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THINGS TO DO / ACTIVITEITEN

SAFARI'S & GAME RESERVES

        


The Kruger National Park

Where the greatest diversity of wildlife in Africa can be experienced by travelling two and a half hours from Mvubu Falls, for the day; or for a few days, we can help you book to stay in a range of accommodation in the main restcamps which have chalets, cottages, bungalows tents and caravan and camp sites or bushveld camps, bush lodges and private safari lodges. These vary in price and style; from rustic to luxurious. 

Southern Kruger

The south is home to some of the most popular restcamps as the wildlife is prolific. The geology is staggering with huge boulders strewn across a densely vegetated landscape.
Central Kruger

The central region consists of extensive grassy plains that are interrupted by lush riverine vegetation along the Olifants and Letaba rivers.
Northern Kruger

This region is sheltered from all but the most intrepid traveller due to its remoteness. The area north of the Levuvhu River provides some of the best birding in Southern Africa.
Sabi Sand

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve lies to the south-west of the Kruger National Park. It is home to some of the continent's most elegant lodges. The game rangers ensure close encounters with the game.
Timbavati

Timbavati Private Game Reserve lies on the western boundary of the Kruger Park, forming part of the Kruger's lowveld ecosystem. Wildlife viewing is great, and the lodges here provide an alternative those in the Sabi Sand.
Kruger Surrounds

The Kruger surrounds comprise game reserves, for example - Royal Malewane, Thornybush and Makalali Game Reserve, that lie in the savannah regions bordering the Kruger National Park to the west.

Kruger National Park travel info

Ecosystems within the Kruger Park are highly varied. Six rivers feed the park - an area that encompasses an astonishing 16 vegetation zones including 1980 plant species and 300 tree species

Seasons
The best time to see game is during the winter months (April - September), as water is restricted to rivers and waterholes, where the wildlife congregates. Visibility is also good as the vegetation is less dense. Summer (October to March) is lovely due to the rains - everything is lush and green, and the birding is excellent. November and December are the calving months.

Wildlife
You should see: elephant, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog, lion, spotted hyaena, baboon, hippo, impala, kudu, vervet monkey, waterbuck, tsessebe, wildbeest, bushbaby, mongoose, duiker, steenbok, klipspringer, genet, bats.

You may see: leopard, wild dog, cheetah, roan antelope, sable antelope, bat-eared fox, rhino, honey badger, porcupine, rhebok, aardvark, aardwolf, civet, caracal, serval, suni.

Birds
You should see: vultures, owls, bee-eaters, rollers, eagles, bustards, hornbills, starlings, shrikes.
 


Mkhaya Private Game Reserve

Swaziland's Refuge for Endangered Species

In the southeast of Swaziland, the heart of the lowveld lies an unspoilt wilderness, haven to endangered species who roam the magnificent African bush.

For the animals that once roamed wild and free, uninhibited by fences and boundaries, they faced and still face an uncertain future with man’s compulsion toward maximum yield, poaching and ignorance toward nature conservation and protection of our natural heritage. These once abundant animals that could be seen for miles around were, and some still are, close to extinction. It became clear to the Reilly Family, Swaziland’s foremost nature conservationists, that these animals needed a place of refuge, and tranquility and the absence of menacing man and his gun, and Mkhaya was the perfect place.

Mkhaya is a model of sustainable land use with a unique conservation model. It is Swaziland's refuge for endangered species which includes pure bred indigenous Nguni cattle - which were close to extinction. The successful breeding of this rare bovine is mirrored in the other endangered species here including black and white rhino.

Mkhaya's terrain comprises of broadleaf sandveld and mixed acacia woodland with sections of pristine riverine vegetation along the shallow drainage lines.

Mkhaya lacks the commercialisation of some other game reserves and is the more sophisticated of the Kingdom’s safari destinations.

All game activities are guided and include drives in open land rovers and game walks with rangers. There is a special day tour for local residents and day visitors.
 


Mlilwane Game Reserve

An Outdoor Lover’s Paradise


Mlilwane, Swaziland’s pioneer conservation area, is a beautiful, secluded sanctuary situated in Swaziland’s “Valley of Heaven”, the Ezulwini Valley, in between Mbabane and Manzini. With 24-hour access to the Sanctuary, guests are free to enjoy the neighbouring tourist hubs of Ezulwini and Malkerns, with their many unique attractions and craft shops. From the western boundary, the huge Usutu Forest provides a dramatic backdrop stretching into the distant hills.

The Sanctuary covers 4,560 hectares and comprises of a southern and northern section. The southern section is predominately open grassland plains with middleveld vegetation, stretching up onto the striking Nyonyane Mountain with its exposed granite peak known as the "Rock of Execution". Nyonyane is where ancient San once lived and where Swazi Royal graves are situated giving historical significance. Behind these mountains, the stunning Mantenga waterfall and beautiful Usushwana Valley form the divide, before stretching up to northern section, which includes one of the highest surrounding points at Luphohlo. Tourist activities are concentrated in the southern section, with only guided trails entering the pristine mountains of the north.

Mlilwane means Little Fire, being derived from the numerous fires started by lightning strikes on the Mlilwane Hill. Many a colourful tale can be told about the Reilly family with special relevance to the early pioneer Mickey Reilly, whose family still manages and lives on the Sanctuary.


Hlane Game Reserve

In the vast bushveld expanse of eastern Swaziland where the hot African sun beats on the dry but life-giving soils; as it has for thousands of years, where the rumbling roars of the lions are heard in the cool dusky evenings, lies Swaziland’s largest protected area, Hlane Royal National Park, home to the largest herds of game in the Kingdom.

Hlane, named by King Sobhuza II, with its adjacent dispersal areas covers 30 000 hectares of Swazi bushveld, dominated by ancient hardwood vegetation. Hlane is home to lion, elephant and white rhino, with an abundant and diverse bird life, including the highest density of nesting white backed vultures in Africa.

A network of self-drive game-viewing roads criss-cross the park’s flat terrain, weaving between the 1000 year old hardwood vegetation and shallow pans which attract great herds of animals during the dry winter months. Guided walking safaris, mountain biking and game drives in Hlane's open Land Rover's are also available. Head for the bush and experience the sights and sounds of Hlane against the roar of Hlane’s magnificent lions – the symbol of royalty and the pride of Swaziland

 


Jozini Big 6 Game Reserve

The Lavumisa community trust, Lubombo development and management Ltd and Flexi Club are proud to announce the development of an  R1.8 billion (€247m) resort and game reserve in Lavumisa.

The development is situated on an 11,000 hectare property granted on a 99 year lease by His Majesty, King Mswati III of Swaziland. It incorporates the Swaziland portion of the Jozini Dam and is bordered to the West by a railway line and to the East by the Lubombo Mountains.

On the scale of Sun City in South Africa, this 'must see' transfrontier tourism development will offer regional and international visitors the unique combination of world class tiger fishing, a championship golf course and a big 5 game reserve.

Jozini Big 6 is planned to feature a tiger fishing village and marina, championship golf course, 900 individual golf and game lodges, a spa hotel and timeshare complex, golf hotel and conference centre, shopping centre, medical centre, boatyard, casino, landing strip and big five game reserve.

To be constructed in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the development is expected to employ no less than 8,000 construction workers over the four year construction period and thereafter directly provide more than 2,000 permanent jobs. It will also create a wide range of SME opportunities.

The Jozini Big 6 Game Resort will be project managed by Lubombo Development and Management Ltd in association with Flexi Club and the Club Leisure Group for the primary benefit of the Lavumisa Community, with 100% of profit distributed in perpetuity to the Lavumisa Community Trust, charities to be nominated by His Majesty, King Mswati III and other Swaziland NGO'S to be nominated.

The community of Lavumisa and its partners were very grateful to His Majesty, King Mswati III, the Ministry of Enterprise and Employment, the Ministry of Agriculture, SIPA and STA for their generous support in making this wonderful project work.


Hluhluwe & Imfolozi Game Reserves (South Africa)

Two hours south of Mvubu Falls, set in the heart of Zululand, the oldest game reserve in Africa where Zulu kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation laws, where today the "big five" of African legend stalk the verdant savannah. The Park became world renowned for its white rhino conservation.

Established in 1895 game viewing is the prime attraction. Viewing hides overlook pans and waterholes enabling visitors to see animals at close range.

Previously managed as two separate parks, the Hluhluwe (in the north) and Imfolozi (in the south) were joined into one large game reserve.

The Park covers some 96 000 hectares and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora.

The wide range of plant life in the park gives rise to a diversity of mammals, birdlife, reptiles and amphibians. The Big Five - lion, rhino (back & white) elephant, buffalo and leopard are all to be seen in the park, as well as a variety of other species, including cheetah, wild dog and giraffe. It is also one of the best places in the world to see nyala.

Hluhluwe is characterised by hilly topography, and this northen section of the park is noted for its wide variety of both bird and animal life.

Imfolozi, the southern component of the park lies west of the town of Mtubatuba. The region is generally hot in summer, and mild to cool in winter, although cold spells do occur.

Larger mammals to be seen include buffalo, blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant and large numbers of impala, waterbuck, common and mountain reedbuck, nyala, kudu, bushbuck, steenbuck, duiker, warthog, black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyaena and jackal.

In excess of 300 species of birds have been recorded.

Please Note Visitors pay a conservation fee of R70 per person per day (children 50%) replacing entry fees.

Activities
Auto trails:
Auto trails in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park are designed for the convenience of visitors who wish to discover the secrets of the bushveld from seclusion of their own vehicle.

Self-guided foot trails:
The Imfolozi section of the park has three self-guided foot trails. Guide books are available to help visitors interpret the many points of interest along these trails.

Day walks:
Short day walks of approximately two hours are conducted from Mpila and Hilltop Camps under the supervision of an experienced field ranger. These walks may be booked at reception in both camps.

Picnic sites:
Several sites with ablution and barbecue facilities are situated throughout the park.

Game drivers:
Open vehicle night and day drives provide unique opportunities of viewing game. A knowledgeable guide is at hand to answer questions . Booking is at reception on a first come first serve basis.

Boat Tours
There is a 40 seater boat on Hluhluwe dam which takes visitors on guided trips twice a day. (Please note the water level of the river is sometimes too low for boat trips)

Wilderness trails:
The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve is also famous for it's wilderness trails which originated in the Imfolozi section and its renowned Game Capture unit, a bench mark for animal capture and sustainable utilisation throughout Africa.