guests arrive. We still have a few more chores to complete around the house before their arrival.

By the end of today, we should be all set. Tomorrow, I’ll work on prepping for dinner. We are serving filet mignon steaks with sautéed mushrooms, baked potatoes, and Greek salad, accompanied by bread and muffins. Karen is gluten-free, which will be easy for us to ensure.

Giraffes are always welcome in the garden.

Tom just brought in the first big load of laundry, which I will now hang outside on the portable clothes rack. We should be done with laundry by noon. Afterward, I will head over to Louise’s office, the Marloth Park Info Centre, to help her set up her new laptop while she’s busy with tourists stopping by with lots of questions.

Tonight, we’ll return to Jabula for dinner, but we won’t be back for our usual Saturday night dinner, as Karen and Rich will be arriving and most likely will be too tired to go out.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 27, 2015:

The view of Palm Cove beach, in Australia, from the pier. For more photos, please click here.

Practical tips for saving money when booking international flights…

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Lots of little birds were enjoying the bird feeder.

Note: Due to a local WiFi issue at the moment, I can’t access the link, and some of our usual editing isn’t possible at this time.

As we mentioned in the past, we most often book flights, both domestic and international, using the link to Expedia on our site, located on the right side of the page, where we typically receive the best pricing, especially when booking a hotel and rental car, as a package.

Here are practical tips to save money when booking international flights, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first big trip:

1. Be Flexible With Dates and Destinations

  • Fly mid-week: Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to have lower fares.

  • Avoid peak seasons: Summer holidays, Christmas/New Year, and local school breaks hike up prices.

  • Use tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to explore the cheapest dates and destinations using the “Flexible Dates” or “Everywhere” search.

    More giraffes have come for a visit.

2. Book at the Right Time

  • Best booking window: 2–6 months in advance for international travel.

  • Use fare alert tools (e.g., Kayak, Hopper, Google Flights) to track price drops.

  • Avoid booking too early (more than 8 months ahead) or too late (less than 2 weeks before).

3. Consider Alternative Airports

  • Fly into a nearby city: For example, fly to Brussels instead of Paris, or Milan instead of Venice.

  • Depart from different airports: If you’re near multiple major hubs, check them all (e.g., JFK vs. Newark, LAX vs. San Diego).
Mac has numerous friends who hang out with him now.

4. Use Regional Carriers or Budget Airlines

  • Book a cheap international flight to a central hub, then use a regional budget airline for onward travel (e.g., Ryanair in Europe, AirAsia in Asia).

  • Be mindful of baggage fees and tight layovers with low-cost carriers.

5. Mix & Match Airlines

  • Don’t limit yourself to round-trip tickets from one airline. Use tools like Skiplagged, Kiwi.com, or Momondo to find cheaper combinations of one-way tickets or multi-city itineraries.

6. Use Miles or Travel Rewards

  • Use points/miles earned from travel credit cards (e.g., Chase Sapphire, Amex, Capital One) to book or offset international flights.

  • Sign up for frequent flyer programs even if you don’t fly often—it adds up.

At one point, there were about 25 kudus in the garden.

7. Know the Luggage Rules

  • Low-cost international flights may not include checked baggage, seat selection, or meals.

  • Avoid surprise costs by reading the fine print and flying light when possible.

8. Clear Your Browser or Use Incognito

  • Fare prices can increase with repeated searches—clear cookies or search in Incognito mode to avoid dynamic pricing.

9. Consider “Open-Jaw” or Stopover Flights

  • An open-jaw ticket lets you fly into one city and return from another, often cheaper, and enables you to see more.

  • We’ve had countless animals in the garden over the past several days.

    Some airlines offer free or cheap stopovers in their hub cities (e.g., Icelandair in Reykjavik, Emirates in Dubai).

10. Use Aggregators but Book Direct When Possible

Start with aggregators like:

    • Google Flights

    • Skyscanner

    • Kayak

    • Momondo

Then check the airline’s website for the same fare—sometimes it’s cheaper, and it’s easier to change or cancel later.

We have found that we can spend several hours researching for the best possible pricing. For us, it’s worth the extra time we spend to accomplish this.

Today, friends Roz and Les are coming for dinner. We’re making bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with sauerkraut, seasoned rice, Greek salad with homemade dressing, and homemade blueberry muffins. Plus, we’ll put together a platter of biltong, sliced cheeses,

Photo from ten years ago today, June 25, 2015:

A lone explorer on the secluded beach in Trinity Beach, Australia. For more photos, please click here.