Hlane Royal Game Park
Trip Start
Sep 25, 2009
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4
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Trip End
Oct 06, 2009
Hlane Swaziland, Swaziland
Monday, October 5, 2009
We broke camp early and managed to pack dry tents, it had only rained slightly during the night. We set off down the road towards Piggs Peak, this was very steep in places but the views were magnificent. Then we took the M2 towards Manzini and Hlane, it is a main road but after a short distance the tar ran out and we were on dirt. Well we were still in Africa so it has to be expected. Then Neil said there was something up with the landcruiser, so he pulled into the side. After some time a South African gentleman pulled alongside and we used his phone to called Mike at Just Done It. Mike must have made a few phone calls as eventually a mechanic called Victor turned up and found that the timing belt had snagged so the Green Mamba was now 'dead'. Chris from 3 Lions in Jo’burg also rang us on Victor’s phone to say that a replacement car had been organized for us and we needed to ring Europcar in Mbabane the following morning
inside the Kings Cottage
. Just before dark Victor had got his tow truck and we arrived back in Piggs Peak. Victor then took us to a couple of Bed & Breakfasts and one run by a very nice Zimbabwean lady had room for us. So we stayed there for the night.The next morning we used the phone in the B & B to ring the rental company in Mbabane and we arranged for the Toyota Yaris to be brought to the B & B. Then we went to Victor’s garage in Piggs Peak to collect some more of our belongings out of the Green Mamba. Onward then towards Hlane taking the other main road north of Piggs Peak which is tarred all the way to Simunye. In Simunye we stopped at The Country Club for lunch and said hello to Thea & Cliff who run the Club. We knew them from our stay last year. Then after a lovely lunch as usual there we went on to Hlane.
This time we had no camping equipment with us so we asked Sindi what accommodation was available. Were we in luck or what? We had the Kings Cottage, pure luxury and we could really recommend staying in the bungalows at Hlane. The Kings Cottage accommodates 8 people and has a large living area, a large kitchen with gas fridge and cooker, a large bathroom, and 4 large bedrooms. We had a view over the waterhole where the elephants, rhino and other animals come to drink and where the hippos could be seen and heard. That night we had an excellent meal in the restaurant and one of the staff came and lit the paraffin lamps in our cottage and placed them in the rooms.
Sindi told us that Mduduzi was not in camp but would be coming the following day early in the morning. We hoped to see him again before we left Swaziland.
