After having guided for Sunway Safaris for 3 years I got so used to being on the road and travelling around Southern Africa. Now having been off the road for 3,5 years it’s always nice to get the chance to get into one of our trucks and do a little road trip. At the beginning of May Kalunga and I (Dirk) met 5 agents at Rivonia Road Lodge and headed out on a Pre-Indaba fam trip from Johannesburg to Durban to the Indaba trade show.

Having left Johannesburg we headed up to Balule Game reserve to Two Fig Bush Camp for our first 2 evenings in the African bush. We did game drives and walks with the local guide and learnt a lot about the smaller things you find in the bush. 

 
Next stop Swaziland for a night at Hawane which we use on our South Africa Rainbow Route and Walking South Africa tours. On route to Swaziland we stopped in at our new lodge Ilkley Safari Lodge for a quick site visit and cup of coffee. The beauty of this lodge and its surroundings will be experienced in the not too distant future by all Sunway Clients travelling on the SAa17/JJa14/MOa14 and the LM22.

That evening at Hawane we had a great meal served by the lodge and chatted next to the fire with a few drinks. Early the next morning after breakfast we drove through Swaziland, stopping at the candle factory for a quick visit, on our way Zululand Lodge Sunway’s second lodge. Arriving at the lodge we were welcomed by the manager and shown to our tents. That evening, watching the sunset from the deck, we celebrated a 50th birthday followed by dinner and drinks around the fire until midnight, and then the second birthday of the evening was celebrated in the early hours of the morning.

Early the next morning, with little sleep, as the sun was rising over the Zululand bushveld we headed to the world famous Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve for a half day game drive and brunch at one of the picnic spots. Elephants, Rhino and Buffalo were the main species seen on the drive with the elusive cats no where to be found. General game was not as easy to find as the park was busy with extensive game capture for the game sales happening this week. Heading back to the lodge we had the opportunity to learn something about the Zulu culture with a short walk into one of the villages with a local guide. Here we saw how the local Zulu’s live on the border of the reserve and how they benefit from local tourism with a fair amount of them working in the park or its surrounding game lodges. Returning to the lodge, a short walk on the property was followed by dinner and drinks.

Early the next morning I had to leave the agents and Kalunga behind as we drove down to Durban to go set up our stand at Indaba. The trip was a great success and all the agents had a great time learning how we operate on tour. Thanks to all the agents that took the time to join me on this road trip South, bring on the sales guys and girls!