Free 2 Game Drive by Marie Moore Page A

right, just visible through the brush.
    “Big boss house. The owner of Leopard Dance, Mr. van der Brugge.”
    “That is one fabulous house,” Chase said. “It’s amazing. Check out that airstrip behind it! Will we meet Mr. van der Brugge?”
    “Not today,” Vincent said.
    “Tomorrow, then?”
    “Maybe. Maybe not. He is a busy man. I do not know.”
    We pulled up to the main lodge entrance, where the lead car with David and the others had stopped and was now unloading.
    Just past the big boss’s grand house, the dusty one-lane track widened enough to allow two vehicles to pass. The thorny scrub gave way to a small meadow of tall brown grass. On the other side of it, men in Leopard Dance safari clothes and women in bright woven cotton skirts and headdresses lined up to welcome us on the steps of a tall, open-air pavilion.
    The buildings were sturdy, built with thick, mud-colored walls, and roofed with strong, hand-hewn beams supporting heavy silver thatch. The whole camp was stark yet impressive and fit well into the surrounding bush.
    Climbing down from the vehicles, we were offered welcome drinks. A slender, smiling girl in native dress invited us to sit and relax in the open-air pavilion while we checked in and awaited the arrival of the entire group.
    “This is great,” Rich said, sipping his drink and leaning back in a leather chair. He was watching an African Hornbill preen itself on the branch of a nearby tree, “Just as I pictured it. Fantastic.”
    “ Karibu , ladies and gentlemen, karibu ! That is Swahili for welcome! May I have your attention, please?”
    A tiny woman stood in the center of the room, also wearing a floor-length native dress of bright printed cotton. Her hair was wrapped in a turban of matching fabric, and bracelets encircled her slim brown arms. She stood, smiling, by the circular stone fire-pit, clapping her delicate little hands.
    “Welcome to Leopard Dance, my friends. Welcome! We are happy that you have come to be our guests. My name is Rebecca, and if there is anything at all that you need while you are here, you must tell me right away. Life here is very simple, and very relaxing, you will see. Please listen now as I mention our little routines that we hope you will all enjoy.”
    She handed each of us a printed brochure, which listed a schedule and descriptions of the safari camp’s facilities.
    “Soon you will be shown to your rooms,” she continued, “and you may relax as you wish until the bell rings for the evening game drive. Each day we have two game drives, one in the morning, and one in the evening. This evening, the game drive will depart from this pavilion at six o’clock. When you return, drinks and dinner will be served in the main dining pavilion at approximately eight o’clock.”
    “Do we have to go on the game drive?” Chase asked . “Or can we just stay in the camp?”
    Rich groaned.
    “You may do as you wish,” said Rebecca, smiling. “It is your vacation.”
    Chase smirked back at Rich and ordered another drink.
    “In the morning,” Rebecca continued, “and each morning while you are here, you will be awakened by a tap on your door at first light. A guard will be there with your preference of tea or coffee. When you are ready, he will escort you back to this place to depart for the morning game drive. Please dress warmly. At this time of year it is still very cold in the mornings, but we will have blankets for you in the safari vehicles.”
    Tilda and Wendy started whispering to each other, no doubt over what they would wear to keep warm. They took great pains to be properly outfitted at all times for any weather.
    Mabel shushed them as Rebecca continued her speech. “After viewing the animals, you will be returned to camp for hot drinks and breakfast. During the day it will be warm. You may relax by the pool, visit our spa, and have lunch. In the late afternoon, we will have another game drive, then cocktails, followed by dinner. This is our