Page 17 - Business Sense

UNFORGETTABLE

MEMORIES

ur driver braked sharply B and B, or to a luxury safari We recently visited Africa’s
as a huge black mamba experience in a private reserve, oldest game reserve, the
Oglided slowly across the you will be spoilt for choice. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Park,
road in front of us. A little later we which opened in 1895 and is
were treated to a protective rhino From Durban you are no more the largest in KwaZulu-Natal
mother and her calf wallowing in than three hours away from – 96000 hectares in extent.
a mud bath. Further along scores Africa’s iconic Big Five — lion, Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game
of elephants paraded in the valley leopard, rhino (both black and Reserve is a three hour drive
below, and high on a windy hill white), buffalo and elephant. from Durban and is home to
a few giraffes nibbled on leaves However, one should not forget the Big 5 as well as abundant In our
from the top branch of a tree. the huge variety of animal antelope and bird species. noisy cities we tend
We watched a lone lappet-faced species including cheetah, to forget the things
vulture soar above us and a male zebra, giraffe, hyena, jackal, A relaxed afternoon of self-
pintail whydah danced in the air blue wildebeest, wild dogs, driving was followed by a swim at our ancestors knew on
for the opportunity to mate with impala, waterbuck, common Hilltop Camp where we stayed in The restaurant a gut level: that the
the female of his choice… and mountain reedbuck, a four bed chalet to accommodate offers panoramic
kudu, bushbuck, steenbuck, our guests. Hilltop Camp is the views over the wilderness is alive, that
Travelling to the game reserves duiker, nyala antelope, hippo, oldest tourist resort in KwaZulu- game reserve and its whispers are there
of KwaZulu-Natal provides many warthog, mongoose, as well Natal and provides a wide variety of the rolling hills
opportunities for gathering as the numerous reptile and of accommodation. of Zululand where for all to hear - and
unforgettable memories. invertebrate species. KwaZulu- the lights of distant to respond to.
Whether your pocket runs to a Natal is also home to prolific The regular Friday night towns twinkle in the - Lawrence Anthony,
visit to a public game reserve for a birdlife; about 470 bird species South African braai at the night. The Elephant Whisperer
day’s outing, an overnight stay or and another 200, which are seen Hilltop Camp restaurant
longer at a camp site, or a nearby less often. ensured we were all well fed. We elected to start the
next day with a 5 am morning
drive on an open air safari (embedded in dried mud) of one
vehicle with a guide. A guided of the cubs alongside the road but
walk, which allows one to get the pride was not to be found.
closer to the bush experience, is This was despite much discussion
also available. The very popular with other vehicles’ guides who
iMfolozi Wilderness Trails are were also in search of “ibhubesi”
ideal for those who want more (the Zulu word for lion).
of this experience, along with
the thrill of camping out in The very enjoyable and
the wilderness. There are five informative three-hour drive
overnight trails available, ranging included a close up encounter
from between 2 night/3 day trails with some nyala and a traditional
to 4 night/5 day trails. However, tale about the blue headed lizards
these trails need to be pre- sunning themselves on a log at
booked well in advance. the tea break, not to mention
the enjoyable antics of a large
The 4.30 am buzzing of the baboon troop.
alarm clock saw us gulping tea
and joining the rest of the guests We were then more than ready
on our dawn drive. to enjoy the buffet breakfast back
at Hilltop. Fortified with a few
Our guide spent much time cups of coffee we then returned to
searching for some elusive Durban for our next KwaZulu-
lionesses and their seven-month- Natal experience. n
old cubs. He did point out the
dried remains of a recent lion
kill as well as the paw prints www.hluhluwegamereserve.com

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