I have always insisted that even the softest bed and best food cannot compensate for a mediocre experience on game drives. On our most recent safari in the Sabi Sand, Timbavati and Thornybush regions adjoining South Africa's Kruger National Park, the importance of field guides was once again evident.

Due to commitments elsewhere in the country we were obliged to go on safari during the rainy summer season. With lush growth and abundant water the animals were spread over large areas and hard to locate. This posed our guides with a very special challenge in tracking.

To all three and their tracker assistants, many thanks for making the safari experience a very special one. We still marvel at Mark's magnificent lecture on astrology under the clear skies with his laser after marvelous game drives; Lyson's lessons in animal behavior and persistence and Luke's energetic pursuit of lion's spoor right into the den.

Feel free to visit http://www.theultimatesafari.com/ for further safari news and information.