“THE ULTIMATE AFRICAN DREAM” - JULY 2007

... and yes, for our clients from France: Neil and Tiz, and Nina, Leo & Fanny, a long-awaited dream had eventually materialised: their five day tour to Imfolozi & Hluhluwe Game Reserves and Lake St Lucia had started at last, after months of planning.

On that Tuesday morning in mid-July we travelled up to Imfolozi Game Reserve, a comfortable 2 and a half hour journey from Durban heading up the North Coast into Zululand.
On our arrival at Nyalazi Gate, Neil and the tour party had their first glimpse of the hills of Imfolozi, basking in the pleasant winter sunlight.
We were not far into the reserve before we spotted a White-backed Vulture circling overhead. As we travelled on to Mpila Camp we had good sightings of kudu, scores of impala, zebra and wildebeest, giraffe, warthog, and several white rhino.

After a pleasant afternoon’s game viewing in Imfolozi & Hluhluwe, we booked into our Cottage at Mpila, so that Neil, Tizz and the youngsters could go on a really enjoyable Night Drive in the ‘open’ KZN Wildlife Game Viewing Vehicle. These are always very special trips, as one frequently encounters nocturnal species of animals and birds that are difficult to see during the daylight hours.

On day two, after an early morning game drive and a tour of the Imfolozi Plains, where had close encounters with elephant and buffalo, our tour party moved across to Gjoyeni Bush Lodge for the next two days and nights. What a beautiful setting, a luxury Bush Lodge on the banks of the Imfolozi River, right in the heart of the African bushveld. The accommodation and surrounds have to be experienced to be appreciated. Our party had the entire bush lodge booked to ourselves, which meant unlimited bush walks with the resident game ranger Mbongane. Our meals were adequately prepared by resident chefs Nelson and Alpheus whilst we were out enjoying ourselves on game drives, or bush walks.
The camp fire at night was a pleasant way to reflect over the day’s exciting events and sightings. On our first night at Gjoyeni, we heard the unmistakable roar of lion, fairly close-by, a sound that stirs the hair on the back of one’s neck !
And on the second night, we had a visit from an elephant as he shuffled around in the deep undergrowth very close to the camp, breaking small trees and branches, but always staying out of sight ..
And of course, the hyena were to be seen and heard, as well!

On our 4th day in the Game Reserve, we sighted several wild dog on the plains 10 km south of Hilltop Camp: much excitement, as these are truly an endangered species !
After an enjoyable lunch at the Hilltop Camp Restaurant, we did some game viewing in the Northern sector of the Game Reserve, and then we exited at Memorial Gate, before travelling off to Emdoneni Lodge in the Bushlands Area, about 20 km outside of the Game Reserve.

Emdoneni Lodge is home to the cheetah, caracal, and serval Breeding Projects, and we arrived just in time to observe the late afternoon feeding session of these marvellous “cats”, some of which are rarely seen in the wild. Resident Tour Guide Amanda is very knowledgeable on the habits of these “cats”, she has a close affinity for them, and it was a great experience.

Later at Emdoneni Lodge we enjoyed a hearty dinner, a good night’s sleep, and a filling breakfast before departing the next morning for the nearby Damazulu Cultural Village. This two hour visit gave Neil’s tour group an insight into the traditions, cultures and values of some of the indigenous peoples of Southern Africa, and this was followed by an energetic display of traditional Zulu dancing.

Thereafter we left to travel south to Lake St Lucia, for a two hour boat cruise up the St Lucia Estuary, a World Heritage Site. There were some real “close-ups” of hippo and crocodile on this part of the tour, plus a host of waterbirds, including the majestic African Fish Eagle. This tour highlight was made all the more pleasant by enjoying a pre-arranged lunch on board.

All too soon it was over for Neil and the group, and they relaxed on their return journey to their Durban B&B and reflected over their safari, before their flight back to France the next day.

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Postal address: Umzinyathi Safaris cc, 58 Balmoral Drive, Durban North, 4051, South Africa Cell : +27 82 853 5203 (Mike)   +27 82 230 9627 (Shirley) Tel : +27 31 564 2476   Fax : +27 31 564 2476   info@umzinyathi-safaris.co.za

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