Imfolozi Wilderness Trail 2010 - Tuesday

We didn't have to meet for the trail until midday so after coffee and a rusk for breakfast we had a drive around the Reserve.

We stopped at a hide overlooking a waterhole. There was no water to be seen but a rhino was busy using its horn to dig for water. Several impala, nyala and warthog came down to drink at a nearby muddy hole but the rhino wasn't happy with sharing 'his' waterhole and chased them off a couple of times.

These buffalo crossed the road in front of us, keen to get down to the river for a drink.

We were lucky enough to spot a cheetah on some rocks across the river.

At midday we met Ian, our trail guide, and the other 6 people taking part and followed him, in our vehicle, along a track to the base camp at the start of the trail next to the White Imfolozi River.

We sat in a boma overlooking the river while Ian explained what we should expect over the next few days and the 'do's and don'ts' - for example DON'T run if a lion runs towards you (it will automatically think you are prey and outrun you) but DO run behind the nearest tree if a rhino or elephant charges.

What to do if a lion charges you:

guide: "Stand still and throw some dung at it."

trailist: "But what if there isn't any dung around?"

guide: " If a lion is charging at you there WILL be dung !!!."

The White Imfolozi RIver from the boma.

Soon after we set out we had to cross the river. Firstly Ian checked that there were no animals nearby and then we all trooped down to the river's edge, took off and boots and socks and paddled across the sandy river.

We could see elephant in the distance down by the river - a good start to our trail.

The camp turned out to be in the same place that we'd stayed last time we did a trail, with the same accommodation. There were tents with mattresses, sheets, blankets and pillows.

The shower was a bucket with a shower rose attached which you filled and then pulled up with a hand winch - Kev(the spoilsport) wouldn't let me take a photo of him in the shower...

The 'toilet' was a spade, paper and matches.

Sunset.

It got quite cold once the sun had set so we were glad to have a fire to sit round.

Trailists:

Ian, our guide.
Corporal, the Zulu tracker.
Amelie and Thomas, from France.
Martine and Ruurd, from Holland
Kerry (South African) and Nick (English)

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

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