Travel Snippets from Kruger, Swazi & KZN (4) *

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Day 15: Mkhuze Game Reserve

uMkhuze Game Reserve is located east of the Lembobo Mountains on the Zululand Coastal Plain and is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. It was proclaimed in 1912 and its size today is some 40,000 hectares. The Mkuzi River enters the reserve in the north-western corner and forms the boundary there. uMkuzhe has diverse habitats: riverine forest, open savannah bushveld, thicket, flood plains and seasonal pans.
The reserve is home to larger game and over 400 bird species.



From Mshopi Gate to Mantuma Camp






The Safari Tents offer some bush feeling (not fenced) and here the first visitors



Crested Guineafowls

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Day 15: Mkhuze Game Reserve

After lunch we went to Nsumo Pan





Red-crested Korhaan


African Spoonbill

... with Glossy Ibis






At Nsumo picnic spot wonderful Fevertrees








At the hide

Common Sandpiper (Thanks Dewi )

Openbill

[Toko]

Day 15: Mkhuze Game Reserve

We took one of the inner roads through the sand forest back towards Mantuma camp.

Hey stop, we are being overtaken by a Rhino!



We stopped and so did the Rhino. For half a minute we could see it. The Black Rhino is standing frozen and we can hear him snorting.

We know somehow instinctively, that the bull is going to charge and this is not the road to pull off, too bumpy so we have to accept our fate






.. he ran towards us for a close-up


and did not hit the car


Time for sundowners





and on the Beacon Road a White Rhino, peacefully grazing

[Toko]

Day 16: Mkhuze Game Reserve

Next morning: We had breakfast observed by the young Nyala




and took a slow drive
























and found our first Wild Dogs on the Loop road

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Day 16: Mkhuze Game Reserve

Back in Camp around the reception

Impala waiting for her turn do drink

Purple-crested Turaco comes first










Some more Impala around







Purple Aloe (might be Aloe spicata under drought stress )


And some Helmeted Guineafowl on the road

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Day 16: Mkhuze Game Reserve

-O We drove through the camp to get the north eastern roads



Nothing to see on the Kumahla Loop

But at least I captured a Red Duiker (saw lots, but they don't cooperate when you ask them to stand still for half a minute )




Another little detour along the Sand Forest on the oBhangalala Road was a good idea

-O another graceful mini antelope , but not a masterpiece of wildlife photography

[Toko]

Day 16: Mkhuze Game Reserve

Our personal Tent Attendant


















These ones making lots of noise






And the ladies popped in as well








Lunch break

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Day 16: Mkhuze Game Reserve

In the afternoon we were off again to the Sand Forest on a mission to find another Suni -O

But no luck this time

Red-crested Korhaan.

Common Duiker



and a breeding herd of Ellies crossing the road, but to far ahead for a and they disappeared in the thick bush

[Toko]

Day 16: Mkhuze Game Reserve

Nsumo Pan

Paradise Flycatcher hiding



Spur-winged Geese

Jacana in a hurry




















There were Pelicans galore on the far side of the pan, too distant for a photo -O

[Toko]

Day 16: Mkhuze Game Reserve

End of the day