Long journey today but sunshine and fantastic views as we drive through Swaziland which is known as the African Switzerland. It is beautiful but rural and very simple. Border shenanigans passing in and out but no problems. Enjoyed listening to tthe audiobook version of Ryder Haggards' She' as we drove through the areas it was written about. Very special. Arrived at Battlefields Country Lodge as it was getting twilight. It was a magnificent sunset with Zebra, bu...

Wet again! No walking safari and this evenings night safari also off due to muddy tracks etc. walked up to the local shops which were very attractive and we bought a very attractive top. Then they put on an extra safari this afternoon which we've booked for. Sun now out and an altogether different experience from yesterday. Saw lots of elephants, giraffe monkeys, mongeese, vultures lots of birds etc. the rivers were fuller and there were lots of turtles and h...

On the coach by 5.45am with breakfast bag we can't eat until 9am. Fortunately tea and a S African rusk which is a rock like biscuit that must be dunked were provided before we left. 15 min. Drive to the park gates where we climbed into Toyota vehicles-and I do mean climb up a ladder attached to the side-which had raised roofs, no sides and held eight. Fortunately we had been warned to dress warmly but even with every available item of clothing on plus provided ...

Long journey today after quite early start. Nothing compared to the starts for the game drives but packed and breakfasted by 8 am is early after last nights flight. We were initially pleased that the weather was overcast so it was not too hot for our long drive. However though the first part was interesting seeing legal and illegal townships and fascinating rolling veldt , fertile heavily farmed valleys and high mountains as we went up then down mountain ranges,...

Didn't enjoy the flight to J from London. Felt quite claustrophobic and hardly slept. Eventually arrived to find Ian's case had been broken into but doesn't appear to be anything missing except the lock and all the labels. Had to join a queue of people with similar problems to report it. Drove to this lovely hotel via the Apartheid Musem which was fascinating but we could only 'skim' in in the available time. Drove past the World Cup venue which was interesting...