Hluhluwe Game Reserve

We left at 6 a.m. this morning, before breakfast was even served at our hotel, but coffee and biscuits were available and we were given boxed breakfasts. We also had to have our suitcases ready to load onto the bus and we would be staying at a new hotel this evening.

Our first adventure of the day was at the Hluhluwe Game Reserve in South Africa, proclaimed to be the oldest nature reserve in Africa. It is 237,221 acres (960 sq. km) in area and contains all of the Big Five animals (elephant, black rhinoceros, cafe buffalo, lion, and leopard), though we only saw three of them, but also many other wild animals.

Safari Trucks

We took our game drive on safari trucks. Similar trucks were also used on other game drives that we took. Each truck held 12 passengers––13 if someone sat next to the driver. You can also drive your own car through the reserve. No walking, dogs, or motorcycles or bicycles are allowed as you or your dog could be attacked by a wild animal.

It was very cold when we started our game drive and it was made colder by the wind blowing into the open truck. I noticed some people not on our tour bundled up in warm winter coats, scarves, gloves, and blankets. They were well prepared. Later in the day, it can be very hot but you can then take off your winter clothes and just leave them in the truck.

Zebras

We saw many animals on our game drive such as these zebras. Some of the animals were far off the road and others close to the road. Our game driver was usually the one to spot the animals. You could go a long distance sometimes without spotting even one animal. When an animal or animals were spotted, the driver stopped and asked if we were ready to go on after we took our numerous photos of them. Since most people take game drives early in the morning and there are many people taking them, sometimes there were safari truck traffic jams as each truck tried to get the best view of the animals.

Giraffe–MOVIE

We saw a number of giraffes and I took a movie of this one.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Qi58LgdVB1o

Elephant–MOVIE

I also took a movie of this elephant.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/3Z3x8pMgGeA

Rhinos–MOVIE

And a movie of these rhinos.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/aUtd8jX3hLA

Impalas

We saw many impalas. Impalas are medium–sized antelopes. The game drive lasted several hours, and, on it, we saw kudus, impalas, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, a vulture, cape buffalo, and a crocodile.

I have put my photos of our game drive on a slideshow. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/hluhluwe–game–reserve/

(Slide Shows, Southern Africa, South Africa, “Hluhluwe Game Reserve”).

Swaziland

After finishing our game drive, we crossed the border between South Africa and Swaziland, where we would spend the night. Formerly a British protectorate from 1903 to 1967, Swaziland is now an absolute monarchy bordered by South Africa and Mozambique and is one of the smallest African countries. Its population is about 1.34 million, mostly ethnic Swazis, and has the lowest life expectancy in the world due to AIDS and tuberculous.

King Msuati III, Swazi King

Swaziland is ruled by King Msuati III, who became king when he turned 18 years old in 1986. He has now 15 wives and 25 children, with wife no. 1 and wife no. 2 chosen for him by the state. His father had 125 wives. Swazis are allowed as many wives as they can afford. Polygamy is also allowed in South Africa for tribal people. The current president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, a Zulu, has four wives.

Driving Through Swaziland

Driving past a village in Swaziland. Though not Zululand, it also has circular houses for cooking and ancestor worship.

Driving Through Swaziland

Sugarcane fields in Swaziland.

Swazi Candles

We stopped at the Swazi Candles store which sold colorful animal candles and other candles.

Handicraft Market

A large handicraft market was next to the Swazi Candles store. African souvenirs of all types were for sale. Swazi currency is the lilangeni but South African rand is accepted and they both have the same exchange rate to the U.S. dollar. A South African rand is worth 0.073 to the U.S. dollar, so 10 rand is worth 73 cents U.S. As the cost of most items are rounded–off, the rand is an easy currency to use and to figure out the cost of items. You seldom get change in coins.

Coming into Ezulwini

Coming into Ezulwini where we would spend the night. A very large American embassy is here. The area is being developed, including the building of a mega–star hotel by Dubai.

Happy Valley Hotel and Casino

We have arrived at our hotel for a one–night stay. Our hotel has a casino attached to it. I bet and lost only 100 rand (about $7.30U.S.).

I have put my photos of Swaziland on a slideshow. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/drive–through–swaziland/

(Slide Shows, Southern Africa, Swaziland, “Driving Through Swaziland”).