Hlane Royal National Park

Here is a weird park. It is not very big and is surrounded by a fence. Inside, it seems as if there are three sections each separated by a fence. In one of the sections, there is a pen for lions, one for cheetahs, and another one for humans. Yes, the camping area is fenced off to protect the guests.

Pens within pens within pens... A weird park...

Nevertheless, the park was interesting for the numerous white rhinoceros that live there. Near the campsite, there is a waterhole where animals come to drink during the whole day.

A priori, it should be a great spot for taking pictures. However, as it happens too often in parks, access to the waterhole is done from the side that is facing the sun almost all day long; a bad light for photography. I was lucky during my visit since it was mostly cloudy. The next day, the sun was back, thus, I continued my journey.

At the first waterhole

At the first waterhole, the scene was rather macabre. There is a dead zebra and some vultures prowling around... Let's not talk about the smell emanating from it.

The zebras didn't seem bothered by the cadaver of one of their own species.

At this time of the year, everything is extremely dry. Driving around this park is then unpleasant since the trails are covered with mud powder and the lifted dust is suffocating. One gets the impression of driving through brown flour; even at 5 km/t, it's hell.

Game drive

I managed to see a few animals while driving.

Waterhole near the camping

Waterhole near the camping - Scratching session

After drinking, most rhinos were stopping at this tree stump. They were enjoying a good scratching session.

Waterhole near the camping - A mother and its young

She stopped by as well.

The art of self-satisfaction

Let's call a cat, a cat... This rhino is masturbating on the stump, and it seems to enjoy it greatly.

Here is the proof...