South Africa Roundtrip - Day 9 - Journey to Durban

After a decent breakfast we were already off on the road again travelling to Durban. Taking a slight detour that gave us though more time in the nature reserve we saw more animals including FINALLY some giraffes! Incredible to see such tall animals walking around in this sometimes rather steep area.

How many giraffes can you spot?

First stop then was at a lodge with its own reserve where we were shown some (average) Zulu dance and introduced to Zulu culture.

I was not sure what to think of it. There was some interesting information but the dancer were lodge staff and they clearly left the impression being bored and it all felt like they had not much fun at all.

The night before at the camp the staff at the restaurant performed some dancing as well and that was a lot more entertaining. Oh well...

The food (it was said typical Zulu food though I had my doubts about some stuff) though we were served for lunch was very good and the view on a covered terrace over the private reserve was amazing!

 

During the last leg of today's journey it started to rain and it was still raining when we arrived in Durban. It temporarily stopped later so went for a walk along the beach with another lady.

I was not sure about the city - typical tourist place I suppose, especially when it is summer with the beaches etc. but not my cup of tea at all.

What I really did not like that as a tourist you are told to stay in the hotel once dark and that you should not walk around it being too dangerous.

You may be able to go somewhere, a restaurant or so, by taxi but the idea of getting one for like a 900 metres journey just feels so ridiculous.

So after a yummy dinner in one of the hotel restaurants I spent the rest of the evening in my hotel room people spotting and just enjoying the view over the sea while life passed by my window....



South Africa Roundtrip - Day 8 - Journey to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi-Park

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!