Nestled in the ever-green heart of the Umgeni Valley, Karkloof Nature Reserve offers unspoilt trails amidst an undulating plateau – which has an average altitude of approximately one-thousand meters – mistbelt forest, grasslands, wetlands and wildlife – the non-predatory type.

I first hiked the reserve in February; as dawn descended and the sun-exposed itself the sweltering heat appeared to increase at least five degrees per hour. The lush vegetation, a pulsating green as dense as a nineteenth-century novel, kept the giraffe from sight. From the top of the jagged cliff face far into the distance, we spotted the head of a giraffe grazing the tops of acacias. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to get up close and personal and vowed to return in the near future.

Five months later, our pledge met, we returned in pursuit of the elusive giraffe. The lush green grasslands moved over for the wintery browns and the blackened grasslands caused by controlled fires. The sun took a little longer to warm my bones, and only increased a degree per hour. As a lone yellow-billed kite, unusual to see at this time of the year, hovered on the thermals overhead, we came across a herd of zebra grazing peacefully. Just beyond the zebra, we spotted a few wildebeest munching away at the stark landscape. But no giraffe. Walking for hours, along the fence line that marked the private reserve, down to the river, the giraffe proved as elusive as ever. The time came to give up, pack up our rucksacks and call it a day.

Maybe giraffe prefer to be seen in summer at the serene Karkloof Nature Reserve.

Are you in search of a few more things to do around South Africa? Well then, it’s definitely worth visiting Jen Reviews for their detailed, updated and comprehensive guide on the 100 Best Things to do in South Africa. Packed with practical tips and advice, it’s the only guide you’ll ever need when ticking off a bucket list.

February 2017

July 2017