The Umfolozi is a river in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa, flowing east toward the Indian Ocean. Yesterday we had arrived in the city of Mtubatuba Richards Bay, at our hotel located in the greater Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve. However, this morning, we checked out of our Protea Umfolozi River Hotel. While at the hotel breakfast, we said hello to some of the young women who could be chosen as the next wife of King Mswati III, at the day's Uhmlanga Reed Festival (see Blog: A Country in a Country).
The greater Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, located in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa is a Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, and Buffalo) game park. It is more open and larger, which increases the chance of seeing more wildlife. That might explain why there was a very large gate and armed game reserve security surrounding it.
We continued our drive south along the M2 toward Rather than doing the bush safari, we opted for the boat safari, in iSimangaliso Wetland Park at Lake St. Lucia. In Zulu, iSimangaliso means "a miracle" or "something wondrous."
The park is a protected area along the coast of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province. It is also a UNESCO reserve with beaches, coral reefs, dunes and swamp forests. Our safari today was focused on the large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, pelicans and flamingos of iSimangaliso.
Our estuary boat cruise on Lake St. Lucia started out calm and relaxing, and could easily navigate the shallow waters. Not far from the shore yet, we saw birds and areas of grassy wetlands. A wide variety of bird life including fish eagles, kingfishers and herons were spotted. The openness and scenery were spectacular. This was one of those days where you wake up feeling 100% and do not think you can feel any better.
We had not done any research about the area, so we did not know what, if anything, could make the day and us feel better. What was around the bend was about to change our mood.
Hippopotamus, or Hippo, is among the largest land animals. However, hippos are smaller than elephant and some rhinos. It is said that a hippo's skin is bulletproof. They weigh from 3000-4000 lbs, can run at speeds up to 30mph, they live about 40-50 years, and they love water, spending up to 16 hours a day submerged in rivers and lakes...Lakes?
As our boat came around the bend, we immediately saw what can only be described as Hippo Territory. In college, we use to cheer are sporting events, "You tell the whole damn world this is bear territory." Lake St. Lucia clearly belonged to the hippos. Although hippos mainly eat plants, we were told that they kill about 500 people each year in Africa. They have amazing strength and are one of the most aggressive animals on Earth.
From a distance, hippos look like partially submerged rocks poking out of the lake. Most appeared to be sleeping, some were awake and gazing at us carefully, while others we enjoying a morning swim.
Besides the estimated 400 hippos in the park, there are about 1200 crocodiles. The hippos have their area of the lake, and the crocodiles keep to their area. At first glance, they are hardly recognizable as the crocs blend in well alongside the mud and rock. The crocodile skin evens appears to mimic the ripples of the water. But, look closely to see the head and extremities because the croc lays so still, it seems to be very good and playing dead. And that could make for one very wrong step.
Crocodiles are large, semiaquatic reptiles, and have long, pointed, v-shaped snouts. They live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, The Americas and Australia. Crocs can live between 70-100 years, depending on the water in which they live Nile crocodiles tend to live longer than those in saltwater. They can be anywhere from 13-17 feet in length, and weigh between 500-1200 lbs.
The St. Lucia Lake estuary exceeded our expectations, and the day did get better after all.
Comments