Hluhluwe iMfolozi
Morning came too early, but started off sunny and warm. We were overdressed and Troy went back in the room and left his jacket. We were joined by some folks from England, a delightful, retired couple, Chris and Barbara. After a 50 minute drive, we were at Hluhluwe Imfolozi game park for our full day game drive. Just as we were driving in to the main park area we saw a giraffe, this was very promising. After passing the main gate, our guide started down a road and we saw a couple elephants and then we ran across our first white rhino! Just as we started taking pictures a call came to the guide. He informed us that a lion was spotted stalking around back towards the entrance.
We rapidly did an about face and raced off to the spot, running in to several other guided vehicles and self guided drivers. We spotted the lioness immediately and she seemed to be cagey and on the prowl. This is where things got stupid. The road was so congested we ended up getting stuck between personal drivers and where the lioness was moving. We attempted several pictures but she was on the move and we could not keep up. Troy and Randy captured a bit of a view, as did one of our travel companions.
We finally gave up and headed back to where the rhino were but they had moved on so we too continued forward. We were heading to the top of one of the mountain areas for breakfast. As we drove along we saw more white rhino, baboons, impala, and zebra. Just as we were reaching the top of the hill where we were stopping for breakfast we came around a bend in the road and saw four hyena by the side of the road. This was very rare and very brief. By the time we had a shot at them they were gone down the hillside. Just then a fifth darted across the road and down the slope side of the mountain. Exciting but likely no pics. We finally stopped for breakfast before continuing on. By this time the weather started to turn and it became windy and cold.
We drove around a little more and saw a bunch of cars gathered. We found there were 3 cheetah’s eating a recent kill. They were very cool. Again, a bit stupid because several guided and self-guided vehicles congested a very small area. We watched for quite some time, getting a few pics but more impressed by the experience. The cheetah’s were ripping the flesh from the dead animal, pawing at it, laying back down to eat, then back up for more. At one point, we saw the cheetah tear a 10-12 inch piece for the animal. Amazing!
We departed and drove around some more seeing various animals, but nothing new. We then stopped back at the same picnic area for lunch, a barbecue consisting of some beef brats (they call them boerewors) and thin steaks seasoned very well, accompanied with two really good salads, one rice and one pasta. By now the wind was howling and a few of us grabbed the blankets from the car to keep us warm at the picnic site. The six of us all came to the consensus that we were done. After lunch we drove around a little more and then headed back to where we were staying.
After a little nap it was off to dinner at Reef & Dune and then to bed. Tomorrow we can sleep in as we don’t leave until 8:00 am.