We were up and out at 5:30. A quick coffee and off first our first early morning game drive. It was cold but not as cold as I thought it would because of th clouds. Right away we saw a heard of wildebeests. Then more Nyalas, followed by a beautiful sunrise. Our guide was on a quest south to find the elephants. They had moved to the southern part of the preserve so we were on our way there about 30 minutes away.

On the way we saw a hornbilled something, blue heron, fish eagle, yellow oriel, scarlet breasted sunbird, hawks, the bird list goes on and on. We stopped to examin a skull of an impala with horns, I so wish I could have carried it home for the treehouse. Joe our guide would have given it to me. Next was our first heard of Zebras. What magnifacent creatures they are. I was in awe of just how eveything blends in. Went by the same watering hole as last night to look at the hippos again.

One cannot imagine the feeling of comming up to a heard of Elephants. They are huge. Yes we have all seen then in a zoo but its just not the same. I have even riden then but to see them in the wild….I could just sence the difference in the way they felt about their life. No I am not claiming to be Dr Doolittle but it was just a difference feeling….their movment the look in their eyes. They are free and seem happy. I cant explain it. They are graceful, and playful. They are a family. A clear hierachy in the herd. They came so close. The guide gave them space. To watch them grab a tree and rip it down to get some leaves and eat the flesh of the brnches. The path of utter destruction they leave simply from eating. Reminded me of the kitchen when cooking with my father. We didnt want to leave. But as in all businesses there were others waiting to come close. I respect the guides policy not to bring to many jeeps in at a time. On the way back to camp we saw more Zebras, Impalas, warthogs, waterbucks, and Babboos.

Back at camp we went to our room to freshen up for breakfast to find a heard of Nyalas at the watering holes out our front door. We had breakfast then Troy and I took a nap. Poor Troy has had an earache since we arrived. He was worn out. After our nap we went to lunch with just enough time to head out on the afternoon gamedrive.

You think it can get any better then it does. We start off with a croccadile suning himself. Then we went back by the hippos They were in the water but one was out of the water so we got a great view. Joe gets a call and we head out to see the three brothers…cheetahs! They walked and frolicked, play fight, and then fondly groomed each other. Just like Cade, Miles and Luke. Another beautiful creatures. We stopped for a sundowner. Cocktail at sunset. Then off to see what we could see…

We returned back to camp with enough time to shower drink Trudy birthday bottle of wine and go to dinner again. A special birthday surprise. They baked Troy a special cake and all. Came out singing! The song went on and on…It was really special. We shared the cake with everyone in the dining room.

Back to our room for a very well needed good night sleep.