South Africa – Bush,Beach,Battlefields and Berg
On arrival at Johannesburg airport, we went straight onto a connecting flight to Skukusa airport in the Kruger National Park. We were transported by open sided land cruiser with its tiered seats towards Tshokwane River camp our home for the next 3 days. On the drive towards camp we got our first sightings of the incredible animals of the Kruger national park and we viewed Elephants, Giraffe, Zebra and warthogs to name just a few who were grazing alongside the road. The Tshokwane river camp is part of Untamed Kruger camps and we had a central tented meeting and eating area and our own luxury tent each with a comfortable bed and a shower where the water came from the fire heating the water which was added to a bucket suspended above the shower in the tent. We had an early 5am wake up call for a sunrise game drive with our knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide and driver who was constantly updating us on the sighting of the animals and birds as well as the wonderful landscape surrounding us. We stopped for breakfast at Orpen Dam lookout with the view of the river where a family of hippos were wallowing in the shallows while crocodiles basked in the sun and lurked in the water.
During the day as guests of the South Africa tourist board we spoke with representatives of each of the regions of South Africa and heard a talented choir who sang and danced traditional songs. The twilight game drive involved us tracking the path of lions and sure enough we watched a Lioness and her cubs. Returning to camp and dinner we heard fire side stories from some of the guides and rangers who shared their experience of growing up in this landscape and how they learnt the tracking skills of the bush. It was time to leave Tshokwane camp and Kruger national park as we travelled to Mpumalanga airport and our connecting flight to Durban. On arrival we met Pilha a Zulu woman who would be our coach guide as we travelled around the province of KwaZulu Natal and she told us all about the history and traditions of Zululand.
That night we stayed at Sala beach house on the Indian ocean coast at Ballito just north of Durban. Sala Beach house is a small and beautiful boutique hotel and it was a real luxury to have an indoor shower and have a wonderful view of the Indian ocean. That evening we visit the Oyster box in Durban an iconic colonial hotel part of the Red Carnation hotel group. We had dinner at this wonderful hotel and the curry night was top notch.
The next day we travelled to Babanango Game reserve and stayed at Valley lodge which is set on the Umfolozi river in KwaZulu Natal. The reserve stretches over 22 hectares and we spotted free roaming Buffalo, giraffe and zebras as well as the highlight of seeing my first rhino and a female cheetah and her 5 young cubs. Valley lodge and its 2 sister lodges Zulu Rock lodge and Matatane Camp offer luxurious accommodation and excellent dinner and breakfast.
The following day we travelled into the heart of Zululand as we arrived at Fugitives Drift Lodge at Rorkes Drift. In the afternoon we attended the Rorkes drift battlefield tour at the sight of the battle of Rorkes drift that took place on 22nd January 1879 and was immortalised in the film Zulu with a young Michael Caine. The next day we visited the battlefield of Isandlwana where it could be argued the greatest defeat of the British Empire took place. Both tours were incredibly powerful and moving accounts of the bravery and sacrifice of both the British and Zulu people. We stayed at Fugitives Drift lodge which has lovely lodge accommodation which overlooks the battlefield of Isandlwana in a tranquil oasis to stay at.
The final part of our journey was to travel from Fugitives drift to North Drakensberg where the mountains rise up to 3000 meters and where we stayed at Montusi mountain lodge. The scenery here is incredible and we hiked to some nearby caves and saw some of the rock art painted by the San bush people hundreds of years ago. The accommodation was in individual thatched cottages which were beautiful.
The following morning, we left for our journey home towards Johannesburg and the flight to London. South Africa is truly and awesome and wonderful country which is so diverse in every way. I loved visiting South Africa and hope to return soon, and I would encourage you to go there.
