Mbuluzi Game Reserve

Coincidentally, it happens that the first couple of things that we ever did in Swaziland also happen to be the last couple of things we'll do. For example, our first weekend EVER in Swaziland we went to a music festival called, BushFire. This weekend will be our last weekend EVER in Swaziland and we will be once again attending the BushFire music festival. Additionally, our second weekend in Swaziland, we went to a small game reserve called, Mbuluzi, with another PAC doctor and his family. Earlier this month we returned to the game reserve with our friends Keri and Eric in celebration of Keri's birthday. Bookends, I tell you. Bookends.

We stayed in the tented camp and it didn't disappoint. Our friends, Matt and Stephanie, were actually building the camp when we were in Mbuluzi the first time. So, it was fun to see the camp completed and especially to get to enjoy the luxurious set-up.

Outside of #3

Bedroom in our tent

Bathroom

Outdoor shower

View from our patio, overlooking the river

In addition to the 3 tents, there's a main house (called a Boma) and it boasts a well stocked kitchen and common area for guests to share. Nobody had booked the third tent; therefore, we have the Boma and grounds to ourselves.

Boma patio; we ate all of our meals out here

There's also a pool, fire pit, wood-fire stove and a lot of other amenities to enjoy around camp

It was a particularly peaceful weekend as we just played games, read and did some birdwatching. Doug enjoying his book in the sunshine

Eric using his super strength binoculars

Keri and I went running in the reserve on Saturday morning and came across a giraffe! It was the first time in my life that I've been running and come across a giraffe! After our run we walked back with the boys to show them our find. Keri and I tried to pose with him, but the giraffe was timid and you can barely see him over Keri's left shoulder and next to the tree. Oh well.

Doug got nice and close

Later in the afternoon we came across a group of 7 giraffe and were able to get a couple of close-ups

The boys had to leave early on Sunday morning to go to Lesotho for the annual Baylor Conference; therefore, Keri and I went for another run and lazed around for a while longer in camp before checking out about noon.