Gqoyeni Lodge at Umfolozi Game Park

We have just experienced the most amazing 5 days at Gqoyeni lodge in Umfolzi game park, with Tony, Melinda and Jane. We had such an exciting start to our stay as on our arrival we encountered a herd of buffalo very close to the lodge followed by a pride of 5 lion stalking them – all within touching distance of the car. Thought we might see a kill but numbers overcame might as the buffalo charged the lion and drove them away. Was slightly apprehensive the following morning when on a walk through the bush with the ranger allocated to our lodge we decided to try and find the buffalo!!!! – we all had images of being the meat in the buffalo-lion sandwich, instead we encountered a hyena which dashed across our path. The walks through the bush were possibly the highlight of the visit, although we had amazing car sightings of all the large animals (White Rhino for which the park is renowned for saving, elephant, impala, nyala, zebra, kudu and a rock python) and many of the smaller ones too plus too many birds to cover. The tranquility of the lodge which was nestled by the river with its own hide was very hard to leave.  Words can’t explain how very magical this place is and the call of the wild will remain in our hearts and minds for many months to come.