Last impressions of an Elephant Park before moving on!

S Africa is moving on to another time and place. A vibrant tourism is important now but but economic growth created by the development of manufacturing industries is where the future lies for the workers of this new state. I am glad I saw it before much of the changes have taken place. but I feel that the S Africa of the future is going to be very different from what we see now and who knows maybe for the better. We found that the guide books were generally very helpful in telling us what was available to see and do. But these guides missed an essential element of life here which is that everyone we met is trying to make the best of it. People across the spectrum are friendly and polite and helpful. There is a deep distrust of the government here and the politicians that run it- and not just by the white population but everyone - and it is clealy expressed often by everyone we met. I was more than a little concerned about our saftey and security and although there are parts of the country that are considered very dangerous I never at anytime felt threatened personally in danger. We have had a great time and can recommend to all that a S African journey will be a pleasure.