LENGTH: 290 KM

DONT MISS ::Lake St Lucia ::Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park ::Hiltop Camp ::Richards Bay Reserve

Our trip starts at Richards Bay, itself blessed with spectacular beauty. Famous for being the site where the longest crocodile ever recorded in South Africa was shot in 1891, the Richards Bay lagoon is part of the beautiful Richards Bay Game Reserve.

The reserve's rich bird population includes the rare pink-backed pelican, flamingos, cormorants and various species of waders can also be viewed.

This peaceful setting will be enough for some, but the region has much more to offer and for that you need to take the N2 to the north. Soon after passing Mtubatuba, join the R618 that leads to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park.

After entering through the Mambeni Gate, you have a choice between going left to the Umfolozi section, or continuing straight on to the Hluhluwe section. Both justify a visit but, if time is of the essence, aim for Hluhluwe.

In this section the park's road network traverses a wide variety of habitats in a relatively short distance ­ lush forests, grasslands and woodlands being three of them. There are several viewpoints along the way, each offering the visitor splendid views of meandering rivers and lush, deep valleys.

A very high concentration of black rhinos is found in the Hluhluwe section. Also be on the lookout for red duiker, nyala and blue duiker. Closer to the Memorial Gate you may find some elephant, zebra and buffalo. With a small amount of luck you could view the complete "Big Five" on your visit to this park.

A good place to stop and have a break is the Hilltop camp, situated at an altitude of 450 metres, and with a restaurant that offers panoramic views of the countryside.

After leaving the park at Memorial Gate the next stop is the well-known Lake St Lucia ­ the largest estuarine body of water in South Africa.

Around this shallow lake a complex body of wetlands, pans, swamp forests and grasslands is found.

The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, which extends roughly from Sodwana in the north to Mapelane in the south, represents no fewer than five different ecosystems. These include the lake itself, a marine conservation area, a wilderness area known as Mfabeni and Tewati, the reed and papyrus wetland of the Mkuze swamps and western shores, and a fossil shoreline more than 25 000 years old.

Iron Age people once inhabited this vast wilderness. The ravages of explorers and hunters had a devastating effect on the wildlife of the area. At one stage it seemed that the damage was irreversible but, in 1897, forward-thinking conservationists stepped in and the area was proclaimed a game reserve ­ the first in South Africa. The lake sustains an estimated 800 hippo and 1 200 crocodile.

False Bay Park is an ideal starting point for the exploration of the lake (on canoes) along with Lister's Point where a comfortable camp is situated.

Another favourite amongst visitors is Charter's Creek, located about 30 kilometres south of Hluhluwe village and on the lake's western shore.

This tranquil setting is given a dash of colour by the many coral trees in the area with their bright red flowers.

Charter's Creek is popular amongst fishermen, and boats can also be launched from the camp.