Rhino & baby sighted on Game Drives ... more photos just in ... and now on walking trails!

A short update from expedition leader Tom:  

Wed: A superb day today! Started with a 0430 wake up call followed by a chilly open truck drive to the park. The early start however was well worthwhile, numerous species encountered, including: elephant, warthog, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, wild dog, bee eater, vulture, impala. 

On return from the park we had supper in the main lodge followed by an early night!

We head off on walking trails tomorrow.  

- Tom

Mother and baby photographed on today's game drive

Aaron tries out Hippo teeth on boat trip in St. Lucia Estuary earlier in the week

Expeditioners photo 

Hippos, Crocs, Buffalo, star-gazing ... and Warthog dissection make for exciting times in Africa!

Report received from expedition leader Tom:

Monday: Another fantastic day here in Africa! An early rise this morning was followed by a great boat trip round the St Lucia estuarine system*, hippo, crocs and numerous birds including the pied kingfisher and white pelican. Lunch at a local restaurant was followed by a bit of retail therapy in St. Lucia. The girls found a few necklaces whilst the boys got stuck into the biltong shop! We ventured out on a walking trail for a couple of hours encountering buffalo (the cantankerous old men of the bush due to their grumpy nature!), antelope, water buck and hippo, the whole group behaved flawlessly impressing both Tommy (our guide) and me! The crocodile centre put some 'flesh on the bones' of the croc sightings earlier in the day. Annabel reluctantly held a year old croc ... and enjoyed it! After trying to feed at least a few of the students to the waiting jaws we still left with a full bus.

After supper we took the team out on 'Bush Quiet Time' where each person sat for half an hour - in silence - with time for reflection, star-gazing and listening to the sounds of the African night. There were mixed reactions to this ... but everyone finished the night in high spirits.
 

Tuesday:  Another great day in Africa! Warthog dissection was eventful but all participated and no fainting, a quick dip in the pool before heading to a local market and the cheetah reserve where everyone had the chance to stroke a cheetah and interact with the Caracal Cat.

Wednesday: Early start tomorrow - up at 0530 for what we hope will be a very exciting game drive! - Tom

Note: Tom has tried to send more photos ... but unfortunately the internet connections are not good and we haven't received them yet ... will post new photos if/when we receive them). 

 

St Lucia Wetlands Reserve - Indian Ocean

Hippos in the St Lucia Estuary  as viewed from the boat

Need we say more ... the biggest population of hippos in South Africa is here in the St. Lucia Estuary.

St Lucia Town
- where the hippos have been known to walk down the main street at night on their way to and from the water.

Caracal at Cheetah & Cat Interaction Centre

... the spectacular African Southern Night Sky with the Milky Way clearly visible! 

and finally ... only in Africa! A sign you may find amusing ... or not! 

Tommy, the group's main ranger/guide at the Crocodile Centre

*Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park

South Africa's first Natural World Heritage Site and third largest park. Home to the country’s biggest population of hippopotamus, approximately 1,000 crocodiles and a wealth of plant and animal life. The park has 280km of near pristine coastline and comprises of 328,000 hectares of magnificent scenery. Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park encompasses an immense mosaic of habitats ranging from marine systems (coral reefs and beaches) and coastal forests (from salt and fresh water marshes to the open estuarine waters of Lake St Lucia itself from lush coastal plains to the drier woodland areas. There are over 500 different species of marine, wetland and forest birds. 

Up close and personal! Snakes, spiders and scorpions. Bush Walk and reflections round the campfire!

Expedition leader, Tom, shares with us some written thoughts and reflections from the guys as they sat round the campfire on Sunday evening:

"Since we've got here, we have many new, different views about our own lives. In the few days we have witnessed the poverty side of South Africa as well as the wealthy side. Seeing the way the people on the poverty side live can be so uplifting considering they have very little compared to what we have. Even a little wave can put a smile on their faces and then makes us mirror their happiness. This has impacted us greatly and has made us realise how much we take for granted back home and we will now respect (what we have) a lot more.

A photo taken on Sunday's Bush Walk

Recently we have visited a game reserve and witnessed wild animals in their natural habitat. The fact that we made the animal superior and respected the eco-system, has given us a more in-depth view on how important their existence is to us. A talk was given in the evening about poaching and the effects it will have on our heritage; this talk was so inspiring we want to spread the word." 

Up close ... and personal - expeditioner's photo

 Michael Kingscote reports:

Sunday was wet! In the morning Anton* gave the group a morning of instruction on snakes, scorpions and spiders (see expeditioner's snake photo above). 

Becky J, whilst shaking with anxiety, managed to hold many varieties in her hand and overcame her fears.

In the afternoon they went for a long bush walk and saw giraffe, warthog, grey duiker and zebra (see expeditioner's photo above). It was most enjoyable, despite the rain.

Today, Monday, it is off to St Lucia for a boat trip up the estuary to see hippos, crocs, perhaps an African Fish Eagle and other wildlife.

On a lighter note: Harry D, enthusiastically, challenged Tommy (the Guide) to a chilli eating competition … and lost! It was also Leader Tom’s birthday on Sunday and he was fêted accordingly!

*Anton and Emma Roberts are the owners of Umkhumbi Lodge with a passion for wildlife and conservation. Anton is a world-renowned expert on snakes and other reptiles and has been a guide and logistics expert for TV series’ such as Venom Hunter. At Umkhumbi Anton has a Gaboon adder breeding project, two king cobras, chameleons,  other reptiles, frogs, mantids (praying mantis), spiders and scorpions.

Umkhumbi has an abundance of birdlife and small game like nyala, grey duiker, red duiker and rare suni. Evening visits by bushbabies and genets are frequent in the camp. 

Now at St Lucia Wetlands Park and Albizia Camp at Umkhumbi Lodge ... ready to start their environmental awareness course

Michael Kingscote reports having just spoken with expedition leader Tom: 

Friday was the day that they visited Rorke’s Drift and learned about the 2nd/ 24th Foot’s gallant defeat of the Zulus and the awarding of 11 VC’s. This was an emotional day as the story comes alive when told on the actual battlefield site. Thereafter they went to visit the Bead Basket Factory and had a major Braai in the evening followed by 'Reggie's infamous Fireball hockey'. 

Saturday was a transfer day from the Zulu Battlefields to the St Lucia wetlands Park and Albizia Camp at Umkhumbi Lodge. Arriving just before dinner they settled in and are now preparing for their Environmental Awareness Course (EAC).

This morning the sun is shining, although it did rain in the night. The boys in the group were up well before Tommy (their very experienced and knowledgeable guide) and looking forward to starting their course.

Breakfast on first morning at Umkhumbi Lodge

Camp accommodation at Umkhumbi Lodge

The Lodge at Umkhumbi

View from the balcony of Umkhumbi Lodge