We recently bought a digital SLR camera, so the invitation from Paul & Heather to join them and Hennie & Dalian for a weekend of camping at Pilansberg Game Reserve was perfect in timing.
After a hectic week at work for both of us (many TIFA moments...!) we were so thankful to be leaving town for a weekend away. Without drawing attention to reckless & irresponsible driving, the drive there had us both amused. As were travelling along a very long & straight road in the desert, we ended up behind a police van. Pete was presented with a dilemma. He was already driving at 145km/hr (speed limit of 100km/h however everyone speeds on this road), should he pass or remain behind the police van (which was also driving at 145km/hr). The police van subsequently proceeded to pull into the emergency lane to indicate that Pete should pass. Truth or temptation? Thankfully the police van soon turned off so Pete didn't have to make a decision! Crazy that police are travelling that fast in the first instance, and that they are even courtious to other drivers on the road by veering into the emergency lane to assist with passing!
We arrived in good time at the Manyane camping ground, set-up camp and then enjoyed a well deserved beer around the camp fire while the braai was cooking.
On Saturday we rose early and drove through Pilansberg Game Reserve with Heather to get some use out of our new camera. Well... it was so much fun. We also bought a 30-700mm lens so could get incredibly close to the game (through the viewfinder). We met Paul at Sun City after his cycle race and soaked up the sun by the fake beach. Who wouldn't want to live in Africa when it is 30c & clear blue skies in winter! Sun City is a luxurious casino resort with top international golf courses. It's main attraction however is the the man-made valley of the waves which boasts a fake beach with sand, waterslides & waterfalls. Whilst slightly tacky it was still very relaxing to sunbake and swim at the fake beach.
We returned to the camping ground via the game reserve and got started on dinner, a poitkje. Whilst it is a speciality of South Africans when camping, quite ironic that our Saffa friends, Paul & Heather, tasted their first poitkje from Australian cooks!
On Sunday we again rose early to see the game at their best. Another good drive seeing numerous zebra, impala, springbok (the name-sake of the SA rugby team), wildebeest etc... and even 2 lions on the prowl.
Verdict on the camera: love it!
The intriguing pattern of a zebra
A young male impala
Lazy Hippo's
The 'beach' at Valley of the Waves, sun city
Paul & Heather
Jen loving the fact that she can start on her tan in Winter (with SPF30+!)
The Hippo dam
Chacma baboon scratching an itch!
Cute warthogs... Jen's favourite! 
Wildebeest
Pete teasing a tame red billed hornbill
A zebra crossing!! 
Coffee around the campfire... ahhh life doesn't get much better!