Sun Destinations Blog - Page 18 of 116 - Sun Destinations Safari

Nov 15, 2019
Africa on Foot, Blog, Camp Linyanti, Camp Savuti, Chacma Bush Camp, Ezulwini, nThambo Tree Camp, Sava Dunes, The Week in Pictures, Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside, Uncategorized

The Week in Pictures : Wilderness, Rainforest and Coastal Perfection

Well…Haven’t we been a tad bit quiet on the Week in Pictures front? That’s a rhetorical question. We’ve been tightly wrapped in a chrysalis of work and travel, but now we’re back with an elephant-memory vengeance. And we’re most certainly going to make up for lost time with these creative images from our guides and photographers. These are our recent (and favourite) images from our camps and lodges scattered around the pockets of wilderness, rainforest and coastal perfection in southern and east Africa. We’ll continue to update you weekly, and feature the camps that deliver exciting news and recent photographs from the “week that was”. In the meantime, we trust you’ll enjoy browsing through a few of our favourite photos from the past couple of weeks. We owe you a bumper edition, so here it is !

Kruger

5 of our Kruger camps stood out this week in terms of sightings and delivery of memorable images.

Over the past few months a new group/coalition of lions have infiltrated the traverse around Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp. The coalition of 6 (comprising 1 female and 5 males) is seen on a regular basis, and have just recently been named. The new name is the Vuyela coalition, which means “The Return” in Shangaan. The team are still establishing the coalition’s origins and in due course we’ll share opinions, sightings and historical data of this burgeoning group of lions. The most recent sighting

Angele from Ezulwini Game Lodges always has the scoop when it comes to sightings. Normally at the helm of the game viewer, armed with her camera, she always manages to delight us with fresh updates from our luxury Balule lodge. The past few weeks guests at River Lodge enjoyed a plethora of carnivore sightings, with the most notable sighting being that of the African wild dogs tottering about.

The Kudyela lionesses and their cubs continue to dominate the feline sightings, and the mad Machaton’s seem to have returned to their turf. A lone River Pride lioness was located a few hundred metres from one of the suites, contact calling to the rest of her pride on the other side of the river. The presence of lions certainly hasn’t deterred the leopards (which is often the case) and local rosette legends Faka Nchovela, Nkanyi and Chavaluthu came out to play.

The elephants have returned to Chacma Bush Camp, and guests are enjoying watching the herds from the comfort of the patio. The rains have hit the Maseke, and soon we’ll see a replenished landscape and bursts of green popping up everywhere. Interestingly enough, the leopards of Chacma have also started to show face !

Umkumbe Safari Lodge really stole the show with their recent sighting of a caracal on a kill. What a unique sighting for the team! Guide Shaun Atkinson was on the scene, and managed to capture a few crisp and perfect images. Lions were littering the dry riverbed in front of the lodge, while elephant herds traversed the riverbank in front of the pride. Yet another noteworthy sighting from the deck. And the Sabi Sand leopards? Yes – there have been plenty of leopard sightings while out on drive. The lions most commonly spotted on drive with the passionate Umkumbe team include the Othawa male and the Mhangeni lionesses.

All in all, another successful week of contrasting sightings in the Greater Kruger.

Mozambique

Our blissful tropical lodge, Sava Dunes, is Mozambique’s best-kept secret. Located in a remote area between Barra and Tofo, along a pristine stretch of beach, this luxury eco-lodge is most certainly the perfect place for a beach break. Pair it with one of our sister company’s lodges (Rukiya Safari Camp) for the perfect beach and bush holiday!

In Sava Dunes news, the family garden facing cottage is up and running; and adds a nice new addition to the ocean facing cottages. It sleeps 4 people and is ideal for families with teenagers. Whale season was successful, and guests enjoyed plenty of sightings of humpback whales in front of the lodge.

Botswana

Camp Savuti and Camp Linyanti are located in predator central within the Chobe National Park, and even though the Savuti channel is dry, it still enjoys plenty of predator action. Recent highlights from a trip to the Savuti and Linyanti region delivered astounding results.

Uganda

Our Uganda properties are ticking over nicely and our recently released Trails of Uganda packages have proven to be quite popular with eager trekkers. Gorilla Safari Lodge and Crater Safari Lodge are both located in a raw paradise in the heart of rainforests and crater lakes.

Charming Chacma

Richard Brown Says, ” In a quiet corner of the lesser-known Maseke Private Game Reserve waits Chacma Bush Camp, a laid-back luxury oasis in the teeming wilds of the Greater Kruger.”

I’ve visited Chacma Bush Camp on more than one occasion, and each time was an absolute delight. Proprietor Luan Oosthuizen and sidekick Em Gatland endeavour to give guests a deluxe bush experience, without the air of ostentatiousness pervasive in many high-end bush lodges nowadays. This is unapologetically Africa, but served up with a side of luxury.

Chacma is situated in the heart of the raw and undulating 8 000ha Maseke Balule Game Reserve, and you get the feeling that its location wasn’t chosen by accident. At its rear, a rocky koppie (home to a troop of chacma baboons and the odd klipspringer) stands sentinel, while a waterhole in front of the camp attracts an array of wildlife daily, including members of the Big Five. In fact, it’s only the barely visible electric fence surrounding the camp that keeps the elephants from making themselves at home. The outdoor area comprises a lovely lapa, a sparkling pool to cool off in and an inviting deck, complete with comfy sun loungers from which to keep an eye on the waterhole. Meanwhile, the boma is perfect for evening bonfires and traditional braais.

Accommodation consists of three comfortable chalets largely of stone and thatch, which blends seamlessly into their rocky environment. The spacious Klipspringer suite accommodates a family of six and comes with one of the ultimate bush novelties – an outdoor shower; the Grysbok suite is ideal for families with two separate rooms: the master perfect for Mom and Dad, while the other smaller room with bunkbeds is great for the munchkins; and the Steenbok, which sleeps a further three adults and is closest to the waterhole with a well positioned deck providing front-row seats to the frequent big-game action that the water source attracts.

Days at Chacma are tranquil and easy. You could also tailor them exactly to your mood on any given day. When you feel like a world-class game drive in one of the most game-rich areas in Africa, guided by the crème de la crème of game rangers, just let the managers know… Expect to see lion, plenty of elephant, rhino, cheetah, a diversity of antelope, buffalo and even leopard. The Maseke and Balule reserves share unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park, which means there’s no end to the list of game one might spot on drive. Also keep your eye out for the wonderful diversity of birds on show here, from herons, kingfishers and plovers to a kaleidoscope of robins, chats, coucals and, of course, various raptors prowling the skies.

Game drives might deliver you to any number of spectacular viewpoints dotting the reserve where either a morning coffee or a sundowner can be enjoyed, including one on the banks of the gushing Olifants River where rows of crocs bask on the banks and bloats of hippos wallow in the shallows.

Of course, if you were so inclined, you could also opt to sleep in and slowly make your way down to the glassy pool for a mid-morning swim and a lazy tanning session on one of the sun loungers before breakfast is served.

Late afternoons hold more of the same, and you can almost be guaranteed that your evening drive will serve up a whole different menu of game than the morning’s, including the possibility of spotting shy critters such as civets, servals, leopard, hyena and even aardwolf if you’re very lucky. Bush sunsets here are simply staggering, especially when viewed from a particular outcrop that overlooks the green undulations of the reserve, and a big waterhole at the foot of it.

Arriving back from your evening drive, dinner is an event in itself, especially on those boma braai days, when a selection of meat is cooked to succulent perfection over sizzling coals.

Chacma’s staff will never let you want for anything during your stay; they’re at your every beck and call and the camp managers also happen to make for excellent, knowledgable company, with a repertoire of funny bush tales that will have you slapping your knee late into the night.

It’s a wonderful bush escape far removed from the busy roads of the Kruger. It’s never over crowded, with no more than two vehicles at any given sighting, and sometimes just one. It’s private, secluded, and ideal for those looking to recharge, destress and rewild.

For those seeking a little more adventure, check out Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails, a thrilling and thoroughly informative three-day walking safari through the same reserve, with mobile camps pitched in a different location each night.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge Spots 2 Cheetah on a Steenbok Kill

Shaun Atkinson, one of the guides from Umkumbe Safari Lodge, is certainly a good luck charm when it comes to spotting big cats. Come to think of it, most of the guides at Umkumbe enjoy prolific cat sightings. A combination of bushveld experience and knowledge of animal behaviour – and good luck – stands them in good stead when it comes to finding the cats of the Sabi Sand. The reserve is rife with leopard activity at the moment, and even the hefty lions are also showing off their tawny bodies and inimitable prowess.

It’s Spring time, which means the reserve is abuzz with activity from vulnerable young ungulates exploring their new environment. The predators gleam with excitement while they wait in the wings for the right time to select an item from the menu. Just recently, 2 cheetah took advantage of the abundant prey sources on offer and selected a sizeable meal from nature’s menu.

The visibility of the cats was 100%, which meant Shaun was able to photograph the sleek speedsters in natural light. Cheetah have a penchant for smaller prey – they simply don’t have the strength to battle it out with feisty prey. They will stalk and approach quarry that is relatively easy to take down. Remember, a cheetah’s modus operandi is speed and not strength. Strength and power are left up to their cat counterparts. This is also part of the reason these cats hunt during daylight hours – to eliminate competition and scuffles with scavengers. Cheetah tend to choose the cooler time of day to hunt – dawn and dusk – because there’s enough light and temperatures haven’t soared through the roof.

These slender cats also tend to hunt as a coalition, which is exactly what we saw happening with these two local felines at Umkumbe Safari Lodge. Game drives with the team from Umkumbe are always successful, and this was no exception. Guides and guests were treated to incredible sightings of a cheetah coalition tucking into a little steenbok kill.

Photographing the Predator Action at Camp Savuti

Located in a pristine sector of ferocious wilderness in the mysterious Savute sector of the Chobe National Park, lies the inimitable Camp Savuti. A rugged and comfortable camp, the charming Camp Savuti never fails to impress. The camp rests on the edge of the erratic and largely misunderstood Savuti channel, which has been bone-dry since 2014. We don’t know when the channel will flow again, but one thing’s for certain – despite the lack of water, there is still plenty of predator action at Camp Savuti. Em Gatland’s photos are visual proof that the vast region is rife with predator action. It turns out that some of Em’s most epic predator photos were taken in the Savute region while she was staying at Camp Savuti. Needless to say, she was humbled by the intense and immense sightings of leopards, leopard cubs, the Marsh Pride of lions on a kill, and some very young lion cubs.

Famed for being the home of the elephant-killing Marsh pride of lions (click here to read about Em’s Marsh Pride of Lions sighting) , the bloodline is still evident in the area. Stumbling across any pride of lions in the area is likely to be breakaways of the Marsh Pride or the pride itself. To be in the company of the most well-documented lion lineage and to observe their sheer power, is quite amazing. These lions are used to having to adapt and survive; and are therefore extremely dominant and powerful. They learnt to take down a variety of prey and certainly don’t eliminate the looming terrestrial giants as possible sources of prey.

Em was lucky enough to see the Marsh Pride prowess in action and witness the ruthless pride tucking into a massive giraffe kill! It really is a case of adapt and survive in this brutal environment surrounding Camp Savuti. The size of the kill itself clearly shows us the grit and determination of this pride, and evidence that the Marsh Pride are still as strong as ever. When the channel eventually flows again, it will bring with it a complete change in habitat and draw in the herbivores, general game and jumbos. When there’s abundance of prey like that, the notorious pride will probably settle for smaller prey (like most lions do!).

It wasn’t only the sightings of the Marsh Pride that left Em humbled by nature’s natural gifts. Seeing a nurturing leopardess with its cub very swiftly outshone the Marsh Pride sighting. Leopards make excellent mothers and will ensure their young are carefully stashed away in a safe den area before revealing them. Leopards need to make sure their young are old enough to face the perils of the wild. Mother’s will stay with their cubs for up to 2 years and teach them how to hunt and fend for themselves. In this case, the cub was still very young an stayed glued to its mother’s side. An absolute historical moment just observing two elusive leopards practicing their climbing techniques.

Of course, these are just her moments shared with the predators. There are astounding moments with elephants, birds and other animals which we’ll release in due course.

In the meantime, enjoy this portfolio of predator action images – we certainly have!

Heritage Day : Recipes for Potjie, Roosterkoek, and Amarula Marshmallows

On September 24th we set aside the day to celebrate our rich and cultural heritage, and to revel in the diversity of our nation. It’s a day where we showcase our traditions, marvel at our colourful background, appreciate our variety of languages and take pride in our heritage. Our country is littered with stories of turbulence and struggle; but despite the hardships we persevere. The one thing all South African’s have is passion, “gees”…and a love of food! Today we’re going to share a part of our foodie culture with you and furnish our fans with a few traditional secret braai recipes (you’re welcome). We’re also in the midst of the Rugby World Cup, so while you’re salivating over our recipes, let’s give a massive shout out to the Bokke. Play lekker out there.

Heritage Day is a day where we showcase our traditions, marvel at our colourful background, appreciate our variety of languages and take pride in our heritage. Heritage Day means something different for everyone but generally incorporates family time, shared meals, indulging in cultural celebrations or simply getting back to nature. Plenty of South Africans choose to braai on Heritage Day, and the day has affectionately been referred to as “braai day”. South Africans love the sizzle and pop of a wood fire!

Today we’re sharing 3 of our favourite braai recipes. Starters, main course and dessert were cooked with flair and flavour. In true South African style, our team cooked these meals on an open wood fire – after all, it is “Braai Day”. There’s no specific time frame when cooking – you just need the right ingredients and continuous taste- testing to see if it tickles the tastebuds.

Our teams put their thinking (chef) caps on, suckled on a few local beers and decided on the following braai essentials.

Roosterkoek : Balls of freshly bread dough cooked on a grid over the coals, stuffed with whatever you want.
Amarula : The team used this to coat the sticky, smoky marshmallows. Amarula is a creamy liqueur made from the fruit of the African marula tree.
Potjie : You can put whatever you want into a potjie, and directly translated means “small-pot food”. There are two rules – you need to use a massive cast iron pot and you need to plonk it into the fire.

Africa on Foot : Heartwarming Beer-based Sweetcorn Roosterkoek

Roosterkoek is for bread lovers. These doughy rolls should be cooked over the fire, and laden with toppings of your choice. These are the ingredients for the perfect Roosterkoek.

1 packet of yeast
Stoneground self-raising flour
1 x Black Label beer (room temp)

Mix together the above ingredients and allow to rise in the sun. While it’s doing this, brown the sweetcorn on the fire. Separate dough into even shaped balls and then braai over low coals turning continuously until cooked. Serve with lashings of butter!

Chacma Bush Camp : Recipe for Rich Venison Potjie Perfection

Clean and prep your potjie pot for the most epic, traditionally South African potjie. Making a potjie is about layering. Chuck the cast iron pot onto the fire, throw some oil in and let it heat up. Meat gets put in first, together with onions. This normally seals and locks in the juices. Vegetables are placed in next, and then the other ingredients. Potjies need to simmer and bubble and shouldn’t be stirred. Keep moving the pot around on the coals until you hear the gentle humming and bubbling of the mixture. Don’t let it boil and overheat !

Here are the ingredients the Chacma team used for their potjie :

2 kg venison ( 200 g per person )
1 x Black Label beer
Fresh ginger
Fresh garlic
2 x large onions
Fresh herbs – parsley, thyme and rosemary
Butternut
Baby marrows
Fresh tomatoes
Sweetcorn
Two fresh green chillies
Salt and pepper to taste

nThambo Tree Camp : Velvet Amarula Smoky Braai’d Marshmallows

Dessert consisted of delicious koeksisters (twisted pastry soaked in syrup) and marshmallows dipped in Amarula and braai’d over the fire.

Dip marshmallows in Amarula
Find a stick (preferably NOT from a tamboti tree) and place your mallow so that it’s secure
Braai your mallow until it’s done how you like it
Re-dip that mallow before shoving it down your gullet
Repeat until you’ve finished the packet of marshmallows!

Thanks to Em Gatland who not only took the photos, but also provided us with the recipes.

Go Bokke…and…local is lekker!

The Week in Pictures : Catching Up with the Untamed Ones

We’ve experienced a bit of a lull in the Week in Pictures, but certainly not a lull in game viewing. Across the board its been a continuous cycle of predator sightings, unpredicted take downs and rare moments shared with the residents of the Lowveld. Our guides have been busy in the field, leading guests into life-changing sightings, while our photographers have been hiding behind their lenses, capturing exquisite stills from the bushveld. We finally had a rest period between drives, and found the time to collate a bumper album of images combined with a quick catch-up.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp enjoyed 24 hours of noteworthy sightings, the fragments of which we’re still enjoying. Friday things were ticking along nicely, and come Monday a flood of insane wildlife reports littered the airwaves. In a space of 24 hours guides at camp spotted 3 cheetah relaxing after a recent kill (their matted bloodied fur was a “dead” giveaway), 6 bloated lions tucking into a massive meaty giraffe, and 15 wild dog puppies huddling together on the road. And these were just the highlights!

Ezulwini Game Lodges is always at the front of the queue when it comes to lion sightings. Just when you become familiar with Ezulwini’s consistent sightings of the Kudyela pride and the Machaton males, things shift. It now appears that the River Pride females have been hanging around River Lodge’s area of the traverse for roughly 2 weeks. The Kudyelas seem to be moving around quite a bit, but they’re still spotted while out on game drive. In other cat news, the Matimba male leopard was also spotted – the leopards certainly didn’t want the lions hogging the limelight.

Chacma Bush Camp really impressed their recent guests with their game drives and personalised service. When one of the guests arrived, the efficient staff knew that it was her birthday and baked a cake for her. They also ensured the welcome area was decorated prior to her arrival. But it wasn’t the cake that stole the show. Herds of elephants jostled down to the waterhole in front of camp, putting on a show for the Rhoda family. And there was a close-up lion sighting of the Maseke pride that came rambling past the vehicle.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge hit the jackpot a few weeks ago when they came across young Ntsumi with her newborn cub. Then – lo and behold – Jade and the team spotted Ntsumi with two little cubs ! Apart from the leopard cub sightings, guests at Umkumbe have been relishing in sundowner set-ups, and just generally loving the unforgettable Umkumbe lifestyle.

Klaserie Lions on a Giraffe Kill : A Portfolio of Images from Em Gatland

We recently wrote a blog post about the prolific predator sightings in the Klaserie over a 24 hour period. If you recall, there was a sighting of 6 unknown lions eagerly tucking into a giraffe kill, 15 wild dog puppies huddling together on the road, and 3 cheetah relaxing after a recent kill.

The lions have been in the area for quite some time, nursing their massive meal. Photographer Em Gatland was quick to arrive on the scene, and spent ages photographing these beasts in various positions around the “dinner table”. The lions have been moving between the waterhole and the carcass, and spent days feasting on the meat – even when the carcass began to rot. Em’s unbelievable images showcase a number of common occurrences at a predator feeding site. There are stills of bones being crunched, flesh being ripped apart, full-bellied lions, close-up portraits of crimson fur in the indigo colour night, and action-packed photos of cats chasing scavengers.

Without further ado, here is Em Gatland’s portfolio of lion images fresh from a giraffe kill.

#GuestSafariReview : nThambo Connected Us to Nature

Our Sun Destinations Instagram queen, Gemma, conducted her usual research on the social media platform to source nThambo Tree Camp images from guests. She came across Zambesie Van den Broeks photos of the Klaserie, which needed sharing. When Gem reached out to Zambesie, she very kindly let us use her images to showcase the wild from a guest’s point of view. She also furnished us with a quick #GuestSafariReview of nThambo Tree Camp. Well done team nThambo !

Hi Gemma!

What a lovely message with all those compliments – so nice reading that! You can use my photos, with pleasure . If you do need others, I still have loads of them.

I decided to visit South Africa as I recently graduated and wanted to make a big trip before starting work life. Of course a safari stay I couldn’t miss during that trip.

nThambo Tree Camp was our favorite because it’s like a small family living together. Besides that, it is the open space (no fence), so you feel more connected with the nature . Waking up and see some giraffes passing by while on the terrace is amazing!

Another highlight for me was seeing a Leopard, so calm and at peace. She was just walking around, so we we’re able to see the Leopard from close-by. But all the other animals are also truly amazing to see. Every game drive is different.

And Ooh, I can’t forget the sunrises and sundowners. They’re so unique. Can’t get enough of them !

24 Hours of Predator Madness in the Klaserie with JC, Rogan, Gem and Jo

The weekend in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve was a weekend of absolute wildlife mayhem. The team at Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp went from experiencing a steady stream of sightings to an absolute influx of awe-inspiring sightings. The carnivores came out to play, and the team experienced 24 hours of predator sightings. From sightings of 3 cheetah to wild dog puppies and a pride of 6 lions on a kill; the Klaserie is certainly pumping out the sightings. JC and Joanna took videographer Rogan and photographer Gem out on drive and what transpired was something David Attenborough would be proud of.

Unknown Pride of 6 Lions on a Giraffe Kill

This unknown pride of 6 lions have made an appearance on the property before, but this time they decided to REALLY make their presence known by executing a giraffe kill just outside camp. The pride comprises 5 males and 1 female. Initially 3 of the lions (2 males and 1 female) were spotted shredding the giant giraffe, and appeared to have made their way through kilograms of carcass by the time the avid khaki crew spotted the cats. The cats are roughly 2 – 3 years old and guide Joanna speculates that the kill was made a couple days prior to the team discovering the site.

Gem says that by the time they arrived at the feeding zone, the hyenas were already encroaching on the area, and kettles of vultures were circling the skies. The putrid smell of entrails and fast decaying meat appeared to be bringing in a crowd. The notorious clean-up crew didn’t have a reservation at the lion’s restaurant, so they had to wait in the wings until a spot became available; which wasn’t going to be anytime soon. The trio of lions were going to ensure their feasting session continued for a good few more days and spent a considerable amount of time snarling and chasing away the hyenas.

The following morning guide Luke said that the remaining 3 males from the pride joined the trio for a bite to eat. As the carcass began to rot even more, the hyena clans became more prominent. The clans were loping around the base of the trees where the kill was made, still circling and waiting their turn for scraps.

At this stage, guests and the Klaserie crew were treated to sightings of the pride wandering back-and-forth between the waterhole and the carcass to guard their meal from scavengers. The 6 lions were spotted in dribs and drabs, enjoying the last meaty section of the giraffe’s neck. With all the big cat action happening, Rogan had the foresight to put up a camera trap to capture the action. The last time he put up a camera trap, the hyenas crunched it to death, so let’s hope this one remains in tact. Trouble is…he can’t retrieve it just yet ! When the commotion has calmed down and the area is clear, we’ll be sure to deliver a few sneaky pictures of the lions in one of our #CameraTrapTales blog posts.

Photographer Em Gatland got the scoop, and swooped in on the scene faster than a cheetah at full speed (exaggeration). Over the next few days we’ll be sure to deliver a series of mind blowing images from her collection. In the meantime, here are Rogan and Gem’s stills. In the next few days, we’ll also release Rogan’s video for a visual take on the events, alongside Em’s images.

15 African Wild Dog Pups Trotting Down the Road

It’s coming to the end of the wild dog denning period, which means the fluffy pups are ready to leave their den and begin their nomadic lifestyle. They’ll enjoy life with the pack and will be closely watched by the adults. The Klaserie team spotted 15 pups jostling, playing and resting on the Timbavati tarred road. The weather has been quite cold, so the dogs chose the warm tar huddle together and warm up their bodies. Most of the adults in this pack were off hunting – they left an adult behind to “babysit” the young pups, which is typical of these cooperative breeders.

3 Cheetah Spotted After A Recent Kill

Yet another highlight in the world of predators, was the sighting of the 3 cheetah. These 3 cheetah aren’t the same ones that have been seen previously, which makes the sighting that much more intriguing. As a matter of fact, there are abundant cheetah in the reserve at the moment. It appears that this slender group of 3 had just enjoyed a fresh kill. Unfortunately, the team didn’t see the kill in action, but spotting 3 cheetah is reward enough. The vultures were hovering around the area in search of the kill.

#GuestSafariReview : Wild Dogs and Lions at Ezulwini !

The Balule Nature Reserve is tucked away in the Greater Kruger, and is an absolute hotspot for game viewing. The traverse around Ezulwini Game Lodges pulsates with lion pride sightings, with a few dominant kings regularly making an appearance. There’s a constant stream of Kudyela lion cub sightings while out on drive, which certainly delight guests ! Leopards, wild dogs and big game always make an appearance, ensuring eager guests are never disappointed with their Ezulwini safari experience.

Recent guests, Caterina and Hugh, enjoyed an incredible safari experience in the Balule Nature Reserve and managed to take a handful of exceptional wildlife photos. They very kindly let the on-the-ground team share their holiday safari images. During the course of their stay last week at River Lodge, Caterina and Hugh observed wild dogs trotting through the bushveld, with the excited dogs ending off their bush explorations with a well-deserved swimming session.

The matted crimson fur on the dogs’ jowls was a dead giveaway that a recent kill was enjoyed. We are now coming to the end of the wild dog denning period which means the dogs and pups are emerging from the den site to resume their nomadic lifestyle. We’re seeing the dogs scattered around the Lowveld – it really is a fantastic time to be in the Greater Kruger.

The African wild dog isn’t the only carnivore spotted in the Balule Nature Reserve. Guests came face to face with the local lions of Ezulwini, another popular apex predator to spot while on safari.

While casually cruising through the ‘veld in search of the iconic species, the Ezulwini guides and trackers ensured a few moments with elephants and other species.