Imake a Difference's Supporters Trip to South Africa 2014 - Day 7

DAY SEVEN:

This morning we sadly leave Tempe camp and head to ZAP Wing, the Zululand Anti Poaching Wing. This is a highly important organisation which deals with monitoring rhino poachers. This is a project that Imake a Difference supports. Imake a Difference pays Ettiene's (a high qualified pilot) salary. ZAP Wing a small plane and a number of helicopters which provide aerial surveillance of all of the game reserves in KZN. They have pilots who monitor certain reserves every day as well as act reactively when there is a poaching incident.

We were offered a magnificent opportunity to go up in one of the helicopters and experience a sneak peak of what the pilots do day to day. We saw rhino, giraffes, wilderbeests and impala from up above and Etienne showed us the boundary fence and explained the problems they have with the local community being so close to the boundary. What an experience of a life time though, not many can say they have been in a helicopter looking at game in a reserve!

We then head to Hluhluwe Hill Top Camp, wow what a difference to the camping we have been used to. Beautiful chalets with ensuites and balconies looking out on trees with monkeys. A perfect place to go to after being out in the bush for the last 5 days, but I do have to admit I am missing the camping atmosphere. Getting up early and sitting by the fire etc.

Before the reserve closes we go out for another game drive. What an experience, we saw about 19 rhino in one drive with them all a couple of metres away from the vehicle and 2 or 3 herds of elephant and a big herd of buffalo. It was magnificent to see them all up so close , what beautiful animals! So huge and prehistoric. We had a little problem where an elephant got so close to one of the cars we thought they were going to charge us. Stew held his ground but Hamish and Dawdy were terrified and reversed all the way back. Luckily the elephant was harmless and walked off to the side of the track. All a part of the experience I say!

Definitely the largest amount of game we saw in one drive yet. What a magnificent day!