On day 8 we were off to the Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, well the Hluhluwe part of it staying a night at the Hilltop Camp, a camp in the middle of the nature reserve.
Coach journey till we go to the reserve itself was less spectacular, the south of Swaziland is less exciting than the north as flatter.
But when we arrived at the reserve the excitement began.
Staying at the camp meant driving on the coach through the reserve which looks so different compared to the Kruger national park being very hilly and very green. You just couldn't imagine animals as giraffes here! We saw already the first animals as rhinos and buffalos from the distance, warthogs, various kinds of antelopes as the common impalas...
The camp itself (surrounded by an electric fence, you nevertheless saw (harmless) animals running around) is on a hill in the reserve which a stunning view around the reserve.
Surrounded by an electric fence, you still saw (harmless animals running around.
Our rooms, well our lodges, a bit of a walk away from the reception/restaurant area were already ready. Each party had their own lodge and even though on my own I had a huge two bed room lodge totally for myself. Not the most modern and yes you came across little insects for me it was okay, I know that others in the group were not happy, but hey it is an adventure!
In the afternoon we were off on another game drive. Just for three hours but what we saw was amazing. Not only did we get rather close to two females lions who decided to walk along the street (obviously hunting as our driver told us) at first to eventually walk on the street just in front of our vehicle but also very close to a rhino with its child just when we were on our way to where the lions were spotted.
That was definitely a breath taking experience getting so close to such impressive animals crossing the street.
Seeing a zebra baby, max two weeks old, was also amazing and cute. We saw (apparently surprisingly) no giraffes on that day, but more buffalos, antelopes, more warthogs who decided to dig for food not a bit away from the people but in the rest area close to the exit not being bothered at all by the people going to the toilets, shop etc..
Certainly an amazing drive that you must wonder what we would have seen in a whole day out in the reserve!
Later when back at the camp when walking around the camp (watching a beautiful sunset) and when having dinner at the restaurant we also saw more animals including a cute bush baby. What a day!
In the afternoon we were off on another game drive. Just for three hours but what we saw was amazing. Not only did we get rather close to two females lions who decided to walk along the street (obviously hunting as our driver told us) at first to eventually walk on the street just in front of our vehicle but also very close to a rhino with its child just when we were on our way to where the lions were spotted.
That was definitely a breath taking experience getting so close to such impressive animals crossing the street.
Seeing a zebra baby, max two weeks old, was also amazing and cute. We saw (apparently surprisingly) no giraffes on that day, but more buffalos, antelopes, more warthogs who decided to dig for food not a bit away from the people but in the rest area close to the exit not being bothered at all by the people going to the toilets, shop etc..
Certainly an amazing drive that you must wonder what we would have seen in a whole day out in the reserve!
Later when back at the camp when walking around the camp (watching a beautiful sunset) and when having dinner at the restaurant we also saw more animals including a cute bush baby. What a day!
