Zulu

We are in the heart of Zulu lands. We visited a small Zulu village close to our accommodation. It did cater for tourists but still provided an insight into traditional Zulu ways. The Zulu Nation is the largest of the South African tribes and were the most feared of the warriors.

                                             We are welcomed into the village.

                                      The entire village took part in demonstrating Zulu life.

Men can take as many wives as they can manage and afford. Price about 10 cows!

                                                                  Making spears.

                                                Making shields. Some are ceremonial wedding shields.

                                                                    Zulu pots.

                         Robert pretending to be interested in the pots. The hat on the lady on the left indicates that she is married. It is left on at all times. The other is unmarried and waiting for an offer of cows. They have the right to decline as it is a dowry not a price!

                                          Rob and Gail check out the real estate.

                                  Stick fighting. This is a popular sport for the warriors.

                                                     The men were excellent dancers

                                                      Gail with the lead dancer.

Hluhluwe Game Reserve

We had a morning at the famous game reserve where big 5 sightings are common. We only managed 3 but got very wet in the process. There is not much protection in an open 4WD.
This is best known for its White Rhino breeding and these are often sent to restock other parks and reserves. Recently they lost a significant number to poachers.They simply shoot any poachers but it goes on.

                                              A White Rhino...yes we know that it is black!

                                 The Zebras were drinking the water that collected on the road. We also saw Giraffes and lots of different antelope.

                                       A Leopard Tortoise. Each of the big 5 also have a small 5 equivalent. It was too wet to get out to look for a Rhinoceros beetle!

                                                We saw several huge herds of Buffalo.

                                                                Buffalo traffic jam.

                                       Our only lion today. Over on a far hillside.

We were wet and cold so were not too disappointed when we moved on.

Hippos of St Lucia

We drove to the Southern boundary of Swaziland passing through the more modern town of Manzini. There were still many traditional houses and lots of open countryside.

                              The traditional Rondavels with a new house to the side.

We stopped off for lunch at our new hotel in Hluhluwe , a small town in Northern KwaZulu-Natal and then on to Lake St Lucia on the tidal estuary. It is currently closed to the sea but has many crocodiles and Bull sharks as well as a huge hippo population.

The weather turned cold and rain made for a less than perfect cruise but we were not short on hippo sightings! Some of our one million hippo photos:

                                       But first Gail waiting for the boat prior to the rain.

                                      They are vegetarians but have a big mouth and big teeth!

                                             We saw lots of large family groups.

As the sun set the hippos started to exit the river for at night they graze on the grasses on the land.

Swaziland Siyanemukela

After our Kruger visit we have turned south and travelled down via Swaziland. We crossed the double border crossing walking across the No Man's Land between. We did receive a very cursory check and a welcome!

Swaziland has a much lower standard of living than South Africa. It is a small land locked country. There was little sign of industry except for a large sawmill and some agriculture. Houses were still traditional or a combination of old and new on the same site. The old Rondavels for the Grandparents and Western style for younger generations.

We visited a glass manufacturing business supported mainly by tourists and a market.

                                                          At the glass shop.

We drove through the two largest towns. This is the National Parliament. Swaziland is a Kingdom but has an elected parliament. The towns were small and sprawling.

Gail at the markets.

Rob found this delightful coupling of Warthogs.

More of Kruger's Wildlife.

Another early start and we had high hopes to spot a Leopard the last of the 5.

                                                 Sun rise as we enter the park.

Today we saw lots of Zebra. Often shy..those that are not have been eaten by lions!

                                           The dominant male is very protective of the herd.

The hightight of the day. Mother and a 2 or 3 day old baby walked across in front of us. Wonderful.

                                              Another little hyena pup hiding in a culvert.

Another White Rhino. It is the same colour but has been in a light clay bath. Great for the skin!

                                                 Mr Baboon.

                                  We have been served Kudu steaks! Commercially raised !

                                 
                                                            Another Giraffe.

The Yellow beaked hornbill. The locals call it a " Flying Banana"

We watched a very interest saga played out in front of us. A large group of Impala and various antelope were drinking at a waterhole. Along came three hyenas and the others quickly departed.They in turn were chased away by a herd of elephants and eventually the first group returned.

                                        The Impala and Wart Hogs regain the watering hole.

Still no Leopard at our lunch break..then across the river we spotted a Leopard.  Number 5 at last!

                                          We have better photos that we will share later.

We managed to see lots of new species and had great viewing.