Not sure if I can get people into this new routine but I have absolutely loved it. We did it initially for the younger kids but we all found it so much better. Talking with the rangers several said it was a smart way to go. The early morning was just the tradition as in the summer it gets so hot you must go out at daylight as you cannot stay out when the sun comes up. The time of year we go this is not an issue. There is really no pressing need to go so early.

One ranger said let all the vehicles in the reserve go out and follow tracks and find the game. Then we can go out and see the sightings. Our wake up call was at 6.45 and we left no later than 7.30 am. The sun is up and it is not as cold. We sure missed nothing with this schedule. Then the earlier afternoon departure and the earlier dinner worked too. Having sometime to chill down at night was wonderful. As Pam said it can get so tiring but because we got more sleep we all feel so much better. I think in most cases the drives after dark are not good. It gets really cold you see little and if you run into elephants at night you can be stuck on the road for ages.

Something to seriously consider for the future. We also cut out afternoon tea as we went out earlier.

Okay off to lunch the "wallets" have ordered kingklip and prawns for lunch. Kingklip is a yummy South African fish.