Imfolozi

Thursday, 18th November 2010
We drove into Reilleys Lodge to see the endangered Roan Antelope breeding programme - Steven Fry recently visited it for his programme 'Last Chance to See'.  They are so majestic that it would be a shame if they could not be preserved.  Then we drove out of Swaziland via the Southern border and travelled to Imfolozi.  It took about 4 hours to complete the journey so we were in a bit of a rush.  The last time we visited Imfolozi in 2006, we had been in the Park about 20 minutes when the Wild Dogs emerged.  Wementioned that we had seen them to reception the following day and they were astonished; no-one had seen them for months.  We did not expect to see them again, but, to our absolute astonishment, half an hour into the park, the Wild dogs appeared and we followed them for almost half an hour, watching their hierarchy and play - it was truly a memorable experience.  How lucky were we!  We had to seriously dash to get to Mpele camp before the gates shut at 6.30pm. We were staying in a tent here - large safari tents with bamboo screened shower and toilets.  The camp is open to the park; there is an electric wire round at about 20 feet high to stop the elephants coming in, but otherwise, anything has access.  A hyena ran through and raided meat sizzling off peoples barbacues and was followed by a warthog.

Friday, 19th November 2010
Pete and Helena went out for an early morning drive and saw a brand new baby impala.  Carole stayed behind for a lie in and to cook breakfast.  Vervet monkeys came in the kitchen and stole the wholemeal bread - they left the white sliced loaf!  We drove to Hilltop to use the internet as we had lost some bits and pieces.  The internet was not working due to a lightning strike on the server during Wednesday's storm.  So, we drove out of the park to the local town and found what was advertised as an 'Internet cafe' - it had internet but no drinks!!  On the way out  we saw a brand new baby giraffe being escorted to the waterhole by its very proud parents.
We cooked a chicken curry for tea, but naughtily, put the chicken wings on the barbecue to set up a photo opportunity with the Hyena.  We waited and waited.  The hyena turned up, snatched the wings and was gone before we could press our camera buttons!

Saturday, 20th November 2010
We went on an organised walk from 5.00am to 8.00am with 2 rangers carrying guns.  The countryside is incredibly unspoilt in Imfolozi as it was King SkakaZulu's hunting ground.  We didnt see too much but enjoyed the freedom to explore on foot rather than in the car.  A herd of Buffalo were really funny, following us at a distance.  Our ranger threw stones at them to disperse them.

After lunch we went out in the car and came across glass on the road.  We were just comtemplating why there was glass there, when a black rhino shot out of the bush and charged us.  Helena backed up very very quickly!  So now we know that we have definately seen 1 black rhino!