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Showing posts with label elephant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label elephant. Show all posts

May 12, 2026

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi animals

The wildlife in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park was outstanding, with some incredibly close encounters that really stay with you. We saw a large number of rhino throughout the park, often surprisingly close to the road, which was a real privilege given how threatened they are. The elephants were just as memorable — huge animals appearing quietly out of the bush and sometimes passing very near the car, giving a real sense of their size and presence.

There was also constant activity everywhere we drove. Warthogs trotted along the roadside with their tails sticking upright, baboons and monkeys gathered around the hills and picnic areas, and giraffe and zebra seemed perfectly suited to the rolling landscape. One of the highlights was seeing wild dogs, which always feels special given how rare they are. The park had that wonderful feeling that around almost every corner there could be another memorable sighting waiting.





































Beautiful art at the Hilltop Camp

September 19, 2023

Exploring Chitwan National Park from Tiger Tops

We spent an idyllic 3 days at Tiger Tops, a $600 per night lodge (for free) where we created lessons for Upschool on elephants and rhinos. Activities included walks in the jungle, accompanied by an elephant and a mahout, and two jeep safaris.  Getting close to elephants and even getting to stroke their trunks was an absolutely sublime experience. The other highlight was the rhino.  We had a rhino come right up to us (rather threateningly!) during our jungle walk and we also got to photograph a rhino mum and its youngster. We were treated like kings during our stay and the food was out of this world.


Up-close and personal with elephants







Walking in the jungle





Jeep safari







Spotted deer


Tracks


Birds we saw

Peafowl

White-throated Kingfisher

Oriental Magpie Robin



A rhino and its baby








A rhino comes up very close on a walking safari





Elephants by the river














Sunset drinks by the river







Food fit for a king





Visiting a local festival




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