Our wedding proposal was very romantic… Me and my Fiancé Wayne, loves the bush and we go to the Kruger National Park at least once a year. This year we went on our regular trip in April. We spent a few days at the Park in Satara which was magical! It rained the whole trip and we just loved each other’s company! On the last day in the Park, the 26th of April 2010, we were supposed to go out at Orpen Gate and visit a few places on route to our friends in Hazyview.

A Few kilometers from the gate we saw a pack of Wild Dogs, which you never see, and I was so excited!!! To my amazement Wayne was in a hurry, which was strange as he is a photographer and normally takes 100′s of pictures…We stayed at the wild Dogs for about half an hour, before we left!!! We went out of the Park and at the Gate had a pit stop for refreshments. Wayne took forever, “in the men’s room” making a phone call – which I found out later about only. We left the Kruger on our way to Hazyview via Hoedspruit. We haven’t been in Hoedspruit and we decided to drive through there. Along the road there was a sign board that said KAPAMA, Wayne asked me if that wasn’t the place that I mailed to him a few months ago, to show him how nice it is. I said that it was, but it is a private game reserve and you have to have a booking. He then suggested we go and ask them if we can look around, I agreed a bit skeptical, but its worth a try right….We got to the Gate and Wayne talked to the Ranger at the Gate.

The Ranger phoned the main Camp, talked on the phone for a while and the filled out a visitor’s permit that said – want to view the lodge – He said we must go in and somebody will meet us there. I was ecstatic because the place is beautiful and I always wanted to see what it looks like. At this stage I still didn’t have any Idea…..We got to the reception and the girl said she wanted to show us around. She showed us the Dining Area, Lounge Bar, Pool, with the most gorgeous view of the bush.

We went on to look at the Spa Suites, which were also stunning, each one a view of the bush and the bath looks out on the bush as well – how nice I thought – We went outside again and on our way to the SPA at the lodge.

On our way we passed a Big Yellow Wa Wiel spider on its web. The guide told us that these spiders are unique in the sense that they find a male, and mate and then are a pair for Life…I said that is so nice and Wayne just smiled.

When we got to the Spa, it was the most exquisite place that I have ever seen. Each treatment room has open sides in the front that looks out on the bush. There is a large infinity pool, and on the other side of it a dam. The girl at the Spa showed us around and said that we must look out for the resident Hippo, as she is very vocal today and is in the dam somewhere frolicking. Me and Wayne walked to the edge of the Pool overlooking the dam, and we were searching for the Hippo…..I was searching and when I looked at Wayne again, he was on one knee. I still said “what are you doing?”  He had tears in his eyes and said that he wants to be like the spider, as he has found his soul mate and wants to spend the rest of his life with me…..I was sooo excited and didn’t even cry – which was a surprise as a cry easy! I was just to happy!! I obviously said YES!!!!!!!! There wasno hippo in the dam that day – BUT all the staff at Kapama was in on it!!!

We stayed over at the Lodge and had a very Romantic Private Dinner in front of the Fire Place that night, as it was freezing!!!!! Afterwards when we got to the room we got a chance to take a bath in the perfect bathtub…overlooking the bush, with roses and champers waiting.

We went on Game Drives and saw great game. The next morning after a few days of rain, on the Game Drive we were greeted with the most beautiful sunrise – Felt like the sun came out to congratulate us!!!

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