10 August 1999

Having planned to get a good view of Kilimanjaro from the north, we're somewhat dissappointed to see only the foothills of Kilimanjaro. The mist envelopes everything from 1000m and higher. We resign ourselves to the fact and set off for a routine game drive through the park. Our driver knows the area intimately and suggests good spots to visit.

As we get further and further from camp, the game becomes more prolific, until we're almost surrounded by Wildebeest and Zebra. I get visions that the annual migration this year includes game from Amboseli, but luckily do not offer that explanation. It's simply another day in paradise in Amboseli.

Francis, the driver eventually lines us up with a magnificent specimen of Loxodonta Africana, a giant African Elephant. We're on a narrow road on which there's no possibility of turning around. Francis is sceptical of Dawie and my insistence that we let the elephant get closer to us. We urge him not to fly off down the road and it takes all his courage to sit it out as the elephant walks closer and closer to us. We're having a great photo session until Francis can stand it no longer. He gets us in reverse gear and starts backing up down the road. To my excitement the elephant seems to want to follow, but eventually decides against it. At least we have some good footage (digital, SLR and video) of old Tonto.

Tomorrow we head back to Johannesburg, South Africa. It has been a magical and exhilirating adventure and one which we'll never forget. We've climbed the two highest mountains in Africa in just two weeks and we've stood on the two seperate summits barely 7 days apart! We've learnt from Africa and have grown in ourselves. We're thankfull for every event and every dissappointment, for everything in fact. There are a few extra special people whom we'd like to thank for making this trip and all it's ingredients possible. Please read our page of special thanks to special people.