Thursday 16th October 2008
Zululand Yachtclub
Richards Bay

Being tourists is fun but quite tiring! We drove to a Shakaland the other day which enabled us to see some of the countryside around Richards Bay. Many locals still live in small round houses with thatched roofs. Some people also have to carry water in 20litre drums in wheelbarrows. (Just like us yachties!) Some of the traditional houses have been replaced with small square houses made of concrete blocks and tin roofs. At Shakaland (where the movie Shaka Zulu was filmed) we enjoyed a great view over the hills and reservoir whilst eating a huge buffet lunch. We missed the Zulu dancing but got to see that later when the kitchen staff at Hilltop lodge Imfalozi entertained us at dinner.

Keen to see the African animals in the wild we drove ourselves to Hwulue Imfalozi Game reserve. (About an hour from Richards Bay) The first animal we saw was a white rhinocerous! This was very exciting as on our previous safari in Serengeti, Tanzania in 2002 the white rhinos were very rare. Later we saw lots of white rhinos in small groups very close to us. Seeing all the animals is such a thrill. The landscape is not unlike Australia but the diversity in wildlife is just amazing. Around almost every corner we saw something different - zebras, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeest, bucks, impala, kudu, baboons, monkeys, as well as many beautiful birds. We saw only one bull elephant in the distance and late on our last day we saw a hyena way in the distance eating a carcass. Large birds which didn't look like vultures were hanging about. We saw evidence of many elephants in the form of fresh poo and broken sticks/branches. We missed out on seeing lions but our friends saw a couple not far from our accommodation.

After being greeted by surly unfriendly reception staff at Hilltop camp we drove ourselves to our chalet. It was quite beautiful with views through the trees to the hills beyond. On our verandah just before sunset a female bushbuck and her baby came very close. The bush sounds were lovely and it was a very enjoyable place to stay.

We met up with friends Charmain and Mike (Virenord) who were also staying at Hilltop. We enjoyed a huge buffet dinner together and afterwards took our own group photo under a lion skin draped above the bar. (See photos)

We were very brave and walked though the wild bush imagining lions stalking us to a premade hide. The hide was overlooking a river valley but was very dry with very little water. As we munched on smelly French cheese from Reunion a family of warthogs wandered down to the waterhole. They kept sniffing the air no doubt wondering what the strange smell was! It was very peaceful there in the bamboo hide watching the animals. At a camp spot we did notice some tourists dressed in safari gear marching off into the wilderness accompanied by a guide with a big rifle. It really is African safari country! (They weren't wearing pith helmets however)

We are really enjoying South Africa and look forward to returning after out trip to Australia. We have made many friends at the yacht club and everyone is so helpful. We have visited the dentist due to our fillings falling out (must be all that rough sea) and were pleasantly surprised by how cheap it is here. (1/6 the price of Oz) A lovely South
African Indian dentist did a very professional job.

To all our friends and family in Australia - we hope to spend quality time with each of you! See you soon! To all our other followers out there - sorry but there wont be any Valiam adventures for 5 weeks! We are thinking of doing a road trip in Oz so if anything exciting happens we'll put it on the website. We promise not to put too many photos of our precious grandchildren!!!

Until next time
The captain and crew
S V Valiam