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Tours of 2-3 day duration (or
longer) to
 Hluhluwe - Imfolozi Game Reserves
in Kwa Zulu-Natal
are regularly conducted and include a half day tour of the Dumazulu
Cultural village where visitors will experience first hand the culture
and life style of traditional Zulu people. The welcoming greeting of Sanibona !
from the local chief will greet you as you arrive at the entrance to his village.
These tours are generally
(but not specifically) conducted during mid week so as to avoid the
crush of busy weekends. Accommodation on these tours can either be at
Hilltop (Hluhluwe section) or Mpila (iMfolozi section) main Camps or, if camping is preferred, at
Isinkwe Camp and Lodge ,just
outside the Reserve.
DAY 1.
Tours generally depart from
Pietermaritzburg and Durban ( or any major Kwa Zulu-Natal town), by
prior arrangement, at
8.30 am on day one.
The
trip of 320 kms takes you across the
Tugela
River (Uthukela ) at the point where the Zulu Forces of King
Cetshwayo of the Zulu’s were given the ultimatum to disband or
face the “might” of the British Army (1877). This point was also one
of the river fords through which the British forces invaded Zululand.
This invasion was followed by the biggest single reversals the British army
had ever experienced at that time – namely the Battle of Isandhlawana.
We travel on the N3 through rural “Zululand “ – now part of Kwa Zulu-
Natal Province – which will give the traveler a good idea of how
modern day traditional rural Zulus live.
North
of the Tugela River the scenery is mainly made up of a patchwork of rural Zulu
homesteads and grazing as well as many kilometers of green Sugar Cane
fields and Timber plantations. The Indian ocean is ever present in the
 East. We will stop at a Zulu crafts and fruit
market (Zamimpilo) to give you an idea of the variety and prices of
local carvings, crafts and other
curious. We stop here again on our return journey to allow for
the purchasing of any souvenirs that may be required. The Park also has
similar community based craft and curio stalls
but prices are generally cheaper at Zamimpilo..
We arrive
in Hluhluwe – iMfolozi Park at approx 1.30 pm where we immediately do a
Game Drive until approx 5.30 pm when you will book into your
accommodation.
NB THIS IS
A BIG FIVE PARK AND IS THE SECOND OLDEST IN THE WORLD AFTER
YELLOWSTONE IN THE USA. IT WAS ESTABLISHED AROUND 1896.
Your first
evening is to be spent at your pleasure. If staying at Hilltop Camp in
Hluhluwe section dinner can either be enjoyed at the Restaurant which has quite a
good menu, including African (Zulu) traditional food,or
can take the form of a barbecue (Braai) cooked under the stars
or, if preferred, in your kitchen. You
 generally spend the 2 or 3
nights at the same accommodation. Accommodation in the Reserves
usually comprises self-catering 2 bed Chalets (full facilities), which
you will find comfortable and very traditional. (NB There is no traveling allowed after dark in the Reserve, other than when on a
scheduled night drive in open vehicles provided by the park authority,
Typical
Chalet
DAY 2
You will be
collected at 8.00 am from your accommodation for a full day excursion
through both Hluhluwe and iMfolozi Game Reserves. These comprise one
complex of almost 100 000 ha’s in extent.
During the
drive we will view and enjoy the diversity of the nature that this
complex
 offers and will see most of the following animals, all in
their natural environment.;
·
Giraffe (abundant)
Elephant (generally abundant but can prove secretive.)
White Rhinoceros (easily spotted and generally close up)
 Black Rhinoceros (very rarely
seen in the day time)
Warthogs (abundant)
Buffalo (abundant)
Zebra (abundant)
Blue
Wildebeest (Gnu) (abundant)
Impala (abundant in iMfolozi)
Nyala (shy but regularly seen)
Hyena (shy in the day time)
Kudu
(reasonably abundant)
Lion
(regularly seen, especially in in iMfolozi)
Leopard (rare but a good chance of seeing them)
Baboons (generally abundant
Vervet Monkeys (abundant)
In addition we will see many birds of which there are an abundance.
You arrive arrive back at your accommodation at 4.00 pm. in time to
join a night drive in an
open Game drive
Vehicle operated by the Park's Authority. You should be back in
your accommodation by 9.00 pm.
Day 3. You
will again be collected at your accommodation at 8.00 am and a further
1 ˝ hour game drive will be undertaken before departing the Park on
your transfer to your City or Town of your choice in KZN.
En route
you
stop off at Dumazulu Cultural Village for a tour of
 their traditional
Zulu village where you will be experience Zulu culture, marriage
ceremonies, hut building, bead working, grass matt weaving and Zulu
Corn beer making (and drinking). This will be followed by a display of
Zulu dancing in full battle (dance) regalia. After the show you will enjoy lunch at Dumazulu
where after you travel to Zamimpilo for browsing / purchasing
of traditional Zulu crafted curios etc.
Depending on where your next stop is located you will be "home"
sometime after 5.00 pm
NB. If
the three day option us taken the additional day will be spent taking
a boat trip on nearby
Lake St
Lucia where you will enjoy a 2-3 hour trip on this RAMSAR protected
lake within the World Heritage site known as Greater
St Lucia Wetland Park. Here you will see numerous Hippopotamus and
huge crocodiles in their natural environment. Water birds are also in
abundance. We will specifically look out for Goliath Heron, Pelicans
(White and Pink-back), Flamingoes (Greater and Lesser) African
Spoonbills etc. Thereafter we will also undertake a Game Drive on
Eastern shores- Lake St Lucia via Cape Vidal passing Bhangazi lake, a
favourite Hippo and Crocodile stretch of water. You will return to your accommodation at approx 5.00
pm where the evening can be so pent at your leisure.
PRICING IS
DEPENDENT ON THE TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION REQUIRED AND DURATION OF TOUR
CLICK HERE FOR
PRICING
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