(Mish, Colleen, Shingi, Temba and our friend Tessa; 21-24 May 1998)
After dark on Wednesday, Mish rolled up the driveway in our new 2,6 litre Volkswagen Microbus (well, nearly new for it and brand new for us!) - and shortly after first light the next morning, we all rolled down the driveway on our first Kombi adventure. Itala is at the foot of the African escarpment, just south of Swaziland in KwaZulu-Natal. Our drive took us along the Swazi border, through the edges of the pine forests, and past Pongola where there was a steady stream of manne on their way to visvang (fishing) down on the far northern coast with their 4x4 vehicles and big powerboats.
| Driving into Itala we immediately came upon wild game, from the ever-present impala to the first of a stunning collection of giraffe. The countryside varies from grassy plains to wooded valleys to impressive mountains within little more than 15 kilometres of driving. After a good rainy season, the bush and the animals it supports are in excellent condition. The reserve has most of the animals you would expect to see in any big game reserve in the region, except lion. | |
None of this prepared us for the shock of arriving in our bush camp for the next four days - Mbizo Camp. Sure, we knew we were going to stay with friends, each family in one of two self-catering cottages in the camp. And we were happy to arrive after over five hours' drive from Johannesburg.
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The place looks like a little village, with the two cottages, a central boma (with fire already laid), and each cottage has its own free-standing bathroom and "throne room". Neatly laid stone paths between each building, and the sound of rushing water coming from the river beyond. |
But what stunned us was the perfect good taste of the place, style without excessive luxury, in amazing harmony with an exceptional location. Maybe you would like to see more of the accommodation and setup of Mbizo Camp.
Apart from the perfect weather and welcome warmth, the other thing that made this such a fantastic holiday was the fact that our camp entitled us to the services of a Game Guard, armed with a rifle, who took us walking on foot throughout the reserve. The extra dimensions it adds to hear and smell your surroundings, compared to viewing game from your car!
If you're interested in practical details about Itala, visit their website!