Day 16

We set off for the airport to finish our holiday!!!

You can see some more photos from our time in South Africa and Swaziland if you click this link : http://picasaweb.google.com/kpd.badwolf/SouthAfrica

Bye !!!

Day 15

Today I got up and went for breakfast. After breakfast we set off for Mbabane, the capital city. When we arrived at the city we realised how small it was. It was even smaller than Chester!!

First we went to the mall to try and find a suitcase that could fit the wooden mask that dad had bought. On the way we stopped at a few shops to have a look. We also went to the city market but everything there we'd seen before, so we set off for lunch. On the way we stopped at the big market again to buy lots of gifts for other people and ourselves.

The restaurant we were going to was in Mlilwane Game Reserve, next to a waterhole. This waterhole was home to hippos that we could watch while having lunch. After lunch we set off and saw a huge crocodile on an island. When we got back we packed our bags and went for a swim. Then we went for tea, it was yummy. Finally we made our way back and went to bed.

Day 14

This morning I got up and made myself a cuppa, then I went to breakfast. After breakfast we set off straight away. We were heading for a cultural village but on the way we saw a market. The stalls must have gone on for at least 1/2 kilometre!! We had a quick look around before setting off to the cultural village.

When we arrived we were just in time for a cultural dance. It was absolutely fantastic!! (I even joined in with some dances!) From here we went to the village restaurant for lunch. After lunch we looked around the village for a while. A man took us on a tour with a group of pre-school children. He told us how to show respect and who lived in the different huts.

After our tour we set off to Mantenga Falls. The waterfall was beautiful and the river was the same river that ran past the cultural village. From here we drove to Mantenga Arts and Crafts. I bought a beautiful pair of earrings. There were also many other shops like the jewellers, handicrafts, gems and much more. Then we set off to a batik shop, but on the way we popped to a market to have a quick look around.

When we arrived at the batik shop we went for a peep, but I didn't buy anything. We only had a drink and a piece of cake at the tea room. As we walked around we saw a really weird lizard on the path. Next we popped to another batik shop and bought a bag before making our way back home.

When we got back Becky and I went to the pool and Becky pushed me in. I laughed my head off. After our swim we went back to the room and got ready for tea. Then we set off to the restaurant. We had a waitress called Eggie! After tea Becky went all weird and started saying things like "you can find chickens rolling around your garden". Finally we went back to the room and went to sleep.

Here is a video of a dance at the cultural village.

Day 13

First I got up, packed and went for breakfast. I had the usual. After breakfast we packed the car and set off. To be honest I had thought Becky would get us chucked out of Buhala but she had proved us wrong!

Today we were heading for Swaziland. Once again we had to have our passports stamped on the border. We arrived at Malolotja Game Reserve. Here we had a look at the visitor centre and went on a short walk to a viewpoint. For the first time in the holiday we saw some mist. We also saw zebra, deer and dassie. We were a bit naughty because we climbed on a rock which was home to some dassie.

Next we went for lunch to a restaurant called A Taste Of Africa. After lunch we set of to find where we were staying. It was a hotel called The Forester's Arms, it was very beautiful. When we found our room we unloaded the bags and Becky and I immediately went for a swim. The pool was absolutely freezing so I didn't last very long.

After our swim we unpacked, then went to the restaurant for tea. I had chicken and mango spring rolls. Yummy! Finally we headed back, I wrote my diary and went to sleep.

Day 12

Today I got up and got ready for breakfast. After breakfast we set off to find Mataffin Riding School. I was finally going to do horse riding. I was riding a horse called Emma, Becky was on Billy and dad was on Tiger. We rode next to to the Crocodile River, which is the same river Buhala looks over. The ride was fantastic and I didn't want to get off at the end.

When we did get off and leave we went to a place called Crockerfellas, which was a restaurant that looked over a lagoon with crocodiles in it. I finally got to try some crocodile. I thought it was very nice.

After lunch we went back to the hotel to relax for the evening. Becky and I went for a swim and then we got ready for tea. We had a roast dinner and jelly for dessert. We could also see hippos and a rhino across the river. Finally we wrote our diaries and went to sleep.

Day 11

Today I got up, got ready and went for breakfast. I had fresh fruit and a boiled egg. We had a bit of a sit down and looked at the views of the Crocodile River from the balcony before setting off. We were travelling to Swaziland for a day out. There were a few places where we had to stop on the border to have our passports stamped.

We arrived at Phophonyane Falls. Here we were shown around. There was a tea room and a craft shop. First we went on a walk around the mountain. The paths were very steep but it was great fun! the views were fabulous, especially when we had to cross the river from where we could see the waterfall.

After the walk we went to the tea room for lunch. I had the exotic stir fry chicken, it was delicious! Then we had a quick look in the craft shop before making our way back to the hotel. When we did get back Becky and I went for a swim then we got ready for tea. We had a huge dinner before settling down to sleep.

Day 10

Today we had another early morning. We got up at 4:50am and got ready. Rob kindly gave us a lift. We were going hot air ballooning, but on the way we got a call saying it was cancelled because it was too windy so we went back to bed. I only went to sleep for about an hour, so at 6:30am I read my mag for a while.

At 8 o'clock dad and Becky both woke up and we went for breakfast. After breakfast we loaded the car, then went to say goodbye to everyone. John at the bar had even made us a glass each with our names engraved on them. When we had said bye we set off to end our stay at Timbavati Safari Lodge. We were really sad to leave because we had had a brilliant time. To get where we were staying we went through the Kruger park. We saw elephant, zebra and a few wildebeest.

When we arrived at Buhala Game Lodge it was extremely posh. Becky and I went for a swim before tea. The meal had a name too posh for me to remember. After tea we went back to our room. Unfortunately the battery on my phone died so I couldn't say good night to mum. I just wrote my diary and settled down to sleep.

Day 9

For a change I had an early start. I got up at 5:20am, got dressed and we all got in the car. I had asked if we could go horse riding but we had a different treat in store. When we arrived there were elephants lined up, we were going to do ELEPHANT RIDING! I was really excited.

At about 7am we set off on the elephant safari. Before we set off we had a talk about the elephants. They were really obedient. The elephant's back I rode on was called Jabulani, the rider was called Iswallai. The trip was amazing, even though Becky and dad were on a different elephant's back. The ride was great, it was the best time of my life, I loved it!! On the way back dad got pulled over by the police for not stopping fully at a stop sign!

After that we went back to Timbavati for breakfast. I had a bowl of rice krispies (not very interesting!). By now it was 11 o'clock. We went back to our rondavel for a rest before setting off for lunch. We went to the Garden Of Eden tea room. I had salmon salad and red cherry cheesecake. Then we had a look around the grounds. There were beautiful plants everywhere.

After lunch we went to the Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre, and had a tour around the animals. We saw big cats, birds of prey and nocturnal animals. We even got to touch a rhino and a cheetah, and fed a vulture. I enjoyed it a lot. A woman went to put her finger in with the lion but it growled so she retreated.

When we got back Becky and I had a swim. Finally we went for tea and settled down to sleep.

Day 8

I got up a 7:45am and went up for breakfast. I had egg and bacon, it was very nice!! Then we went back to the rondavel to get ready for our day out. This morning I was really excited for we were going to a primary school for half of the day. Rob turned up with the van. The trip was on a dirt track, the journey was very bumpy.

When we arrived we had a warm welcome and we met the Vice-Principal. The Principal came later. Everyone was busy working. When we went for a look around all the children were so smiley. In the older classes their English was very good. Everyone was dying to have their picture taken or to be filmed. Our morning was fantastic and very interesting!!

Waving goodbye to everyone Rob drove us to the town. Here we got some money from the bank and grabbed lunch from KFC, not very interesting!! Then we made our way back to the rondavel looking at the markets as we went. We had a quick drive through the village before we arrived back at home.

Becky and I managed to get dad into the pool for a swim and a play, before getting out the playing cards and playing all sorts of different card games. Then we went back to the rondavel to get ready for tea. I went for a quick walk round the camp passing warthogs, deer and vervet monkeys.

For tea I had a roast dinner and peaches with cream. Absolutely gorgeous!! I had a drink at the bar and went to the rondavel to bed.

Day 7

I got up at 8 o'clock and got washed and dressed, then we went for breakfast. I had muesli and scrambled egg with bacon. Delicious! From here we went to the Kruger park. We saw all sorts, the best part was definitely seeing the elephants. They were everywhere!! I was thrilled to bits. I really wanted to see an elephant and that really made my day. We took lots of pictures.

We went to Satara rest camp for lunch. I ate a chicken mayo sandwich and a drink of peartiser. Scrummy!! Then we headed back through the park, we saw more wildebeest and a few zebra. I loved it. By now it was 4:30pm and the weather was fantastic.

When we got back Becky and I went to the pool for an hour or two. We played all sorts, it was great fun!!! After a while I got out and read Q magazine as Becky stayed in the pool for a while. Then we got a drink and went back to the rondavel to get ready for tea. For tea I had too much to write down. We went back to the rondavel and lay down to sleep.

Day 6

I got up at 8:30am and had my breakfast. I had a bowl of rice krispies for a change! Then we were off, we left our resort once and for all. First we had a short drive to stop for petrol. From here we saw some giraffes, WILD!!

Finally we arrived at the Cheetah Project. It was great, we had a tour in a big truck around the animals that they looked after in the centre, such as lions, warthogs, cheetahs (of course), vultures and many more. We had lunch in the tea garden at the centre. I had a chicken and mayo toastie. then we left to find the place we were staying at for the next 4 nights, Timbavati Safari Lodge next to the Kruger National Park.

When we arrived the rondavel we were staying in was magnificent!! Here we met Rob and Peter who ran the camp, they were very nice. Then we went on a trip to the Kruger Park. We went on the Sunset Drive, it was great fun and we saw zebra and wildebeest.

Next we went back to the camp and had tea. I had rice, chicken and salad. After tea we had a drink at the bar which was run by John. Then we made our way back to the rondavel, wrote our diaries and settled down to sleep.

Day 5

I got up at 8 o'clock today and had breakfast (a bowl of Frosties, again!), then we set off to do our walk around the lake. When we arrived the view was spectacular and we hadn't even started doing the walk yet!!!!! As we walked we saw some charging deer and some lizards, but you won't believe me now, we saw a BLACK MAMBA snake. I was thrilled to bits. We also saw 2 rock hyrax, they looked very otter like, they were so cute. The views of the Blyde Canyon were fantastic, I loved the walk.

We made our way back to the chalet to get ready for lunch. The resort wasn't very busy today for it was Monday. The place we were hoping to have lunch was closed, but we soon found a small cafe to get some food. I had bacon, egg and toast. I also saw a small brown snake outside the girls toilet door. After lunch we left to go and do our afternoon activity.

We went to Hoedspruit Reptile Park. It was absolutely amazing. I saw crocs, snakes, lizards and allsorts. We also saw a baby chameleon and a baby bearded dragon, they were so cute!! There were iguanas, tarantulas and much more. I also got to hold the parrots there, and stroke the donkey, it was excellent!

We went home, but on the way we stopped at a silk factory but it wasn't interesting so we went back to the resort. Becky and I went on the trampoline, but after a while it started to get dark so we went back to the chalet to get our swimming costumes and towels and went to the pool. I went in the heated pool (it was even hotter than my mum's baths), and Becky went in the cold pool (to be honest I think it was just melted ice). Then we went back to the chalet for another BBQ. The stars were out, it was so beautiful. I had some chopped chicken with some cheese and a glass of sparkling water. To end the day I wrote my diary and went to sleep.

Day 4

Today I woke up and went to see my dad, he was still asleep. Becky kindly made our breakfast (a bowl of Frosties!). We then left to find a map for all the trails. The morning sky was beautiful as the sun rose from behind the mountains. After that we went to the waterfall trail. It was a stony path through a wood by a river. We were hoping to see a crocodile but we only saw some bushbuck and a lizard. Overall the walk was very nice.

From here we went to see the dam wall and go into the visitor centre. There were all sorts in jars, and animal bones. It was very interesting. We went back to the resort and played mini golf for a while. Dad won, I came second and Becky came third. Becky fell over at the end though so we had to miss out the last hole.

After our game we went back to the chalet for lunch. I only had some sandwiches and crisps. Then we set off to go on a boat trip deep inside the Blyde River Canyon. The views from the boat were amazing, we could even see the viewpoint we had been looking down from a few days before!! We also saw a huge crocodile and some hippos!!

After the boat trip we went back to the resort and had a long relaxing swim in the pool. Finally to end the day we went back to the chalet for a BBQ! I had a chicken burger, smoked haddock, steak and a drink of fizzy fruit juice. We watched the animals and looked at the stars before writing our diaries and laying down to sleep.

Day 3

First I got up and got dressed, then I went for breakfast. I had egg with toast and cereal. I also had a cup of tea. Yummy, scrummy! Next we went to the room to pack, we said bye to everybody and off we went! On the way we popped into town to visit some shops, and to send a postcard to Auntie Mary.

From here we went to see some potholes. I also bought a necklace from the market there. The waterfalls by the potholes were very beautiful. Then we set off to the nicest viewpoint in the whole of Africa! It was called the Three Rondavels. The view was amazing.

Next we set off on a quest to find lunch. We went to Mad Dog's Cafe next to the Monsoon Craft Gallery. I had a chicken salad roll. After we took a look in the gallery, there was all sorts, even things made from eggshells, but I couldn't find and beads my mum had asked for. Next we went to find the chalet we were going to stay in. When we arrived we checked in and went to our chalet. It was amazing, it looked over a national game reserve. First we went to have a look around, there were kudus and deer running around everywhere. There was a shop, a heated pool, a mini golf course and way more. We also saw a rhino in the game reserve.
We popped out to get some food and we also went on a trampoline.

Before tea we went home to get changed, then we went to the resort's restaurant. I ate from the buffet and had a bottle of water. On the way back we saw some monkeys in the trees. When we got back to the chalet we wrote our diaries and lay down to sleep.

Day 2

I got up at 8:30 and got washed and dressed. Then I went for breakfast, I had pancakes, cereal, toast and orange juice it was delicious!! Then we came back to the room to get ready for our day out.

During the day we visited Mac Mac Falls where there was a massive market at the entrance. I spent 200 Rand. then we went to Graskop for lunch. The view from the village was beautiful. We went to a cafe called Silver Spoon where I had chicken salad and 2 pancakes. After lunch we looked around the town, everywhere was so cheap. We also went to a silk factory. Next we drove to a viewpoint called The Pinnacle, it was an amazing view. From here we also saw two baboons, WILD ONES!!!!!

Next we went to another viewpoint called God's window. Here there was also a place called The Rainforest where we strayed off the path and found a new land! WOW! From here we went to two more waterfalls, Berlin Falls and Lisbon Falls.

We went back to the B&B to get ready for tea. We went to a place called Smokey's. I had steak and chips and cheesecake. Finally we made our way home, looking at the stars, planets and silhouettes of mountains. Then, when we got home, we wrote our diaries and settled to sleep after a long day out.

Our Day Of Arrival

We left Johannesburg Airport in the Nissan we had hired. The journey was 3 hours long, but on the way we stopped for lunch. I had a chicken and mayo pasty and some flavoured water. During the time I was awake I looked at the views, they were magnificent!! When we reached the town our B&B was in (Sabie), it took a while to find where we were staying. Plus the tourist info was closed.

We finally found the B&B, it was gorgeous. We firstly unpacked and got some drinks. After that we went to the pool. Only Becky got in because it was really cold. Dad and I just read our magazines on deckchairs by the pool!! When we had left the pool we came back to the room, by now it was 5 o'clock. We looked through Dad's book to find somewhere to have tea.

We then set off for tea. we went to look around the town first. The views were very nice, we could even see Jupiter. We went to a restaurant called The Country Kitchen. I was hoping to have crocodile or ostrich or something like that, but I was just stuck with spaghetti bolognese. The problem was I didn't feel too good so I didn't eat much.

The walk home was great we got a little lost but we had a really good view of the stars, but the funny thing was we could see all the stars which we can't see in the UK. Then we finally reached home (the B&B) where we wrote our diaries and went to sleep,