Day 47 3rd June 2024


Ok, we are getting up early, last time and last packing up of the  tents.
We don’t care really, it’s a long drive and we will be in Johannesburg this evening.

Slow old trip out of the park to the gate as the speed limit is only 50km/hr so we don’t hurt our animals.

Once back on the highway, the driver makes short work of doing 120km/ hr till we hit the hills and the fog and the rain.
First real rain we have seen in a while.
Driving up through the mountains and again nothing short of spectacular.
Certainly keeping me awake!







Take a turn towards “the panorama drive”.
Up higher into the fog.
It clears a little and we can see we are driving along the top of a canyon.







This is called Blyde River canyon.
3rd largest in the world.
Grand Canyon is 1, Fish River canyon in Namibia is 2 ( we did go there too)

Truly amazing and the fog is just making the views more atmospheric.

A little further we visit the Blyde River pot holes.
Doesn’t sound inspiring given our recent experience with dodgy roads, 
But oh my, just incredible and sadly not enough time to really appreciate them, but we did our best.









Hitting the road now to get to Johannesburg and we stop for one last comfort stop.
I apologise if this is too much information but as I was washing my hands I happened to look out the window in front of me.
And there was a watering hole (as you would expect)
Full of Rhinos??? And a few other animals, ostrich, kudu….





Dragged away, back in bus and off to Johannesburg.
We arrived at about 5pm and farewelled all the travellers.
Also farewelling our friend Elena who has been with us from the beginning of our African trip.
And then there were 2.
We organise an Uber to take us from the Holiday Inn where everyone is staying to our Hostel in Jeppstown.
Curiosity Backpackers and is very cool, possibly too cool for us.






It’s really cold and we enjoy a couple of beers in front of the fire chatting to Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s grandson.
Seriously….

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