Rhulani's manager Jacky is up very early this morning. A fairly large and demanding group arrived yesterday, and the first morning game drive is just about to start. Before sunrise Jacky wants to greet the guests at the coffee table and make sure that everything will go well, together with the rangers. And then …

Shortly after, Jacky says: “I am awake now and feel as if I had 20 Red Bulls in”.

But what happened?

“As I was walking in the direction of the curio shop, I locked eyes with a brown hyena on the pathway. He stopped and looked at me, and I looked at him.”

Brown hyenas can weigh up to 190 pounds, and despite their reputation as "laughing" cowards that usually go after the easiest prey, they can actually be quite dangerous.

But it’s a lucky morning for Jacky: “I don’t know who got the biggest fright, me, or him.  He turned around and ran away and I yelled like a little baby!”

This is one of those special surprises that the African bush has in store for us every day and a reminder that despite having an electric wire to protect against larger animals like elephants, Rhulani is basically an unfenced camp.

Good morning Rhulani!