Makutsi

What a way to spend the last week of what has already been a fabulous trip!

Makutsi is a family owned and run game park, which also supports a research base for the breeding and conservation of white Rhino and Cheetah. It is situated adjacent to The Krueger National Park in South Africa.

Quaint white-washed thatched Rondavels are placed sporadically around an oasis of multi-tiered canopy of trees- acacia, eucalyptus, various types of palm trees ,bougainvillia, jacaranda and numerous native bushes. The animals have free reign of the area surrounding the accommodation, therefore strict guidelines are adhered to regarding NOT walking at night!! Between 6pm and 6.30 am there is a curfew in place. The only way to get around between this time is to be driven. One night the lions were very playful and tore up the lounge cushions outside a Rondavel!! guests have had them roaming outside close to the huts and they've even woken to the sound of their bellowing in the wee early hours of the morning!

The amenities are simple and enjoyable..there a couple of thermal springs on the property which have been channeled into an outdoor pool and an indoor Roman bath complex...the weather has been hot and sunny , food simple,home grown vegies and meat; no TV or Internet but a great little curio shop to make up for it!!

We have seen elephants, rhino, lions,hippo,all kinds of Bok, impala, monkeys, giraffe, zebra, water buffalo......ridden in open 4WD..a great finish.

The time away has been awesome, filled with many experiences, immersed in numerous cultures, mingling and getting to know a variety of people and the thing which sticks in my mind the most is how kind, friendly and helpful people are to the visitors in their countries. We had countless occasions when the locals went beyond the call of duty to help out.

It has gone quite quickly and easily ( due to, I think, the well used mantra- "we travel well together"!!) and Tony and I have survived each other and had fun. Hallelujah!!!

Blending in!!