Lana and I have a favoured private Safari Lodge in Zululand.
One, that is fully hosted and catered for, at a most affordable rate, with a
big bonus, it is situated in one of the finest Big 5 Game Reserves in Zululand.
This Lodge is set in a most beautiful place, nestled on the bank of the ephemeral Msunduzi River, shaded by ancient Sycamore Fig and Acacia trees, with the Fever Trees in profusion, their shining yellow powdered surfaces glowing in the various light of day, all surrounded by the Zululand Bushveld. With open access for numerous animals, some of the antelope and warthog choosing the deemed protection afforded by human habitation, to make this their home. A place I too could so easily call home.
The Manyoni Private Game Reserve is some 23,000 ha in
extent, it runs adjacent to the N2 National Road on the western side, from the
area of Mkuze town southwards, a magnificent part of Zululand bushveld and only
about 3 hour’s drive from Durban’s King Shaka Airport. I am sure Rider
Haggard’s writings were inspired by these rolling hills of Zululand.
The Rhino River Lodge.
There is the complex of 4 Deluxe chalets, each with air
conditioning, private shower and toilet en suite, a private balcony and well
appointed room, with a bar fridge and tea station.
Then two Family Loft Chalets, that have a double bedroom and an upstairs loft room sleeping two in single beds. These timber buildings, the original accommodation here.
An independent four sleeper Cottage as well as a six sleeper Homestead, hidden away from the main complex, with private outlook over the river. These also so necessarily air conditioned, each with their own private plunge pool, but still within easy walking distance of the Main Lodge dining and bar facilities.
The Homestead |
All these accommodation units are serviced by a comfortable lounge with sun deck, as well as another dining / bar unit with more deck area looking out to the river and riparian forest. These large thatch rooms are open on both sides and cooled by having high roofs and fans. This can be closed up in winter, with a central fireplace in the lounge to warm up at.
We were met by our enthusiastic Ranger who gave us a room and lodge procedure update, after assisting us with our luggage to our Deluxe suite. The car was parked fairly close to the chalets.
A delicious finger lunch was offered with the afternoon game drive scheduled for 16h30 departure,
giving time to appreciate the ambiance and numerous animals and birds within the Lodge grounds.
The lodge was almost fully booked, with nine guest on our vehicle, others on a second Game viewer. Just before departure staff arrived with chilled flasks of water, then into the bush our Ranger took us, in search of our quarry, whatever it might be. Most of the guests on the vehicle were in the wilds of the African bush for the first time. It is wise to book well in advance for such a special opportunity. This Lodge runs at high occupancy due to its popularity. You can see why! For the casual tourist without serious photographic equipment, by visiting such a Private Game Reserve, one is able to capture exciting, quality images, even on one's cell phone as per below.and soon to be released from their holding boma, the finest escape artists of the bush, the African Wild Dog, our Painted wolves, who are so adept at escaping the confines of the Manyoni Game Reserve. This lot were found in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park some 30 kms away, captured and returned, ending their previous escapade. They have a natural instinct to utilise a vast range, resulting in their and other’s frequent escapes, a habit severely impacting on their security and the vulnerability of wild dogs in general in Africa.
What a magnificent game reserve. This is particularly well managed, in co-operation with all the Lodges that share this special protected area. Since my previous visit the dams have been increased and enlarged, the road infrastructure vastly improved, some were totally unusable in the wet summers, with the Black Cotton Soil making them impassable. Now hardened and safe to use. The animals too have become far more numerous and well habituated to the game viewing vehicles. All this, as a result of Conservation minded farmers who decided to drop fences and unite into one efficient, diverse, conservation initiative. Then the relocation and introduction of key species, along with a variety of general game were reintroduced. There would have been a small nucleus of wild animals surviving amongst the cattle and crops, but the Big 5, along with some interesting animals such as Cheetah, the Wild dog, Pangolin and Brown Hyena were brought in. This all as a result of the support of various wildlife authorities and organisations. This support is ongoing, ensuring the strength and diversity of the various gene pools.
Our game drives in the Manyoni Game Reserve did not disappoint. On our vehicle was a family from Belgium who were fortunately advised to book Rhino River Lodge. On their 4 game drives of their two night stay, they were fortunate to see four of the big 5, and close too, Leopard eluded us, but this was expected. We had really good sightings of cheetah in compensation. Then a large variety of general game, from a ‘tower or two’ of Giraffe, herds of wildebeest, zebra, impala, kudu, nyala, warthog, baboon and the Wild Dog in the boma.
Then back to the Lodge in the dark, a spotlight seeking out more of the nocturnal species to marvel at. Rhino River Lodge normally use a different venue each night for dinner, adding to the experiences, should the weather be favourable, alfresco dining around a fire is a wonderful one. This was the set up for one of the evening firelit dinners before the 'action' started. Caught this preparation on my departure for the afternoon game drive.
Breakfast's didn't dissapoint either. Back from an exhilerating game drive, to freshly brewed coffee, some starters and of course, the Full English!
All photographs were taken on this visit of 2 nights to Rhino
River Lodge by Jeremy and Lana Williamson
Contact us on;
https://www.zululandreservations.co.za/Rhino_River_Reserve.asp