Moving along to the latter half of our winter holidays in the bush brings us to another of Africa’s oldest conservation areas (and another of our favourite wild places) – the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
This conservation area covers an enormous 960km² of beautifully unspoilt wilderness, and incorporates the Hluhluwe and Umfolozi Game Reserves that were officially proclaimed in 1895.
We spent four nights in the Park – 3 in cottage #17 at wonderfully wild Mpila and the last in chalet #42 at the Park’s flagship tourist facility; Hilltop.
Of course no visit to a Game Reserve would be complete without plentiful encounters with wild creatures, so let’s get started with a few small critters we came across (more to follow in the next two days).
Being one of our favourite destinations, we’ve featured Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park many times on our blog – have a look through all our posts about this special wilderness if you’d like to learn more about it.
We will be taking a road trip through the elephant coast (Hluhluwe Imfolozi, Eastern/Western shores, kosi bay/mouth, tembe, etc.) mid september so I am devouring your website as we speak to get some ideas! It is wonderfully informative, a big thank you from us planners 🙂 Could you give me a bit of insight into the drought situation at the moment? Has it gotten a bit better for the area? From what I’ve read this area has been suffering the most from the continued drought.
LikeLike
Wonderful to hear that you found our blog so useful for your planning, Ellen!
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and Lake St. Lucia is certainly looking a lot better as far as the drought is concerned than this time last year or two years ago. The Hluhluwe and two Umfolozi Rivers were still flowing, albeit very low, when we visited mid-July, and all over HIP and iSimangaliso many of the pans and waterholes still held water, even this far into winter. The recovery in the vegetation was remarkable to see, and the animals are in fantastic condition.
You will surely have a wonderful time in September!
LikeLike
Beautiful pictures! I like especially the picture with the little lake with rocks around, and the sunsets. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always enjoy seeing your photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot, Montucky!
LikeLike
Baie interessant en pragtige foto’s
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dankie nogmaals, Tina!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ai,ai….maak my skoon jaloers,Dries!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Baie dankie, Dina!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Strange looking moth eggs, look like flowers! Love the turtles and pretty nice bungalow! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d move into a chalet at Mpila anyday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always appreciate the opportunity to see places I may never see. Thanks for all the beautiful photos and the great information.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s always a seat open for you, Janet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah!! Thanks.
LikeLike