Culture Contrast

 Friday, March 3, 2023

Today was a little different, as we did a self-game drive on our way to the next campground.  We traveled along the coast from Howick to St. Lucia, but stopped on the way at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park.   It is the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa, and is world renowned for its conservation efforts and history.  This park has the largest population of White Rhino in the world!

We left early (about 7:45 am) and had to pass on stopping at Gateway Mall, the largest mall in the southern hemisphere!!  It wasn't open yet, and probably best, as we may not have been able to get through it in a day.

It was amazing to see the contrast from the beginning of the day to the end of the day.   As we left the Durbin area, we saw very nice homes, the big mall, and there was a bright, new multi-level highway crossing.  

But as we went further, we began to see township areas, 

and fruit stands along the side of the road. 

 

We encountered lots of animals in the road--mainly cows and goats, 

and we saw many many people walking along the road, some with wheelbarrels taking their groceries home.

The park is divided into two sections and today we explored the Impolozi side of the park.  We saw plenty of animals.  

We debated whether or not to continue along the extended loops with gravel roads. We figured we came this far to do a safari, so we might as well!  Boy are we glad we did.  We saw two Rhinos resting in a mud pond, trying to cool off. (It was 87 degrees today!)

We saw loads of Impalas..

Check out the birds on this guy's back.

The impala is called the "McDonalds" of Africa...because there are so many, and because of the "M" on their backside...can you see it?

Wildebeast

Warthog--they were really scared off easily.  They remind us of the javalinas we see in Arizona...just as ugly!  I will have to look them up and see if they may be cousins.

African Buffalo

We also noticed these bright yellow birds with their cascade of nests hanging from the tree.  We sat for a long time watching them flit from nest to nest.  Someone said they were weavers...I'll have to look it up.

And look what else we found!  An internet spot in the middle of the park!  It must be the only place you can get reception.  When we arrived, one of the park workers was standing there talking on her phone.  Oh how I wish I had this spot a few days ago!  

We are also noticing a contrast in the parks.  Whereas Addo was very busy with a variety of people, the last two parks we've been to have been remote with very few people--we've hardly seen someone other than our group.

Same goes for the contrast in campgrounds  Thursday night we were in a luxurious campgound, all to ourselves but we had some power and connectivity problems.  Tonight we are in a municipal campground Sugarloaf camping area in St. Lucia, with great power, but lots of other people.  We heard a guitar serenade from the neighbor who is camping in a tent, and were awakened by owls, and monkeys hooting and chirping away.

Change and contrast is what keeps life interesting!