Nkorho Bush Lodge : May 2010

Nkorho Bush Lodge was next on our itinerary and we were back in the Northern Sabi Sands, our home for the night was in a thatched Chalet with our own small deck, all the chalets are set out in the same open plan manner, but the decor of one chalet is different to the next and each have their own unique charm. the main part of the lodge consists of a Reception area & curio shop, a lovely bar leading onto the Main deck with an infinity pool all overlooking the large open area in front of the lodge, there is also 2nd small Rock pool and a Wine cellar.

On our Game Drives at Nkorho Bush Lodge we had excellent sightings of 3 different leopards - 2 Female & 1 Male and a Cheetah Mum & Cub as well as Rhino and my favourite the Steenbok which is a little buck that is very skittish and normally disappears by the time you lift your camera, we were so luck in the fact that this little Steenbok stood still for a few moments before dashing away into the bush, I even managed to get my first non blurry photo - see photo below.

Ngala Safari Lodge : May 2010

After the Northern Sabi Sands we then moved onto the Timbavati which is North of the Sabi Sands and here we stayed at Ngala Safari Lodge, our thatched cottage with a shaded veranda nestled amoungst the trees was very comfortable and stylish, on walking to our cottage we even had the pleasure of seeing a little bush buck which has become so used to the people around the chalets that she didn't even blink an eye as we walked past.

At Tea time and just before our Game Drive we had the pleasure of watching a little tree squirrel stealing sugar cubes! it was just so cute I couldn't chase it away and instead took the below pictures.

 

The Game in the Timbavati is quite good as we managed to see not only the High Profile game such as Lion, Elephants, Rhino, Buffalo & the elusive Leopard but we also had a spectacular sighting of Hyena Cub at the den, they were so very cute and were curious as to what exactly we were so decided to come and sniff the vehicles tires! our other amazing sighting was to see a Baby Elephant which was most likely born the day/night before, it was so adorable and the heard moved quickly to surround and protect the baby, our ranger decided not to push the heard and we left them with their new addition in peace.

Kirkmans Kamp, Sabi Sand : May 2010

After the Timbavati we were once again back in the Sabi Sands and this time in the south and at Kirkmans Kamp, this camp is built around an old colonial house and they still have many of the old artifacts such as the old hunting guns, Antlers etc. Each room at Kirkmans has a large bed, a bathroom with a bath & rain shower as well as your own little patio over looking the bush. The Main area has a Library, Bar and there is a Swimming pool with amazing views and a Massage room where the Therapist works from.

The Game was brilliant we saw 3 Different Leopards one of which was a big male and had a kill up a tree, we also saw Rhinos, Elephant, Buffalo, Kudu and Impala but to name a few and during one of our sun downers we even had a Hyena come walking over to us, we saw him from a fair distance and had packed up & jumped back onto the Vehicle before he got too close, that was not our last experience with the Hyenas though as the next night when we were going back to the bar for a pre-dinner drink we were told & Shown the Hyena that was wondering around Camp, I think he could smell our Divine boma dinner from miles away.

Exeter River Lodge, Sabi Sand : May 2010

Our final lodge on our amazing trip was Exeter River Lodge, situated in the Western sector of the Sabi Sands this lodge over looks the Sand River, our chalet was beautiful, set amongst the trees with a view of the River with its tall reeds, each of the chalets have a open plan lounge and bedroom, a bathroom with double rain showers and a bath as well as an outdoor shower and on the deck you have your own private plunge pool.

The Main area of the Lodge consists of a Large Deck overlooking the river as well as stairs down to a smaller deck closer to the River where Lunch is normally served, there is also a Boma, Main Swimming pool and Curio Shop. There is also an on site Beauty therapist who offers Divine massages in the comfort of your own chalet and you can choose to have you massage either inside or outside on the deck.

The Game Viewing as with anywhere in the Sabi Sands was brilliant and we had wonderful sightings the first was 4 huge Male Lions & 2 Female Lions around a Rhino which had died when it fell in a hole, the next amazing sighting was of 2 female Lions with their 3 cubs plus a huge Male Lion following them, it seemed like he just wanted to be around the Females and Cubs and assuming he was also wanting fresh food as the rhino was a little smelly when we saw it! He had been in a fight during the night as he was a little cut up and looked like he was feeling very sorry for himself. On our morning game drive we found a young Bull Elephant who was in Musth, he was a little grumpy and decided to mock charge us, i must admit it was a little scary but our Ranger Richard was very skillful and moved us off quickly to a safer distance.

Richard was a brilliant ranger and on the one night after we have spent some time with the Lions we went off in search of more animals but the game was in hiding so he asked us to Navigate our way back to the lodge using the Stars, he stopped at all the crossroads and asked us which was to go, it was really so much fun finding our way back.

Thank you for our trip to South Africa

We just returned from South Africa and had a wonderful time: at Cape Town, at Reilly’s Rock and especially at Arathusa.  Thank you very much for your advice and assistance.  We were particularly pleased that we had an opportunity to visit Reilly’s Rock, certainly a special place.

I will not hesitate to send friends your way when they consider a trip to South Africa.

Ed Sider

The Beautiful Game Tour 2010

As we all know, the beautiful game, the greatest sporting attraction in the world, takes place from the 11th June to the 11th July 2010 in South Africa. Accommodation at this time is understandably very scarce and is at a premium, with thousands of fans flocking to our shores to witness this sporting spectacle. We have secured some very limited accommodation that is available for this period, and we are able to offer the following dates for our 3-day Beautiful Game Tour, these dates being:

 

10 to 12 June

17 to 19 June

24 to 26 June

26 to 28 June

2 to 4 July

8 to 10 July

 

The itinerary for this 3 day tour for any of the above dates:

 

Day 1 – Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park (Dinner)

We will collect you after your breakfast from your hotel in Durban and travel along the scenic Dolphin Coast and into rural Zululand, directly to the “big 5” Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park where we will spend two nights at Hilltop Camp. The accommodation here is in a brick under thatch chalet, each bedroom with its own private bathroom/wash-basin and toilet. Each chalet is also equipped with a fridge.

 

Our game viewing commences immediately upon entering the gates into the park.

This first evening we go on a night drive in an open game-viewing vehicle with staff from KZN Wildlife, the organization that is tasked with running this reserve. Here we hope to improve on your chances of seeing some of the nocturnal species such as leopard, which are always difficult to find, lion, hyena, genet, bush babies and then the other nocturnal animals such as the owls and nightjars. You also get the chance to see some of the diurnal animals, such as impala, nyala, giraffe, zebra, etc.

 

Day 2 – Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today will be spent on extended game drives to various areas of the Park, with an early start to make the most of the day and to possibly chance upon one of the predators returning to their day-time lair. This is the game reserve famous for "Operation Rhino" which brought the white rhino back from the brink of extinction. Now you should see just how successful KZN Wildlife has been in this endeavor.

Sightings of rhino, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, and antelope such as impala, nyala and kudu are seen frequently and with the possibility of seeing lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, black rhino, hippo, crocodile, monitor lizard, hyena and antelope such as red duiker, steenbuck, waterbuck, bushbuck and then the rare Samango monkey and wild dog, much less frequently. These drives are conducted with your guide in his/her vehicle, making the most of the limited time available.

 

Day 3 – St. Lucia, Durban (Breakfast)

This morning we depart the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park after breakfast and make our way to the village of St. Lucia where we board a boat for a two hour cruise on the lake in this proclaimed World Heritage Site. Here you are guaranteed to see hippos, with a very good chance of seeing crocodiles and a vast array of bird-life. After our two-hour cruise and lunch in the village we make our way back to Durban, where we arrive in the late afternoon.

 

The tariff for this tour is R7230 per person sharing, and this includes transport to and from Durban, accommodation, one night drive, all game drives with your guide, entry fee, conservation levy, all transport in an vehicle, those meals as indicated, i.e. dinner on day one, breakfast and dinner on day two and breakfast on day three, one boat cruise on Lake St. Lucia and the services of a full time guide. Excluded will be your drinks, telephone calls, personal purchases, etc.

 

For Bookings please visit our web site
http://www.zululandreservations.co.za/The_Beautiful_Game_Tour_2010.asp

Invited to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve by Lion Sands

At the end of July 2009, Lana and I visited a number of venues in the Kruger Park area.

We were invited to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve by Lion Sands. A truly lovely venue sited on the banks of the Sabi River, the only Lodge in the Sabi Sand to have such access to this river.

Three lovely camps offering a range of services and prices from River Lodge to the very up-market Ivory Lodge and then the exclusive 1933.

River Lodge where we stayed has; a private lounge and bar with fireplace, an outdoor safari lounge, 2 swimming pools (heated in winter), wooden viewing decks, a secluded bird hide, a magnificent River Island Deck built on the river, a conference room, Lalamuka Health Spa & gymnasium, curio shop & both an indoor and open-air (Boma) dining area.

There are 18 luxurious thatched bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, outdoor & inside shower & wooden viewing deck. The bedroom area is air-conditioned with an overhead fan. All rooms have mini-bar & telephone access. The rooms are linked to all areas by raised wooden walkways.

The international award winning Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is ultra luxurious, and quite minimalistic. The public areas at Ivory Lodge offers guests the following: a private bar with fireplace, a library lounge , well stocked wine cellar, wooden viewing decks, a magnificent River Island Deck built on the river, Lalamuka Health Spa & gymnasium, curio shop & both an indoor and open-air Boma dining area.

The Lodge comprises six privately situated villas, each with a separate living room, heated swimming pool and an open plan en-suite bathroom with an enclosure for the outdoor shower. These units are very spacious. The Sabie River, which flows all year, is right there infront of the villa. Well sited to view the veriety of game that comes to drink. 

1933

This venue has four spacious suites, each with their own private view of the Sabie River. The bathrooms have double vanity units, bath and outdoor showers. There is also a childrens dormitory, able to sleep up to 8 children, with his and hers bathroom and an interleading bedroom for an au-pair.

A gracious home away from home – with a few added luxuries, including your own private chef and ranger, with the exclusive use of a 4x4 Landrover for safari game drives.

To view Photos of our trip to Lion Sands Click here