Tag Archive for Swaziland

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!

white Rhino in the bush - nature tour south africa

The Rhino tries to find his way to the water past the hippos, croc and elephants

bull elephant in swaziland

The elephant looks smug after seeing off that pesky Rhino!

crocodile extreme nature tour

The croc sunbathes on the sand waiting for an easy lunch

elephant family at waterhole

Once the coast was clear the whole elephant family came down to the water hole

hippo pillow extreme nature tour south africa

With one look the hippo tells the Rhino to stay away from their part of the water

Sulking Rhino at Swaziland

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!)

Walking with Rhino-saurs

It started off as just a normal drive...

Rhino

Spot the rhino, its there in the background

rhinocerous trail

...closer....

....closer....

south africa extreme nature tour rhino

...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

Swaziland here we come!

We had a feast last night, everything must go! Due to laws in Swaziland you are not allowed to take any food products into the country so we ate and drank until we were fit to burst!

Armed with coffee fresh from the percolator (Antons travel companion who was greatly admired by Adrian) we woke ourselves from sleep and Stephanie ate Stephanies concuction of Pineapple and fruit Yoghurt :)

We all crossed the border without a hitch and proceeded to our breakfast stop in Swaziland overlooking a small lake. Little crocodile and BIG fish! Not to mention a teeny tiny water monitor who was basking on the frame work below the veranda.

water monitor - extreme nature tour, south africa

It's a hard life for a little monitor

Redbishop extreme nature tour south africa

This redbishop was building a nest nearby to the restaurant.

Stephanie and Adrian Arrive

So, after an extremely long flight from Toronto to Vancouver, to Johannesburg, to Durban and then a 3 hour drive to Umkhumbi Lodge, Stephanie and Adrian were finally with us (and I thought my 18 hour flights were bad)!

After a shower and a quick nap for Stephanie (she made the mistake of lying down – ‘for just a second’) it was dinner and then straight to bed!

Today the tour began with a short commute to Amangwane Kosi Bay, an interpretive walk with Tommy around the area of Kosi Bay including a stop at the viewpoint.

This little agama was waiting outside Steph and Adrians reed chalet at Kosi bay

Viewpoint over Kosi Estuary and Mouth

"Want to try the custard apple...?"

....nope, doesn't look that appetising!

Then back to camp to refuel our tired, hot bodies.

Nothing recharges the weary traveller like an African sunset

Except may be a glass of wine as you relax…

Glass of wine, but still no relaxing for Stephanie, not just yet anyway!

But there is no time for relaxing as Stephanie swaps camera tips with Meera, another guest we have staying with us as Adrian wanders around camp to find a different sunset view from the rest of us.

Finally! Time to relax over Tommys awesome cooking!