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On Safari in a Wheelchair: Inclusive Tourism in KwaZulu Natal pt2
It would be tedious to read in print the long list of all the types animals we saw. Of course the 'big guys' were there: Giraffe, Cape Buffalo, Rhino, Wildebeast. So were colorful birds, tiny steenbok, humorous wart hogs, moody hyenas, and majestic leopards. Just driving from one place to another was never such an adventure immediately apparent immediately apparent immediately apparent in 'firsts!' Tour Guide Dave Davies owner of the nearby Hluhluwe Backpacker's Lodge was superb. (Hluhluwe Backpackers .hluhluwebackpackers@lantic.net, cell 0027 763753831 next to Hluhluwe Game Reserve Memorial Gate)
Later our nights in the accessible hut at Bonamanzi Game Reserve were very enjoyable. We had more food than we could eat and a permanent show of Inyala and Wart Hogs grazing on the lawn. A whole new set of skills and senses are awakened in the bush. The ranger amazed us by spotting a chameleon no larger than my index finger clinging to a bush during a night drive - pitch black with only a lamp to see by.
Before returning to Durban and another delightful stay at Makaranga Lodge we had two other adventures.
We got a warm welcome at Dumazulu Cultural Village. We watched the athletic Zulu dancers. Then I sang a capella with them (in Zulu!) wearing an animal skin hat with a tail flopping in back. It reminded me of the raccoon-skin caps we used to call 'Daniel Boone hats.'
We also headed to St. Lucia and its World Heritage estuary network. Literally risking life and limb to get from the inaccessible dock to an Advantage Tours cruise I was immediately rewarded when we came up on a Fish Eagle, a colony of brilliant yellow Weaver birds, and a family of Hippos. I was later impressed to see Advantage Tours' new wheelchair-friendly boat waiting on land for permission to launch.
South Africa's Elephant Coast is an underexplored tourist gem. With the slower pace, professionals like Jennae and her Access 2 Africa Safaris can offer close personalized service. The area's 'hidden secret' identity is about to change however. The new Durban airport with direct inbound international flights will go online in time for the 2010 World Cup. You can be sure that people will go home talking about this itinerary. Don't wait until it is mainstream. Go now.
There is a story that circulates around the Rains' family. It surfaced as we did some digging into our genealogy recently.
It generally starts with the lines, 'The Rains came over the mountain (the Cumberland Gap during the westward expansion in the US) with Daniel Boone.'
Maybe it's just a rationalization for my wanderlust. Still, I sense a kinship of spirit with Daniel Boone who is reported to have said, in answer to the question, 'Have you ever been lost?' - 'No, but I was once a might confused for a few days.'
I recommend taking a chance on a few confused nights under South African skies. Get lost if you are so inclined.
If you run into one of those cool Zulu 'Daniel Boone hats' send me one, ok?
Contact details
Jennae Bezuidenhout
www.access2africasafaris.co.za
info@access2africasafaris.co.za
0027 842642194
Po Box 159 Hluhluwe,Kwazulu Natal
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