Summer in the bush: iSimangaliso, 23 December 2014

An osprey takes flight over the Western Shores of Lake St. Lucia

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Summer in the bush: iSimangaliso, 22 December 2014

Inclement weather put an early end to our plans to walk the Ligwalagwala Trail in St. Lucia this morning. We were as disappointed as this vervet monkey mother and her baby seemed to be.

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Summer in the bush: iSimangaliso, 21 December 2014

We moved base again today, this time to Chane Cheese Farm, from where we’ll be exploring the southern reaches of Lake St. Lucia and the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. The farm is surrounded by bluegum plantations, huge swathes of which have already been removed and rehabilitated after the proclamation of iSimangaliso as a World Heritage Site in order to restore a natural ecological balance to this diverse area.

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Summer in the bush: uMkhuze, 20 December 2014

Morning rush hour at Kumasinga; nyalas and impalas jostling for position at the waterhole.

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Summer in the bush: uMkhuze, 19 December 2014

Already a week into our summer holiday in the bush, and we’re still enjoying it to the full!

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Summer in the bush: uMkhuze, 18 December 2014

This morning we departed from Ithala and headed here to uMkhuze Game Reserve, part of the greater iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site. And what a welcome; encountering two of the reserve’s lionesses on a guided night drive!

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Summer in the bush: Ithala, 17 December 2014

The giraffe is Ithala’s emblem, and this morning we were treated to several up-close sightings of these elegant animals.

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Summer in the bush: Ithala, 16 December 2014

It was wet, windy and rather cool here at Ithala today, and yet, we have no reason to complain! We had some very memorable sightings again, including an encounter with Ithala’s elusive elephants this afternoon.

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Summer in the bush: Ithala, 15 December 2014

We arrived at Ithala Game Reserve today, and we are thrilled to be back!

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Summer in the bush: Chelmsford, 14 December 2014

Yesterday evening we were treated to a spectacular sunset at Chelmsford Nature Reserve

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