28 Lazy Days (1) iMfolozi & Hluhluwe*

[Toko]

Day 5 Hluhluwe

We took the Isivivaneni Loop heading to a picnic site.

View point no 15 is already close to the picnic spot.



This bull was not willing to leave the road and we did the park-wait-drive-another-100m-thing a couple of times. No way he would duck off - the roadside grasses were his favourite food and he took some morsels here and there, then walking again at slow pace.



Eventually he took the short cut down to the river




Maphumalo picnic site:


Dark-capped Bulbul






Golden-tailed Woodpecker


Spectacled Weaver

[Toko]

Day 5 Hilltop camp

We arrieved at Hilltop in the early afternoon, did some wine shopping and had a in the bar/restaurant which is a nice panoramic site to sit and watch some birdies.




Red-capped Robin Chat


Unidentified female Sunbird feeding on Cape Honeysuckle






Yellow-fronted Canary

[Toko]

Day 5 Hilltop camp

Time to do the check in procedure: 2 pm!

This is a pretty cone, I think of Encephalartos natalensis Natal Giant Cycad, Sharifa will check and report back soon






And a female Collared Sunbird in the gardens around the reception

[Toko]

Day 5 Hluhluwe

In the afternoon we did the Mansiya Loop, it's a lovely scenery with large fig trees figs on the river banks and some denser vergetation.



At the Nzimane river crossing a herd of elephants









There are some massive rocks between them and us, we can relax and watch them Good spot for an elephant encounter!

[Toko]

Day 5 Hluhluwe

Some birds in the Nzimane river bed








The rest of the loop was quiet, only some giraffe and antelope.

Another grey one on the way to the next picnic spot




A very strange looking sky




And Siwa-Samikhosikazi picnic spot for sundowners





Back in camp we get the braai fire going, put on the steaks and then sit on the balcony

These chalets gave the braai stand on the ugly side next to the parking spot and the balcony is on the side with the wilderness view, so not the best spot to sit next to a fire

(However - I got a glimps of a white-tailed mongoose when I picked up the meat )




Our personal house gecko was happy too, he had some nice catches

[Toko]

Thank you, Duke

[Toko]

Day 6 Hluhluwe

The next morning was misty when we left camp.




Scenery towards Memorial Gate



Some hills on the Magangasi Loop:



Black-crowned Tchagra

[Toko]

Day 6 Hluhluwe

Landscape around Magangasi

[Toko]

Day 6 Hluhluwe

Time for a picnic stop, so we headed for Maphumolo. Still rainy and then rain.


Cattle Egret at Sitezi


Ant nest made of plant fibres salivary glue high up in a tree.


Spectacled Weavers are often around for picnic.




Black-collared Barbet


Southern Boubou

[Toko]

Day 6 Hluhluwe

This nyala had to stretch






And while I was watching, this Egret was about to cross the road with his cow.



A lone trio marching on the road



They went off to the thick bush, heading for the river













Enjoying the rain!