SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL TIPS 1

Few leave Africa untouched and although it's a long way to travel, South Africa should definitely be on your bucket list. With blue, water filled coastal summer vacations, dry, orange, brown and tan hued earths in spring and autumn, the weather all year round is hospitable. As it's a large country I'll split this blog into different regions. The beauty of Africa and South Africa is its wildness, un-kept natural beauty, left in its authentic state. It is like another planet.....

THIS BEAUTIFUL MALE WAS ALL ALONE IN THIS MASSIVE FIELD AT TWILIGHT

Depending on what you'd like to do depends on where you'll fly into. If it's wildlife, game and the big Five, then flying to Johannesburg is your best bet, as Kruger National Park is then close by to be reached by car, or a short extra flight. Viewing game is best done out of season, so June to October as the grass is low and better for spotting wild life in their natural habitat. Kruger is pricey in high season, however, there are other smaller parks to go to. For example HluHluwe (pronounced Shooshoowe) Umflozi in Kwazulu Natal, an eastern province on the warm Indian ocean side. The Zulu people and language are from this region. The closest airport is Kwazulu Durban. The drive to the park is about two and a half hours. Get there before dark as it's not easy to find!

THANKS TO SA PARKS FOR THE MAP. HLUHLUWE IS MID RIGHT HAND SIDE IN KWAZULU NATAL.

A bungalow is how you'll be lodging and you'll need to watch out for the odd snake, but moreover, naughty monkeys who will take anything they desire from your kitchen! Or take over your breakfast in the lodge restaurant outside if you leave it unattended. At HluHluwe Umfulozi  hotel you'll enjoy scenic views over the hills, wild birds and sometimes a deer or two and its babies, grazing the grass on your bungalow lawn. It's in the middle of no-where so don't expect good wifi reception unless at the hotel reception area. Bungalows are simple and self catering so take your pick. You can take hotel arranged safari cars or drives the different routes yourself.

Here are some pictures of HluHluwe game and natural scenery which you drive through in the few days that you stay. 3-5 days is adequate.

 TYPICAL LANDSCAPE

 THE NATIONAL SPRINGBOK THAT MOVES IN HERDS....

 PLENTY OF RHINO AND REALLY CLOSE TO YOUR CAR AS THEY PASS BUT THEY ARE VERY GENTLE

 MONKEY MOM AND BABY AT THE LODGE RECEPTION

 COUNTRY ROADS WITH DRY RIVERS AND RED MUD

 BEAUTIFUL THORN TREES EVERYWHERE FOR THE GIRAFFE

 ELEPHANTS MOVE IN HERDS AND SUDDENLY APPEAR ON THE ROAD SO DRIVE SLOWLY AND DON'T TEASE THEM. YOUNG BULLS ARE FRISKY!

 BEAUTIFUL COLOURFUL BIRDS HARD TO CAPTURE AND THIS EAGLE WAS MASSIVE, THE SHOT IS ZOOMED IN. IT WAS ABOUT 80 CM IN HEIGHT

 

 

 THESE ARE THE CUTIES THAT COME INTO YOUR BUNGALOW AND STEAL YOUR FOOD :)

 SOME CHEEKY ONES AT THE HOTEL RESTAURANT

 HOTEL SAFARI VAN

 HOTEL GARDENS WITH MANY CACTI BUT LOVELY TREES TOO

 BABY ZEBRA RIGHT NEXT TO THE CAR

 WARTHOG FAMILY CROSSING THE ROAD

THAT'S IT... NEXT TIME WE'LL TAKE A COASTAL REGION!