Wow what an all-encompassing experience!!!

Brett Heasmann, Craig Reiche, FW de Klerk and myself started with a cup of coffee at 04:00 at Bush Lodge awaiting the first sunlight to start our long walk.

At 04:45 we took the bull by the horns. All geared up with water, jelly babies, energy bars, backpacks and full of excitement for what was ahead of us.

The first 21 km’s flew past, early morning, moderate temperatures and loads of energy... 33 000 steps, buffalo and a breeding herd of elephants and we reached the Sabie River.

By now some guys already had a blister or two and I was now 100% convinced...men DEFINITELY complain a lot more than woman believe me, firsthand experience 10 hours on foot with them need I say more...!!

At the 32 km mark our backpacks were twice as heavy and the sun was turned up to full heat, 3 male lions!! All of a sudden we forgot about all the above and just stood there in the warm sun watching these magnificent creatures doing what we were supposed to have been doing, sleeping in the shade of a massive Marula tree. They were completely unaware of us and the three musketeers headed off in a Northerly direction.

From there we approached the stretch towards Huntington Corner which was probably the hardest part of our journey. I realized without a doubt that the “Valley of a Thousand Hills” is actually on Sabi Sabi Game Reserve and not in Kwa-Zulu Natal. As soon as you conquer the one hill and you think this must be the last there are 10 more!!

Reaching the 36 km mark we were close to our tether and sat down in the shade of a Marula tree not looking nearly as majestic as the 3 male lions we encountered earlier. We treated ourselves to a sandwich, ice-cold Coke and a Bar One chocolate. We ate like it was our last meal.

We still talk and argue about the above mentioned, was this really such a great idea...? Sitting down at that stage felt like the best thing ever but getting up was a COMPLETELY different story. At this stage we were all complaining, yes me as well and not only the boys. We decided to leave our backpacks and only take the rifle and some water with.

On our way to Shaw’s Gate we encountered two elephant bulls having a mud bath and thankfully they decided to head off in the opposite direction. At that stage none of us had the energy to even walk 10 steps extra to get around them none the less a few hundred meters.

8km’s later with Brett suffering from cramps and myself looking like I had chicken pox due to a heat rash we entered Bush Lodge!! 15:10.

WE MADE IT!! Thanks to excellent team-work!

Thanks guys for being part of creating one of the most memorable experiences of my life!

COMMENTS ON THE WALK:

Craig: “The team work was really excellent. The walk isn’t just about finishing the 40 odd km but being out there with friends and nature makes it an experience by itself.”

FW: “The walk was an amazing experience it shows great camaraderie and even not finishing the walk it just shows you once again how important teamwork is. And just the amazing experience being in the bush on foot.”

Brett Heasman: “ I learned that finishing the walk wasn't just a physical achievement but more of a mental one, and I have to thank the three of you for this, we all did extremely well considering, in my mind anything is possible, I may have thought the opposite on the walk but it was a lot of fun”.