Early mornings and afternoons are spent game viewing and looking for rhino. This area has a larger number of white rhino than black rhino. It is estimated that the Greater Kruger Park is home to approximately 12,000 white rhino and only about 2,500 black rhino.
When the opportunity arises, those who want to will have the opportunity to track rhino on foot. Whether or not we find the animals, tracking rhino is an amazing experience providing an intimate understanding of the habits and psyche of the animal. It is an opportunity to learn directly from the animals and to gain an insight into their vulnerability. No doubt you will also learn more about yourself during these excursions.
During the day we will learn about aspects of rhino biology, the economics of rhino poaching and the current rhino conservation strategy for the Kruger Park.
While the emphasis of this safari is on rhino conservation, we will see many other birds, trees and animals. This area is renowned for its game concentrations and is home to the famous white lions.
The day will end with a short night drive followed by a themed wine tasting with dinner.

We drive by luxury air-conditioned vehicle through the Kruger National Park, game viewing en route.  At almost 20,000 km2 the famous Kruger National Park is one of the largest wildlife reserves in Africa.  It is also one of the strongholds of Rhinoceros in southern Africa but also the focus of the most intense poaching.
As of 23 April 2012 there had been 95 Rhino poached in KNP since the beginning of the year. Numbers can be confusing – but very simply this means that this year in the KNP alone a Rhino has been killed almost every day (for the sake of accuracy on average one Rhino has been killed every 28.8 hours)!!!!!!!
We hope to see Rhino on this drive, but irrespective we will have a wonderful drive through a remarkable conservation area.
We overnight at a luxury lodge on the southern border of the Kruger National Park.

Following a short drive to the northern Swazi border, we’ll arrive in the beautiful Kingdom of Swaziland and venture onwards to Swaziland’s largest protected area; Hlane Royal National Park. Hlane is under the management of Big Game Parks, a private non-profit Trust incorporating three game reserves in Swaziland: Hlane Royal National Park, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Mkhaya Game Reserve. All follow the CEO, Mr Ted Reilly’s, mission to conserve the rich biodiversity of Swaziland’s natural heritage. Mr Reilly is Swaziland’s Pioneer of Conservation, a man responsible for the re-introduction of over 20 species which had become locally extinct in Swaziland and the creation of the Kingdom’s leading eco-tourism destinations. In 1960 the Reilly family established the Kingdom’s first game reserve on the Reilly family farm, Mlilwane, and with the blessing of the Swazi Monarchy Hlane soon followed, becoming Swaziland’s second and largest conservation area. Home to the largest herds of game in the Kingdom, four of the Big Five including Lion and the highest density of tree-nesting White-Backed Vultures in Southern Africa, we’ll embark on a focused White Rhino Drive at Hlane disembark from our vehicle to encounter Rhino on foot. We’ll then depart Hlane for its sister reserve located just 80km away; overnighting at Mkhaya Game Reserve.

Mkhaya Game Reserve was established in 1979 to save the local Nguni breed of cattle from extinction and is now a haven for endangered species, including four of the Big Five. Renowned for being one of the best places to spot both Black and White Rhinos, the reserve is an exciting conservation success and considered one of the most effective anti-poaching units in Africa. Game viewing tracks between indigenous trees will afford us the opportunity to experience intimate encounters with Elephant, both White and Black Rhino, and a rich diversity of endangered species from the view point of an open Land Rover.  With exquisite birdlife including frequent sightings of the Pink-throated Twinspot and the elusive Narina Trogon, we will also have an opportunity to observe birds and animals in Mkhaya’s “Kirky’s Hide”. Weather permitting; we’ll enjoy our wine tasting and evening meal alfresco beneath Mkhaya’s giant Sausage Tree in Stone Camp. Accommodation is in delightfully unique semi-open stone and thatch cottages.

We drive about one hour through the rural areas of Swaziland to the border with South Africa. After crossing the border we travel deep into Zululand, home and creation of the famous Zulu warrior & king Shaka.
Our destination is the Zululand Rhino Reserve situated close to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, where the dedicated work a few committed individuals in the 1950’s & 1960’s brought the White Rhino back from the brink of extinction. This Reserve also has the distinction of being the oldest proclaimed wildlife park in Africa.
The Zululand Rhino Reserve is a 20,000 Ha conservation area privately owned by 15 landowners and dedicated especially to the conservation of Black Rhino.

Our days will be spent tracking rhino on foot and in a vehicle in both the Zululand Rhino Reserve and the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. We will be privileged to hear about the rescue of White Rhino from extinction in the 1960’s and we will have lively debate about whether the miraculous achievements of those days can be repeated under contemporary circumstances. As usual we will also enjoy fine cuisine and exceptional wines under the guidance of our wine expert.

We drive to King Shaka International Airport for onward flights. Alternatively you may choose a charter flight.

Comfortable walking shoes
Comfortable loose fitting clothes
A warm fleece
Sunscreen
Lip Balm
Prescription drugs (if required)
A hat
Sunglasses
Binoculars
Camera & spare batteries/charger
Contact lenses & lens fluid
Intellectual curiosity, a passion for wilderness and a desire to make a contribution to Rhino conservation