Reefs, Rhinos and Turtles: Umfolozi & Maputuland

with Bhejane, Weg and Go!

29 November 2010 to 4 December 2010

Duration:  6 days, 5 nights

Cost:  R7 500 per person.  Children under 10 pay 50%.  Single supplement charge of an additional 30%.

The cost includes all meals, accommodation and activities.  Fuel, vehicle, all drinks and snacks are not included in the cost.

The Adventure

Hundreds of years ago, the great King Shaka of the Zulu nation, set aside a piece of land to be used as his private hunting ground. Little did he know that his actions would save Africa's second largest land mammal from extinction. Today, Bhejane Adventures allows you the opportunity to visit this haven of the White and Black rhino and the oldest game reserve in Africa. An added bonus is that your guide, Frank Carlisle, worked in Umfolozi Game Reserve as a Trails Officer and protector of the rhino for a number of years.

King Shaka's territory extended to his coastal lands and we will follow in his footsteps to explore the tropical reefs, forested dunes and discover the rhino's coastal cousin - the leatherback turtles on the Kozi Bay coast.

Bring your family, your leisure vehicle and join Frank and the Bhejane team who will unlock some of the secrets of how these prehistoric beasts live and prosper in the home of King Shaka.

The team

Your tour leader, Frank is a highly skilled tour guide with extensive experience in tour guiding, 4x4 driver training and interpretation of the local environment. He also has extensive training as a game ranger with expert knowledge in wildlife conservation, guided walks and tours. Bhejane’s trusty bush chef and crew will be close on hand at all times to ensure that your comfort and culinary needs are met.

Adventure itinerary

Day 1:

We meet at Ulundi at 10h00 and then make our way into the heart of the great Zulu empire. At Ulundi, each vehicle will be issued with a hand-held 2-way radio, which allows constant inter-vehicle communication.

Our route takes us from tar to gravel before we enter Umfolozi Game Reserve. This is not difficult driving but ground clearance is necessary. Frank will be passing on snippets of information over the radio along the way. We are constantly on the lookout for game and arrive at our safari style luxury tent camp in the late afternoon.

We unpack and settle down for the most beautiful time of day in the African bushveld – sunset. Animals are able to move freely through the unfenced camp and, although it is not dangerous, we are careful. Bedding and towels are provided and accommodation is for two people sharing.

Our chef will provide scrumptious venison stew for supper, which we enjoy in the lounge or on the veranda of the camp, listening to the night sounds.

Day 2:

After a good night’s rest we wake for a very early start. Frank and one of his former Zulu colleagues will take you on a guided interpretive walk in the Umfolozi wilderness area. Keeping an eye out for the ‘big five’, we tread lightly and quietly. Along the way we will discuss the Zulu history, look at game tracks and enjoy getting in touch with nature. Frank will share the unique story of rhino protection in the park, game capture and lion darting. For the birders, the reserve’s 360 species will keep you busy.

After the walk we return to camp for brunch and a rest. In the afternoon we head out in our vehicles to visit the KZN Wildlife Game Capture and Centenary Center. We will come away, from a visit to this center, better informed and more appreciative of the contribution made by KZN Wildlife to the worlds black and white rhino population.

In the late afternoon we drive into the quieter western section of the park, formerly managed by Frank during his term as a section ranger in the park. We stop for a sundowner en route and allow Mother Nature to reveal many of her mysteries.

We return to the camp for supper and well-deserved rest.

Day 3:

After breakfast, we pack up and leave Umfolozi Game Reserve, driving via the Hluhluwe section of the park. We refuel in Hluhluwe town in readiness for the road north to the warm, tropical Maputuland coast, north of Sodwana Bay. Here we take a sandy, two-spoor track in the coastal dune, having obtained special permits for this.

Our route takes us almost onto the beach at Nine Mile Reef and Rocktail Bay. We travel along the banks of Lake Sibiya, South Africa’s largest fresh water lake, where swimming is unfortunately a no-go. There are simply too many crocodiles and hippos. The Indian Ocean however, provides a welcome swimming alternative.

In the late afternoon we arrive at Kozi Bay where we will spend the next three nights in luxury safari tent accommodation. All tents have en suite bathrooms and our private camp has its own swimming pool, lounge and kitchen.

Day 4:

We visit the Kozi Bay system’s mouth to the sea, a few kilometers south of the Mozambique border.

Weather permitting; we will snorkel in the Lake’s mouth, exploring the unique and incredibly beautiful coral reefs and tropical marine life. While having our picnic lunch, we will watch the local fishermen tend their fish traps, a traditional and timeless method of fishing handed down from one generation to the next.

We head back to our chalets in the later afternoon along the same two-spoor track.

After a very early dinner, we board a big boat just below the lodge, and make our way across the Kozi lake system to the dunes. A short walk over the dunes brings us onto the Banganek coast. Armed with headlamps and ready for some walking, we head down the beach until we find the tracks of an incoming turtle. Our guides, with the right timing, will then allow us to approach the egg-laying turtle. This is a truly unique experience and one that will never be forgotten.

Satisfied, but slightly weary, we make our way back to the lodge via our boat and dune walk, for a good rest.

Day 5:

After a sleep in and hearty breakfast, we make our way to Tembe Elephant Park, winding our way through thick bush, stopping at waterholes and hopefully finding the elusive gentle giants, the Maputuland elephants, for which this reserve is known. There is also a strong chance of finding black rhino, as well as a multitude of other game species. Birders will delight in the multitude of birds to be found here.

We have a picnic lunch and then head back to our camp to end our experience with a wonderful sundowner cruise on the Kozi Bay lake system. We will be serenaded by hippos and make our way back to our camp for our last bush supper together.

Day 6:

After breakfast, it’s sadly time to pack up, say our goodbyes and head home to prepare for a new adventure.