Park Life
Caravan & Outdoor Life|May 2018

[ TRAVEL ] UMLALAZI, NDUMO & UMKHUZE – KZN

Park Life

For the past five years, our family has been going to the Kruger National Park every August to coincide with the school holidays. As we leave the park every year we already start planning for the following year in anticipation of the holiday.

However, our trip in 2016 was not a happy experience due to the severe drought in Kruger, so we decided not to make a booking for 2017. We all felt we needed a break from Kruger anyway.

My wife Merrilee and I have visited KwaZulu-Natal on only two previous occasions, so we decided to give it a try. I tried to find out as much as possible about the parks in KZN, but was not very successful in my endeavours. I could not get feedback from anyone and I had heard many negative reports about everything falling apart in many of the parks.

I am normally reluctant to say too much about a destination as it is so subjective, yet knowing that these parks are very different to Kruger – as is the Kgalagadi – each has its own beauty and attraction.

We had no problems making our plans a reality. Sandy and Allan, our daughter and son-in-law, together with Kirsty their daughter were very keen to join us for the trip and they invited Sid and Penny Fitzhenry, relatively new caravanners to come along. Their daughter and son-in-law, Jillie and Brandon Handley, also spent some time with us. The ages of the group varied from 18 to 80, making it one big happy family.

UMLALAZI RESERVE

Three caravans left Grahamstown and Port Alfred on different days and travelled through the Transkei without any problems. I might mention that this was to be primarily a birding holiday as opposed to the Big Five common to the Kruger. Allan and Sid soon got into the twitching mode (accumulating bird species on one’s list) which was great, without any stress about finding lions, leopards and other big game.

Bu hikaye Caravan & Outdoor Life dergisinin May 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Caravan & Outdoor Life dergisinin May 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

CARAVAN & OUTDOOR LIFE DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Resorts Of The Month: Kruisrivier Guest Farm
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Resorts Of The Month: Kruisrivier Guest Farm

Off the beaten track and ideal for the off-roading camper

time-read
4 dak  |
June - July 2020
Lagoon And Beachfront Bliss
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Lagoon And Beachfront Bliss

Morgan Bay Campsite, EC

time-read
2 dak  |
June - July 2020
Conservation: The Endangered Vultures
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Conservation: The Endangered Vultures

Rating: The conservation of vultures in Africa is generally regarded as high priority, although limited resources are made available to assist with this important work.

time-read
5 dak  |
June - July 2020
Crisp, Clean Air & Gurgling Streams It Seems
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Crisp, Clean Air & Gurgling Streams It Seems

Old Mac Daddy, WC

time-read
2 dak  |
June - July 2020
Destination Of The Month: Transkei On The Fly
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Destination Of The Month: Transkei On The Fly

When the call came in from a fellow journalist, that his doctor had suggested he not travel due to a recent op, I had about a day to get everything prepared for an adventure to the Transkei Wild Coast.

time-read
10+ dak  |
June - July 2020
13 Top Tips For Outdoor Accessory Maintenance
Caravan & Outdoor Life

13 Top Tips For Outdoor Accessory Maintenance

You certainly don’t want to arrive at your holiday destination only to find your gas bottles are empty, the tent has been chewed to heavenly holiness by marauding mice, and you left grandma napping in the caravan when you put it out to pasture at your local Storage Land for the winter season.

time-read
2 dak  |
June - July 2020
our take on SNAKES
Caravan & Outdoor Life

our take on SNAKES

Caravan & Outdoor Life joins some of South Africa’s leading herpetologists in the Maputaland region to find rare species and teach the local rural residents how to react to snakes. With Opposite Lock on board, we’re all set to strike at a moment’s notice…

time-read
10 dak  |
June - July 2020
Caravan clinic
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Caravan clinic

Our expert answers your technical questions & gives camping advice

time-read
7 dak  |
June - July 2020
Around The Campfire
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Around The Campfire

Readers share their outdoor adventures and air their values

time-read
4 dak  |
April - May 2020
In The Shade Of A Dappled Glade
Caravan & Outdoor Life

In The Shade Of A Dappled Glade

Slanghoek Mountain Resort, WC

time-read
1 min  |
April - May 2020