The time has come.  Granny and Grandpa are safari freaks.  We love to visit our wild friends in the National Parks of South Africa.  We have been doing this since 1994 once, twice and sometimes even three times a year!    Our main objective is to see the amazing bird life that South Africa has to offer. With bird watching as a hobby you never become bored in a game park.  Of course the Big 5 are brilliant to see and we seek them keenly as well as any other creature big or small.  Butterflies and beetles – all have their charm.   Every mongoose, monkey, baboon or bush baby.  They keep us fascinated and intrigues.  The bush itself is soothing and therapeutic.  Those dreadful days in Africa – nothing can compare.   We’ve been grandparents for fourteen years and have longed to share our passion with our grandchildren.  But while helping our daughter raise her two sons we realised that taking very young hyper-active boys would be cruel to both them and to us.  No way would they be able to sit still in a car for hours on end and the thought of having to keep them interested and entertained was daunting so we said, One day when they’re older.  That day has come.  Our 13 and 14 year-old grandsons have had mini-introductions to the wild – a short trip to Addo a few years ago – another to Camdeboo that they just loved.  Their cousins (who don’t live with us) are younger, being raised on a farm and are not hyper active.   They already have a keen interest in bird life and at 7 and 10 are definitely ready to explore a proper game park.

We’ve booked a week in Kruger – Berg ‘n Dal, Skukuza, Pretoriuskop.  It’s post flood and the grass is long – but hopefully we’ll still see some interesting stuff. Our granddaughter has been diligently studying her book on Kruger Birds.  She’s 10 and will probably be teaching her older cousins a thing or two.  Her little brother is close on her heels.  Each of them has a brand new pair of binoculars – Christmas gifts from Granny and Grandpa.  We’ve never disposed of our old cameras and Son-in-law is allowing his to accompany his daughter -so each child will have one to hand.   The field guides are packed, the snack pack is ready and the excitement is growing.   Look out Kruger here we come – Just 11 more sleeps till we leave Cape Town on break-up day.  An overnight at Oudtshoorn with the older boys then on to Kokstad to collect the younger two.  We’ll spend two nights there then make a marathon trek to Crocodile Bridge Gate – if its open.   First night – Berg ‘n Dal!  Watch this space!