Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Zebra Hills Safari Lodge - Manyoni Private Game Reserve - Zululand

 

Manyoni Game Reserve – Zebra Hills Safari Lodge

There is really only one way that one may be assured of seeing a good selection of the high profile animals in the wild – now isn’t that what everyone really wants? This may only be achieved, when time is limited, by visiting a reasonably sized Private Game Reserve that has the Big 5, Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and the elusive leopard. Some have Cheetah and Wild Dog too. There are a few of these Game Reserves in the Zululand area, all offering slightly different accommodation and wildlife viewing experiences of the ‘Flagship species’.

There is a Private Game Reserve in Zululand that offers amongst the finest of general game viewing in Zululand, with reasonable rates for the accommodation and services. This is the Manyoni Private Game Reserve. This Game Park encompassing some 23,000 ha with only a few Private Lodges within its confines. All highly recommended. See www.zululandreservations.co.za

Just 3 hours from Durban just iff the N2 and some 4,5 hours from Johannesburg.

Let me expound on the experiences of one of them that my wife Lana and I have recently visited. 

A rare facility within these Private Game reserves is to have a Lodge where one may self-cater. Within the Manyoni Game Reserve there is a very excellent one available – presently in reduced form, as their Main Lodge was struck by lightning last year and was burnt to the ground. This is Zebra Hills Safari Lodge.

Thankfully their nearby ‘Homestead’ Lodge was not affected by the lightening storm, and is fully operational, offering guests a most luxurious, well appointed, value for money, selfcatering facility. This Homestead Lodge has 3 spacious, air conditioned double rooms,




 each with bathroom en suite, 


with two of these having an adjacent room for 2 children, furnished with bunk beds.



These children’s rooms each share their main room’s bathroom. There is a fourth twin room, also en suite as well, so this venue is able to cater for 8 adults and 4 children. 


Note however, that only a maximum of 10 people are allowed on the open game viewing vehicle.  There is a minimum charge for four adults per night at this venue, should your party consist of fewer persons.

The large air conditioned kitchen, dining and lounge area



 leads out onto a choice of seating options, with a swimming pool on the expansive deck.




The Lodge is set in a fenced area, making it relatively safe for children to play within these bounds. In this fenced area are some Nyala that prefer the safety of this area and have become particularly tame.




From here there are open views into the bush with a strategically placed water hole, where a parade of animals visit during the day. Appropriately splaced swing chairs for guest's enjoyment of this spectacle.


This Lodge is well appointed, with all necessary cooking and dining appliances,  utensils, cutlery and crockery, with barbecue / braai options to suite.  


A very competent cook is available to assist with the meals. She turned our meagre offerings into a gourmet treat. There are staff to service the accommodation, cleaning and the providing of the Boma fire too in the evening.

Now where this Lodge differs from the normal self-catering venues, is that guided game drives are included, late afternoons into the evenings and early mornings. One may not drive oneself within the game reserve except for access to the lodge. I have been visiting game reserves and various Lodges for many years, but I find that I enjoy and learn so much from these enthusiastic Wildlife Specialist Guides employed by the private Lodges. The owners of Zebra Hills Safai Lodge have selected and work with truly excellent staff.


On arrival, we were welcomed by the staff who quickly took our supplies and luggage to the kitchen and luxurious bedroom. What joy walking in through the sliding door from the stifling Bushveld heat, to the air conditioned comfort of out suite. Such a necessary luxury in mid-summer in Zululand.


Being a sole use venue, one is able to adjust meal and drive times (to a point) to suite ones selves. We opted to take our expert guide’s advice re early departures, to make the most of the best times of day for possible sightings and the light, for photographic advantage.

A major reason for the success one has with regards to the excellent sightings here, is that all the Game Reserve Lodges within the reserve, are in communication with one another, to advise on the whereabouts a particular sought after sighting that one guide has located, may be found. This is done very professionally, and in this game reserve, without a large queue of vehicles all rushing to see that special animal. This assistance and co-operation is vital, to maximise on the best viewing possibilities, particularly if one’s visit is of short duration. This, an advantage denied in the Provincial and National Parks. Limited off-road access to view high profile animals at close proximity, is also permitted in this game reserve. Guests are thus able to really view most of the Flagship wildlife in close proximity.



One does not have to go off road and only when absolutely necessary.


General game so abundant and easily viewed.




Provided one remains within the profile of the game viewing vehicle, the animals are not fazed and seemingly ignore the presence of the vehicle. From experience this is very different when one is on foot in the bushveld. The animals are seemingly comfortable and habituated to the close proximity of the vehicles, but quite the contrary with people walking.


The Rangers normally enquire of the guests whether there are any special request with regards sightings, be it the fauna, flora , avifauna or even the more unusual things. Most Rangers here are very competent, with a broad spectrum of knowledge. This adds so much value to the experience. Our guide at Zebra Hills Safari Lodge was most informative and enthusiastic, with ‘bush eyes’ second to none, finding photographic opportunities for Lana and I of our favourite animals and bird species.

A Tawny Eagle



Red-backed shrike


Black-crowned Tchagra


Our favourite LBR - aka Lilac-breasted Roller


A strikingly coloured Tawny Eagle

We are quite avid bird enthusiasts, with this reserve ofering a plethora of species. When it comes to species diversity it is difficult to beat Zululand and in particular this Manyoni Game Reserve. The density of the wildlife is to be admired - with the Park Management optimising on the environment.

Really abundant general game which includes giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, impala, nyala and kudu. There are chacma baboons, Vervet monkeys and in the evening drives one may get to see genet and bushbabies. The dams host hippo, crocodile, terrapin, frogs and fish.

Of the Big 5, leopard are very elusive and rarely seen here, although fairly abundant. There are some slightly unusual or other seldom seen animals in the reserve too, Brown and Spotted Hyena, Aardvark and other even more rare and threatened species.

A special place in the bush, made to suite those that prefer to cater for themselves, but with a degree of luxury, a hightened chance of seeing a wide diversity of the more special animals, with the support of enthusiastic staff to help make the most of the experience.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Bonamanzi Private Game Reserve

The manned entrance gate to Bonamanzi Game Park

The Bonamanzi Private Game Reserve is located in Zululand,  east of the N2 and south from Hluhluwe Town, with the Hluhluwe River as its eastern boundary.  This looking out over the False Bay section of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park's Lake St Lucia. This game reserve is 4000 hectares in size and hosts a wide diversity of wildlife. Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Wildebeest, Zebra, Giraffe, Warthog, Nyala, Impala, Kudu, Suni, Red and Grey duiker. Hippo and crocodile in the river and rarely seen Leopard and Hyena. It is regarded as one of the finest birding destinations in Zululand, if not South Africa. Imagine 29 bird species on the red data listing with a total count of some 408 species.

Pink-throated Twinspot

With its biodiversity of Sand Forest, Savanna, as well as Wetlands, Bonamanzi Game Park was proclaimed a World Heritage site in 1995. The density of wildlife is prolific with seemingly some animal appearing around every corner. A photographer’s dream destination.

Amongst the forest and waterways Bonamanzi offers a variety of accommodation, in clean, well appointed units.

Bonamanzi Game Park Reception

There is a central ‘Main Camp’ with reception, with the Lalapanzi accommodation units, 


 comfortably appointed 2 sleeper brick under thatch chalets with air-conditioning, along with the Lalapanzi Combo units that can interlead and have a communal kitchen,


 private shower and toilet en suite. There is a barfridge and TV.


The veranda has seating with views over the picturesque nearby lake.


 a large multi-functional conference centre, with nearby smaller  conference facilities




a viewing / functions room overlooking a large dam,


The versetile functions / viewing room with bar and kitchenette if needed

one section of this Lake-side structure is air-conditioned'





A special place for sundowners

 the restaurant 



Bar with terrace and comfortable chairs


Boma

and a swimming pool 


and child play centre. 


The restaurant offers three meals a day, and in my opinion exceeded their 3 star status with excellent quality and presentation of the dishes. There appeared enough diversity in choice to satisfy most palettes. Breakfast is buffet style with your choice of egg preparation.


I can recommend their well priced and generous luncheons too.


 On Saturday nights a Boma  braai dinner is offered with additional entertainment from local Zulu folk with their skilled dancing and singing. Enjoy the traditional experience!


There are numerous satellite Lodges, ‘Tree houses’ and camp sites within the Game Reserve. Mail us on reservations@africasafari.co.za for more information on these

Game Lodge - 10 sleeper

Expansive veranda, views and swimming pool



One of the Main bedrooms



The two large 'main' bedrooms are in the right-hand-side structure

Tree Lodge - 6 sleeper










Dinizulu Lodge - 6 sleeper







Nyala Lodge - 18 sleeper






Tree Houses 2 and 4 sleeper

2 sleeper self-catering Tree House





Bonamanzi is some 25 minutes drive from the northern Memorial Gate entrance to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. One is able to self-drive on the property or choose to go on a guided open vehicle game drive. There is the option too for their guides to take you to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park for a guided game drive in an open Safari vehicle, or drive yourself there.


This privately owned venue is well managed and has been continuously upgraded and maintained with Wi-Fi access and working utilities. The staff are particularly helpful and attentive.

Access to Bonamanzi Game Reserve is off the N2 on a short good gravel road and may be approached from the Bushlands glide off, or from the Hluhluwe town. Entrance is secured by an efficient gate guard access protocol.

There are a number of selfguided trails within the reserve and one may freely walk within the camp and accommodation units. One need always take care, but the elephant, rhino ands buffalo tend to keep to an area to the north of the game reserve, away from the public.

Bonamanzi Private Game Reserve offers possibly the most affordable good selfcatering accommodation in a real, reasonably sized wildlife environment, in the immediate Zululand area.

Photographs by Jeremy, Lana and Twane Williamson