4 May We started out nice and early for Kruger and stopped in Hazyview to pick up a few more supplies as well as fuel. We entered through Paul Kruger gate and not long after entering we encountered a big bull elephant which was rather cool. There seems to be a lot of wildlife around at the moment. We had a lovely drive up to Satara Rest camp where we will be staying two nights. We managed to see a leopard up a tree on the way as well as all the usual suspects; impala, zebra, giraffe, waterbuck, wildebeest, baboons and some lovely birdlife as well. We arrived around 2pm and set up camp. We decided not to go for an afternoon game drive as the gates close at 5.30pm and after having some lunch and setting up it was getting close to 3pm already. So we had a lovely relaxing time in the campsite instead. We had a great dinner (Martin has got these fires sorted out these days) and an early night to be fresh for tomorrow.

5 May Up at 5.30am as gates open at 6pm, had a wash and coffee and then set out on a game drive. We had a fantastic morning spotting 4 lions; one large male, two females and a sub adult female. They were resting under bushes, but a herd of elephants were grazing towards them so we stayed to see what happens. Eventually a young bull ellie saw them and mock charged towards them making loads of noise, the lions all got up rather quickly and run away. The ellie herd changed direction as well – lovely to see! Got back to camp around 11am and had a lovely big brunch. I then did some washing and relaxed until around 3pm at which time we went out for another game drive. We saw hyeneas who seemed on a mission – running along the road towards us so we parked and they took the bush route around us and then back onto the road. Had dinner and once again had an early night.

6 May Got up and did another early morning game drive then got back to camp and packed up as today we are making our way to Singita Sweni Lodge. We had a lovely drive over to Sweni Lodge and arrived in time for lunch. What a beautiful setting and lodge Sweni is and the rooms are awesome. Not just one shower and toilet, but two toilets and three showers as well as a lovely huge big bath. All the rooms overlook the river and the bird life is stunning. We had Marlon as our ranger/guide and Themba as our tracker. Lorraine looked after us as far as drinks and meals were concerned.

6-10 May James thank you so much for arranging our stay at Sweni, we had a wonderful time. We had fabulous drives and walks with Marlon and Themba, dinner in a different location each night; (out by the pool, in dining room, wine cellar and in the boma), our third night there we got back from our game drive and the bathroom was filled with rose petals in the basins, the bath already filled with bubble bath and champagne on ice fantastic! James also thanks for the bottle of bubbles, we are saving it for a special time in Mozambique. The food was to die for, although you ate almost every two hours and I think we both put on a bit of weight while at Sweni! Our second night we had bush drinks which was lovely and also our third morning breakfast by the river. We both had massages at the spa which was magic and got some new clothes as well, mainly Martin. All in all we had a fabulous time and thank everyone at Sweni for making our time so special, hopefully we will be back.

10 May We were up at 5.30am for our last game drive/walk at Sweni which was brilliant. Got back to the lodge and had breakfast then went to pack and shower. We left Sweni at around 12.15 and made our way slowly to Letaba Rest camp. We arrived around 3.30pm set up camp and relaxed until dinner time. Today is really hot and a little on the humid side at 37 degrees. As we were travelling through the hottest part of the day to get to Letaba we didn’t see too much wildlife although we did see a lot of ellies. Letaba is very different from the camps down south, a lot more Mopani scrubland around which is nice to see. Had a lovely dinner and had an early night. We have had 7 mornings in a row of 5.30am wake up so decided to sleep in; unfortunately there is a baby camping next to us and he woke me twice in the night – around 3am and again at 5am, so much for a sleep in!