South Africa – Between Wilderness and Wonder

Arrival in South Africa – On the Way to St. Lucia

We are picked up at Richards Bay Airport and driven to St. Lucia. During the journey, the landscape begins to change. The roads become quieter, the greenery denser, and the air warmer. Gradually, the fatigue of travel fades away, and you can feel it: the journey is truly beginning. St. Lucia welcomes us with its unique blend of coastal charm, wilderness, and adventure. It quickly becomes clear why this place is so famous.

Here, the hippos belong to the town.

Arrival in St. Lucia – The Town of Hippos

Within minutes, we realize that this place is unlike many other travel destinations. Warning signs stand on almost every corner. Later, we learn that at night, the hippos leave the river and wander through the streets in search of fresh grass. It is completely normal to find their footprints on sidewalks or in gardens the next morning.

For nature lovers, the adventure does not begin in the national park. It begins right outside your front door.

The First Animals on Arrival Day

There is hardly any time to settle in. Already on the afternoon of our arrival, our first adventure awaits: a hippo and crocodile boat tour. The boat glides slowly across the calm water while our guide scans the surroundings. Before long, the first hippos appear. Some lie almost motionless in the water, while others raise their massive heads above the surface and yawn. But it is not only the large animals that make this tour so special. Birds are everywhere.

Herons, ibises, and even an eagle accompany us along the river. I am especially fascinated by the kingfishers. We spot several species, each with its own colors and behavior. Sometimes they sit perfectly still on branches above the water; other times they dart across the surface in pursuit of prey.

On our very first afternoon, South Africa reveals its incredible diversity. Before the first safari has even begun, we have already encountered hippos and an impressive variety of birdlife. A perfect introduction to the days ahead.

The First Safari Miles

Before sunrise, we set off. The air is cool, and a light mist hangs over the landscape, creating the kind of mystical atmosphere I love. The first rays of sunlight paint the sky orange as our vehicle slowly rolls through the wilderness.

Every bush could hide a surprise. Every bend in the road could reveal a new photographic opportunity. That feeling is exactly what makes safari so special.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi – In the Land of the Big Five

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is one of Africa’s oldest protected areas. The landscape changes constantly. Open plains give way to rolling hills, with rivers, bushveld, and vast savannas in between.

Shortly after entering the park, we spot our first elephants—bulls. Although I have seen elephants before, their sheer size never fails to impress me, and my adrenaline immediately rises.

Not long afterward comes the next encounter: rhinos. Calmly grazing among the bushes, their enormous bodies seem almost prehistoric. Watching these animals in the wild is a special experience, especially knowing how threatened they are today.

The Kings of the Savanna

Later in the day, we find lions. At first, there is only movement in the tall grass. Then two large males emerge, their magnificent manes unmistakable. They lie in the shade, resting from the heat of the day. One male lifts his head and looks in our direction. His gaze is calm and confident. For a moment, time seems to stand still.

Once again, I am deeply impressed. Out here, they are the rulers of this landscape.

The Power of the Buffalo

Among Africa’s famous wildlife, buffalo are often underestimated—and unfairly so. When we encounter a large herd, it immediately becomes clear why they are part of the Big Five. The animals appear massive, powerful, and at the same time unpredictable. An old bull stands slightly apart from the others. His horns bear the marks of many years. He watches us carefully before slowly returning to his herd.

A quiet but unforgettable encounter.

iSimangaliso – Where Wilderness Meets the Ocean

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park feels completely different from the savannas of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. Here, lakes, coastal forests, wetlands, and bushland merge into one another. Around every corner, the scenery changes. It is this diversity that makes the region so fascinating. And it is here that one of the most beautiful encounters of the entire journey awaits me.

The Leopard

We have been driving through the reserve for some time when our guide suddenly slows down. “There’s a leopard!” We spot him immediately. His body is perfectly adapted to the surroundings. Only on second glance do we realize just how large and beautiful he is. His elegant posture and alert expression make him unmistakable. He walks calmly along the road in front of us, occasionally stopping to look back. More importantly, he pauses to sniff and mark his territory. It quickly becomes clear that he is a young male. When he finally disappears into the bush, we assume he is gone. But as we drive past, we notice that he is still watching us.

For me, this encounter becomes one of the highlights of the trip.

Later, we even spot a cheetah. Extremely shy, it remains hidden in dense vegetation. We catch only a brief glimpse before it disappears once more among the branches. Although the sighting lasts only a moment, its elegance and grace leave a lasting impression.

When the Sun Goes Down

As evening approaches, the wilderness begins to change. The colors soften, and the shadows grow longer. Animals that are active during the day slowly disappear, while the creatures of the night begin to emerge.

This is when the night safari begins.

Eyes in the Spotlight

Darkness swallows the landscape. Only the beam of the spotlight slowly sweeps across bushes and trees. Every reflection could reveal an animal. Suddenly, two glowing eyes appear on a road sign. An owl. It sits motionless, observing its surroundings. Not even its head moves. In the light, its eyes seem almost supernatural.

Soon afterward, we discover more nocturnal inhabitants.

The World of Chameleons

While many visitors focus on large mammals, I am often fascinated by the smaller wonders. Our guide spots a chameleon in a bush right beside the road. Without his help, we would never have seen it. Carefully perched on a branch, it grips firmly with its specialized feet. Its eyes move independently of one another, simultaneously scanning the surroundings. Under the beam of a flashlight, the delicate textures of its skin become visible. Photographing it proves challenging due to the low light conditions, but we manage well.

What remarkable creatures—and what incredible marvels of evolution!

Africa Stays in the Heart

As our time in St. Lucia comes to an end and we prepare to continue our journey through South Africa, I reflect on the many unforgettable encounters.

The hippos of St. Lucia.
The elephants and rhinos of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi.
The mighty buffalo and the resting lions.
The leopard who gifted us an unforgettable moment.
And the owls and chameleons of the night.

South Africa showed me why Africa is so captivating for nature photographers.

Every day brings new surprises.
Every sunrise tells a new story.
And sometimes, the adventure begins in a small town where hippos wander the streets at night.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Every journey is shaped by the people who accompany it. Therefore, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Stacey and the team at Safari for Six. With their warmth, extensive wildlife knowledge, and flawless organization, they made this trip truly special. From the pickup in Richards Bay to the safaris and countless small details, everything was perfectly arranged.

Yet what remains in memory are not only the incredible wildlife sightings, but above all the personal atmosphere. At no point did we feel like just another guest. We always felt genuinely welcome and exceptionally well cared for.

Thank you, Stacey, and thank you to Safari for Six—for your kindness, your passion, and for making this journey an unforgettable experience.