Jungle surprises

If Rich hadn't been so busy swearing, you'd have a photo of the snake he's waited two weeks to see. He was marching rapidly downhill on momentum and came to an abrupt stop just paces away as it slithered lightly away. It was a beautiful black snake with a lighter green underside, maybe a metre in length. We're not entirely sure what it was but I did see it, despite the lack if evidence.

We took our own safari walk after breakfast this morning which headed to the monkey sanctuary and back. 

It was thick forest with barely a view anywhere but we spotted different fungi and minibeasts on the way as well as the snake. 

The lodge staff warned us to keep our distance from the fence as the monkeys would reach out to grab your sunglasses. We spotted a few vervets and a new guy wearing a pale fur t-shirt but quickly turned round at the fence as we had flight to catch. 

Walking back, I noticed a patch of toadstools I'd seen heading out along with a deer poo. I mentioned it to Rich because I was certain it wasn't there before. Sure enough, a few minutes later, we came across a new brand of deer, a bushbuck. I was quicker off the mark this time and he was less inclined to dash off!

The bush was getting seriously steamy now as we walked up the steep path. I watched mosquitos having morning coffee on Rich's calves and was pleased I had my full safari outfit on again. Where his bites last less than a few hours, mine go on for weeks! 

Back for showers, packing and lunch and off along the final stretch of the Garden Route which we reckon was the most beautiful stretch of all despite some big wildfires only a couple of weeks ago. There were some plumes of smoke in the mountains still and there was a small blaze being put out on the roadside in one place but it seemed under control. 

We were driven by another very friendly South African who shared more eye opening snippets of local life here. He took us to Port Elizabeth where we're catching a flight back to Cape Town.