It was supposed to be a relaxing family outing, a way to explore a pristine part of nature surrounding their home during a holiday break.
The only sign of potential discomfort, it seemed, was the boiling Bushveld heat – and that was easily beaten by waiting until later in the day.
Carl Pretorius; his wife, Jorina; and their three daughters piled into the family 4x4 so Carl could show his girls the nature reserve surrounding their home on a farm outside Mbombela.