Checked out from the cheerful Claire at Safari Lodge, and planned a quick couple of hours self-drive round the Addo Elephant Reserve before getting the plane to Capetown.
The universe had other ideas.
The main entrance we had used before was way up at the north, well off our current route. This time we entered by the South gate, which was right next to our main road to the airport. After filling in endless petsonal details which I am convinced are entirely ignored, we handed over the form. The smiling administrator then announced that their payment systems didn’t work . We would have to drive right the way up through the park to the main ( north) entrance and pay there. Otherwise we would have no Exit Permit and would be charged double to leave ! (” Welcome to the Game Reserve California ” is playing on my internal streaming system as I type this).
So we grudgingly accepted and set off through the gates. Only a few miles in along the bumpy tracks did we do some quick calculations and realise that the 50+ mile round trip was going to take longer than the 2 hours we had free – even assuming we would :
(A) be able to maintain the 25mph max speed throughout
(B) Ignore any tedious animal sightings.
(C) And achieve the payment process instantaneously.
Decided that missing the flight was too great a risk so returned to the gate.
They then offered us the option to pay online , and gratefully clutching the appropriate paperwork we exited the way we had arrived. We had seen the grand total of a duiker, family of wart hogs, and an elephant that turned out to be a tree as we passed it. Cracking value for a day out.
And so on to Port E airport , and the flight to Capetown.
On arrival, car collection was smooth, traffic through Capetown was hideous, but our new lodging on Sunset Beach was very comfy, if a bit remote. Walked down to see the view….
But we were slightly nervous to be walking out alone, and legged it back for an early night.
there you go, eh ?