South African Holiday: Day 9 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

This morning we were up early had our breakfasts, as we wanted to get a good start as we had quite a long drive up the coast north of Durban towards Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. The route was along the N2 main road and we made good time. We turned off the main road over a railway track and started to drive towards our next accommodation the Zula Nyala Game Lodge.

Zula Nyala Game Lodge

Rondavels

View from our Rondavels

This was to be the best road we could have driven along as we encountered so many wild animals as we drove along the track. Lynn got her first sighting of giraffes which were blocking our way, there was also some young zebra grazing at the side of the track towards the Zula Nyala Game Lodge. We were all excited about seeing all the animals, we got plenty of photo's.

Lynns first giraffe

Zebra at side of track

Moving on !!

Fresh grazing

Warthogs

Impala Antelope

Hluhluwe is the oldest Game Reserve in Africa, declared by Zulu Kings in 1895, and is an area of round hills and valleys known for good game spotting.
Umfolozi, the southern part of the park, is perhaps best known as the base for the "Operation Rhino" in the 1950's and 1960's which was almost entirely responsible for the saving the White Rhino from extinction.

Cute little zebra

Once we had settled in to our rooms it was time to go exploring in our 4 x 4 towards False Bay Park, which is situated along the shores of the Lake St Lucia, forming part of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park area. Unfortunately we must have chosen the wrong road, which our Sat Nav. had suggested. As we ended up lost in what could only be descibed as a dry river bed.
We did see some beautiful scenery and lots of colourful dressed happy school children, MORE THAN ONCE which made them even more amused as to why we kept driving past them.
Eventually we managed to find a track which resembled more of as road and decided to go of to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, before it got dark, for our game drive. As we entered the park gates and paid for our safari drive, we were asked if we were CARRYING, not knowing what this meant we asked and were informed that it was to check if we had any firearms riffles guns etc. as we would have to hand them in before we would be allowed to enter the reserve. Big Game poaching is still a very real threat in these reserves and they keep very a tight security and have patrols searching through the parks at night.

White Rhino

Our 1st Elephant

Water Buffulo

Impala herd of Antelopes

Just to make Lynn's day another Giraffe

This is only a few of our sightings in what was only 1 hours drive, as dusk was closing in, and we would have to leave the reserve through the main gates before long. As we exited the main gate a group of young children performed a Tribal Dance and waved us goodbye.

Young children Tribal Dancing and waving goodbye!!

This evening after our even meal we were entertaineing by a group of Zulu's playing their drums and various instruments, dancing in beautifully coloured costumes.