Page 300 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

298  THE EAST C O AST AND INTERIOR

astonishing diversity of wildlife. clouds, resulting in an average
The varied vegetation supports rainfall of 985 mm (38 inches)
large herds of nyala, impala, per year. In the dense woodland
wildebeest, kudu, zebra and and forests live red duiker,
buffalo, as well as elephant, bushbuck, nyala and samango
rhino, giraffe, lion, leopard, monkeys. Buffalo, zebra, white
hyena and cheetah. rhino and elephant can be
In 1958 a single male lion seen roaming the northeastern
suddenly appeared – possibly grasslands near Memorial Gate.
from the Kruger National Park Hilltop Camp, at an altitude
some 350 km (220 miles) to of 450 m (1,460 ft), offers
the north. Two lionesses were panoramic views over the
Southern bald ibis roosting site relocated from Kruger some time surrounding countryside and
in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve later, and their offspring have can accommodate up to 210
re-established prides throughout guests in its chalets. Facilities at
6 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi the park. What is unusual about the central complex include a
Game Reserve the reserve is the hilly terrain, restaurant, bar, shop, petrol
which provides great vantage station and swimming pool.
Road map F3. N2: Nyalazi Gate for points for viewing. A short trail through the
the Imfolozi sector and Memorial Nyalazi Gate, the park’s main adjoining forest is excellent
Gate for the Hluhluwe sector. entrance, is reached from the for bird-watching.
n Imfolozi office: 035 550 8476; N2 at Mtubatuba. It is a perfect
Hluhluwe office: 035 562 0848; starting point for exploring the
reservations: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife,
033 845 1000. Open Apr–Sep: park’s 220-km (138-mile) road
6am–6pm daily; Oct–Mar: 5am– network. Heading south, the
7pm daily. & 8 0 = route traverses open woodland
∑ kznwildlife.com before fording the Black Im folozi
River. Then it ascends to Mpila
An unspoiled wilderness of Camp, which has magni ficent
rolling hills, subtropical forest, views over the reserve.
acacia woodland and palm- A trio of exclusive reed-and-
fringed rivers, the 964-sq-km thatch rest camps on the banks
(372-sq-mile) park is world- of the Black Imfolozi, Sontuli,
renowned for its rhino Gqoyeni and Nselweni rivers
conservation programme. allow visitors to savour the
In 1895 two wildlife reserves, most secluded corners of this
Hluhluwe and Imfolozi, were wilderness. Game rangers
established to protect the last conduct game-viewing walks.
rhinos in South Africa. In the From Nyalazi Gate north, A female waterbuck at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
early 1950s a corridor of land the route follows a tarred road Game Reserve
between the two was added. that curves across rolling hills
The park was consolidated in teeming with wildlife. The 7 Ithala Game
1989, and is now the fourth- journey to Hluhluwe climbs a
largest in the country. One range of hills, 400 m (1,300 ft) Reserve
of Africa’s leading wildlife above the Hluhluwe River. Road map F3. Vryheid. R69 via Louws-
sanctuaries, it is home to an These hills trap moisture-laden burg, 50 km (31 miles) NE of Vryheid.
Tel 034 983 2540; reservations:
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, 033 845 1000.
Open Oct–Mar: 5am–7pm daily;
Apr–Sep: 6am–6pm daily. & 0
∑ kznwildlife.com
From the unhurried village
of Louwsburg on the R69, a
tarred road descends a steep
escarpment to the wilderness of
Ithala, a 296-sq-km (114-sq-mile)
tract of grassland with dramatic
mountain scenery and densely
wooded valleys.
The reserve was established in
1972 from previous farmland
and since then it has been
Hilltop Camp at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve stocked with large species of
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p389 and pp407–8

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