Crossing the iMfolozi River
Trip Start
May 25, 2005
1
145
284
Trip End
Ongoing
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park,
South Africa
Thursday, September 21, 2006
We obtained permission from the conservator of the iMfolozi section of the park to use the management roads. It still make me smile to this day - driving on staff roads may seem an ordinary and even boring thing to do. But to me, it's what life is made of. The privilege of working in a park.
The park is beautiful, and the southern third is kept completely in wilderness conditions. No tourists or management roads enter, and the firebreaks stick close to the boundary. That was our route for the day.
As we went along surveying the fence line, we noted where the rivers crossed. The animals were less used to cars and looked at us in astonishment the further we went in to the park.
And so it was at lunchtime that we finally crossed the river iMfolozi. Our nemesis up until this point. It had turned us back many times. And as we sat eating lunch next to the large tracks made by the passing rhino, we gazed to the place we had eaten lunch on the other side of the fence only a week before.
How lucky we were to be driving in this heaven, to reach the heights of the mountains, to see the outposts that few ever see. To feel the tranquility and pleasure of being alive in such an awe-inspiring place.
The day finished with a braai - the traditional Sping Day celebrations. People and dogs merrily chatted to new friends, and the warm air brought about many an internal smile.
A 'die happy' day for sure.
Thank you Hluhluwe-iMfolozi.
