Some tour guides go above and beyond the call of duty, but George from Isibindi Kosi Forest Lodge in KwaZulu Natal takes the cake.

In an act of unnecessary, but impressive bravery, George subjects himself to the bites of the local ‘terror’ ants nearly every time he takes a tour group out for no other reason than to show the visitor what these ants are capable of.

“Their sting is like wasps,” George says.

Less icky, but far more dangerous are Kosi Bay’s hippopotamuses, who inhabit the lakes by day, wandering on to the shores of Kosi Forest and beyond by night. According to George, the local hippos are usually only aggressive when their babies are present, which seemingly is all the time.

On a boat journey through Kosi Bay, which comprises a series of four large ‘linked’ lakes, the hippos we encounter are always on guard. 20 to 25 metres is as close as you’re allowed to get to the hippos, and given the reputation of these beautiful beasts, some even find that a little close. Still, one can’t help but feel a real affection for these wonderful creatures, who actually appear incredibly docile in their daytime environment.

During the evening, the local Thonga (the name of the people who inhabit this region, just south of the Mozambique border) who are caught wandering the forests have a simple solution to scare away the hippos, who come on to land to feed on grass.

“When they have no torch, the men will sing,” George says, pointing out that despite their small ears, hippos had very good hearing.

Soaring gracefully above Kosi Bay and its hippo inhabitants is the region’s famous birdlife. With the exception of the Pel’s Fishing Owl, who is spotted only a handful of times a year, none is more spoken of than the enigmatic palm-nut vulture.

According to George, this ‘vegetarian’ vulture feeds on the fruit of the local raffia palm trees, stripping the shell of the fruit with its beak before scraping off and devouring its bright orange husk. Nestled high among the palm fronds, the palm-nut vulture remains uniquely vegetarian in a family of consummate carnivores.

Meanwhile, almost carnivorously, George keeps prodding the nearest ant colonies..