We were very lucky to see a leopard killing an impala. It is so rare to see ... we were absolutely awestruck. We saw the leopard dragging its prey to a tree but it didn't drag it up the tree. I don't know if we scared it off or what, but it then left the impala there and disappeared. It all happened quite fast.
| Which safari company did you travel with? |
We live not too far from the park and visit Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park in KwaZulu Natal fairly regularly. This time we visited for 2 days on a self-drive basis.
| Where did you stay? |
We didn't overnight in the park itself. St Lucia town is nearby and we stayed in a self-catering flat there. It works out quite a bit cheaper than staying in the park itself ... important if you're on a budget!
There are about 10 camps in the park, ranging from self-catering bungalows to luxury lodges but no camping facilities.
| How was the weather? |
It was pleasant. We didn't get any rain during the two days but yet it was a bit overcast most of the time.
| What wildlife did you see? |
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is a "big 5" reserve which means the elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo can be found apart from all the other game like antelope, warthogs and more.
On this specific trip we didn't get to see any rhino (the park is famous for its excellent work on saving the white rhino a few decades ago).
A fantastic sighting was of two cheetahs. They walked right by the road and we got the chance to get a good look at them. They are such beautiful cats.
Apart from this highlight, we also saw the "usual" - warthog, antelope and the like.
| Describe a typical day of your Hluhluwe safari from the moment you woke up until you went to bed. |
The gates to the park open at 6am, so we got up early to ensure that we reached the gates about 5 minutes prior to that. We wanted to enter the park as soon as the gates opened to get the maximum game viewing time.
You can buy a map at the entrance gate so it is really easy to go on a self-drive safari at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
The roads are in good condition and well marked. The routes are beautiful and there are some lookout points and hides to enjoy.
| Can you offer any tips and advice to others planning a visit to the park or any safari? |
Definitely bring a camera and video camera, both if you have them! We didn't have any with us on that weekend and were very disappointed that we couldn't record our great sightings. You just never know what you're going to see and should always be prepared.
More about wildlife photography »
| How would you rate your safari, on a scale of 1 to 10? |
9.
| Safari Location: | South Africa: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, KZN |
| Safari Company Used: | Self-drive |
| Duration: | 2 days, October |
| Traveller Details: | Lizette Pieters, South Africa |
| Rates & Availability: | Plan your own safari. Make a Hluhluwe enquiry |
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