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I realise this is a bit trivial but I hope all Forumites visiting Olifants will enjoy the view from the new 'Lazy Safari' bench, donated by friends of mine in memory of my late partner, Denise, who died earlier this year. We spent many happy months together in the park and were due to return for what she knew would be her last visit in Jan 2008 but she was unfortunately unable to travel. No such worry now.

This is not at all trivial bushwalker.

Thank you for sharing with us. I will look for the bench, and pause there. Both you and Denise will be in my thoughts.

Bushwalker ....I applaud you for posting this as it had to be very difficult and sad and I will in honour of you and Denise go and sit on the bench for awhile beginning next year.

I’m terribly sorry for your loss, Bushwalker.
What a special and wonderful way to commend the memory of Denise.
I will for sure make a point of it to visit this bench each time we are in Olifants….thank you for sharing this with us.

Indeed sorry for the loss. As I understand it A LOT of people have memories of their beloved ones while in Kruger. When I'm hopefully back there in future, I will definately remember this post. Keep well

A sad but very lovely post.
Will stop at that bench next time
btw, always read the inscriptions on the donated benches.
So many people with so many special moments being memorated

Many thanks for these thoughtful comments. Much appreciated. I am making my own personal contribution in memory of Denise and have already spoken to relevant KNP personnel. I will post details of this in the future but I intend it to be something special and something that we can all share.

Sorry for your loss bushwalker and no it is definately not trivial, it is very special, and i too will remember this when im next at olifants. Looking forward to hearing about your future plan

Sorry for your loss bushwalker, i to will have you both in my thoughts next time i visit olifants!

This is indeed a sad post, but I'm so glad your sharing this with us. I will definitely go sit on her bench in July, and include you and her in a prayer.

Let us know what your contribution in memory of her will be.

Bushwalker you will treasure that bench forever.
We placed a bench at Crocodile Bridge in memory of my parents.
We always make a point of going to sit on their bench.
we also sand and varnish it at least once a year to keep it in tip top condition.
We also spread my Dad's ashes at Nkhulu, so we "visit " him every time we go to Kruger.
My parents gave my family our love of the bush in general and Kruger in particular.
It is something so special to us to have this tangible memory of all our wonderful trips to Kruger with them

Thank you Bushwalker! My Granny died very sudden last year and my famnily has just scattered her ashes at Olifants, she loved the Elephants! I am hoping to have a bench made for her memory aswell, for she lived for the Kruger!

I am so sorry to hear of your loss and you have my sincere condolences.

Thank you for sharing your story and I will most definately visit Denise's bench when I go back to SA.

Sincere condolences Bushwalker,
but what a wonderful and fitting memorial for anyone who loves Kruger, will definitely look out for "Denise's" bench and spare a thought for her.

Hallo Everyone!

Last year my Grandmother passed away very sudden. 1month before her passing I took her and my grandfather to the Kruger, her last night ever spent in the Kruger was at Olifants Rest Camp where I spoilt them to a lovely dinner at the restaurant.

She loved Elephants and we have decided to scatter her Ashes at the N'wamanzi lookout point as it was her favourite view of the park at sunset. We would like to put a bench up there dedicated to her, with sleeper wood and concrete "feet" in the shape of and elephant on either side.

My questions are as follows:

1) Does anyone know how much it would cost or who I must contact to find out?

2) Am I allowed to put a bench there as there isn't any already?

3) Is there a special company we must use to make the bench or can we use our private company?

Any comments or advise you may be able to offer me would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Dear Bushwalker

We are currently at Olifants and this afternoon I went to “Denise’s lazy safari bench”. It is situate in such a lovely quiet spot and has a beautiful view. I took some photos while we enjoyed sitting there....and my thoughts were with you and the loss you suffered....this really is such a wonderful memorial.

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