I was staying with my brother, Richard, and his wife, Anne-Marie, who lived in Durban. I had left the freezing winter cold of London and was finding the warmth of South Africa a total delight! Richard and Anne-Marie had the most beautiful home overlooking the Indian Ocean.

They announced they had a treat in store for me: "We are taking you to our very favourite Game Park, a three hour drive away. We know it well and often bring friends from overseas, it’s one of the best in the country. The Big 5 (wildlife) are there.”

Off we set. Richard had booked us into the Phinda Homestead Villas, there were just six of these, three each side of a main complex. The villas came complete with a Safari Vehicle, Tracker and Personal Chef, how spoiling! As we arrived at the main gate we had a puncture!! All the locals came to help, but Anne-Marie and myself headed for our villa, it was very, very hot! All I wanted to do was to get into the large Jacuzzi just outside my bedroom!

Off we set. Richard had booked us into the Phinda Homestead Villas, there were just six of these, three each side of a main complex. The villas came complete with a Safari Vehicle, Tracker and Personal Chef, how spoiling! As we arrived at the main gate we had a puncture!! All the locals came to help, but Anne-Marie and myself headed for our villa, it was very, very hot! All I wanted to do was to get into the large Jacuzzi just outside my bedroom! The three villas my side were spaced well away from each other and I looked out onto bushes. Suddenly I saw a NYALA, a spiral-horned antelope native to South Africa. It was grazing quite close by, minding its own business. I was brought up in Africa so, without a care in the world, I jumped into the lovely cool Jacuzzi water naked. Anne-Marie sat in the shade behind me. Suddenly I saw the nyala was heading for me at a canter! Down I went under the water only to come up and find it was still there, seemingly wanting to say “welcome”! Fortunately I knew nyalas were herbivores so this one wasn’t interested in eating me! 

Indeed, every evening there were lots of wildlife comings and goings to our rooms, we were never alone and an Askari (night watchman) had to stay with us.  He had a torch and a gun to protect us from snakes, monkeys and other wildlife that could be curious!

We all had a relaxing evening, the Chef surpassed himself and with South African wine, you can't beat this! Early bed as we were due a very early start tomorrow.

I had three wonderful days. Sometimes we would stop in the forest and our Tracker would give us a picnic of wine and cookies while the noises of the forest carried on.  At times we would stop our vehicle and get out and wallow in the beauty of this quiet and memorable place. We did see the BIG Five (African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and rhinoceros)  and I took so many pictures that my camera battery ran out! All the time we were very, very close to the game. Our Tracker always had us the right side of the wind!