Category Archives: Kwazulu Natal Province

Our experiences in the reserves of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

The King and Prime Minister of Imfolozi

This morning we spent some time with two magnificent male lions in the far western reaches of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.

One of them was bruised and battered with battle scars all over his body. Obviously he’s the enforcer for the King; the light-maned male with the relatively unscathed hide and face.

Sadly, today was our final full day here at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi. Tomorrow we only have the distance between here at Mpila Camp and the Memorial Gate to savour this pristine wilderness one last time before heading back to Pretoria.

Morning coffee, with a view

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This was the scene we enjoyed our first cup of coffee, rusks and biscuits with this morning, here in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.

I’ll grow up my way…

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If there’s any good advise experienced parents can give newly expecting ones, it is that none of the thousands of parenting guide-books on the bookstore shelves will apply to your child 100%. You have to find what works for you, and go with it – your kid will turn out just fine.

The same seems true in the animal kingdom.

This afternoon while having lunch at Mpila in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, we noticed this mother Vervet Monkey and her baby coming past in a most unconventional manner. Normally the newly born babies would hang below the moms tummy, within easy reaching distance of her mammary glands. This little one however clung to the fur on his mom’s behind with all his might, and it obviously hurts her to quite some degree, as she regularly took him off and gave him a harsh hiding, to which he then responded with a terrible tantrum, screaming to high heaven until she relents and he gets back onto her buttocks. It was such a funny sight, and if she was human I would have given her a knowing wink of the eye in sympathy.

I did it my way…

Just in case you were wondering, this is the more usual way female Vervet Monkeys carry their babies; an example from another mom in the same troop that walked past our accommodation unit.

Vervet baby suckling (photo by Joubert)

Cute and Cuddly

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Today I sneaked a photo of Joubert while he was taking pictures of two playful warthog piglets outside our cottage here in Mpila in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park

9 Years old: December 2018. Joubert the photographer, Mpila, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park

Joubert’s cute and cuddly photographic subjects

What a welcome at Mpila

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We had only just arrived at Mpila Camp in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park this afternoon, when we were welcomed by this Spotted Bush Snake on the mosquito screen of our kitchen door – What a welcome!

Umlalazi Airshow

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While exploring the mangrove swamps here at Umlalazi Nature Reserve this morning, this Pink-backed Pelican treated us to a low-level flypast.

Today was our last day here at Umlalazi. Tomorrow, we head for the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. If we have a good enough connection well try to post a daily update from there as well.

Early to rise…

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We were out the door at 04:20 this morning to take in this spectacular sunrise over the Indian Ocean. We then spent a couple of hours playing on the beach before going back to our cabin for a delicious brunch. Wish every day could start this way…

A morning in the Dlinza Forest

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We spent the morning exploring the beautiful Dlinza Forest Nature Reserve in the town of Eshowe. This panoramic view awaits you at the top of the aerial boardwalk at Dlinza – an excellent way to experience the middle and upper stories of the forest that one doesn’t normally have access to – click on the image for a larger view. Of course we’ll share more about Dlinza when we’re back from holiday!

View from the Dlinza Reserve’s Aerial Boardwalk

In a forest of giants

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Today we spent some time exploring the Raphia Palm National Monument, quite literally one of the biggest attractions here at Umlalazi Nature Reserve. See if you can make out Joubert standing next to two of the towering giants.

Vacation Time!

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The time for our December holidays have finally arrived, and we kick of our summer vacation at beautiful Umlalazi Nature Reserve on the north coast of Kwazulu-Natal Province!