.I think I have been on my last ever early-morning game drive. For me they have often been over-rated and a disappointment. This one was no exception. We were woken before dawn and herded on to open game-drive vehicles parked at the station to go and see "the tigers". We were warned that it might be cold and "a bit bumpy.." Turned out to be freezing in the early morning with a driver who speeded through wind and the dark throwing us around like rag dolls. We hold on to each other and try to find protection under the issued blankets. As we arrive in to the actual park area we drive under trees, brushing past the low-hanging branches. Because it had rained during the night the trees were heavy with the water and each time we passed under a brach there was a shower over our heads. We become more and more bedraggled and colder. But the anticipation of seeing the tigers helps to sustain us, We see a few "spotted deer" who remind us of "Bambi" Like Impala with spots. By the side of a lake we see some interesting Kingfishers and two Herons. Then a little later, a series of Nyala-like buck and we stop at a small stone building where the guide kindly says we can have our "comforts.." An old man who is part of the park administration comes to join a small clutch of us chatting and shows us a photograph of a tiger crossing the path of one of the game-drive vehicles .."taken yesterday.." Yeah. Right. we continue to drive for a further despiriting hour and see very little else.
That's my gripe with these early-morning game adventures. I have an expectation and during the early part I will put up with any discomfort, waiting for the Big Sighting. But it most often eludes me. I realize again that my idea of game viewing is sitting on Johan and Susan's deck at Leopard Creek overlooking the river as the animals in their multitudes come down to drink. Me with a pair of binoculars in one hand and a cold beer in the other, Even the animals know that mid-morning is a more civilized time to be doing business
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