The Travel Tale that is exactly that...

[PJL]

Not the best of starts Mel

I think the limited speed would have annoyed me more than breaking down

Hope the trip improved somewhat from there

[Mel]

... At least you made it onto SA soil and heading for peace and relaxation ..I hope!! ...

Talking of peace and relaxation... we had to kids on board

No, just kidding! They were fab and yes, we all were able to relax. We actually did quite well given the situation. But our friends are really laid-back
and share our approach that there is no point in getting wound up over things that you can't change anyway

...They need to refund your money for the lost Biyamiti night.

I wobbled around there looking for you like a lost fart

Our friends are taking care of trying to get that refund since it was their car.

And that same night we realized that our SIM card was also off, so I couldn't even send out whining Apps to all of you.
Would have saved you some wobbling

... I think the limited speed would have annoyed me more than breaking down

Hope the trip improved somewhat from there

Ask the SO about the speed limitation...

And the trip certainly didn't improve to your standards But we did have the odd good sighting

[Mel]

So, while our friend was trying to sort out his broken down car, I was busy calling around various shops / gates / camps in Kruger to obtain a phone number from Biyamiti to be able to tell them that we wouldn't show up that night but would still make use of our reservation the next. That only took 4 phone calls from a German mobile Next task at hand was to find six beds for the night, preferably with fridges to keep our already purchased meat and dairies cold. Luckily, I had made some provisions back in Germany as I had known it would be a tight call anyway - even without the extra obstacles thrown at us. So I had at least a few numbers for some B&Bs in Malelane. After another 6 or so phone calls from said German mobile (really scared of that invoice ) we were successful and it was even quite a nice one right at the Crocodile River looking right into Kruger. The rooms were small but comfortable and clean and had those fridges we needed. There was even a restaurant, so we would be settled for that night.

As it was becoming dark fast it was decided that the SO would take our lady friend - M - and the two boys to said B&B while I would wait with our gentleman friend - T - in the parking lot at Spar for Bidvest to bring a replacement car. Once the excitement of organizing everything had subdued, T and I realized it was already dark and we had been on the "road" for more than 24 hours. Definitely time for a first cold drink on SA soil. Luckily, Tops was still open so I went to buy some Castle. We had just opened the second bottle when the Bidvest guy finally arrived... in a Polo Vivo A great family car that would make...not! But at least it was agreed that a bigger car would be delivered to Orpen two days later. We could have had it already the next day, but decided against it as it would mean even more disruption to our itinerary. And we had the second bus big enough to transport whatever didn't fit in the Polo.

Now, the Bidvest guy had seriously believed it was only a matter of jumpstarting the bus to take it back with him. Tough luck that he had to find out soon that it was not happening that way. The bus had its own mind and refused to start. We even stayed with the guy for a bit longer trying to make sure he'd be able to get away again, but since he reassured us several times he was okay, we eventually left him to his fate and headed for the B&B.

As it had become rather late and us adults had been too wound up to go to bed straight ahead, we met on the restaurant deck for some food and more drinks and to hatch a plan for the next day. Rushing to the gate didn't seem a good option because everyone had lacked sleep already anyway. So we agreed on taking it slowly the next morning.

[Mel]

The next morning started off with a breakfast on the deck and some waterbuck cruising along the Crocodile River. No pix though because it was overcast and they were too far off for anything decent. The B&Bs garden made for some birding and I got busy ticking off my list with a bronze mannequin

There was also a scarlet chested sunbird, but it was so busy feeding that it came out blurred

[nan]

oups... what a story... maybe better to be six to laugh a bit...
spoiled days... when we have only 14 of them

[Mel]

We were in the park by 10.30 am with a massive herd of impalas right behind the gate. The kids loved it and we were happy to see a different kind of "springbok" for a change.

The first Kruger inmate on photo, however, were some yellow hornbills.

Quickly followed by the first sighting of elephants

[PJL]

I'm sure the plan to relax and take it easy on the first morning was a very good idea after all the travel hassles

"Kruger inmates"
They should be as well... naughty at times

Nice ellie pics

[Bushcraft]

Not the best start to your trip and you guys took it fairly well , I would have been in melt down mode.

Cool little ellies. I do hope your friends eventually had a reasonable first trip to KNP.

[Lisbeth]

The hornbill pic is lovely and also the ellies are nice

Strange tree that the manniken has chosen

[Alf]

A polo vivo

Well you eventually got into the park