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rhinos—their horns are removed to prevent poaching
One morning, we witnessed a scene that still stays with
me: a bull elephant crossing in front of us, in comple-
te silence, as if he knew we were watching and simply
didn’t care. He was old, enormous, and looked at us
with great dignity. Nothing more was needed. At ano-
ther moment, a pair of cheetahs walked calmly beside
our vehicle; soon after, they sat down and posed for our
delight. These are the majestic moments that make the
journey worthwhile.
The savannah as home
Unlike other, more touristy areas of South Africa, such
as Kruger Park, the region of KwaZulu-Natal offers a
more intimate, less crowded context. Nambiti, in par-
ticular, is malaria-free, making it suitable for family
trips and more relaxed stays. Its location, between the
Drakensberg and the Ladysmith valley, makes it a re-
serve with great diversity of ecosystems: grasslands,
forests, riverbanks, cliffs. Everything changes within a
few kilometres.
TRAVEL
Here, you don’t just observe animals—you experience
them. It’s not unusual for a herd of impalas or zebras to
cross the lodge gardens while you’re having dinner, or
for a white rhino to trot past just a few metres from the
car. Wildlife is all around: at your cabin door, a few steps
from the restaurant, and sometimes even on the terra-
ce, as if trying to catch the visitor’s attention, but always
at just the right distance. Nambiti is not an open-air zoo
or a theme park—it’s real nature, where the animals set
the rules.
The Zulu people
Beyond the safari, KwaZulu-Natal offers a rich cultural
heritage. This is the land of the Zulu people, the largest
ethnic group in the country, with a history marked by resis-
tance, spirituality, and a deep connection to the land. Many
of the guides and lodge staff are Zulu, and they proudly
share stories, legends, and songs. On quiet afternoons,
as the sun sets behind the baobabs, listening to them is
like glimpsing a collective memory that still beats strong.
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