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CatherineReichardt
- Reviews: 2217
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Hilltop Camp, Hluhluwe: A stunning and affordable bush retreat!
Over the years, I have visited many game reserves throughout Southern Africa, but I retain a particularly soft spot for Hluhluwe and its Hilltop Camp.
When I first visited Hilltop in the early 90s, it was a rustic and somewhat ramshackle assemblage of thatched rondavels (round huts) which had no kitchens. In the late afternoon, a chap in a uniform would knock politely on your door and ask you what would were having for supper, at which point you would confirm the menu and hand over the ingredients for him to cook in a central kitchen. A couple of hours later, the finished meal would be delivered to your hut with much ceremony on a platter under a silver dome! I recall with some shame the last time we experienced this arrangement, as Hluhluwe was our last stop after a few days on the road when we hadn't had time to go shopping, and our provisions were down to a coil of boerewors (farmer's sausage) which he viewed with enormous contempt: we will never know whether his ego recovered from being presented with unchallenging fare to prepare!
These days, Hilltop Camp is an altogether different and more upmarket affair. However, it still remains true to its surroundings and has managed to retain its charm. The setting (unsurprisingly on top of a hill) is gorgeous, and if you are really lucky, there will be a thunder storm whilst you're there, which will allow you to experience the best free firework display you're ever likely to witness! The rooms are beautiful, and the restaurant is excellent.
Ultimately the true charm of Hluhluwe is the wonderful wildlife. Umfolozi (which was originally a separate reserve, but has since been incorporated into Hluhluwe) was the place which pioneered the South African rhino breeding programme, and the reserve boasts both white rhino (which you are almost guaranteed to see) and the much shyer black rhino. I have always been particularly lucky with seeing hyena here, which you can't guarantee seeing elsewhere.
There are day and night game drives available - try both if you can, as the night time experience is entirely different, and whereas you can drive around the reserve by yourself during the day (and stop off in a number of hides), you are not allowed to drive after dark. I would also highly recommend the game walks, which are guided by rangers carrying rifles: this is really the best way to appreciate the bush if you are moderately fit.
The accommodation comprises:
- 20x two-bed Rondavels with communal ablution and -kitchen facilities;
- 7x two-bed Chalets, fully equipped for selfcatering.
- 22x four-bed Chalets, fully equipped for selfcatering.
- 20x 2-bed Chalets, without kitchen facilities (units therefore not equipped for selfcatering) and are within close proximity to the main reception area where the restaurant is.
The selfcatering units are fully equipped with linen, crockery, cutlery, stove, refrigerator and cooking utensils. Visitors can either bring their own provisions or make use of the restaurant and convenience store.
Hluhluwe is in a malarial area, so make sure you're taking prophylaxis and come prepared with insect repellent and clothing with long sleeves and legs for the evenings.
- Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
- Written September 18, 2010
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MikeAtSea
- Reviews: 2923
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Mtwazi Lodge: The Old Wardens Home
Mtwazi Lodge is close to the renowned Hilltop Camp in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, and boasts a magnificent setting under a large sycamore fig within its own secluded bushveld garden. This eight-bedded lodge, once the original home of the warden of the reserve, features memorabilia from the rich history of the Hluhluwe Game Reserve.
The accommodation comprises three bedrooms each with its own private bathroom and an annex bedroom with its own shower and toilet. A sumptuous lounge and dining area lead out onto a large flagstone veranda, and from there into a magnificent tropical garden shaded by a gloriously spreading tree.
- Opinion of Price: about average
- Related to: Safari, Photography, National/State Park
- Written December 30, 2009
Mtwazi Lodge
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adrivdw
- Reviews: 2
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Hluhluwe game reserveMpila tented camp: Mpila camp
As an alternative there is also a tented camp at Mpila camp where one stays in either 2 or 4 person tents each with their own kitchen and bathroom facilities.
To stay here is much more authentic than in rondawels as each tent is nearly out of sight of the next, the camp hre is also not fenced and you can hear animals wandering around at night. Quite unique and thoroughly recommended.
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kzngirl
- Reviews: 109
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Mpila - Rustic with style!: Mpila COTTAGES & CHALETS
Mpila camp is located quite centrally in the Umfolozi section of the park. This is one of my favorite camps. There is a variety of accommodation on offer (all self-catering): rondavels with only four beds, a sink, table and chairs - and communal kitchens and ablutions; cottages and chalets in addition to a safari tented camp which I have not yet had the pleasure of staying in!
CHALETS and COTTAGES
These vary from either two (sleeping four) or three (sleeping 6-8) bedroomed thatched houses. Quite lovely, rustic but comfortable accommodation. They often have a lovely sliding door, opening onto a patio overlooking the braai (BBQ) area. You need nerves of steel if you are the designated braai-er - often it is quite a walk from the cottage or chalet and after dark it can be daunting being in the bush all by your self - fire or no fire!
Electricity goes off at 10pm so if you are a night owl, bring along a torch or candle.
Keep doors and windows closed when you are not around - given half a chance, the monkeys will be in your house, raiding your fridge.
I love to check out the sand around the house first thing in the morning - trying to spot which footprint belongs to who!
- Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
- Related to: Family Travel, Photography, Safari
- Written May 16, 2006
Our Cottage!
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kzngirl
- Reviews: 109
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Mpila - Budget Accommodation: Mpila RONDAWELS
Mpila camp is located quite centrally in the Umfolozi section of the park. This is one of my favorite camps. There is a variety of accommodation on offer (all self-catering): rondavels with only four beds, a sink, table and chairs - and communal kitchens and ablutions; cottages and chalets in addition to a safari tented camp which I have not yet had the pleasure of staying in!
RONDAVELS (REST CAMP)
These are the most basic of accommodation. A small hut containing four beds (one bunk bed and two singles) one small sink, a cupboard with basic utensils, a fridge, a table and four chairs. There is usually a table and bench outside the hut, and a braai (BBQ) a few meters away from the front door.
The communal kitchen consists of sinks, ovens and cupboards containing basic cooking utensils. Each rondavel is allocated a cupboard complete with the aforementioned utensils.
Both the kitchen and communal ablution block is a short walk from the huts. The bathrooms are simple but clean: one bath and one shower, two loos. The water is a brackish brown, so I don't recommend bathing - it looks like you are bathing in tea - rather shower, that way you don't notice the colour so much! A bar of soap is provided.
The lights go out at 10pm so if you are a night owl, bring your own torch or candle!
Keep your windows closed when you are not around - the monkeys are thieves and will be in your windows eating from your fridge the minute you are out of sight!
- Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
- Related to: Photography, Family Travel, Budget Travel
- Written May 16, 2006
Our little rondawel
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kzngirl
- Reviews: 109
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Mpila - General Accommodation: Mpila Camp
Mpila camp is located quite centrally in the Umfolozi section of the park. This is one of my favorite camps. There is a variety of accommodation on offer (all self-catering): rondavels with only four beds, a sink, table and chairs - and communal kitchens and ablutions; cottages and chalets in addition to a safari tented camp which I have not yet had the pleasure of staying in!
It is worth noting that Mpila camp is not fenced. This means animals are free to roam throughout the campsite. You will be amazed at the amount of wildlife visible from your front door - or patio for that matter! Even a quick scope at the dust around your hut each morning will get your heart racing: try to decipher who left what in the sand outside your window!
- Opinion of Price: about average
- Related to: Photography, Birdwatching, Safari
- Written May 16, 2006
Mpila Reception
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kzngirl
- Reviews: 109
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Sontuli Bush Camp: Bush Babies
A few years ago, my family and a few friends booked a few nights into Sontuli Bush Camp. This is off the beaten track, down a road not accessible to the public. The campsite is situated on the banks of the Black Umfolozi River.
The campsite consists of four thatched A-frame sleeping units, each with two beds, a communal ablution block (with an outdoor shower - beautiful) a lounge, dining area and a kitchen.
Although there is a cook in attendance, you must remember to bring your own food - oh and keep the kitchen locked at night, the hyenas and baboons are fans of human food!
Sontuli caters for only one party at a time, so you have the place to yourself for the duration of your stay!
In addition to a cook, we had our very own game ranger who offered to take us on evening or morning walks. Mum and I decided to go with him one morning...we left at the break of dawn.
It was an incredible experience: he began tracking lion! We almost stumbled across a whole pride - they saw us first - and it was only as a lioness leapt up from the rock she was lying on, that we noticed them in the bush ahead.
They had just eaten their full their warning growls were enough to hasten us away - fast! We were so close we could hear the flies buzzing on the left over carrion.
We had a wonderful time walking through the bush as the sun slowly rose in the east. Our game ranger was extremely knowledgeable on the flora and fauna all around us...we followed leopard tracks along the banks of the river, tiptoed cautiously around rhino, spotted birds and buck and heard amazing bird calls...we got to experience wild Africa at its very best.
An unforgettable experience.
- Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
- Related to: Family Travel, Photography, Safari
- Written May 16, 2006
Mum overlooking the Black Umfolozi
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kzngirl
- Reviews: 109
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Hilltop Camp: City on a hill
Hilltop is an award-winning camp situated in northern Hluhluwe section of the park.
It is the oldest camp but was rebuilt in the early nineties. We first stayed at Hilltop while it was being renovated, and I recall the number of animals that walked through our camp during our stay. Hilltop is now fenced - which has put an end to night time stalkers!
The camp is quite large, and situated at the top of a very big hill - hence the name! It is slightly more expensive than Mpila. Accommodation is varied: from rest huts (rondavels) to self catering chalets to non-self catering chalets (there is a restaurant and bar for those who do not wish to self-cater.)
We stayed in the self-catering chalets and were impressed with the high quality furnishings and finishings: it was a very glamourous camp compared to the rondavels (round huts, with beds and a sink...and usually communal ablutions) in which we stayed previously.
My folks have eaten only once at the restaurant (The Mpunyane Restaurant) however weren't too impressed. The meal that night was a venison braai (BBQ) and they had quite high expectations of trying different game. They were disappointed in both the selection on offer and the way it was cooked: very dry and over done.
We stopped off at Hilltop Camp on our last visit for a cup of tea and an opportunity to stretch our legs. The view from the restaurant / cafe is fabulous: lovely green rolling hills. Ocassionally we have spotted rhino grazing in the distance, but on the whole not seen too much really! So a wonderful vista, but not many animals in sight.
- Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
- Related to: Family Travel, Photography, National/State Park
- Written May 16, 2006
Reception at Hilltop
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LoriPori
- Reviews: 3011
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BONAMANZI GAME PARK: TREE HOUSES
Each Tree House, specially sited in private isolation (Our site was # 6), has two double bedrooms that lead off a viewing veranda shared only by the birds and the occasional monkey. Beneath each Tree House is a kitchenette, shower and toilet facilities and braii (barbeque) area. Your "living room" is the outdoors.
- Opinion of Price: N/A
- Related to: Family Travel
- Written April 13, 2005
Entrance to our Bedroom
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LoriPori
- Reviews: 3011
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BONAMANZI GAME PARK: TREE HOUSES
Nestled in the foliage of forest trees, the TREE HOUSES offer a unique living experience high above the animals that pass by below.
The Tree Houses have electric lights, cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery, a cook stove and refrigerator. Guests must bring their own provisions but linen is provided.
In this photo, Hans is in the "kitchen" boiling water for tea. He looks so domestic!!!
- Opinion of Price: N/A
- Related to: Family Travel
- Written April 13, 2005
Hans Making Tea
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