CazCollins

We had another bad storm last night, with heavy duty thunder and lightening all night. First time I'd slept under thatch, but it was watertight! It rained whilst out on drive yesterday morning and we all wore ponchos that were the size of 2-man tents. We looked like a bad vietnaem movie!! We spent 2 hours finding nothing on the drive this morning, apart from a tortoise! Then after some seriously scarey off roading we found a leopard. Got some lovely shots, then had to follow it knocking trees down in our path just like an elephant! Our guide is so cool. Last night after geting back from the drive we were all at the bar prior to dinner when he asked if we'd like to go back out again and look at a honey badger ... read more

It's strange how flippant you get about what you see here. We now take no notice of Impala, Waterbuck and Elephant. I'm even getting used to seeing buffalo and Lion. The Big 5 have been ever present, but not there on a plate for you, we've had to work hard to find them. The last couple of days have brought more lion sightings. Great one today of 2 females sitting in the shade. We had a slow puncture at the time so there was still an element of danger!! We chased across the plains last night to reach a herd of 150 buffalo drinking from a lake. We then drove amongst them and watched them come towards us with the sun setting behind. You couldn't have staged anything so good. We were in the only vehicle ... read more

Friday 22nd - morning drive - BEST SO FAR! We could easily have missed the drive as it's pretty standard to have breakfast in bed after your wedding here, but we didn't want to miss a drive, and how right we were! We headed out at 530 as usual and spent the first 2 hours trying to find a leopard called Metsei. There were drag marks from a kill, and prints in a certain areas so we set about trying to find her. Dan the Tracker had gone off on foot and we kept circling a particular area for signs that she'd come out of the bush. Our ranger Greg has so much patience, or is it stubborness!? We'd got to the point where we were ready to give up and head in for breakfast when ... read more

I insisted on sitting in the front of the land rover for the journey back down to Safari Lodge. No way was I clambouring into the back of the Puma with my long dress and heels! Once back here more champagne was opened and we sat in the lounge area with Kim and Dane. All the guests were out on a drive and it felt that this beautiful impressive place was all ours. It was nice to just chill and relax. Our dinner with in the wine cellar, and it had been decorated beautifully for the occasion. The meal was great, you couldn't fault it and PJ the Chef certainly delivered. We had 6 courses in all including scallops, Springbok and a chocolate dessert to die for. When the others came back from the drive we ... read more

After lunch we went back to the room to find some beer on ice for Trev. It's standard practice to give both the bride and groom champagne, but the staff here have got to know us well enough that they thought Trev would prefer beer. I then went up to the Rock Lodge to get ready. They put me in the Master Suite which is a 3 level room complete with only plunge pool overlooking the fabulous view. My bottle of Moet was on ice... The Minister came to see me before the service. He's a lovely guy called Carl who lives in the Kruger. He was very friendly and down to earth. Once I'd finished getting changed, and everything else was ready I had to walk to where the ceremony was being held. It was ... read more

Wednesday was filled with excellent food and great company again. Animalwise we were within spitting distance of a huge 50 year old male elephant, with one tusk. He was amazing just ripping throught the trees and crunching the branches like they were made of candy. Got some great photos again, I hope. The other great find of the day were a group of zebras. I always think they are so elegant. In the evening we saw a male lion trying to seduce a female. He was being very attentive, tried licking her and purring at her. Nothing seemed to be working. He farted next to her and that didn't work either! We drove away to watch another male and could then hear the original pair mating. So maybe that farting thing worked after all. We were ... read more

Woke up at 430 this morning, way before the alarm call so getting used to these early starts! Heard a rumbling noise in the distance and after checking it wasn't Trev's belly I realised it was a lion. What a way to be woken up! Whilst having a cup of tea waiting for the group to assemble we saw 2 males wandering not far from the veranda. they just seemed so close. The 7 of us (me, Trev, Julie, Mark, Callum, Greg (the ranger) and Dan (the tracker) then headed off at about 530. Within what was no more than a couple of minutes we found the male and female that we'd been watching on Weds night. The sun was just coming up and the light was just right for some great photos. We sat and ... read more

They really look after you here at Ulusaba anyway, but when it's your wedding they take extra special care of you. We had total free rein of what dinner to have, and had lots of choices of where to hold the ceremony and the dinner. We've gone for the lower deck of the Rock Lodge for the ceremony. If you have a look at the Ulusaba website there's a picture of it. The views are tremendous. Wé're then having dinner afterwards in the Wine Cellar!! It's an individual little building with interior spiral staircase and a lovely veranda. We can help ourselves to whatever wine and champagne we want. I'll be okay but I didnt'see any beer! We've chosen a 5 course menu, but all I can remember at the moment is Scallops for the 2nd ... read more

On tuesday after seeing the Cheetah we came across two leopards. They were so well camoflagued that you could have walked within a foot and not noticed them. We sat and watched the younger one for a while. It was showing so many characteristics of domestic cats, lying in the sun, flicking its tail. It must have got too hot because it got up and wandered towards us. We're high up but pretty unprotected if an animal chooses to join us. Anyway, this one wanted to cool off by getting under the Land Rover and staying there!! Just like the cats do at home on the drive!!! Greg reached down with his camera and took some really candid shots!! Eventually the flash spooked it and it came out. A magnificant sight! It gets cooler as the ... read more

Thought I'd try to explain what the facilties and people are like here. The staff are amazing. They remember every one's name, what they are drinking every day, and sound like they are genuinely interested in the stories of what we've seen. The facilities are very good. We received a room upgrade as part of our wedding package. I've priced up the difference for the length of time we're staying and I reckon it's worth 4500 STG ! The bar is always open, and if no stafff are around you just help yourself! No options, everything is poured, and there's just able every drink imaginable. After the drives you come back for breakfast and you sit on a table with your Guide and the guys in your group. Cooked breakfast to order, or omelettes, or smoked ... read more