Singita Grumeti Reserves in the Serengeti Tanzania were recently singled out by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) as one of 3 finalists in the Conservation category of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2010.
The winners of the awards will be announced in Beijing (China) on 26 May 2010. Singita’s philosophy of focusing equally on hospitality, conservation and community is what sets it apart. Since its establishment in 1992, Singita has been a consistent winner of many esteemed global awards, including accolades for its contributions to the conservation of natural heritage across Southern and East Africa.
Living up to its reputation as the “cheetah” destination in the Serengeti, Kusini Camp has produced some excellent cheetah sightings during the month of January. Guests from France with a desire to see cheetah came to camp and were well rewarded when they witnessed an incredible sight. While watching three brothers rest a small group of wildebeest came into view. It was instant action when the brothers got up into an immediate stalk. All three cats exploded from cover to chase down the wildebeest, however, instead of taking down a single wildebeest each brother successfully caught their own. It was an incrediable experience for the guests.
Three golf estates in the Waterberg Mountain, in Limpopo have joined forces to offer Waterberg Golf and Game packages to the South African market. Zebula Golf Estate and Spa, Euphoria Golf Estate and Hydro and Elements Private Golf Reserve will offer packages that include bed, breakfast and unlimited golf-cart hire and use of the driving range. The courses are in close driving distance of each other, with Elements Private Golf Reserve 25 kilometres from Zebula Golf Estate & Spa, and Euphoria Golf Estate & Hydro one hour and fifteen minutes from Elements.
The strategy also includes joining forces with the recently opened Legends Golf & Safari Resort, situated 45 minutes drive from Euphoria, to offer Limpopo Golf & Safari packages internationally. The appeal of these packages is the golf and game experience, where golfers can enjoy golf on premier golf courses while watching game, followed by a Big 5 Game experience. The combination of golf and game is unique to South Africa and has been identified as one of the key selling points for the packages.
The standard eight-day package includes two nights at each of the four resorts, with unlimited golf-cart hire and use of the driving range as well as two Big 5 safaris. The launch of the international packages will take place on March 17-19.
The seven male Lions of Kwara Camp have split into two smaller groups for now – perhaps as a reaction to the scattered game since the rains came. One group of four moved north to the Tsum Tsum channel while the remaining three remained closer to the Shinde main road. One eye and her two female descendants have been on the hunt quite regularly and were observed one night taking down a Kudu in the thick woodlands which is their preferred habitat.
A family of six Cheetahs including last years star mother of five cubs was seen hunting Impala across Tsum Tsum mabala. The hunt provided excellent photographic opportunities for the lucky guests and it is great to see the family being so successful after all the trials of growing up last year.
At Tsum Tsum there were also a pack of Wild Dogs that were extraordinarily mobile. The same dogs had been seen at the Santawani area of the Okavang Delta only a few weeks before and must have travelled at least 150km but probably a lot more to get here. Additionally, they would have had to cross the Maunichura or Khwai River which is a deep water crossing covered in a Papyrus reed bed. This is a fine example of the tenacity and endurance of these extraordinary animals.
Kwara Camp itself is still enjoying excellent views across the lagoon of over 60 hippos that are becoming increasingly intense as competition for space hots up. The fresh flood water is still months away so the Hippos will have no choice but to fight or move on. All this should make excellent game viewing at the camp.