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

Mkuzi animals

There’s something deeply special about the animals of Mkuze Game Reserve. The reserve feels quieter and more intimate than many larger parks, and that gives encounters with wildlife an almost personal quality. One of the most unforgettable moments was a rhino walking right past the car — close enough to hear its breathing and feel the sheer presence of such an ancient, powerful animal. Around it, nyala slipped silently through the bush, hippos grunted across the pans at dusk, and birds filled the air with movement and sound. Mkuze has a way of slowing you down and drawing you into the living atmosphere of the wild.

Highlights

• Antony's amazing spotting skills. He also did a lot of the driving, allowing Jo and I to focus on taking photos.
• The amazing hides with awesome views of water holes and the pan, allowing you to get really close to the wildlife. Watching them come up to drink was a real thrill.
• An incredible hippo sighting at the picnic spot by the Insumo Pan. It was very close and we climbed onto a braai structure to get a really good view.
• Our first sighting of giraffe. They are Jo's favourite and her enthusiasm was so infectious.
• Our first rhino - an amazing sight as it walked right past our car, causing much excitement.
• The final morning at the Kumasinga Hide (described below).

Impala

Nyala

Burchell's zebra

Vervet monkey

Cape Skink

Final morning at Kumasinga hide

The final morning at the Kumasinga Hide was probably the greatest highlight of the entire trip. The early morning light was sublime. Wildebeest, nyala, zebra and warthog came to drink, creating incredible reflections. Then the doves by the waterhole started to become very skittish. And that's when we spotted them: 3 stunning lion!  One came towards the zebra with curious intent but they charged away. Baboons who were in a nearby tree went beserk, barking loudly. Then suddenly a boomslang emerged from the bank of the waterhole and with astonishing speed, tried to catch a frog. The whole experience was extraordinary!   One of the best wildlife experiences of my whole life.

Reptiles

Boomslang

Serrated Hinged Terrapin