It was our first visit to Kruger , and as at that time it was still cheap to visit there , and as such also quite difficult to get reservations unless made a year in advance . But things were different too , and much has changed .
Our baby-daughter was just three months old , and , lying in the back of the old Volksie beetle , every time we came onto something interesting , or exciting , she cried or howled . Certainly not fun for my SO , Okie Dokie , who then had to tend to her , feed her or something .....
On our last day , and we were on a late , late afternoon " round-up " before returning to camp , when we encountered a Parks ranger , who , firstly reminded us to make sure te get back to camp in time , then , as an afterthought , told us about this huge old elephant , resting/grazing a mile or two up the road , under a tree . And I remember him saying " he is very old and very big , but he is old , and I do not think you will ever see one like that again . " .
Now , at that time , the legend about the Magnificent Seven had not yet started , but a few names were being mentioned , such as Mafunyane , Shingwedzi and Kambaku .
I had an old , mik and druk ( aim and press ) camera , and being late in the afternoon , were only ably to take a rather poor snapshot , half into the fading sun , of the old gentleman . And that old fotograph has also faded over time
Was it perhaps Kambaku ? -- maybe .......
