Safari Blog

We still have limited availability on our Serengeti Private Camping safari for June and July 2008. The camp will be based in the western corridor of the Serengeti, either at the Ikoma Private Camp or further north at one of the private camps within the Serengeti. We can offer this late availability to see the migration as we use private exclusive camps.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to see this incredible wildlife spectacle.

Speak to one of our East Africa specialists to find out more about booking this itinerary.

THE Zambian government has officially approved its dropping of its visa waiver system. The following visa fees are payable upon entry for all visitors to Zambia:

British nationals: £75 for single entry and £240 for multiple entry

American nationals: $135 for standard visa

Canadian nationals: $55 for standard visa

Other nationalities: $50 for single, $80 for double and $160 for multiple entry

Although the decision was enforced from the end of January, final governmental approval was only recently provided.

I would like to welcome Liselle Raath, who joined the SUNSAFARIS team today. Liselle has worked in the safari and travel industry for a few years and has travelled extensively through South Africa and the Kruger, and also abroad.

Welcome Liselle!

Last weekend I visited the Welgevonden Game Reserve in South Africa. The Welgevonden is about 3 hours drive north of Johannesburg and very easy to find. Even Renate, who regularly gets lost on her way to educationals, will be able to find it. The Welgevonden Private Game Reserve is a 34 200 ha, privately owned game reserve in the heart of the Waterberg in the Limpopo province of South Africa. It first started as a conservation area in 1993 through a private sector initiative that resulted in the consolidation of numerous private farms.

The main reason for my visit was to assess the quality of game viewing, as this is extremely important in the decisions I make when advising guests on which safari lodges to visit.  

I visited Makweti Safari Lodge and then also Mhondoro Safari Lodge. Both lodges are privately owned and have traversing over the entire reserve. I have visited over a hundred different safari lodges in southern Africa and Makweti is real quality in terms of the level of accommodation, quality of food and service. The lodge has a beautiful site with beautiful views. The chalets are very large and very luxurious. I had possibly the best sleep of my life in their king size bed (admittedly I was tired after attending a bachelor party in JHB the night before!) The main areas are also very well appointed with a fantastic bar area, lounge, balcony and dining and boma.

I was very well looked after by the Makweti team and was guided on my two game drives by both Jacques and Glen. Both were experienced rangers having worked not only in the Welgevonden but also other safari areas in South Africa.

I was also very impressed with Mhondoro, which is another excellent safari lodge in the Welgevonden. It was not as luxurious as Makweti, but the quality of food and service was just as good. The chalets are large and overlook a waterhole. The main areas were comfortable but probably in need of a soft refurbishment in order to keep up with other similar quality safari lodges. What impressed me the most about Mhondoro was the friendliness of the kitchen staff – they often came out and chatted to the guests.

As regards the game viewing in the Welgevonden, I was reasonably impressed. I saw lions, elephants and the usual plains game. What did surprise me was how many rhino I saw. In one particular area there were rhino literally around every corner. So if you want to see rhino, then visit the Welgevonden! I was also pleasantly surprised at how few vehicles there were around – this is quite unusual as there are a few lodges in the area and in my opinion there are fewer vehicles around as opposed to some of the other safari areas in South Africa. On the big sightings, like lions for example, they do allow four vehicles, which in my opinion is too many. Most other reserves only allow three.

I would rate the game viewing as good, although still not as good as what you would get at the private reserves of the Kruger. However, variety is the spice of life, and safari lovers should definitely consider a visit to the Welgevonden. In fact, instead of the usual Cape Town, Garden Route and Kruger Safari, guests should consider combining Cape Town, the Welgevonden, Tzaneen area, then a Kruger Safari and visit to the Panorama Route. This in my opinion would be much more of an African experience and would expose you to two different wildlife areas and beautiful scenery.

To end off I would just like to thank Helen from Makweti, Celeste and Caroline from Classic Retreats and Tracy from Mhondoro for arranging my educational to the Welgevonden.

During the bush walk you will have the opportunity to take a closer look at animal tracks, birds, different types of grasses and trees, as well as any smaller details of the bush that might fascinate you.

The daily bush walk takes place after breakfast. Your ranger will confirm the time with you during breakfast. Please take note that you will be accompanied by either your ranger or tracker.

Please take note of the following:

Guests are not allowed to leave the camp and walk alone. For safety reasons, most camps unfortunately do not allow children aged 16 and under, to go on the bush walk. Should you wish, we could organize a ranger or tracker to take the children on a mini bush walk inside the camp area. Guests over the age of 60 would be required to provide a medical certificate stating that they are in good health and fit to go on a bush walk. Please also ensure that you bring closed shoes, neutral coloured clothing, a hat, sunscreen as well as insect repellent. The ranger/tracker will use their discretion concerning anything that could pose a threat or jeopardise the safety of guests, these include the degree of fitness, agility and physical restrictions.

Zambian Airways announced its biggest and best programme of flights yet!

Highlights of the new schedule include:

NEW! Livingstone to Johannesburg direct 4 times a week
NEW! Ndola to Dar es Salaam direct services NEW! Ndola connection to British Airways London flights
NEW! Lusaka to Mfuwe on 737 direct off British Airways 3 times a week
MORE! Livingstone 3 times a day
MORE! Ndola to Johannesburg 5 times a week
MORE! Dar es Salaam 5 times a week

On the three days a week that British Airways flies to Lusaka, Zambian Airways will provide a convenient connection to Mfuwe in the speed and comfort of their 737 jets.

And, in another first, there will be a direct early morning connection from both Livingstone and Ndola to Lusaka to connect to the British Airways flight to London. The overnight stop in Lusaka will be a thing of the past.

In the other direction there will also be a direct connection from British Airways to both Livingstone and Ndola.  

Charene has decided to pursue a different career, and will sadly be leaving SUNSAFARIS on Friday the 1 February 2008. I would like to wish her all the best in her new career!

All guests of Charene's will be handed over to Renate at renate@sunsafaris.com or +27 21 4187306.

Without prior notice and with immediate effect as of 26 January 2008, the Zambian government has abolished the visa waiver system that exempted guests placed on the manifest from paying visa fees on arrival. This sudden change will of course affect all of our guests who will not be allowed entry into the country without paying these costs.

In addition the new regulations have seen an increase in visa fees for many countries. Although this decision has apparently yet to be approved by the Zambian parliament it is already being enforced and has caused some consternation at the international entry points to the country where it applies to travelers both entering Zambia and also in transit through Zambia.

Below please find the latest information and ensure that you are informed of the changes and increased costs before you travel to Zambia. Bear in mind too that those countries that did not require visas in the past, still do not require visas and thus are not required to pay on arrival.

US citizens: single entry – US$135.00; double entry – US$135.00; multiple entry – US$135.00

UK citizens: single entry – GBP75.00; multiple entry – GBP240.00

Canadian citizens: single entry – US$55.00; double entry – US$55.00; multiple entry – US$55.00

Other nationalities: single entry – US$50.00; double entry – US$80.00; multiple entry – US$160.00

We regret the impact that this situation outside of our control will have our guests and trust that with swift communication we can limit its impact.

We decided to travel on safari to Zimbabwe in January 2008. I had never visited Victoria Falls or Zimbabwe. Lance hadn't returned for 13 years. Following a long day spent in the hustle and bustle of airports, delays and getting to grips with ‘African Time’ we eventually reached our destination, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

We were met at the airport by a representative for Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, our residence for the first two nights of our trip. As we arrived at the front entrance to the Lodge, a spectacular thatched affair, we wondered where the rest of the hotel was hidden.  The Lodge holds up to 72 guests, but has been built using natural materials of wood and oversized thatch in three separate structures, that really did blend into their environment. The most significant feature of the lodge was the view over the bush and the ever popular watering hole.  Our time in the lodge seemed to centre around this view. The restaurant, viewing deck, pool, lounge and bar are all located in the main building and situated in a way that wherever we were, we were guaranteed not to miss whatever animals decide to drop by. Our room, decorated in traditional African style, also had a private balcony overlooking the same area and it was a perfect place to sit, relax and watch the rain roll in…for rain we had plenty! This has been one of the wettest summers in Victoria Falls for over 50 years. The weather was the hot topic of the day and taking into account the worldwide changes in weather in the past year, it seems that global warming has extended its effect to Zimbabwe also.  We were treated to thunder storms and heavy rain, so much so that it reminded it of my last trip in KwaZulu Natal. I’m starting to think this is going to happen me every time I plan a safari - luck of the Irish I suppose!

Feeling a little adventurous we decided to do the ‘Big Air’ with Shearwater adventure company- in between showers of course! The ‘Big Air’ is a Bungee jump and bungee swing from the bridge over the Zambezi River, located close to the falls and then a slide across the gorge on a wire and harness. No, it wasn’t planned and no, if I knew what it was about, I would not do it again! Anyway, we did it, got the photos to prove it and provided much entertainment for each other and the locals crossing the bridge and sheltering from the showers at the time. We also visited the great Victoria Falls. Luckily, we had paid an exorbitant amount to rent raincoats one of the commercial units and managed to stay relatively dry. The falls were one of the highlights of our trip. Even in the rain they looked magnificent, especially as they appeared and disappeared magically in the mist. That evening we booked dinner at ‘The Boma’ restaurant that was situated close to the hotel. This was a fun way to witness and sample some of the local culture, tradition and food. We threw ourselves into it, getting our faces painted and banging on drums like we were born to do it…well, we thought so anyway!

The following day we were picked up by Dabula and began our four hour trip to The Hide in Hwange National Park. Normally this is a three hour drive, however they had also experienced heavy rainfall and driving was slower due to flooding and dangerous roads within the National Park. Our journey from Victoria Falls to Main Camp in Hwange, allowed us time to take in a very green and beautiful Zimbabwe. We were also impressed with the condition of the roads on this section that would make self-drive a fairly stress free affair. We briefly stopped at Main Camp where we got a separate transfer to The Hide.

The Hide Safari Lodge is on a private concession within Hwange National Park. The most striking element of arriving here is how peaceful it is. This is a game rich park that is almost the size of Belgium and easily accessible, but has not been exploited or developed and is rather under-utilized. This makes for an incredible safari experience. The Hide is only one of two lodges (with Makalolo Camp) operating in this eastern part of Hwange and one seldom sees any other vehicle on a game drive. This is about experiencing nature for what it is. There is no such thing as waiting in line with 6 other vehicles to see a kill or having your peace interrupted by the constant buzzing radio. Our game drives were enjoyable despite the rain and the thick foliage which made for difficult viewing. We have been on safari before so we weren’t too concerned with ‘ticking off the big five’. We also had excellent guides and their knowledge and enthusiasm made even the tics on the dung beetle interesting! It’s our impression that Zimbabwe game guides are probably some of the most professional and trained guides in the industry.

We were also struck by how exciting the game viewing could be in the dry season, even from the Lodge itself. The Hide makes the most of its location. Accommodation is in 10 separate tents positioned in a way that gives each one a spectacular view of the large (and even larger during the rains!) watering hole. This is not a fenced Lodge and you can have any animal grazing by your private viewing deck or popping in for a quick hello while you are enjoying dinner, and this is almost guaranteed during the dry season.  True to its name, the Hide also has two hides where guests can get the ‘fly on the wall’ experience – not exactly enticing places for us in the rain, but, again, when its not so wet, I could see how you could happily sit here while various dramas unfold.

Our stay in the Hide was enjoyable and very relaxing. Meals are taken together at the large dining table or the boma. This includes guests and staff.

The BBC have just finished filming a reality show based from The Hide, which will air in March 2008. The combination of great sightings, professional staff, quality accommodation and added exposure from the BBC series, the Hide will be a difficult place to get a booking in future. There are so many places I have yet to visit, but I have to say, this is one place that I could see myself returning.

We were initially cautious travelling to Zimbabwe in light of ongoing political issues and economic difficulties, but in retrospect, we are very happy that we did. Zimbabwe is a land of contrasts at the moment. There are very few facilities for its citizens and a lot of trading is done on the black market. A lack of development has preserved the landscape and wildlife and makes for a wonderful destination. The people here are vibrant, well educated and friendly. Employment is the key to survival, subsequently, tourism is vital to the lives of many.

A little bit of preparation goes a long way if you are planning to travel to Zimbabwe. Our advice would be;

1. Bring old clothes and shoes to trade for local crafts
2. Have a first aid kit with any medication you may need eg. Paracetemol, sinutab, zirtex, etc.
3. Bring plenty of sun cream in your suitcase. Ours got confiscated as it was in our hand luggage. When we arrived we purchased some in a reputable pharmacy and subsequently found that it was counterfeit.
4. Have fun

SUNSAFARIS is pleased to announce that Nazli Gajjar has started with us today. Naz has worked in the industry for 4 years and will be assisting Lance with East Africa Safaris.

Welcome Naz!

The SUNSAFARIS offices will be closed from 12pm on the 24th December 2007 until the 26th December 2007. We will be back in the office on 27th December 2007. We will be clsoed from 12pm on the 31 December 2007 and will be back in the office on the 2nd January 2008.

For all urgent queries, or for clients traveling currently, you can contact Brett on his cellphone on +27 763726136.

The 2007 EAT OUT Top 10 Restaurants in South Africa were recently announced:

1. The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français (Franschhoek)
Chef: Margot Janse

2. Jardine (Cape Town)
Chef: George Jardine

3. Aubergine (Cape Town)
Chef patron: Harald Bresselschmidt

4. Bread & Wine (Franschhoek)
Chef: Neil Jewell

5. Restaurant at Grande Provence (Franschhoek)
Chef: Peter Tempelhoff

6. Ginja (Cape Town)
Chef: Mike Bassett.

7. Roots at the Forum Homini Boutique Hotel (Johannesburg)
Chef patron: Philippe Wagenfuhrer

8. The Showroom (Cape Town)
Chef: Bruce Robertson.

9. Linger Longer (Johannesburg)
Chef: Walter Ulz.

10. 9th Avenue Bistro (Durban)
Chef: Carly Goncalves.

This was the first safari Brett and I had gone on together. It was a pleasant change to travelling alone and Brett was the source of some hilarious moments on the trip.

We arrived in Hoedspruit around lunchtime. We flew from Cape Town via Johannesburg. We picked up our rental car and headed for our first camp, Honeyguide Mantobeni Camp. This was about an hour's drive from Eastgate Airport and was mostly on good tarred road. We arrived in time for lunch. We found all our meals at Mantobeni Camp to be excellent.

Mantobeni Camp has 12 tents overlooking a dry riverbed. The guest area overlooks a waterhole and a plunge pool. Guests dine together and with their guides. Overall, the camp is comfortable and relaxed. On our game drives we saw excellent sightings of elephant, a huge herd of buffalo, a pack of wild dogs and a group of 5 white rhino. We also saw lion, kudu, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck, along with other plain’s game. Not bad for 2 game drives!

The next morning we stopped briefly to inspect child-friendly Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp before travelling to King’s Camp in the Timbavati Game Reserve. The journey was about an hour on good tarred roads, other than about 15km along good gravel roads.

King's Camp is a well established camp in the heart of the Timbavati. Most of the senior staff and guides have been at King's Camp for many years and this expertise and knowledge comes through in the entire experience at the camp, from the game drives to the accommodation and cuisine. We were lucky to track a male leopard offroad as it moved through the bush and stalk impala. We also saw lion, elephant, white rhino and numerous other wildlife and birdlife. Dinner was served under the stars in the garden.

The next morning we travelled 2 hours south to Savanna Lodge in the Sabi Sands. This 5 star lodge has some of the most luxurious rooms in the Kruger. The executive rooms and the suite have private plunge pools overlooking the bushveld.

We were spoilt to get an incredibly experienced game guide who gave us an exceptional insight into the Sabi Sands and the wildlife of the region. We saw outstanding game including the 6 Mapoega male lions that rule over a number of prides in the area. We also saw leopard, elephant, white rhino, buffalo, zebra and most of the usual plain’s game. Dinner was enjoyed around the fire in the boma.

Our 4 day safari ended with a 2 hour drive back to Hoedspruit. We returned relaxed and full of stories.

Author: Lance

Brett and Lance with the SUNSAFARIS transfer vehicle in the Kruger.

The latest news from SUNSAFARIS is that Charene has been promoted to Safari Consultant. Charene has already visited the Garden Route, Welgevonden and Kruger Park Safari Lodges on various safari educationals, and cannot wait to start assisting clients planning their safaris to the above destinations.

Renate will also start assisting with Botswana itinerary's and has traveled to Botswana to ensure she is able to offer expert advice.

Sadiq has also recently joined the team and is our new dedicated Web Developer. Sadiq will be working hard to improve the current website and also on some exciting future projects.

In addtion to the above staff movements, we are now actively looking for an Internmediate to Senior Safari Consultant with experience in East Africa. They will be tasked with assisting Lance grow the East Africa business. Below is a job description:

Description:
An exciting opportunity exists to join a fast growing safari tour operator. You will form part of a dynamic team and help grow our East Africa business. You will be a self-starter with experience in planning and designing itineraries, handling reservation requests from either e-mail or telephone. You will need good knowledge of Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. Processing of reservations from quote to finalising, including reservations, invoicing and travel documents. You will have fantastic educational opportunities to expand your knowledge of the region. You will be a valuable member of the team and assist in developing the East Africa portion of our website.

Skills/Requirements:
Good knowledge of Kenya, Zanzibar, Tanzania. A self-starter with a willingness to learn. Understanding of tour operating and general reservations procedures. Minimum of 2 years previous tour consulting experience required.

Recently one of our guests had a medical emergency whilst on safari in a remote corner of northen Botswana. Fortunately our guests had medical and travel insurance prior to traveling and were able to be airlifted out of the safari and to a medical facility in Johannesburg.

The above situation is a reminder why it is so important to ensure that you have sufficinet medical and travel insurance before traveling. Especially when traveling to remote destinations.

News from SUNSAFARIS is that Lance and myself will be visiting the Honeyguide Safari Lodges, Kings Camp and Savanna Tented Lodge from the 17-20 November 2007. In addition to having site inspections of the camps, we will also be holding our AGM - what better place to hold it than at the Kruger Park!

In addition, from the 11-17 December 2007, I will be visiting Camp Moremi, Camo Okavango, Xugana Island Lodge, Savute Safari Lodge, Chobe Game Lodge and Chobe Savanna Lodge. On the way to Livingstone, I will also have a site inspection of the Islands of Siankaba.

12 September 2007

After a 2 hour flight, we arrived at O.R Tambo International Airport and headed off to the Welgevonden Game Reserve in Limpopo Province in South Africa.

As we drove to Shibula, we notice that the area was very dry and hot. We soon learned that the area is going through a bit of a drought. We arrived at Shibula Lodge and Bush Spa, where we were greeted with a traditional dance performed by some of the local inhabitants – what a lovely feeling, it made us feel really welcome! Kiki showed us around the lodge and informed us that they are planning on doing some renovations and building on. The decor throughout the lodge is pretty unique; with lace and crystal subtly blending in with the authentic African culture, giving you a classic ethnic feel. One may also relax and enjoy the rejuvenating treatments in their newly renovated Bush Spa. After having a look around, we sat down to lunch. Unfortunately we were unable to see any of the rooms as they were full. Still in the Welgevonden Game Reserve, we were picked up by Glen and we headed off to Makweti Safari Lodge, where we were met by Marieza and Jacques who showed us to our secluded and private chalet. Our suite was beautifully decorated and had luxurious furnishings. Amenities included an indoor and outdoor shower, Victorian bathtub, log fire and a private deck with breathtaking views of the bushveld. Dinner took place on the dining room deck, where a superb 3 course meal was enjoyed. After dinner we headed to the Indaba deck where we came across a White Rhino feeding just 5 metres away!

13 September 2007

We awoke to the sound of birds chirping away and after morning tea while heading to the vehicle, we noticed some activity at the same waterhole. Zebra, baboons and warthogs were feeding off some shrubs at the dried out waterhole. Shortly after that we headed out into the reserve for a game drive, expertly guided by Jacques. We came across rhino, giraffes, kudu, impala, waterbuck, baboons and various birds. When we got back a scrumptious breakfast was enjoyed.

If you value personalized service, superb cuisine and diverse game viewing, then Makweti is the place for you! The Welgevonden Game Reserve is very under rated; it is only a 2.5 to 3 hour drive north of Johannesburg on excellent tarred roads and it is malaria free. The quality of game viewing, although not as prolific as the Kruger, is still of a very high standard. With plans to drop the fences between the Welgevonden and Marakele, a huge 130,000 hectare reserve will be created. Makweti Safari Lodge is an excellent safari destination for guests looking for a quality safari experience, with the added bonus of a malaria free environment and quick, easy access from Johannesburg. Our thanks to Helen from Makweti and Celeste and Caroline from Classic Retreats for giving the SUNSAFARIS team the opportunity to experience Makweti first hand!

Our next stop was at The Coach House near Tzaneen in Limpopo. A five star hotel set in the friendly ambience of a gracious country estate with luxurious comfort and scenic tranquillity.

Dinner and a good night’s rest were enjoyed.

14 September 2007

Following a delicious breakfast we headed off on the road to our next destination. We arrived at Josmacs Bush Pub situated in the Greater Kruger where we were met by Ingrid Safaris and were introduced to the group of guests that will be joining us. A bush lunch was enjoyed and we then climbed into an open top Land Cruiser and headed off into the bush where we would begin the “4 Day Walking Safari”. We arrived at “Tusker Bush Camp” where we unpacked and settled in. A few minutes later we headed out on a game drive. A few metres away from camp we came across a group of elephants feeding where we managed to get some great photos. We also were sadly informed that a bull elephant had to be shot due to a broken leg that had not healed. So we drove to the decomposing carcass in the hope to see some action, and all we saw was vultures. After our sun downer we headed back to camp for Dinner. Lanterns throughout the camp lit our way as there is no electricity, but only solar panels. A delicious Supper was enjoyed. We then all sat around the camp fire socialising and getting to know one-another. We then all headed off into our individual tents where we fell asleep in the dead silence.

15 September 2007

Awoke at the crack of dawn, enjoyed a light breakfast and headed out on a 4 hour walk. We learned many interesting facts along the way. After a four hour walk, we arrived back at camp where we enjoyed a hearty breakfast. After breakfast it was Siesta, also known as leisure time. After relaxing for 4 hours, we gathered for lunch and then headed out on a game drive. We stopped after an hour drive and we all got out and began following lion tracks. With butterflies in my tummy, I was praying so hard! After walking for an hour we thankfully never came across any. We then got back to the vehicle and drove a little along the way where we stopped and enjoyed a sundowner. We then drove in the night with the tracker in front shining a spot light looking for wild animals. Needless to say we came across more elephants, and many species of Buck, as well as a porcupine, and many serval cats. We got back to camp where dinner was waiting. We then all sat around the camp fire and learned about the wild life from our very informative ranger Conrad. We then heard a mighty roar, which sounded pretty close so; all excited we hopped into the 4x4 and headed off in search of the lion. After a few minutes’ drive, we came across a lonely male lion just strolling alongside the road. After a few snap shots the engine was switched off and there we sat in the dark. Then we heard him roar, a real amazing, yet scary feeling at the same time. We then headed back to camp where we were informed that the lion might be visiting our camp and that we must stay in our tents.

So we got back and with everyone totally bushed, we headed off to sleep.

16 September 2007

Awoken by the sound of Roaring lions and Hyena’s early in the morning, and the active baboons in the tree above our tent, I could not get back to sleep. So I lay awake waiting for our wake up call. Eventually the time came and we received our wake up call. During breakfast we were informed that that same lion was just 80 meters away from camp when we heard him. We all were amazed. We then headed off into the reserve on the game vehicle where we stopped at a water hole and headed off on foot. After an enjoyable walk we came across a Giraffe and some wildebeest in the distance, which we just could not get close to as they sprinted the minute we moved closer. Soon after that we headed back to the vehicle and drove around where we spotted more buck, warthogs and many species of birds. Arrived back at camp and enjoyed breakfast. By this time the temperature must have been well over 35 degrees, so for Siesta, we tried to lie down, but just could not. It was too hot to read or to even think. After an ice cold refreshing shower, I sat with a few other guests while talking and enjoying the scenery. After lunch we headed out on the vehicle and while on the lookout for Rhino, we came across 3 lionesses. We followed them until we were informed that they were probably going to stalk the young giraffe we had previously seen. So we pulled to the side of the road keeping in view with the giraffes, and we watched as the 3 lionesses strategically positioned themselves to catch this giraffe. Unfortunately the giraffes had spotted the lions, so they ran off. We then decided to head back to camp. On our way back we had a quick glimpse of a leopard, but soon disappeared into the bush. We stuck around in the hope that he would return but did not. So we headed back to camp. By now the wind had come up tremendously whereby we had to have dinner in the kitchen. We sat and chatted for a long time, until eventually the tiredness got the better of all of us. So we headed back to our tents to sleep. The wind was howling and it felt as if our tent was going to blow away.

17 September 2007

After having survived the scary night, and again waking up to lions roaring and hyena’s calling, I went through to get some tea, and heard that the lion had been right outside the ranger’s tent earlier that morning. There were tracks proving it. We all headed out in the vehicle for one last game drive. Not even a kilometre away we came across a pangolin. We were amazed as this was unusual as they are nocturnal. So we all got out and had a good look at it. It then rolled into a tight ball. It was great seeing it. When we got back, we all sat down at the dinner table to enjoy breakfast. Knowing it was our last meal together, we really took our time. We packed up and headed back to Josmacs where we said our good-byes.

It was such an awesome experience; it’s not every day you get the opportunity to wake up to the sounds of lions roaring! We will surely miss the fantastic staff and the amazing experiences we had.

A big thank you must go to Ingrid for arranging a fantastic walking safari, Conrad, for his excellent guiding skills and the Kitchen staff for the delicious cuisine. In addition, thanks to Inge at Shibula for arranging our site inspection.

During the last week, we have had a lot of rain, which has brought on new growth on the areas that were burnt latterly last month. Many wildebeest and zebra have crossed west to east and are now seen scattered through out Rhino Ridge, paradise and Topi plains. Good numbers will also be seen in the Koiyaki conservation areas. The 12^th, 13^th and 14^th were good days and some excellent sightings with many crossing just below the main crossing points at paradise. There has also been some very good crocodile activity.

 Cats

Leopard and cheetah sightings have been very rewarding just recently with up to three different Leopards and six Cheetahs seen in a single morning’s game drive. The female with the two cubs has given much enjoyment to many viewers, as there are many Thomson Gazelle fawns about so the cubs have an opportunity to learn. Good Lion sightings with many Wildebeest and Zebra were seen taken at the crossing points.

Governor's Camp

We have just released our Botswana Green Season Specials for Southern African Residents.

During summer, the rains turn the Okavango Delta into all the shades of green. Grazers move out of the woodlands of the higher lying islands to give birth on the plains. This event also attracts predators and makes for some interest interactions. The birdlife is also outstanding.

To the north of the Okavango lies the Linyanti Concession. There are only 3 camps in this vast reserve providing exclusivity, remoteness and a sense of space. The main features of this area is the Linyanti River, the woodlands in the interior and the Savute Channel. Game viewing is unrivalled with high concentrations of zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and kudu. Predators include lion, leopard, spotted hyaena, wild dog and cheetah.

This special runs from 1 December to 15 March 2008 (excluding 20 December to 9 January) and is open to Southern Africa Residents only. For a full list of camps participating in this season's special, please contact us.

3 nights Maun - Okavango - Maun from R6359 per person sharing.

3 nights Maun - Linyanti - Maun from R7159 per person sharing.

Contact us for further details.

Renate and Charene recently traveled up the Garden Route for visit Shamwari, Idwala Safari Lodge and Nguni River Lodge. In addition to these safari lodges, they also stayed Tonquani, and had site inspections of various guesthouses and hotels in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Their review is coming soon!

Brett is off to visit Mardouw Country House in Swellendam, Samara Private Game Reserve, Blaauwbosch Game Reserve and then Idwala Safari Lodge. Expect his review when he returns next Wednesday.

In addition to the above, Renate and Charene are off to the Kruger in September on a walking safari and en-route they will also stop off and visit Makweti Safari Lodge and Shibula Game Lodge in the Welgevonden Game Reserve and also the Coachhouse in Limpopo.

Liezel Knott has recently joined the SUNSAFARIS Team. Liezel will be focusing on growing the Botswana, Zambia and Victoria Falls business. Liezel has plenty of experience having traveled Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls on a number of occasions. Liezel has over 10 years experience in the Travel and Tourism industry, having worked for Wilderness Safaris since 1997.

Sun Safaris continues to grow, and as such are pleased to welcome Charene Botha to the team. Charene is a born and bred Durbanite and we wish her evey success in her new safari career!

Tourism ministers and environmental experts from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana and Namibia have been meeting to discuss plans for the largest wildlife sanctuary in Africa.

The proposal is to create the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Park (also sometimes referred to a Kaza Park). The planned conservation area will straddle the borders of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The main objective of environmentalist is to restore the ancient migratory paths of wildlife which is currently restricted to the National Parks and Game Reserves. The main objective of the tourism ministers is to ensure that Southern Africa maximizes its tourist potential.

Approximate boundary map of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Park:

Kaza Park would incorporate:

Okavango Delta (Botswana), Chobe National Park (Botswana), Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe), Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia), Kafue National Park (Zambia), Caprivi Strip (Namibia), large parts of south east Angola, and parts of the Zambezi river between Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba.

I was recently hosted by Celeste Nicholas from Classic Retreats on a 6 night educational through the South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi in Zambia. The aim of the trip was to see the areas and camps, and also to understand the logistics of arranging a safari in these remote destinations.

Our first stop was Tafika in the South Luangwa, where we enjoyed a fantastic microlight flight piloted by John Coppinger. John and his wife Carol own and manage the camp and have being do so for years now. On the 10-15 minute flight we managed to see buffalo, elephant, puku, zebra, giraffe, hippos and crocodiles!

The next stop was Chikoko Trails, one of the bushcamps run in conjunction with Tafika. On the short walking trail I also had a site inspection of Crocodile Camp while enjoying a painting safari at Chikoko Tree. Both these camps were fantastic – rustic but comfortable and in superb wildlife areas.

After Tafika and Chikoko Trails Celeste and I made our way further south to the Bushcamps and Mfuwe. After freshening up at Mfuwe Lodge we continued on an extended game drive transfer down to Kapamba. Located on the Kapamba River (which feeds into the Luangwa), this lodge had large, spacious chalets and the biggest bathtubs I have ever seen! We were superbly hosted by Andy and Ollie and expertly guided by James for the 2 night stay. Apart from site inspections of Billimungwe, Chindeni and Chamilandu the highlights included sundowners in the Luangwa River and eventful nightdrives (leopard stalking impala).

The one thing that struck me about the Bushcamps was their privacy – over the 3 days I didn’t see one other vehicle.

After the Luangwa we flew down to the Lower Zambezi. The first stop was a site inspection of Kasaka River Lodge. The lodge is beautifully located with awesome views of the Zambezi. The tents are very comfortable and tastefully decorated. The Hippo pod is superb and I was also very impressed with the main areas. After a quick Mosi with the friendly managers (Melanie and Chris), we made our way to Chiawa via boat on the Zambezi river. Again, what a beautiful location, Chiawa has unbelievable superior safari tents and a range of game viewing activities, from canoeing to boating and game drives. Some of the guests had been lucky enough to see a leopard kill the night before we arrived.

After Chiawa, our next stop was Old Mondoro, a rustic Bushcamp in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park. I really liked this camp – campfires, good food, chalets that overlook the river – all adding up to a superb safari experience.

The South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi are without doubt two of the most beautiful safari destinations I have visited. The camps are unique, the guiding excellent and game viewing of a very high standard. I have never seen so many hippos!

If you are looking for special, owner run safari camps in remote wilderness areas, then the above camps should definitely be visited.

Special thanks must go to Celeste, Classic Retreats, John and Carol, Andy and also Grant for arranging such a fantastic educational for me!

Pay for two nights and receive the third complimentary at Madikwe Safari Lodge or Ngala Safari Lodge.

Includes accommodation, all meals, local drinks, game drives, laundry and teas & coffees.

Valid from 1 June 2007 to 30 September 2007

Please contact us for further information.

We have just launched our new interactive safari maps. See our full list of maps. We use the latest Virtual Earth satellite maps to indicate the location of lodges within the National Parks, Game Reserves and Private concessions. The maps are simple to use and provide an incredible amount of detail. For example, a photo quality image of Victoria Falls is clearly visible from the satellite images.

We are constantly adding more lodges coordinates to each of the maps. If you feel we have misplaced a lodge, please let us know.

Hopefully, our visitors will find this a helpful tool in planning their next safari.

Shibula Lodge is flourishing at the moment and with good reason. We have had some valuable new attributes in the last year and we are also sure that for those of you who have not yet visited us in the last few months, these new additions will compliment your luxurious stay at Shibula even more.

Firstly, some wonderful news on the mammal front: After an absence of 2 years from the Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, buffalos again roam the reserve.  Several bulls were acquired from the neighbouring Shambala Game Reserve, which is great news for those who wish to view this magnificent animal as part of their big 5 experience. The introduction of two new hippo’s into the Rhino Dam is also worth mentioning, being the first of their kind to be relocated to the Welgevonden. They seem to be adapting well to their new habitat, already becoming a favourite among many guests. A herd of roan bulls were also released on the reserve during January and it seems that the Welgevonden Reserve can now proudly promise the best game viewing experience in the Waterberg district.

Some news on Shibula’s new spa: It is 100% completed & fully operational. We have had many compliments from our guests who seem to be enjoying it immensely. It is well worth a visit and we can promise you an exceptional bush spa experience. Our revamped spa menu & price list is now available to all on our website. Please be sure to get yourself a copy for future reference.

Shibula’s rooms have also been renovated & upgraded and we are proud to announce that Shibula will have 8 luxury suites, starting from the 1st of Oct