Always wonderful to do this lovely walk. Mandy accompanied us.
May 15, 2026
May 14, 2026
Exploring Zululand 2026
Jo, Antony and I have just returned after an incredible 10 days exploring Zululand. What an adventure we had and so many beautiful photos taken. And a real treat to spend such wonderful quality time with two very special people. I felt very nostalgic being back in Zululand. I explored Mkuzi and Hluhluwe in 1988 and 1989 with dad then Tony. They were both very special trip full of unforgettable memories. It was so great to return to some familiar haunts and explore some new places.
Our itinerary
- May 1: Land in Durban and drive up to Mkuzi (Mantuma camp), stopping at Balito and eMthunzini.
- May 2: Explore Mkuzi.
- May 3: Explore Mkuzi.
- May 4: Drive to Sodwana after an incredible experience at the Kumasinga Hide.
- May 5: Antony does a dive and then we drive to Hluhluwe (Hilltop camp).
- May 6: Explore the southern part of Hluhluwe - the iMfolozi part of the park.
- May 7: Explore Hluhluwe including a morning hike and a sunset game drive.
- May 8: Drive to St Lucia for a sunset boat trip.
- May 9: Explore St Lucia including a drive to Cape Vidal.
- May 10: A morning boat trip, then drive back to Durban
Map of places visited
All related posts
Getting there
Mkuzi
Sodwana Bay
Hluhluwe–iMfolozi
St Lucia
May 14, 2026
Memorable moments: A bright misconception
On our flight back from Zululand to Cape Town, a thick cloud of fearful anticipation hung over the trip. We had heard reports of a massive storm hitting the Cape, and we were braced for a wild, bumpy landing that would be a world away from the 34-degree sunshine we had left behind in Durban.
About thirty minutes before our scheduled arrival, I looked out the cabin window and saw nothing but brilliant, golden light. Relieved and confused, I turned to Antony and my sister, Jo.
"Wow, it's still sunny!" I exclaimed. "I would have thought it would be getting dark and stormy by now."
Antony looked at me with a mix of amusement and pity. "Yes, Graeme," he said gently, "that's probably because we are still above the clouds."
Sure enough, as the pilot began our descent and we dipped below that white, fluffy floor, the world transformed. The bright gold vanished, replaced by an ominous, dark grey. We landed safely in the end, but I left the plane with a newfound appreciation for the fact that just because you can see the sun doesn't mean the storm isn't waiting for you just a few thousand feet below.
May 14, 2026
St Lucia town
St Lucia was one of the most delightful little towns of the trip. It has a relaxed holiday atmosphere, with leafy streets, wandering wildlife, plenty of birdlife, and an easy coastal charm that immediately makes you slow down. There are lots of good restaurants and cafés, and after long days of game drives and birding it was wonderful to stroll around in the warm evening air, enjoy good food, and soak up the laid-back vibe. The town feels perfectly positioned between bush, estuary and ocean, giving it a unique character that is both wild and welcoming.
Local markets
Tourism is clearly a major part of life in St Lucia, and there were lots of small local markets and roadside stalls selling fruit, curios, crafts and souvenirs. It added to the lively holiday atmosphere of the town and gave visitors plenty of chances to browse local products and pick up reminders of the area’s wildlife and culture. The downside was that some stallholders could be quite persistent in trying to convince you to buy things, although it was all generally good-natured.
Jo bought two monkey orange sculptures carved from the fruit we had seen all over Mkuze Game Reserve. They felt like a perfect memento of the trip — simple, distinctive, and strongly connected to the reserve and the bushveld landscapes we had just experienced.
One of the most remarkable things about St Lucia is that hippos regularly wander into town at night. Warning signs are everywhere, reminding people not to walk around after dark, and it is surreal seeing these huge animals casually moving along the main street and grazing on the grass in local parks. Apparently they have been following these routes for thousands of years, long before the town existed — the town was effectively built in the middle of ancient hippo territory. Seeing hippos walking through town was one of the most unique and memorable experiences of the whole trip.
Unsurprisingly, St Lucia is completely obsessed with hippos. Their image is everywhere — in business names, logos, murals, sculptures, signs and souvenirs all over town. The hippo is clearly the unofficial mascot of St Lucia and gives the town a fun, distinctive character that constantly reminds you how closely connected it is to the surrounding wetlands and wildlife.
Local markets
Tourism is clearly a major part of life in St Lucia, and there were lots of small local markets and roadside stalls selling fruit, curios, crafts and souvenirs. It added to the lively holiday atmosphere of the town and gave visitors plenty of chances to browse local products and pick up reminders of the area’s wildlife and culture. The downside was that some stallholders could be quite persistent in trying to convince you to buy things, although it was all generally good-natured.
Jo buys a "monkey orange" sculpture
Jo bought two monkey orange sculptures carved from the fruit we had seen all over Mkuze Game Reserve. They felt like a perfect memento of the trip — simple, distinctive, and strongly connected to the reserve and the bushveld landscapes we had just experienced.
Hippos coming into the town at night!
One of the most remarkable things about St Lucia is that hippos regularly wander into town at night. Warning signs are everywhere, reminding people not to walk around after dark, and it is surreal seeing these huge animals casually moving along the main street and grazing on the grass in local parks. Apparently they have been following these routes for thousands of years, long before the town existed — the town was effectively built in the middle of ancient hippo territory. Seeing hippos walking through town was one of the most unique and memorable experiences of the whole trip.
A town obsessed with hippos
Unsurprisingly, St Lucia is completely obsessed with hippos. Their image is everywhere — in business names, logos, murals, sculptures, signs and souvenirs all over town. The hippo is clearly the unofficial mascot of St Lucia and gives the town a fun, distinctive character that constantly reminds you how closely connected it is to the surrounding wetlands and wildlife.
I loved these murals of other animals we saw in Zululand
