Sun Set Safari

A little more Safari reminiscing:  The Sun Sets on the Evening Safari:
It is our final evening at Makalali.  It is our third and final night but it feels like we have been here forever. We could stay forever, but life is not about dreams.
It is warm and I know it will be cooler later on.  One of the German couples have left this morning and the other couple, who are honeymooning are excited about this last safari. They will be leaving in their car at 3am; they worked out how long it would take them to drive  to Johannesburg;  return their rental car and arrive at the airport in time for their trip home. 

White Rhino mother and her calf
 

One of many majestic giraffes
 

We are on the hunt for a leopard, we have seen all the Big 5, but as yet the leopard has eluded us.  Lawrence carefully checks the paw prints in the sand and heads off in their direction.  We spot elephants and stop for a short period of time.  You can never get enough elephant viewing!   A white rhino mum and her calf  trud by, captivating us with our cameras posed.  We are delighted!  Zebras, giraffes nibbling the canopies of tall trees, kudos and a herd or more of impala are easily spotted, but the leopard remains elusive.  The sky is clear of clouds and we are honoured with a most beautiful South African sunset.  We discuss among ourselves the joy of the 'hunt' and the fun of  4 wheel driving in the rugged bushland.  In Australia you could pay hundreds of dollars to a tour company just for a couple of hours in a 4WD exploring the outback.  There is no chance of seeing an elephant, giraffe or lion at home in the bush! Only kangaroos and the occasional emu.  We stop and enjoy a quick drink and nibbles before returning back to camp.  The leopard remains in hiding. The dark of night envelopes us and Lawrence uses the spotlight to see any animals close to the track.  When he spots an animal on the track he dips the headlights, only turning them back on to check the animal has crossed the track and is no longer at risk of being hit by our vehicle.  The animals are dazed when they are caught in the brightness of the headlights, just as kangaroos are at home.  We arrive back at camp safely.  We are offered a steaming hot hand towel to freshen up.  Our dinner is not yet cooked and we are escorted to our huts for twenty minutes.  A good time to change out of my 'safari' clothes.  A delicious BBQ awaits us.  We enjoy homemade pumpkin soup with bread. Our main meal is Ostrich meat which has been well marinated, vegetables, boiled potatoes and polenta.  Dessert is ice cream and homemade cake.  I wash my dinner down with a couple of glasses of South African white wine. 
It is my last night in my amazing mud hut, I take a long bath, download my photos and listen to my favourite music (on my iPhone!)  There is no TV or radio, just the sounds of the wild and the wind in the trees. I turn off the light, my eyes close and I am asleep.  The world and I enter into a deep slumber.  We are at peace together.