Thursday, September 21, 2023 Jane & I woke up early today to the sound of stereo iPhone alarms, rolled out of bed, and dressed quickly. I made and downed a cup of instant coffee then we met Paula & Fikret at the front of the hotel. Our prearranged ride was […]

Wednesday, September 20, 2023 This morning, we checked the weather conditions from our hotel window. The sky was clear blue EXCEPT for a cloud covering the top of Table Mountain. We hoped that it would clear off during the morning. Jane & I again enjoyed a nice buffet breakfast in

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 Today we embarked on a full-day private tour of Cape Point & the Cape Peninsula. After an excellent large buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant, our Kwathlano driver, Vaughn, picked us up in the lobby at 9:00 am. Vaughn was an interesting guide who had grown

Monday, September 18, 2023 We embarked on our final safari drive this morning and it was a memorable one. Our vehicle was the first one out of the Idube gate and Joas had a destination in mind. After driving awhile, he stopped and found lion tracks in the road. We

Sunday, September 17, 2023 Today was our full day of safariing at Idube. We again witnessed a glorious African sunrise early in our morning excursion. While driving about, we spotted more rhinos and elephants, then an announcement came over the radio and off we sped to another leopard sighting. When

Saturday, September 16, 2023 This morning, we squeezed in one final safari drive at Lukimbi before our 10:00 am transfer ride to another lodge. The drive was lovely and we once again saw lots of wildlife: giraffes, elephants, rhinos, hyenas, zebras, waterbuck, and more. A Breakfasting Giraffe Giraffe hanging with

Friday, September 15, 2023  Today was our first full day of safariing. We followed the following hectic schedule which was roughly continued for the next several days: 05:00    Wake-up call 05:15    Coffee 05:30    Morning Safari drive (3 hours) 09:00    Breakfast 10:00    Optional Bush Walk (1 hour)

Thursday, September 14, 2023 This morning, we enjoyed an early light breakfast and coffee with Fikret who then escorted us to the EZ Shuttle pick-up location where our van was arriving just as we walked up. I introduced myself to the driver and before he started loading our bags, he

Wednesday, September 13, 2023 We enjoyed a leisurely morning before departing for the Cullinan Diamond Mine about 10 am. After a 45-minute drive, we arrived at the town of Cullinan. Fikret and Paula had recently seen the mine with other visitors so they found a place to enjoy coffee while

Tuesday, September 12, 2023 Today, we were on our own to implement a plan Fikret and Paula suggested. Fikret dropped us off at the Hatfield train station in Pretoria on his way to work. At the ticket window inside, we restocked two transit cards that Paula had lent us with

 Monday, September 11, 2023 I arose around 6:30 feeling refreshed with no signs of jet lag. Fikret, after he had a quick shower, made us coffee and we enjoyed chatting before he and Paula left together for their respective appointments. I watched from the patio as their car left the

 Saturday, September 9,  2023 Today is the day we finally depart for South Africa after months of planning and preparations including updating Jane’s passport, vaccinations, obtaining anti-malaria prescriptions, making arrangements with our intrepid cat- and house-sitter (Will),  installing eSIM cards in our phones, etc. This adventure promises to be a