Who: Jeff and Denise Rucks of Parker, with Zulu chief.
Where: Simunye Zulu Village in South Africa. Our only access to this village was by oxcart or horseback. We traveled on horses into this deep river valley surrounded by cliffs. There were five rooms built into the steep cliffs overlooking the river. Our room was a Hobbit-like structure complete with stone tub and shower.
Best meal: Traditional Zulu food featuring tender beef raised by the villagers complete with entertainment by Zulu dancers. The buffet meals at Zulu Nyala Game Reserve were incredible including the best Brie cheese and homemade pastries.
Best time to go: Mid- to late October is after the winter rains and before the hot summer. It is also an ideal time to see new baby animals.
Best deal: South African wine is superb. A bottle served with dinner is about the same price as you would expect to pay for a glass in the states.
Best travel tip: When going on a safari choose a small reserve over a large popular one. Our stay at Zulu Nyala Game Reserve allowed us to view a variety of animals in a relatively small area. Our tour group was small and intimate and had its own ranger for six days.
