{"id":899,"date":"2015-03-11T04:39:37","date_gmt":"2015-03-11T04:39:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.isibindi.co.za\/\/blog\/?p=899"},"modified":"2023-01-20T10:23:03","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T08:23:03","slug":"ranger-report-rhino-ridge-safari-lodge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/isibindifoundation.org\/2015\/03\/11\/ranger-report-rhino-ridge-safari-lodge\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranger Report, Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge"},"content":{"rendered":"
Here at last! The first Ranger Report from experienced Head Ranger Jason Kipling, from the newly opened Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge. All photographs, including the feature photograph above, are by Jason:<\/p>\n
Where to begin!? After much anticipation Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge officially opened its doors to the 1st <\/sup>ever guests, on the 1st<\/sup> of March 2015, and what a grand opening it was! After months and months of drought the bush and animals where starting to show signs of taking serious strain, waterholes where reduced to nothing but cracked up dry mud and the Hluhluwe river was nothing but a reminder of water that once sustained life in Africa\u2019s oldest proclaimed nature reserve. All the small drainage lines and rivers which would usually be flowing this time of the year were nothing but dry scars running through a thirsty earth…<\/p>\n It was just after 2pm when Rhino Ridges 1st<\/sup> guests stopped at the reception area, they where barely out of the vehicle when the heavens opened in spectacular fashion. Roars of thunder could be heard over the Zulu chants of the staff celebrating the end of a severe dry patch and the arrival of our very 1st<\/sup> guests, it was surreal. Surely a sign of good things to come?\u00a0 For a few hours mother earth blessed us with warm, soaking rain, the kind of stuff you would expect Johnny Clegg to sing about. A blessing true to Zulu culture where rain is seen as a good omen at a christening or wedding.<\/p>\n Monday morning, 05:30 and our guests are enjoying a cup of freshly made coffee and home- made rusks while coming to terms with the new day. There is definitely a sense of excitement as we anticipate heading out on the 1st<\/sup> game drive…<\/p>\n The air was crisp and fresh and dust free for the 1st<\/sup> time in ages. We stopped to enjoy the sunrise, the morning light penetrating the mist and illuminating the rolling hills and valleys of the Hluhluwe\u2013Imfolozi in golden bliss. As we thought it can\u2019t possibly get any better than this, a rainbow unfolded itself over the valley in front of us, we where witnessing a paradise being born. As we sat in total silence and in total awe, the birds sang their cheerful morning chorus to us.<\/p>\n For the rest of the morning we were entertained by Africa\u2019s giants, the elephants, as well as buffalo, rhino, impala, nyala and giraffe. We where truly spoilt! And then… my personal highlight: as we approached the Hluhluwe River we could hear a faint rumble….. as we turned the corner we where greeted by the river, in full flow!! Water was surging through the parched river bed. The veins of the Hluhluwe reserve where once again flowing….temporarily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n