Game viewing at Lagoon
posted in Botswana Safaris on Wednesday, May 26, 2010
North Kwando has been a haven for large numbers of giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and tsessebe due to a somewhat never-ending rainy season which has brought fantastic grazing opportunities. The regular lions have been absent recently as they follow the buffalo herds and that means that wild dog and leopard sightings are plentiful. A large male leopard was spotted recently by visitors, eating his impala kill. The buffalo sightings are somewhat sporadic due to the grazing available to them in the mopane forests, though some guides have spotted smaller herds on a number of occasions.
One of the more unusual sightings has been the Livingstone’s eland. This is one of the largest members of the antelope family and they are an extremely rare sighting as they are very shy. They are often seen fleeting and they general reside in dense forests for protection.
Read more on Lagoon Camp, Kwando and the Linyanti River here.
Mahlatini and JNWine Congratulate Competition Winner
posted in South Africa Holidays on Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Mahlatini recently joined forces with award winning James Nicholson Wine Merchant to offer eager travellers and wine lovers the opportunity to improve their travel and wine knowledge and enter a competition to win a 7 night luxury holiday to Cape Town and the Winelands.
Kristen Collins, James Nicholson Wine Merchant, and Christopher Goldring, Mahlatini, congratulate Delia Skan from Belfast who celebrates winning the holiday of a lifetime.
Kalahari game viewing
posted in Botswana Safaris on Monday, May 24, 2010
The late rains at Tau Pan mean that it’s a hive of activity with large herds of gemsbok, springbok and wildebeest, as well has honey badgers, jackals and giraffe. They’ve all been seen regularly and the resident Tau Pan pride have also been seen often, especially the two brothers and two females, seen hunting on the pan.
Elsewhere on the popular day drive activities the other pans and fossil river beds have been providing excellent sightings as large herds are attracted to the sweet grass in the area. A wide variety of general game, including a herd of over 30 eland, have been seen along with some excellent predator sightings. A female cheetah and her young have been seen along with another young female on a springbok kill. A pride of seven lion are seen regularly at Phuku Pan, while San Pan has provided some interesting sightings of a young lion family comprising of 3 cubs and 3 adults.
The more unusual sightings have been in central Kalahari where a troop of baboon has been spotted on Tau Pan. They were seen foraging on the pan before moving on. The presence of the baboon have been put down to the high level of rainfall that the area has seen recently.
Johannesburg wine tasting event
posted in South Africa Holidays on Friday, May 21, 2010
Coca Cola Dome in Randburg, Johannesburg, is holding a 3 day wine tasting extravaganza for all of those who love wine. The show will present some of South Africa’s best wines to keen audiences. Tasting will be done in small groups with an interactive and personalized format. The even will take place on the 4th of June to the 6th, 2010.
White Cubs at Motswari Game Reserve
posted in South Africa Safaris on Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Motswari Game Reserve’s tourism season was enhanced with a privileged sighting of two white lion cubs. Guests are still fascinated by the cubs who are now nearing a year old. Motswari’s guests are intrigued by the story of the recessive gene and the astonishing beauty of the cubs.
Nxai Pans
posted in Botswana Safaris on Friday, May 14, 2010
A seemingly never ending rainy season has brought a number of positives in Nxai Pans, Botswana. The Zebra have remained in the area in their hundreds, along with large herds of gemsbok and wildebeest. They are not in a hurry to return to the Makgadikgadi as drinking water and grazing is plentiful. The large amount of zebra and antelope species is also attracting many predators to the area. This is great for visitors but unfortunate for the other animals.
A pride has been spotted recently consisting of two female, two cubs and one male lion. This group has been spotted on a number of zebra kills along with four other lionesses. Cheetahs have also been seen in the area on kills, and a female with her young are seen regularly.
The amount of animals visiting the waterhole is huge, and the spectacle has been made even more exhilarating with the addition of 30 elephant bulls. Gemsbok and zebra can be seen scrambling to get a place at the watering hole, along with all the other thirsty animals.
Governors Camp
posted in Kenya Safaris on Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Over at Governor’s Camp in Kenya, work has been ongoing in upgrading the camp’s accommodation. Four fantastic new family tents have been opened and they can accommodate up to 2 adults and 3 children. Families staying at Governors enjoy game drives and trips to a local Masai village, talks in Masai culture, visits to the local school to interact with the Masai children, nature walks around the camp, kids meals and much more.
The best game viewing is right on the doorstep of Governor’s Camp so you don’t have far to travel to get some great photographs.
Makakatana Bay Lodge
posted in South Africa Safaris on Monday, May 10, 2010
Guests at the Makakatana Bay Lodge in South Africa have been enjoying interesting sightings of the hippo and crocodile that populate the St Lucia estuary, all from the comfort of the Makakatana’s boat trips. A large herd of Elephant have also been seen around the Makakatana area for two weeks now and guests recently enjoyed the sight of a male leopard that was lying in a tree for a few hours. The hippos are still frequently visiting the watering hole in front of the lodge at night whilst captivated guests eat their dinner on the front deck by candle light.
For more information on Makakatana Bay Lodge, click here.
Sabi Sabi guide selection process
posted in South Africa Safaris on Friday, May 7, 2010
In January of this year the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve in South Africa took four optimistic rangers on board their team in the hopes of finding new potential guides. The selection process is difficult and the rangers underwent a number of demanding tasks. Since then a new member has joined the team and all five are now in training under the guidance of the Sabi Sabi’s head ranger.
Three of the five are the last guides to undergo the existing training system – an intensive course at Sabi Sabi’s famous Nkombe Camp followed by a three month apprenticeship under the guidance of already qualified rangers. In future, however, the three month apprenticeship will come first and the training at Nkombe Camp second.