Walking Amongst the Wildlife, Mlilwane Nature Reserve, Swaziland

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Martin on Execution Rock high above the Ezulwini Valley

It was tough to leave, but we finally moved away from Sundowner's Backpackers.  The hospitality there, and the wonderful meals, kept us hanging around.  Both Paula and Sergio made us feel like family.  We will return one day!!
But, we didn't go too far, only around 10 km away to the Mlilwane Nature Reserve, where we set up our tent at Sondzela's Backpackers and we excited to see zebra and warthogs from our tent.  No sooner had we set up, we started hiking out in the reserve.  We found it really interesting that you can just walk amongst the animals without fences or being closed up in your car.  Tons of impala, nyala, kudu, and other antelopes.  Warthogs, zebra, hippos, and some scary looking crocodiles (they advise you not to go too close to the water - duly noted).  Definitely not in Canada anymore Toto!!

Lunar Eclipse

It was nice to just chill out and watch the animals when we wanted to, and stroll through the forests.  At the main camp, the animals were not shy, with one nyala trying to steal Michelle's sandwich from her hand.  Back at the hostel, they had a friendly ostrich they called Cindy.  She just strolled around the place, but it was a little weird being face to face with her at times.
One of the evenings, we were lucky to see a full lunar eclipse - pretty special considering where we were in the nature reserve.
A following day, we took on a larger hike and made it all the way up Execution Rock.  This provided us with some great views over the Ezulwini Valley and further.  It was nice to get out and do some exercise, as we've been a little sluggish for a while. We took in the full views, spending about 1.5 hours on the windy summit.  On the walk back to the hostel, we got a treat as we spotted two hippos sunning themselves on a little island.  I hadn't really seen any hippo out of the water in the daytime, and these two were pretty close to us!!  Apparently, there are more human fatalities from hippos, than any other animal in Africa - I guess they are quite territorial, and have poor eyesight, but can run at 35 mph.  I wouldn't want to be in the way of one of those trucking along!!   *Stub

Hippos at the Pond