So we are in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, apparently the best game reserve in the world, and our experience has certainly verified that. The 10 of us who chose to do this before the SLF meet-up fill up one entire jeep so we have had our own guide, and our own “tracker” for the entire time. We went out for a few hours at 3:30 pm on Friday, and at 6 am today, and at 3:30 today and again at 6 am tomorrow. They cooperate with other safari resorts in the local area to figure out where the interesting animals are hanging out, plus watch for things with their eagle eyes. Today we unexpectedly saw a beautiful pair of zebras, and also a leopard who had killed an impala and was still devouring it, along with wildebeest, wart hogs, elephants, African buffalo, hippos, bush bucks, many herds of impala and beautiful birds. And our guides drive this amazing jeep through the bush trying to get us the best views possible and very up close and personal with these amazing animals. And who knew? An evening safari always includes “sundowners” – beer, wine or cocktails served on the tail of the jeep at sunset – before heading back. And when we arrive back at the lodge, there are three choices of drink waiting for us – a cocktail, a shooter and a mocktail!

The rooms are beautiful, with mosquito netting draped fashionably over our beds, and the meals are gourmet with attention paid to all possible allergies. It will be quite a contrast to the next part of our trip but it feels like we have seen an essential piece of Africa and we feel grateful to be doing it in such style.