Beyond Zulu Nyala

Our stay at Zulu Nyala included 2 game drives a day but given the size of the reserve (4,500 acres) you can see most of the property in 3 days, so groups often take excursions to see other things in the area. The South African government sets the rules for the types of animals and number of those animals based upon the size of the preserve to ensure the preserve can sustain the animals without depleting all the preserve resources. Due to its size, Zulu Nyala is a Big 4 game preserve (elephants, buffalo, rhinos and leopards)…it’s a little too small for lions because they require a lot of space. One of the excursions our group decided on was a trip to a nearby public park called Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park which is a Big 5 park and is also the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa (started in 1895). Interesting fact: every rhino in South Africa can trace its genetics back to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park thanks to Ian Player and Operation Rhino. In the 1960’s when the rhino was on the verge of extinction, Ian Player formed Operation Rhino to repopulate the rhino species.  The program was so successful the park had so many rhinos they shared them with all the parks and reserves in South Africa.  For the golfers out there, Ian’s brother is Gary Player.

As a public park, it is similar to the national parks in the US…you pay an entry fee and then you are on your own to explore. Leigh actually works at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park during the summer (our winter) and Zulu Nyala during the winter so we had an insider tour of the property. We often encountered others in their private vehicles doing it on their own and I cannot imagine trying to navigate the 500,000 acres of Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park and not to mention knowing what some of the animals are and where they tend to be or the very rugged roads at times.

 

Game drives are more about patience (those of you that know me well, are probably laughing at the thought of me having patience!) and luck as there is no way to predict where specific animals may be at any particular moment. Leigh heard from another ranger about one of the lionesses being spotted the day before our visit so we tracked her all the way to a path into the bush but unfortunately because it is a public park, we could not off road like we can at Zulu Nyala. Even though we did not find her, it was fun to track her and learn the signs Leigh looks for when tracking. 

While looking for the lioness, we came across elephants in the river. Leigh said it was actually his favorite spot in the park but unfortunately due to the river washing out the road, we could not get up close and personal but was had a fabulous view on the hill above the river. 

The warthogs at Zulu Nyala are not as accustomed to cars so they tend to run away when they hear us but the ones at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park are used to all the visitors and were unfazed by us which allowed for some good photo ops. One of the little guys had a hole in his bum from a rhino.

  

The Cape Buffalo were out and about as well. These guys are definitely a little intimidating with their big horns and brooding look. 

Smango and Vervet monkeys were entertaining. So cute watching them groom each other. 

Zebras were all over the place as well.  We came across one group and Leigh pointed out that one of the ladies had scars from where a lion had tried to attack her.  Did you know the only way to tell a male from a female zebra is by the thickness of the black line in their bum?  As you can see from this one, the line under the tail is pretty wide…that indicates it is a female as the black covers up her girly parts.  Also, the proper pronunciation of the animal is “zeh-bruh”…it is not “zee-bra”.

We saw a lot of Impala and it did make it a little hard to eat it the night it was on the menu.  Not gonna lie, it was pretty tasty.

White Back Vulture

Starling

While there are crocs and hippos at Zulu Nyala, they are not always easy to find so our group headed to St. Lucia to do a river cruise in hopes of seeing hippos and crocs. The trip did not disappoint as we saw a few crocs and a lot of hippos and a few other wildlife. 

The African Darter

Nile Monitor

While having lunch in St. Lucia, we spotted this little guy just wandering the streets! We also so vervet monkeys hanging around town. This is definitely a place where you have to be on your toes while roaming the streets as hippos frequently are on the streets!

Our final stop of the day was the beach at St. Lucia.  Very proud of LuLu for stepping out of her comfort zone and stepping into the Indian Ocean! I wish I had a picture of her face when the cold water (72 degrees) hit her feet 🤣