Fast and Furryous

Saturday we engaged in a completely different Safari experience. To explain, you must know that Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park consists of two interconnected parks – hence the double barrel name. Having spent much more time in Hluhluwe, we decided to visit the Imfolozi side this weekend. There, the terrain is slightly flatter and the bush is less dense. This is meant to make it easier to spot cats.

Unfortunately, we arrived later than planned at the park. Getting through the gate at 1700, we had to exit by 1900 or face a fine. We calculated this allowed us one hour smoking out animals on the Imfolozi side. We would then make the journey across to our accommodation (just outside the park on the Hluhluwe side). The guide at the gate told us that our plan was entirely feasible.

But she was wrong. Only after turning for Hluhluwe did we calculate the distance versus the speed limit – 40km/h. At 1830, we still had 30 kms to travel. And so we had a dilemma. Pay a fine or go faster. For any Kwa-Zulu Natal wildlife inspectors reading the blog, please stop now.

For we did not opt to pay the fine. Instead, we drove at slightly faster than 40 km/h. Not a lot faster. But the light was fading fast. And lots of the nocturnal wildlife began to seek out the warmth of the tarmac.

The consequence was a truly exhilarating experience. As I raced up and down and round and round the windy bumpy roads, Mary navigated. While also pointing out the animals whizzing past on right and left. (Read the following very fast to recreate the experience.) ‘Take the road to the left, zebra, impala with baby, rhino lying down, 5 km to the, lots of impala, watch out one on the road, well missed, think of how many dung beetles we are killing, whoa look a hyena.’ This continued for half an hour.

Fortunately, dung beetles were our only likely road kill (though they themselves are quite a fragile species; in fact there are 350 species of dung beetle; and I like them very much; so hopefully most managed to take evasive action). Our nearest misses on the road were two impala. Not the most precious of the parks wildlife. Indeed the wildlife management of the park sometimes have to cull the population to keep a sustainable population. However, I’m not sure they do this by driving round fast at night in Ford Fiestas.

Thankfully, the ultimate conundrum did not present itself. Again we saw no leopard. So we didn’t have to stop the car to take any photos. This meant we reached the gate at 1910. Using all our Zulu charm we escaped without a fine.

Our Sunday driving was less eventful. We did though finally manage to see the elusive black rhino. They are in great threat of extinction (low thousands in population) and hard to see because they like to hang out in the deeper undergrowth. Our mother and baby were very shy and quickly disappeared. Hopefully they found a good hiding spot.