April 2014 - Nicola Ann Art

Apr 28

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road, Wildlife 0 comments tags: 4x4, BeanOn Photography, Gwahumbe Game Reserve, hippo pool, lookout, Off-road, panoramas, rough-terrain, vistas, Wildlife

Gwahumbe Game Reserve

Less than an hour’s drive from Pinetown and you’ll find yourself amidst spectacular surroundings in KwaZulu-Natal. Every turn, every bump on the 4×4 track at Gwahumbe Game Reserve is presented with a breath-taking vista; 2×4 wheel drive vehicles would also thrive, however, there is the option of being driven around by a ranger on a partly covered all-terrain vehicle/s belonging to the reserve. After exploring – the cave, river crossings, views of the pea-green hippo pool from Thirsty’s Deck, water falling into a weir and an almost head-on collision with a male rhino standing guard to a herd of wildebeest and zebra – we could not resist dining at the main lodge’s restaurant overlooking gardens brimming with indigenous vegetation where we were showered with uncompromising hospitality and sensational and hearty food. At the end, when paying our way at reception we almost insisted that they’d made a mistake when they’d taken off the entrance to the reserve from the total due to us enjoying a meal at the lodge. A 4-star lodge that should boast 5-star for the scenery alone. One of the activities includes mountain biking; imagine coming face to face with a rhino – oh the adrenaline. Guess […]

Apr 13

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road, Wildlife 0 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Early morning, Exploring, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Rugged Terrain, Tala Private Game Reserve, Wildlife

Tala Private Game Reserve

Tala Private Game Reserve, a stunning wildlife sanctuary, amidst green sugarcane fields, is only a 30 minute drive from the Mariannhill Toll Plaza, Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal. Stuart Hicove purchased the cattle ranch in 1988 and then turned it into a game ranch that stretches 3200ha and is home to white rhino, giraffe, blue wildebeest, kudu, eland, nyala, sable, waterbuck, reedbuck, common duiker, warthog and a large variety of bird species. The serenity, quietness – wildlife sounds – is an instant dose of calmness; a temporary reprieve from everyday turbulence. Day visitors are welcome, and a nominal entrance fee is payable at the gate. Office hours: 7:00am to 5:00pm Gate times: 7:00am to 7:00pm (Summer) 7:00am to 5:00pm (Winter) Guides are available for game drives and bush walks. There are picnic sites overlooking the rock pool and a restaurant at the main lodge.

Apr 10

4×4 training – let’s get stuck!

Thank you to both Suzuki Pinetown and Travis Duggan from Shift Group for the well organised 4×4 training, or rather adventure, that took place at the Killarney track in Shongweni, a week after I purchased my first ever 4×4 vehicle. Impeccable timing! Never-ending thrills beneath a sky as blue as the Indian Ocean streaked with wisps of cloud, a sun throbbing hotter by the hour and a breath or two of air in a valley surrounded by red earth and green lush shrubbery! What more could anyone want? A bevy of Jimnys and Grand Vitaras were all eager to get their tyres caked in thick dirt and washed off at the river crossing both at the start and end of the semi-challenging route. Did you say a river crossing? Driving my spanking new car through water with rocks and slime and… “Cars do not like water,” Travis informed the group, all glaring at him with expressions like a kinetic strap pulled tight. Was that supposed to make me feel better? “But the Jimnys can safely absorb water up to the Suzuki badge.” As the river appeared that it would only reach mid-rim I started breathing again and felt […]

Gwahumbe Game Reserve

Tala Private Game Reserve

4×4 training – let’s get stuck!

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