Journey to Swaziland

Firstly a quick catch-up

We expected our night in Shakaland, an ex movie set, now a sort of hotel come village, to be a totally artificial experience. To some extent it was, of course,  but the Zulu host and certainly the brilliant Zulu dancing were authentic and we did learn a lot from it.  Great night in our 'Zulu hut', too. Very interesting journey through KwaZulu-Natal, though.

Theatrical, yes, but brilliant authentic Zulu dance...

Travelling on to Hluhluwe we spent two nights in the area visiting St Lucia in the wetlands including a river safari to see many hippos, crocs and birds. We took a day safari in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park with a really amusing but skilled Zulu guide...encountering a bull elephant feet away....scary but good.

We'll be in touch, Thembi...

Onward into Swaziland....the only remaining true kingdom?? The country is certainly quite poor but also friendly. We stay in a wildlife park for just one night but we prefer to get out and meet people. We buy some locally made stuff at a craft market and, after the usual 'look who I bought this from' photo with one stall-holder, we sort out a 'whatsapp' contact to send her the photo. We visit a re-cycling glass works and stop at a little town before we head back across the border into South Africa. Into the Kruger Wildlife Park.....