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Day 58 (Dec 28th)
Today we hoped to go to Letaba, for lunch, and then daughter and SIL wanted to look around the Elephant Hall.

We had seen on Facebook that there were huge queues at the gate, so we weren't really sure whether it would have reached it's quota by the time we got there at 10am.

I'm glad to say that we were allowed in, and proceeded towards Letaba on the H9.
That is when I realised two fatal mistakes!!!!

Firstly I had left my camera at home, and secondly we were a bit low on petrol. We had plenty to get us to Letaba, but I know that sometimes in the holidays the pumps run dry, and we weren't sure we had enough to get back to Phala that afternoon.

We took a vote and decided to risk it, and luckily when we got to Letaba we were able to fill up, and pay by credit card, which is such a bonus!!!

Along the way we saw Ellies, Giraffe, Zebra, Impala, a cute little Steenie, Waterbuck, Hippo (at Nhlanganini Dam) and Baboon.

Lunch was very tasty, and then we had a nice look around the Elephant Hall. The kids found it very interesting , and before we knew it an hour had elapsed.

We had decided to go home via Mingerhout, and Shilawuri, so set off up the road.

We had no sooner turned right at the crossroads, when I spotted a lone Wildebeest by the side of the road.

WE turned onto the Mingerhout Road and saw a little group of Nyala, and loads of Impala with their babies.

As many of you will know, the river and Mingerhout Road, run side by side for a long way, and at one point, we looked down and saw a Purple Heron, and a Grey Heron, wading in the shallow water.

We saw more Ellies and Hippo, also Giraffe, Buffs, Zebra, Warthog, a shy buck that might have been a Sharpie, but bolted too quickly to tell, and a beautiful Tawny.

We picked up the main Phala Road, and saw not much else other than more Impies and a few distant Elllies.

Both going and coming back we had scoured Erfplaas for Desi and the Klippies, but they are nowhere to be seen at the moment!!

We arrived home very tired after a long hot day, and couldn't wait to jump into the pool.

Then it was sundowner time, and a delicious chicken stirfry.

Tomorrow we are visiting the Hoedspruit Cheetah and Endangered Species Centre, so as we sipped our Amarulas we eagerly discussed what the day might bring us.

I of course have no photos of my own, but SIL will give me some of his when he has downloaded them, so I will add them at a later date.

To be continued...............

So glad you were able to fill up at Letaba Val!

What a pity that you forgot your camera! But fortunately we have SIL's photos to look forward to!

You saw quite a lot of animals during another lovely drive!

We are so blessed in this area, even though we are short of cats and dogs, the general game is plentiful.

Val, just catching up-my apologies. Have been busy, and little time to respond. But catching up with your ups and downs has been wonderful. How I wish I could live for 4 months on the doorstep of Kruger. Loved your garden birds, and following the hyrax-what stress these animals can cause .
Love that last handsome fellow. I am struck by the fact that on so m any days you have done that loop around Sable Dam, and see little, and then one day-viola. Handsome appears. Guess that is Kruger!
And the food highlights makes me hungry .
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and everything of the best for 2013! What a way to spend the start of the New Year!
More please! Before I trundle off for a trip of my own!

So pleased you've managed to catch up Noel.....I really enjoyed your last TR, and glad you are joining me on mine!!

Going on a Game Drive this evening from Phala Gate, so please hold thumbs!!!

Mistake .....after all the Great Sightings, (i can imagine how awesome it must have been) NO CAMERA NEEDED

Thanks Philip....still hoping to post some of SILs when he gets round to downloading them from his camera!!

Enjoy your game drive tonight Val, Dungy, Daughter and SIL!

I wish you all a very happy New Year, filled with wonderful blessings!

Hi Val,

Thanks for another great day in Kruger with lots of sightings .

Hope you and the family will have a superb gamedrive tonight and spoil us with ngreat sightings tomorrow .

Happy new year in advance and I hope that 2013 will be a stunning year for you and Dungy .

Thanks Hilda...........please hold thumbs it stops raining!!!

Happy and blessed New Year to you and Barry.

Thanks Barry, and "ditto" my comment to Hilda!!!

Day 59 (Dec 29th)
Today we had booked to go to The Cheetah Centre at Hoedspruit.
Officially as it's not SANparks, I should not post here, so Mods if you want to delete, do your worst, but as it's part of this TR, I will try!!!

We were very impressed with the centre, which has extremely efficient and helpful staff.

We had a 25 min DVD which explains the history of the place, and the ongoing projects, all of which we found most intesesting.

We then had a 30 min tour in a safari vehicle of some of the animal enclosures, so I got to see my Cheetah and Painted Dogs!!!!! (Still hoping to see in the wild!!)
Our guide was such a nice young man, and very knowledgeable.

The toilet for the disabled was spotless (they aren't always!!)

Then we had a very tasty snack at the deli, and finally it was time to come home.

All in all we had a wonderful day!!!

Dinner was Chicken Stirfry and Rice, and of course we ended the night sipping an Amarula (or two) and reflected on a very successful day.

To be cont............

Hi Val! I've got LOADS of catching up to do but have just read a couple of your most recent posts. It sounds as if you are all having a wonderful time.

Glad you got to see your cheetahs and painted dogs, albeit not exactly where you wanted to see them!

Good luck on your night drive tonight - what a wonderful way to spend New Year's Eve.

Happy New Year to you and your family.

Wendy xxx

Thanks Wendy, really looking forward to it.

Happy New Year to you, and look forward to Feb!!!xx

We visited the same Cheetah centre in Feb with Debs and thoroughly enjoyed it as well.

Thanks for another of your wonderful "days in the life of living on the doorstep of paradise"

Enjoy the drive tonight, hope you get to see some exciting things!

Happy new year to you all!