Having a Wild Time

I was the only one to climb to the skyline of that hill opposite the deck.

 

‘Hleka (or Hlega) Manzi’ cottage.

The past four days have been memorable. Muscles loosened up by an hour on a horse have been kept in action with a lot of walking, climbing, swimming, and even paddling a small boat round a dam. I can boast having done far more rambling and climbing than anyone else in the party, including daughter and granddaughters.

 

On the way to the reserve we crammed in a visit to Howick Falls and another to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site. Next day we braved the exit trip with its … challenging! … roads in order to visit various kitch sites of the Midlands Meander, as well as some really genuine crafters like Dargle Valley Pottery and Culamoya Chimes.

The falls on Eland River and our swimming spot below.

Otherwise, we enjoyed the sights of the varied wildlife on foot or by driving within the reserve, even seeing the fairly elusive secretary birds. A herd of wildebeest alternated with one of Nguni cattle in the view from our balcony, from which a couple of fish eagles were also observed in Cabbage Tree Dam, opposite. We also saw lots of eland and zebras … we came around a corner after dark to find an unexpected Zebra Crossing directly ahead of us!

Predators and scavengers like mountain leopards, wild dogs, jackals, and serval cats did not show themselves, but they are there.

© April 2017 Colonialist