text: My experience of the safari camp Umlani was of happiness and fascination. Everything we wanted was always right there whether it was a hot chocolate to start the day or some expert advice and knowledge from the rangers. Umlani was a more traditional camp which was one of the best things about it. In the small wood and thatched huts, we were always close to the bush.
  My experience of all of the animal viewings will stay with me forever, from the cackling spotted hyenas to the graceful elephants. Some of the most exciting encounters were: Coming within 5m of multiple leopards; seeing the rare and endangered Ground Hornbills; watching as a massive group of hyenas stole food from under some lions’ noses and of course being mock charged by some baby elephants while their mothers looked on in despair! Possibly my favourite experience was of watching wild dogs trot along the road sniffing out their prey and never stopping no matter what came into their paths. To anyone who is reading this, I think that you should come to South Africa and create these memories and share them with those that you love.