Meeting the Big 5: Lion, elephant, leopard, rhinoceros, Cape buffalo

One of the lionesses that the writer and her travel friends 'bumped' into. — Photos: TAN AI KEAT

After three frustrating years, a self-guided trip to South Africa finally materialised for our group of eight travellers. Our trip screeched to a halt just two months prior to departure when the movement control order and subsequent travel bans were imposed in 2020.

Then, the flurry of amendments to bookings for flights, hotels and car rentals began. Refunds were negotiated and losses incurred, too, as a few establishments were no longer operating.