It seems that these little primates are becoming big fans of the night vision camera!
I was standing right in the window with a normal video camera for this one! They’re getting brave!
Tag Archive for KwaZulu Natal
More bushbabies!
Category: Accommodation near game reserve, Activities, Bushwire, Hluhluwe Accommodation, Just for fun, KwaZulu Natal, KZN, Our animals /
Tags: accommodation near game reserve, african safari, bush accommodation, bush baby, Bush lodge, bush lodge in South Africa, bushbaby, cute animals, Extreme nature tour, hluhluwe, hluhluwe accommodation, hluhluwe-imfolozi, KwaZulu Natal, nagapie, nature tour, south africa, south africa accommodation, south african accommodation, south african animals, south african safari, stay in south africa, umkhumbi lodge, zululand
Here come the bushbabies!
Whilst the bushbabies love to hang out in our sandforest here in Hluhluwe, they tend to run off at the sight of humans.
But now winter is coming and they have suddenly got very confident…
Be prepared for regular updates from these cheeky little monkeys!!
Category: African Safari, Bushwire, Our animals /
Tags: accommodation near game reserve, accommodation near Mozambique, african safari, bush accommodation, bush baby, Bush lodge, bush lodge in South Africa, bushbaby, game lodge, gamelodge, hluhluwe, hluhluwe accommodation, hluhluwe-imfolozi, KwaZulu Natal, nagapie, nocturnal, primate, see bushbaby, south africa, south africa accommodation, south african accommodation, south african animals, stay in south africa, sweet tooth, umkhumbi lodge, zululand
Tourism KZN – Press Trip
It was with heavy hearts last week that we said goodbye to 8 of our guests who came to Umkhumbi Lodge to film the latest promotional video for Tourism KZN.
From Kayaking with crocs, spa treatments, and even jumping off of a football stadium roof – there was plenty to film!
Our film stars were:
Peter from South African Airways (SAA).
Peter doing his croc-dundee impression before kayaking in St Lucia
Samantha from Travel2.
Snuggling Fluffy at Umkhumbi Lodge
Yaksha from Thomas Cook.
First time snorkeller Yaksha was amazed by the all fish at Kosi Bay!
Lindsey from TUI (Thompsons).
Weeeeeee! Lindsey and Peter both went for a big swing in Durban!
Bruce from Travel Counsellors.
Queue the baywatch music as Bruce rocks up at the beach!
Claire from TTG (Travel Trade Gazette).
Claire takes a stroll in the shade of the palms at Kosi Bay
our Cameraman Blair “The Kiwi”
Marvelling at the muscles in the African elephants trunk
And of course Storm from Tourism KZN who was responsible for unleashing this motley crew on KwaZulu Natal.
Jumping for joy! (no she didn't fall off)
Category: Activities, Amangwane Kosi Bay, KwaZulu Natal, KZN, Wetland Park Group /
Tags: activity holiday, adrenaline, africa, african holiday, african safari, Beach, Durban, holiday, kayaking, KwaZulu Natal, kzn, press trip, SAA, snorke, south african safari, tourism kzn
Roger and Pat De La Harpe Photography Course
Day 1
Lets talk cameras!
Everyone looked a little confused at the beginning of the course
A big thanks to African Imagery for hosting their recent photo workshop with us here at Umkhumbi Lodge in Hluhluwe.
Well, ok, not exactly dinosaurs, but pretty close! Today was spent at Zulu Croc – the crocodile centre a mere 5 minute drive from Umkhumbi Lodge.
Everyone was a bit shy at first and stayed as a group around a single enclosure – it wasn’t long however until everyone was lying on the ground trying to get some nice crocodile close-ups through the fences.
The crocs were very considerate and sat nice and close to the fences
More confident with their cameras and eager to get on!
Then it was time for the photography workshop to really begin. Here is where Roger De La Harpe and all attendees (gently) picked apart images. It’s great, not only did we learn from our mistakes but everyone elses as well.
Day 2 – Afternoon
Portrait photography!
Ntombi in her beads
Poor Ntombi she had the joyful job of posing for us. Ntombi works at the lodge, and as well as cleaning the rooms, feeding the iguanas and occasionally being one of our servers at the lappa, she now had to smile until her cheeks hurt (thankfully Ntombi is so usually always so cheerful this isn’t too much of a problem for her)!
Dressed in beaded clothes Ntombi was the perfect model for us.
Poor Ntombi surrounded by all our flashes. She looked stunning though!
And I have to say, I have a lot of respect for fashion magazine photographers, people are not as easy to shoot as they look!
Day 3 – Last day :’(
Touch up class and snakes!
The morning started with a brief critique of our shots of Ntombi and then Roger further helped us to enhance the beauty of our shots with some five minute touch ups using Adobe Lightroom.
To finish up, snakes.
From Antons collection in the garage: juvenile Puff Adder, juvenile Gaboon Adder and a Variable Bush Viper.
Pics to follow!
Category: Activities, African Safari, KwaZulu Natal, Photography, Roger De La Harpe /
Tags: adobe, African accommodation, african photographs, african safari, camera course, DSLR course, hluhluwe, KwaZulu Natal, learn to use you camera, lightroom, photograph africa, Photographic safari, photographing south africa, Photography course, professional photographer, safari photos, south africa
Hlane Royal National Park
Arriving at Hlane Royal National Park, the Waterhole by the restaurant was like a scene out of the Lion King!
Rhino, Hippo, Elephants, Impala, Stork, Ox Peckers and Crocodile, all that was missing was the Giraffe!
The Rhino tries to find his way to the water past the hippos, croc and elephants
The elephant looks smug after seeing off that pesky Rhino!
The croc sunbathes on the sand waiting for an easy lunch
Once the coast was clear the whole elephant family came down to the water hole
With one look the hippo tells the Rhino to stay away from their part of the water
The Rhino flops to the ground and sulks while he waits for the Hippos, Croc and Elephants to let him to the water.
Another evening drive for Stephanie and Adrian Tonight followed by an early morning mountain bike ride around the park (to say they are excited would be an understatement!)
Category: Devost2012, Extreme Nature Tour /
Tags: Africa conservation, african safari, animal conservation, Conservation, Hlane Royal national Park, hluhluwe, holiday safari, KwaZulu Natal, nature tour, Royal game reserve, safari holiday, south africa, south african accommodation, Swaziland, wildlife conservation
Time to go for a paddle
The last full day of their nature tour in South Africa sees Stephanie and Adrian taking to the water once more in St Lucia.
Again, these waters contain both Hippos and Crocodiles, but this time Stephanie and Adrian are on Kayaks.
Paddling in the waters with Hippos and crocs doesn’t seem like such a good idea as you carry your paddle to the waters edge…
And they're off! Stephanie and Adrian glide across the surface leaving Justin to catch up with them
…but after the first few strokes of the paddle you are soaring across the water and all thoughts of turning back are gone from your mind.
Stephanie and Adrian leave Justin in their dust!
Lead by our trusty guide Justin, Stephanie and Adrian ventured out in search of the Hippos, Crocs and birdlife of the estuary.
Justin - our guide.
A juvenile fish eagle swoops after the adult female with her eel catch.
"Goliath Heron...way over there!"
Justin takes them closer to the Goliath Heron
Now we know why it is called Goliath, it is massive!
Feeling the breeze from the Goliath herons wings.
Once more Adrian and Stephanie have decided that they’re not ready to leave South Africa yet.
Stephanie and Adrian try to paddle off into the sunset together.
But we caught them and brought them back!
Over so soon... can we go again please?!
Don’t worry you two, the estuary, the crocodiles, the hippos and the kayaks will still be here when you get back!
Missing a leg, Stephanie and Adrian finished their kayak unscathed...
Full Day Game Drive – again!
Adrian and Stephanie enjoyed yesterdays full day game drive so much that they’ve decided to go on another one!
They’ve clocked the Big 5 – but it would appear that’s not enough, they want to see a Cheetah in the wild and they want black rhino.
Good luck!
Well done Adrian!
Well done Adrian!
On todays game drive he spotted the first Lion, and before the game ranger!
That never happens!!
Be proud 
Elephants and Kitties to play with!
Today was a busy day!
The morning was spent tickling and feeding elephants…
Steph was so determined not to leave South Africa, she climbed in!
Unable to handle the extra wife, Adrian tries to convince Rambo (the elephant) to go to the pub for some male bonding
The afternoon was spent having a spot of lunch at Ilala Weavers (and shopping) and then a tour around a local township.
And then the last item on the days agenda is a bit of a hardship….
cuddling cheetah!!
Not quite sure what Kitten and co, will make of Stephanie and Adrians new pet...
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- Not quite sure what Kitten and co, will make of Stephanie and Adrians new pet...
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- Steph was so determined not to leave South Africa, she climbed in!
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- Unable to handle the extra wife, Adrian tries to convince Rambo (the elephant) to go to the pub for some male bonding
Category: Activities, Devost2012, Extreme Nature Tour /
Tags: african elephant, african safari, animals, big cats, cheetah rehabilitation, cuddle elephant, Elephant, elephant sanctuary, hluhluwe, KwaZulu Natal, nature tour, safari holiday, south africa, south african accommodation, south african cats
Walking with Rhino-saurs
It started off as just a normal drive...
Spot the rhino, its there in the background
...closer....
....closer....
...then the rhinos came closer...
...surely they won't get much closer....
...oh, ok then...
Steph and Adrian peek through the bushes at the Rhino mother (and large) Calf
