Zululand Rhino Reserve Hot

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Lush, waist-high green- grassed hillsides dotted with acacia trees and shrubs drape the landscape of the Zululand Rhino Reserve and it is hard to believe that this area was heavily grazed cattle ranches in the not so distant past.

In 2004, 17 visionary landowners dropped their internal fences to create the “Big Five” reserve that is home to 70 mammal species and a large diversity of birdlife. The reserve has obviously been well managed since that time given the quality of the veld and the healthy glistening herds of Impala, Burchelles Zebra, Nyala, Blue Wildebeest and Giraffe.

The Zululand Rhino Reserve is also part of the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project and is also home to other endangered species. A number of luxury lodges are scattered throughout the reserve and knowledgeable guides lead morning and afternoon game drives as well as guided walks.

Photography

Best Time to Photograph

Morning and afternoon guided game drives are provided and this coincides both with the best photographic lighting as well as the most active periods of the day for the variety of animals and birds that can be encountered on the reserve.

Type of Photography

Wildlife Specific
Birds
Landscapes
Big Five

Best Time of Year

Throughout the year

Photographic Tips

Given that space is often limited on game drive vehicles, where other guests may also be present, the use of a monopod for stabilizing the camera is a must. Speak to your guide before departure and request to sit either next to or directly behind the driver. This will allow you to constantly communicate your photographic needs to him/her. Apart from the game drives, there are usually bird baths at the various lodges and these can be excellent for bird photography through the middle of the day as birds come down to drink and bathe.

Recommended Gear

With limited space available on game drive vehicles, I would suggest taking a 24 – 70mm zoom lens for landscape images, a 70 – 200 mm zoom lens for relaxed game species and a large telephoto lens for bird photography. A monopod, bean bag and tripod are all necessary items of equipment

Highlights

Top Species

Footnotes

Season and Weather

Summer months can be extremely hot and humid and afternoon thundershowers can be expected. Winter weather is more pleasant with cool temperatures and more stable weather patterns.

Habitats

Other Activities

Bird Watching
Game Viewing
Guided Walks

Location

Closest Town

Hluhluwe

Getting There

The Zululand Rhino Reserve lies off the N2 along the D464, which is 32kms north of the town of Hluhluwe.

Address

Zululand Rhino Reserve

Map

Swap Start/End Start Address

End

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Author: Peter ChadwickWebsite: http://www.peterchadwick.co.zaEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About

As a dedicated conservationist, Peter Chadwick has 30 years strategic and operational conservation experience in terrestrial and marine protected area management. He has worked within all of the major biomes in southern Africa as well as having provided expert conservation advice at a global level. His conservation and wildlife photography is a natural extension to his conservation work where he has numerous opportunities to capture photographs that showcase the beauty and complexity of the outdoors. Peter’s photography is internationally recognized, with this work appearing globally in a wide range of print and electronic media.