Safari Time!

When I say "game park/South Africa", I'm sure one word springs to mind: Kruger.

Paris has the Louvre. Florida has Disney World. And South Africa has Kruger.

It's not difficult to snuff out its popularity when you consider it is the largest game park in the country and thus by default is visited by the most people (thereby fueling its worldwide recognition). I know a lot of South Africans who have fallen in love with it themselves.

But this doesn't make it the only game park option in SA. Just as Paris offers other, more intimate and focused museums, and Florida has many theme parks to choose from, South Africa too has plenty to offer in the sarari tourist niche.

It was quite shocking for me to realize how many game parks actually exist here. Naively, I thought there would only be a handful. The reality is that this country abounds with game reserves, all offering varying levels of luxury, experience, and animal/plant life. I wish I had the time and resources to make a concentrated effort to visit each one, but that is another blog for another time ;)

I hope to visit Kruger Park before I leave, but in December I was taken to the Hluhlwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve by Jim (my mining tourguide!) and his wife, Jean. It may only be the second largest game reserve but it is also the oldest -- founded in 1985.

 Driving to the game park was a wee bit challenging whilst having to dodge the many groups of cattle in the road!

It was beautiful. Rolling hills of lush vegetation and breath-taking vistas are all set upon the Hluhluwe River Flood Plain.

(It's really too bad that a photo can't capture the true grandeur of these views)

 

Not only that, but it rests incredibly close to the Von Hagen's home. Within a few hours we were eagerly waiting at its entry gates.

The park itself is divided into two halves -- Hluhluwe (pronounced Shi-shloo-eee) and Imfolozi. The animals are free to roam back and forth over the staggering 96 000 hectares of land that the park encompasses. For my trip, we kept to the Hluhluwe side and still took in 4 hours of sightseeing.

When it comes to wild animals, you won't find this game reserve lacking. In addition to the Big Five (lion, leopard, water buffalo, rhino, and elephant), the park boasts wildebeest, crocodile, zebra, waterbuck, kudu, impala, giraffe, baboons, monkey, snakes, tortoise, hyena, cheetah... it's an exhaustive list.

However, the key is to actually get lucky enough to see these animals on your game drive. The fact that little is guaranteed in regards to animal sightings is both the maker and breaker of these types of tourist attractions. The thrill of the "hunt" to spot animals is exhilarating, yet dealing with the disappointment that comes with failing to see everything you hoped for is equally as challenging.

Remember the weaver nests in the reeds from my hippo post? These are the same bird nests, only in trees. 

 

On my visit, I missed out on the one animal I was super keen on witnessing in the wild: elephant. By the time we arrived at the park, it was 10am and 30 degrees. Couple this with the fact that the park is suffering form drought and you had a recipe for elephant that had little interest in walking near tourist vehicles and more ambition to hide away, basking in mud baths.

I was, however, fortunate enough to see an enormous rhino cross my path. Literally, cross the road in front of me. I had met baby rhino at the Rhino & Lion Park but that did little to prepare me for the size of a fully grown adult. They are akin to a walking car.

 Warning: Rhino Crossing!

Ass in the grass!

 

Our caravan was also treated to visit from a large family of giraffe. I spotted the little baby in the trees first and as we swept around the corner, the rest of his family was revealed. They took little interest in us and kept munching leaves as we gawked and took pictures. It was pretty amazing to be so close to them all at once!

Daddy giraffe checks us out

 Giraffe Road Block

 We felt like we were a part of the herd!

I can understand now why game drives are such a popular activity in SA. There is nothing quite like the thrill of a safari to get you acquainted with this country's animals and flora.

 
A big thanks (again) to Jim and Jean for taking me out for the day! The company and picnic lunch were fabulous :)

Us taking a break at the lodge for a drink and a taste of air con :)