Gosandra travels round the world

Travel time: March - June 2007  |  by Sandra Goritschnig

South Africa: Zululand and Drakensberg

I didnt intend to stay in Durban more than one night and after some heavy springtides (up to 7m, caused by moon, winds etc, no tsunami but nearly so) the beaches were out of the question anyways.
I decided to head northeast to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game reserve, since people told me that it is much better than Kruger. well, I'll see! Getting there was a bit of a journey, since Bazbus didnt leave that day and I took one of the minibusses. At first I was a bit reluctant, but what the hell, I've done it before (I guess its more the "I havent really gotten into the proper backpacking mood/mentality again"). So, first I'm the only white person i can see far and wide, second the bus only leaves when full - now thats nothing new. so, basically i spent 3 hours waiting for the bus to leave and 3 hours for the drive to Hluhluwe. I guess I'm getting back in the mood!
I stayed at Isinkwe Bush lodge in Bushlands, very lovely, especially their pool is very inviting after a long day on the road. Luckily I met Jon, who was there with a rental car and so we made arrangements to go game viewing the next day. The park is really lovely, fairly small but with very many different ecosystems. Spotting animals was quite difficult but we saw loads of giraffes, zebras, rhinos, buffalos, antelopes and the odd elephants. still looking for my first lion or leopard.

papa rhino crossing the road, what a lucky shot!

papa rhino crossing the road, what a lucky shot!

dungbeetle, very important ecologically  very cute also

dungbeetle, very important ecologically very cute also

"authentic" Zulu life at the zulu village. must admit that I really fancied their shields!!!!

"authentic" Zulu life at the zulu village. must admit that I really fancied their shields!!!!

I only stayed there for a day and then went back to durban to head up north into the mountains, the majestic drakensbergs.
Again I hitched a ride, with Robert, who was also going to the Sani Lodge, the loveliest backpackers I've been so far (mainly because of the setting and the people i met there and the cosyness, can recommend!). We did the Sani Pass on a tour with 4x4s, its the third steepest mountain pass in the whole world and dirt road all the way. quite exhilarating! While there also visited the highest pub in Africa. A must!

Up the road to Lesotho! Sani Pass is the only way to get there from KwaZuluNatal

Up the road to Lesotho! Sani Pass is the only way to get there from KwaZuluNatal

they serve gluehwein! and apfelstrudel from austrian recipes! mmmhhh

they serve gluehwein! and apfelstrudel from austrian recipes! mmmhhh

I did hikes for three more days there, including one to look at lovely bushman's paintings (recommended viewing: "the gods must be crazy", south african movie on a lovley bushman chap. unfortunately the real bushman or San are long extinct....)

our group of hikers

our group of hikers

in front of 20000 year-old bushman paintings. the details are quite amazing

in front of 20000 year-old bushman paintings. the details are quite amazing

one of them nice waterfalls

one of them nice waterfalls

In the northern Drakensberg I went to stay at the Amphitheatre lodge, not as cozy and not as nice, but whatever. The Royal Natal Nationalpark there is also quite stunning, especially the Amphitheatre, a rockface with a 1000m drop and the second highest waterfall in the world. we went on top of it, and it is quite stunning (although the weather could have been better, as always).

the amphitheatre from far away

the amphitheatre from far away

looking down Tugela Falls, the second highest waterfalls in the world. not much water going down as you can see...

looking down Tugela Falls, the second highest waterfalls in the world. not much water going down as you can see...

climbing down the steep rocks on a chain ladder

climbing down the steep rocks on a chain ladder

You are here : Overview Africa South Africa Zululand and Drakensberg
The trip
 
Description:
Very exciting times ahead, I'm gonna do a trip around the world! Starting from London I'll do South Africa, Singapore and South East Asia, Newzealand and the North American West coast and back to London. Wow! I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences with you!
Details:
Start of journey: Mar 03, 2007
Duration: 4 months
End of journey: Jun 20, 2007
Travelled countries: South Africa
Singapore
Malaysia
Thailand
Cambodia
New Zealand
Canada
The Author
 
Sandra Goritschnig is an active author on break-fresh-ground. since 17 years.
Picture of author