Sun Destinations

nDzuti Safari Camp has a strategically placed waterhole right in front of the expansive deck, adorned with sun loungers and, of course, the bar. In between game drives (which also take place mercifully later than at the crack of dawn) guests have nDzuti’s wonderful, green garden to relax in; either in the shade of the fever trees, or in the warmth of the sunny deck.

On this particular occasion, the guests at nDzuti were settling in for evening sundowners when a herd of elephants arrived for their sunset drink at the waterhole. Just when they thought the show was over and settled down for dinner under the stars, the arrival of 2 sub-adult male lions stole the limelight. All in an evening here at nDzuti!

The biggest land mammals and certainly one of the Big 5, elephants can be some of the most entertaining creatures to watch. From breeding herds with babies, to lone bulls, elephants are everything from comical, to mesmerising, to nerve-racking. What a pleasure to have them come right up to the waterhole and bestow their gentle beauty.

The 2 male lions that visited next had caused quite a stir only a day or 2 earlier when they and 2 brothers were chased off a buffalo kill by one big dominant lion. It seems they survived the aggressive confrontation, and 2 of the lions had found their way to nDzuti’s waterhole where they lay, quite relaxed, providing a superb sighting right in front of camp.

On warm Klaserie evenings, dinner (scrumptiously home-cooked) is served on the deck too and, more often than not, there are nocturnal creatures that arrive to drink. Hyenas, honey badgers, civets, and jackals make regular appearances, while a giant eagle owl sends deep ‘whoooo’ sounds into the night.

On one occasion, a ‘clan battle’ between 2 groups of hyenas broke out and the silence was struck with excitable cackling and eerie shrieks from both sides of the camp. Close by, the hyenas called to each other, sending warnings and threats into the still night. We saw one or 2 of these predators running under the light at the waterhole, but we eventually just turned it off and listened to it play out. Another incredible experience from the deck at nDzuti, where guests can sit in comfort and have the Klaserie come to them!