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Sundowners on Safari: Golden Hours You’ll Never Forget

Sundowners on safari are a quintessential part of the safari experience. A simple ritual, part of the everyday rhythm of life in the bush. Finding the perfect scenic spot to watch the sun slip behind the horizon with an icy drink in hand. Whether it’s a gin and tonic, a cold beer, or something with a fizz, watching the colours shift as golden light spills across the African bush is where happy hour and golden hour merge. It’s one of the most memorable moments on any African safari.

Sundowners with a view at Chacma Bush Camp

Sundowners on safari mark a shift in the rhythm of the day. The heat begins to ease and the light gently drenches the landscape in gold before it starts to fade. It’s a time to pause and to reflect. A moment to share the close encounters of the day’s sightings or to simply sit in awe and enjoy the majesty of the wilderness surrounding you. Sundowners are a highlight every afternoon as game viewers drop anchor as you stop and take it all in.

The safari way of life

Sundowners are said to originate from the daily dose of quinine needed to ward off malaria. As if an excuse was needed for a daily G&T?! What was born from necessity has now become an iconic and popular ritual that is part of the safari way of life.

Golden hour isn’t something you just watch, you feel it settle in your bones

Each camp has its own way of doing sundowners. Some with secret spots that shift with the seasons, others with iconic setups that never fail in taking your breath away. At Africa on Foot, nThambo Tree Camp, and Chacma Bush Cam p, guests can enjoy a Honeymoon Sundowners Special. An intimate and beautifully arranged experience that can be booked in advance and ensures an extra-special moment for you and your loved one. Other camps may offer similar setups on request, sometimes with an additional cost. The intention is to create something intimate, magical, and completely unforgettable.

Africa On Foot

Is there anywhere more romantic than Africa at dusk?

All is golden at nThambo Tree Camp

Drinks for 2

Down on one knee at Africa On Foot

April and May are golden season in the bush. Post green season comes gold. Landscapes are super lush and post a good rainy season -there is bounty as far as they eye can see. The skies are clearing as April sees the last of the rains. The light of autumn is something to behold. Spectacular sunrises and sunsets where the gentle golden light seems to linger for longer.
Autumn is a photographer’s dream. With out stretched soft light, it turns landscapes into dreamscapes.

The sky is alight

A feast for the eyes and the belly

Happy hour at The Bush bar, Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

Did we mention that it’s become a ritual simply because it’s fun? Yep, sundowners are a firm favourite for that very reason. There’s nothing better than sharing stories, laughter, and clinking glasses with the ones you love, somewhere out in the wild. It’s a way of connecting to nature, to each other, and to the ancient rhythm of honouring the sun. Knowing that for just one moment, there’s absolutely nowhere else you need to be.

Catching the last of the light at Nyala Safari Lodge

Nyala Safari Lodge

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

As the last of the light slips away and the bush begins to hum with sounds of night coming to life, the feeling of sundowners lingers longer than even the golden light. A memory that stays with you forever.

For unforgettable moments that stay with you long after the ice has melted and the sun has set, connect with our reservations team here to curate your dream safari experience.

What the Wild Things Have Been Up To

The last few months in the wild have been, well, wild, so we thought to start you off with this beautiful pack of wild dogs spotted on a drive out from Nyala Safari Lodge. Here’s what the animals have been up to in and around our camps.

Known as painted dog because of their beautiful and unique markings, Nyala Safari Lodge

Nyala Safari Lodge

Down South, April signals the shifting of seasons to cooler, crisper temperatures and dry season. Landscapes are lush after summer rains and food is plentiful.

So much so, Guide Shannon Erasmus from Umkumbe Safari Lodge captured this buffalo making art with it.

‘Getting ready’ Umkumbe Safari Lodge

‘Okay, I’m ready for my photoshoot’ Umkumbe Safari Lodge

‘How about like this?’ Umkumbe Safari Lodge

‘Did you get it?’ Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Summer days

Days are still hot but morning and evening game drives can have a chill so layering up is always recommended as is brining your costume along for daytime pool hangs. April sees high of 30 degrees Celsius and low of 15. While May ranges from highs of 28 to lows of 12.

Playtime at Nyala Safari Lodge

Mermaid moments, Nyala Safari Lodge

Guess whose feet? Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Mine! Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Pool day, Chacma Bush Camp

Lots of lounging, feeding, chilling.

Taken by guide Shannon Erasmus, Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Hyena roadblock, nThambo Tree Camp

Happy and full bellies, Nyala Safari Lodge

There have been plenty of spine-tingling and heartwarming encounters.

nthambo tree camp

nThambo Tree Camp

Catching rides on a rhinos back, Chacma Bush Camp

Toothpick anyone?

Taking it easy, Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Just a few snippets of what has been caught on camera. For regular updates follow our instagram pages for Sun Destinations as well as all of our camps and lodges. We share on-the-ground exciting sightings to keep those safari feelings lingering for long after you’ve landed back home.

Unforgettable adventures await

Wander through our website or connect directly with our reservations team here. They are happy to guide you in curating your dream safari adventure. You are only a step away from your next African story. Oh, did we mention it’s walking safari season again?
Stay tuned!

Tracks, nThambo Tree Camp

Taking to the Skies: The Birding Wonders of Southern Africa

Home to over hundreds of bird species across diverse habitats, Southern Africa ranks among the world’s top birding destinations. From the iconic African fish-eagle and colourful lilac-breasted roller to rare endemics, bird watching opportunities abound all year round. Binoculars at the ready, let your inner bird nerd soar as we take a shallow dive into the fascinating world of birds in Southern Africa. Whether you’re a novice birder or experienced ornithologist, Southern Africa’s wide array of birds promise unforgettable wildlife encounters beyond the Big Five.

African fish-eagle

The distinctive cry of the African fish-eagle is one of the most iconic and beautiful sounds in the African bush. It’s the sound that tells you you have arrived back home into the Southern African wilderness. It awakens something primal within us, an ancient memory within our bones of being part of the wild landscapes around us.

Often found perched near lakes, rivers, or other waterbodies, this iconic bird catches fish in graceful, shallow plunges. Its’ white windows in the wings and pale, dark-tipped tail make it distinct to identify in flight.

Squacco heron

Botswana has an impressive 615 bird species while the Greater Kruger has over 500

Needless to say, getting into birding provides endless wonder and delight. A glorious smattering of colour in the bushveld palette. Beyond the Big-5 and other mammals in the bushveld (or riding on the back of them), those with the keenest eyes will slowly be lured in by these fascinating creatures.

Little bee-eater

The dawn chorus of birds is the first sound you awaken to. They serve as a wake-up call to us but act as nature’s alarm in other respects. Birds are often the first warning signs of predators and snakes. So much so, the symbiotic relationship of the oxpecker and the buffalo began. Often seen riding on the backs of buffalo or other herbivore hosts, Oxpeckers feed off ticks and flies found on their host animal.

Red-billed Oxpecker

Red-billed oxpecker

Alex, a passionate guide from Chacma Bush Camp shares a story on the Red-billed Oxpecker

“Nesting in tree holes that are lined with hair plucked from livestock and several hosts, like giraffes, buffalo, kudu, and impala.

These species’s relationship with rhinos gives the Swahili name Askari wa kifaru meaning “the rhinos guard”

An adult can take up to 100 blood-engorged female ticks, or more than 12,000 larvae in a day. However, their preferred food is blood, and while they may take ticks bloated with blood, they also feed on it directly, pecking at the mammals wounds to keep them open.

These magnificent creatures have shown to warn nearsighted rhino of danger.”

The red-billed oxpecker is a small, distinctive bird native to sub-Saharan Africa. As its name suggests, it’s easily recognised by its bright red bill, yellow eyes, and brownish plumage.

Catching rides on rhinos

Lilac-breasted roller

Another firm birding favourite, the colourful lilac-breasted roller is found across Southern and Eastern Africa. With a lilac breast, rusty cheeks, and spring-green crown, the lilac-breasted roller is not a dimorphic species, meaning both males and females are equally stunning.

Lilac-breasted roller

A gorgeous sight when in flight, the lilac-breasted roller gets its name from the acrobatic side-to-side rolling it performs while soaring through the azure African sky. All rollers appear to be monogamous, mating for life and fiercely defending their chosen territories with dramatic aerial displays.

Known to be fearless, lilac-breasted rollers regard humans with a confident curiosity and a boldness that shines through in their hunting techniques. They swoop down on unsuspecting prey with precision. If their catch is too substantial to be gulped down whole, they’ll ingeniously discombobulate it with their wings until it’s manageable enough to enjoy at their own leisure.

While the Lilac-breasted Rollers flaunt a dazzling eight different colours, European Rollers are a more uniform blue with just a touch of brown on their wings. European Rollers are summer visitors to South Africa (journeying all the way from Europe & Asia), the Lilac-breasted variety graces the Lowveld with its presence year-round as a permanent resident of these wild spaces.

Crested Barbet

Crested Barbets

These barbets don’t take to the skies easily and if they do, it is only for short periods of flight. They are often seen bouncing on the ground looking for food with a call that can trill on for long periods of time.

As much fun as it is identifying the vibrant bird sightings in the bush, it can be equally enjoyable learning to identify their unique calls. Here’s a fun little bird call quiz to do.

Yellow-billed Hornbill

Distinct with its down-curved bright yellow, banana-like bill, the yellow-billed hornbill is an iconic African bird species. Found widely throughout the Kruger, this charismatic bird, made famous by Zazu in the Lion King, captivates visitors with its social and playful behaviour. It is often spotted foraging energetically on the ground, using their strong beaks to extract insects from the ground.

Yellow-billed Hornbill

Bateleur eagle

The Bateleur eagle

This quirky looking bird is the Bateleur eagle. With its vibrant red face, striking red legs, rich chestnut back, intensely black body and silver wings above with white below, the Bateleur eagle is one of the most colourful eagles in the world. Its short tail and narrow wings, relative to its body size, provide cues allowing birdwatchers to spot this magnificent raptor relatively quickly. Another telltale sign for eagle-eyed observers is its distinctive flight pattern. They soar in a unique way, often rocking their wings dramatically from side to side, as if balancing on an invisible tightrope in the African sky.

The Bateleur is transparent with its emotions. The skin on this raptor’s face and legs will visibly change color, deepening in hue the more excited it gets. When agitated, these expressive birds also raise their crest and puff their chest feathers to create an afro-like dramatic display of temperament.

African parrot

With over 500 bird species in the Kruger and 600 in Botswana, birding is quite literally a competitive sport. There are endless sightings to be made from the comfort of camp let alone out wandering through the wilderness on a walking safari.

Get your bino’s and cameras at the ready and book your next birding adventure with us today!

Connect with our passionate reservations team here.

Vultures

White-fronted bee-eater

First-Time Safari in the Greater Kruger? Here’s What You Need to Know”

A beginner’s guide for those new to the safari experience

Are you considering or have you taken the exciting leap and booked your first ever safari in the Greater Kruger region?
Waking up to the dawn chorus, heading out into the crisp morning air to discover what the creatures of the night got up to, stopping for freshly-brewed coffee alongside a herd of zebra at a watering hole… and that’s all before breakfast!

Golden savanna, luscious green bushveld, and spine-tingling encounters await you in South Africa’s most pristine wilderness. Think watching rhinos take mud baths or witnessing lion stalk prey through the Klaserie.

Spa date with a rhino, Ezulwini

nThambo Tree Camp

Our only warning is that once the safari bug has bitten, you’ll want to come back again and again.
Luckily, there are endless discoveries to be made and a vastly diverse region to explore.

The History of the Greater Kruger

“You cannot know where your people are going if you don’t know where your people have been.”
Forrest Carter, The Education of Little Tree

Twice as the size of Lebanon and about the same size as Wales, the Greater Kruger area is an astounding expanse of African Wilderness. This vast region spans 344000 ha of protected land to the west of Kruger National Park, which it shares an unfenced border with.

The Greater Kruger is one of conservation’s greatest success stories. The first significant fence removal between the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, one the oldest of the private reserves, and the Kruger National Park occurred in 1993. This pioneering move began a domino effect with other private reserves following suit.

Dropping fences with the Kruger National Park was a significant triumph for conservation. For the first time in decades animals could roam freely and migrate seasonally. It also reduced the pressure on vegetation.

The removal of fencing coincided with South Africa’s transition towards democracy and represented a massive shift from an isolated conservation philosophy to a more integrated and collaborative conservation approach.

Elephants are amongst many species that need large roaming areas to thrive, Chacma Bush Camp

The success of these initiatives has led to even larger conservation visions. The establishment of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park in 2002 aimed to connect Kruger with protected areas in neighbouring Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The Greater Kruger Park area in South Africa comprises of 20 around privately owned game reserves including Sabi, Olifants West, Klaserie, and the Balule. These private farms were united in the aim of upholding and maintaining the best wildlife conservation practices.
While fences have been dropped between The Greater Kruger and the Kruger National Park, some private reserves within the Greater Kruger have fencing that remains.

All of our lodges and camps within the Greater Kruger regions have had their fencing removed. That being said, dependant on the landscape and vegetation, the camps themselves may or may not have fencing. Some our camps have elephant fencing to keep elephants from destroying vegetation in camp while others have elevated accommodation and elephant wander through camp freely.

nThambo Tree Camp

Enquire with our dedicated and passionate reservations team here to find out which of our incredible camps best suits your needs on your first safari.

The privately owned reserves of the Greater Kruger have limited numbers of visitors ensuring an intimate and exclusive safari experience. Escape the crowds and enjoy the serene beauty of remote African wilderness.

Wildlife viewing

Each and every day is a new adventure on safari. There is no moment that is ever the same. Who knows what sightings the day will hold. You could walk the same track everyday and there would always be something new to discover.

Understanding the intricacy of the wilderness on a bush walk at Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Every one of our camps and lodges offer twice-daily game drives, one at dawn and one at dusk. You’ll rise with the dawn chorus of birdsong and head out in the crisp morning air while colours of a new day begin to paint the sky.
The reason for an early morning and early evening game drive are because it is prime wildlife viewing time. Remember prime time tv, it’s like that but the wildlife version. Predators and nocturnal creatures are still active from nighttime activities or they are awakening from the lull and heat of the day.

There is no predicting what wildlife you will see. Sightings cannot be guaranteed. All of our camps and lodges are within Big 5 territory and many guests experience spotting all 5 within a couple days. With over 140 mammals and 500 bird species in the Kruger, there is so much more than to see!

Remarkable encounters, Sausage Tree Camp

Some of our camps offer walking safaris which are an immersive way to experience the bush. On foot, there are intricate details easily missed from a vehicle. Think a chameleon disguising itself on the branches of a tree or a trap door spiders ingenious hiding spot or identifying the tracks of an elusive leopard.

Africa on foot

Africa on Foot Wilderness trails

Eat, read, relax, repeat (when not on thrilling game drives)

R&R, Nambu Camp

Most camps and lodges have viewing decks and a swimming pool as well as boma area complete with campfire for stargazing in the evenings.

Some lodges have a small gym on-site for those seeking to move their bodies.

Depending on the season (read our previous post on ‘When to go on safari’) you may spend quiet moments between game drives relaxing at the pool, getting lost in a book, or simply enjoying the serenity of nature all around you.
Oh, and eating plenty delicious food of course.

A food safari, Africa on Foot

All our camps are surrounded by wild nature meaning sightings don’t stop because you’re not on a vehicle. There are over 500 bird species so grab your binoculars, a copy of Robertson’s and getting spotting.

Get your binos ready, Nyala Safari Lodge

What to pack

Neutral, light coloured clothing (Mosquitoes are drawn to navy, black, orange, reds and teal colours!)
Layers (All depends on time of year but layers are always best as temperatures can change throughout the day. Summer temperatures can soar while winter mornings can be icy!)
Comfortable walking shoes + shoes to lounge in
Swimming costume
Mosquito repellant
SPF sunblock, sunhat, and sunglasses
Binoculors
Books, notebooks
A little day pack for exploring

Safaris are the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Africa has a magic that seeps into our souls. Not only do safaris awaken a sense of awe and wonder, they remind us of the immense importance in conserving the wild places of our world.

For unforgettable adventures that have lasting impact, book your next safari holiday.

Going Green on Safari: How Sustainable Tourism is Reshaping the African Wilderness Experience

Unforgettable adventures and conservation go hand in hand.

Going green stands for more than wearing khaki bush neutrals, sustainable tourism is reshaping the African wilderness experience for the better. Here’s how a safari as well as our lodges and camps play a part in preserving the magnificent wild places of our world.

Lasting Impact That Is Low Impact

A trip to the African wilderness is a journey that stays with you forever. The lasting impact is felt long after you unpack your bags and land back home. It ripples out creating waves of positive change, not only in your own life but in the places that you have visited.

Many people don’t realize the symbiotic relationship that exists between safaris and conservation. Without safaris, there would be no conservation efforts and without conservation efforts, safaris would not exist. It’s a little like the relationship between the oxpecker and the buffalo, they are mutually beneficial and reliant on one another. Safaris play a vital role in the success of conservation efforts.

Rhino at Nambu Camp

With the travel boom happening across the world, travelers are becoming more conscious of their environmental footprint. For today’s conscientious traveler, African safaris offer unique opportunities to participate in conservation success stories while enjoying transformative wilderness experiences.

Travelers hold a powerful position – they have the power to choose where they spend their time and money. They can choose accommodation that reinvests profits directly into anti-poaching units, that empowers and supports local communities through projects and provides employment opportunities, that aims to preserve the beautiful, wild places of our world.

Pangolin, one of the world’s most endangered animals

Beyond “Eco-Friendly” – Safari Tourism That Makes a Difference

Honestly, we’ve all grown a bit weary of green washing buzzwords like “eco-friendly” and ‘sustainable. But across Africa, innovative safari operators are walking the talk with concrete sustainability practices that go far beyond recycling bins and paper straws.

Within the Greater Kruger region, properties like Africa On Foot Camp, nThambo Tree Camp, and Nyala Safari Lodge are all eco-friendly, solar-run properties. These lodges are designed with sustainability in mind, making them great options for travelers seeking low-impact travel experiences.

For the ultimate low-impact safari, Africa On Foot Wilderness Trails offers 3 day walking safaris. An immersive experience where you get to explore and experience the magic of the African bush, on foot. Leave-no-trace satellite camps are set up in unique locations each evening with gourmet meals cooked on a campfire and served beneath the stars. It is the ultimate minimal impact way to explore the wilderness, not to mention, enticingly adventurous.

Africa on Foot Wilderness Trail

Experience the magic of the bush, on foot

The Greater Kruger Success Story

One of the most impressive conservation success stories in Africa is the Greater Kruger. Spanning 344,000 hectares of protected land, it shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park. Dropping fences that prevented animal migration was a groundbreaking decision that has allowed wildlife to flourish.

This expansion of protected areas represents a fundamental shift in conservation thinking – recognizing that protecting large, connected landscapes is the best insurance policy for both biodiversity and tourism livelihoods in an uncertain climate future.

From the Klaserie to Balule, Maseke to Sabi Sands, the portfolio of lodges and camps within the Greater Kruger region that Sun Destinations represent are testimony to remarkable conservation success. The removal of barriers has enabled natural wildlife movement, creating corridors that allow animals to adapt to changing environmental conditions and maintain healthy population dynamics.

Not only does it mean there is greater space for animals to roam but it means are less crowded. Experience the magic of African bushveld in lesser-known reserves where habitats and animals remain wild and untamed.

The Greater Kruger Sustainable Development Project (GKSDP), launched in 2020 as a partnership between the South African Government, the private sector, and local communities, further strengthening this collaborative approach to conservation.

Community Connections – Where Tourism Meets Local Empowerment

The most exciting developments in sustainable safari tourism extend beyond wildlife to the communities who share their land with these animals.

Sun Destinations support both wildlife and community initiatives, including Nourish and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). When travellers book with companies that value the significance of connecting communities and conservation, they contribute directly to these vital projects.

One of the greatest threats to wild places are due to rising human populations. Finding ways for humans and wildlife to harmoniously co-exist is vital to the survival of all species including us. Job creation along with education are key to empowering local communities in understanding the immense necessity to preserve these special places they and wildlife call home. Just as nature teaches us of a healthy ecosystem needed for all species to mutually thrive, the intricate and symbiotic relationships that exists between humans and wildlife is no different.

Being welcomed to Nyala Safari Lodge

Travel with purpose

As April rolls around in the Southern Hemisphere – that sweet spot between the lush bounty of summer and the concentrated wildlife viewing of the dry winter months – it’s the perfect time to witness sustainable safari tourism in action. The rainy season concludes, herbivores begin shifting toward more established, larger water sources, and predators adjust their territories accordingly. With mild temperatures,, and fewer crowds, it’s an ideal moment to experience the positive impacts of conservation-focused tourism. Visiting one of the lesser known reserves where there is minimal impact, is the perfect way to partake in a sustainable safari.

Whether you’re watching elephants cool themselves in an afternoon mud bath or marvelling at lion cubs pouncing and playing, your safari can contribute to protecting these experiences for generations to come.

This evolution represents a fundamental shift in how we experience wild places—from passive observation to active participation in their preservation. No longer are we simply traveling to consume; we travel to preserve the remarkable places we are visiting. Sustainable safari tourism works best when it mimics nature, balancing the needs of ecosystems, wildlife, communities, and visitors.

For more information on the portfolio of eco-friendly lodges and camps that Sun Destinations represents, contact our reservations team here.

7 African Safari Lodges with Pools: Better than the Beach

Who needs the beach with pools like these?

Beach holidays have often been equated with the idea of the perfect escape but a safari offers more than just relaxation.
Safaris awaken a sense of awe and wonder in some of the world’s wildest, most untamed places. While unwinding from everyday life, they invite in a wider and wilder perspective of the world.

The safari way of life encompasses a way of being. Encountering wild animals in their natural habitat is a profound experience that changes you forever and is one of the many elements that make a safari holiday so incredibly memorable.
Safaris also allow you to tune into a slower pace of life, immersing yourself in the wilderness in a way that reconnects you to nature and yourself, while enjoying the safari essentials like sundowners in awe-inspiring spots and lazy afternoons relaxing, reading and bird and wildlife watching beside the pool.

What could be better than safari lodges and camps whose pools have breathtaking views and the wildest of visitors?

They are the perfect blend of adventure and wonder with a deep sense of relaxation.

Nambu Camp

Exquisitely revamped with a brand new floating infinity pool, Nambu Camp’s pool has awe-inspiring views. Soak up the sun and cool off as wildlife wander below you.

Nambu Camp

Float above wildlife in Nambu Camps infinity pool

Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside

Situated on the banks of the Sand River, dive in while watching wildlife at Umkumbe Safari Lodge. This wildlife-rich region combines comfort with adventure and luxury with wilderness.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Nyala Safari Lodge

With a wrap-around deck mimicking the curves of the Mohlabetsi River, Nyala Safari Lodge is immaculately immersed in the wild nature of the Greater Kruger’s Balule Nature Reserve. Unwind poolside as you soak up the magic of the surrounding wilderness. Enjoy an extra night in the wild, for free. For a limited time only, all new bookings travelling from Feb-May 2025 will receive a complimentary night when they book 2 or 3 nights at Nyala Safari Lodge. Don’t miss out on this wild opportunity to extend your nature escape!

Nyala Safari Lodge

Chacma Bush Camp

Watch elephant cool off at the same time as you. Immersed in the wilderness, experience wildlife encounters up close at Chacma Bush Camp. Soak up in the magic of Chacma Bush Camp for less. Contact our reservations team here for more information on an exclusive special running from Feb until June 2025.

Chacma Bush Camp

Africa on Foot

Choose from one of two splash pools at Africa on Foot. Recently refurbished so that you can enjoy the wild, in style.

Africa on Foot

nThambo Tree Camp

Regular visitors to nThambo Tree Camps pool are a herd of Ellies who love sliding their trunks in for a quick drink of clear, cool water during the drier months. Lounge in luxury amidst the wild.

Making a splash at nThambo Tree Camp

Unwind poolside at nThambo Tree Camp

nThambo Tree Camp

Boteti Tented Camp

Take a refreshing dip in the pool at Boteti Tented Camp in Botswana. Hot, humid days are best spent reading by the pool and enjoying the magnificent birdlife Botswana has to offer.

Boteti Tented camp, Botswana

Ready to jump in?
Contact our reservations team for excellent guidance in booking an unforgettable safari experience here.

Luxury Reimagined: Experience the New Nambu Camp

Same Authentic Essence, Luxurious New Feel

Nestled in the heart of the Big 5 Olifants West Nature Reserve lies the hidden gem of Nambu Camp. Surrounded by untamed wilderness, it has been luxuriously reimagined. From a new floating infinity pool to a redesigned deck area with secluded relaxation spaces, every detail has been thoughtfully curated.

Nambu, meaning water in isiThonga, is aptly situated near the flowing banks of the Olifants River, the lifeblood of this wildlife-rich region. Every design and aesthetic element incorporates the surrounding wilderness, creating a fully immersive safari experience.

Explore the magic of Nambu Camp.

Inspired by and designed with nature in mind.

Redesigned and updated with intimate relaxation spaces

Intentional attention to detail

A place to feel at home in the bush

The beating heart of Nambu Camp is the Drinkwater family. Passed down through generations, the magic of Nambu comes from their unwavering dedication to creating extraordinary safari experiences and conserving the surrounding untamed wilderness.

The wisdom and love poured into Nambu elevate and enhance every guest’s experience. From the warm welcome that greets you upon arrival to the personalised attention throughout your stay, the Drinkwater family’s passion for hospitality shines through in every interaction.

Expect to leave feeling at home with the strong desire to return. Every detail has been thoughtfully crafted to enhance your safari experience while preserving the intimate, personal touches that makes Nambu truly special.

The Drinkwater family

Dip into infinity

Float above the wild

In between thrilling wildlife encounters on game drives, float in the dreamy new infinity pool overlooking the watering hole. Get lost in uninterrupted views while relaxing with a book, drink, or binoculars in hand. Watch wildlife come to drink while suspended silently above them. Make yourself comfortable as you enjoy nature’s greatest show unfold before you.

Enjoy the symphony of the bush – birds calling, leaves rustling, perhaps the rumble of elephants approaching the watering hole below. Let time slow down as you seep in the tranquility of the bush. Here, luxury and wilderness exist in perfect harmony and create experiences that rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.

The perfect blend of adventure and relaxation

For quiet moments between the thrilling dawn and dusk game drives, secluded and intimate relaxation spaces have been dotted throughout the camp to ensure you can find your ideal spot to unwind. Whether you’re seeking a quiet corner to journal your day’s adventures or a comfortable nook to melt into for an afternoon nap, each space has been thoughtfully designed to enhance your connection with the surrounding wilderness.

Each sanctuary offers its space for personal reflection or intimate conversation. It allows you to absorb the magic of the natural surroundings, finding a deeper sense of ease and peace—the ultimate luxury of life in the African bush.

Where luxury and wilderness meet

With only 6 rooms, Nambu is the perfect boutique safari experience. Each room has been elevated to a whole new level of luxury. Choose from accommodations with breathtaking views from a private balcony overlooking the Drakensberg mountains, or step out onto a private patio with serene garden views. Each room is a luxurious sanctuary, combining ultimate comfort with authentic African charm.

The limited capacity ensures an intimate and exclusive experience. Natural materials, thoughtful design, and luxurious touches create spaces that feel both indulgent and connected to the wilderness beyond.

Looking for the ideal family or group getaway? Book the entire camp for yourselves, creating a private safari haven where special memories are made together. Enquire with our reservations team for availability here

Learn bushlore from the best

Our passionate and knowledgeable guides share their invaluable bush wisdom with you on twice-daily game drives. Track elusive predators or identify birds by their distinctive calls. Sip on freshly-brewed coffee out in the wild on your morning game drive and watch colours paint the sky. In the evenings, enjoy the spectacular African sunsets with sundowners in secluded spots that will take your breath away.

Every moment becomes a memory at Nambu Camp

Come and experience the magic of Nambu for yourself.

Contact our reservations team here for more information.

Unbelievable adventures await.

Green Season is in Full Bloom: Safari in the Southern Summer

No need for winter blues when it is summer down South

Summer in the Southern Hemisphere (aka winter to those up in the North) means one thing- rain, rain, glorious rain and with it, the blooming of green season and the abundance of all life. Water, after all, equals life.

Boteti Tented Camp, Botswana

Days are long and hot, peppered with the most magnificent thunderstorms. Imagine as the bright blue sky transforms with dramatic cumulonimbus clouds gathering in the distance. A shower of rain breaks the thick humid air and brightens the already vibrantly green and lush landscape. Days are spent reading beside the pool while game drives are spent exploring the lush wilderness in search of babies, pups, cubs, and calves and not to forget, the magnificent array of birdlife that the summer season brings. All migratory birds have arrived and it is every twitchers dream to discover the hundreds of bird species that frequent the African wilderness especially during this season.

Visiting the African wilderness in the midst of summer is an absolute joy to behold.

Have you booked your flight?

Boteti Tented camp, Botswana

Love is in the air

The month of love, February, lingers for longer than just Valentines day. The end of rainy season signals kudu and buffalo mating season. When grass is plentiful and nourishment abounds. Also known as rutting season, male kudus become more territorial and engage in enthralling ritualised displays and sparring matches. An incredibly phenomenal sight to see as kudu are one of the largest African buck (after eland) and have impressively long horns. They also become more vocal in this period with grunts that echo across the savannah.

Buffalo males are already known for their aggressive behaviour which is amplified even more during this period. Mating involves intense competition between bulls. Males will engage in sparring to compete which often brief but violent. A dominant bull is often recognizable by the thickness of his horns. Female buffalo are pregnant for about 11.5 months so give birth during the summer too. Interestingly, within a herd, many buffalo cows tend to synchronize their estrus cycles with the rainy season (aptly referred to as Green Season!) as this is when grazing is best. Males play no role in the rearing of the calves except aiding in the herd protection while females form intense and long relationships with their calves and will suckle for up to one year.

When I grow up, I’ll be a big dagga boy

During the wet season, the younger bulls rejoin a herd to mate with the females. They stay with them throughout the season to help with protecting the calves. With buffalo numbers equal protection and they will move as a herd to protect themselves from predators. The old bachelors that can no longer compete with the youngsters leave the herd and form their own bachelors herds. They are called dagga boys as they are often covered in mud and are amongst the most dangerous animal to encounter in the wild.

Chobe Mopani, Botswana

Chobe Mopani Forest Lodge, Botswana

Twitcher’s delight

Millions of birds journey from Europe and Asia to Southern Africa to escape the Northern winters. Just like us, they are in search of warmer climates, some birds can spend months in flight. This seasonal influx transforms ecosystems and makes for incredible birdwatching.

Discover the magic of each and every season on safari.

Witness the spectacle of Green Season in the bush. Contact our reservations team on reservations@sundestinations.co.za for unforgettable adventures into the heart of the African wilderness.

African Wildlife Mating Rituals: A Guide to Nature’s Most Intriguing Courtships

In honour of the month of love, we dive into nature’s most intriguing courtships and mating rituals in the African wilderness.

Africa’s romance extends beyond picturesque sunsets and the safari experience. It reaches into the very heart of its wild inhabitants. From fierce battles between elephant bulls in musth to the elaborate courtship dance of male ostriches, the African wilderness turns into a theatrical display of bizarre and fascinating behaviour when it comes to mating season. (Not that the mating rituals of humans are any less absurd) These fascinating rituals and complex courtships perfected over millennia, tell unique stories of adaptation, competition, and survival in the wild.

Shake your tail feather

The male ostrich performs one of the most elaborate dancing displays in the African wilderness. He drops to his knees, spreads his large wings out wide and begins to sway as if he were at a Coldplay concert. The male’s long neck turns bright pink as a signal that mating season is on. Their black and white plumage flutters dramatically as he attempts to win the attention of a female ostrich. Multiple dance sessions may take place before a female accepts.

The African Paradise Flycatcher makes use of what he has got in order to attract love.

During the breeding season, his already elegant tail grows extraordinarily long. Like an aerial artist, he performs elaborate dances to parade his long tail feathers. If that is not enough to woo her, he proves his worth by crafting intricate nests. Once successfully wooed, the pair will form a dedicated partnership where they share the tasks of nest-building and raising their chicks. Watch this video of these beautiful birds here.

Our last few blog posts have dived into the marvellous microscopic worlds of dung beetles. Our fascination with the celestial navigating dung beetles continues. They have a unique mating ritual in which males will spend hours crafting the perfect dung balls to attract the attention of a female. Competition is fierce as rival males battle dramatically over both their carefully crafted dung balls and potential mates. The winners performs a special dance atop their prize dung balls before rolling off into the sunset on their dung ball together.

In the fascinating world of hyenas, traditional gender roles are turned upside down. This matriarchal society is ruled by females who are not only larger than males but also more aggressive. Females outrank all males- even the lowest ranking female outranks the highest ranking male.

Courtship in hyena society is a marathon, not a sprint. There is no instant swiping right here Males must patiently court females for weeks or even months. Males must first submit to the female and then gain acceptance from both the female and her entire clan. The most successful males are those that spend time building relationships with the female and her clan.

The mating process itself is incredibly complex due to female hyenas’ distinctive anatomy – they possess a pseudopenis. It requires extraordinary cooperation between partners.The social structure impacts cub-rearing. Cubs inherit their mother’s rank, creating hierarchy within the clan. While there’s some cooperative care among females, rank still dictates behavior. Higher-ranking females may show aggression toward cubs of lower-ranking mothers, leading these mothers to raise their cubs separately initially. Only when the cubs are stronger and more resilient do they fully integrate into clan life.

Young males must leave the clan around age 2-3, starting at the bottom of the social ladder once again when they are accepted by a new clan. Hyenas remain one of Africa’s most misunderstood and intriguing species. Read more about them in this previous post.

Elephants another matriarchal society in the wild. When male elephants become teenagers (aged 15-20) they are ousted from the herd and sent on a journey of self discovery. When on safari, an elephant bull on musth can be an intimidating encounter. It is important to understand, respect and ready the signs of animals on safari. Bulls on musth secrete a dark, hormone-rich liquid from their temporal glands. They also have a distinct scent they secrete due to the constant drip of urine down their hind legs, females can detect this scent from several kilometres away. Even without the acute sense of smell of an elephant, humans can also detect this secretion.

During ‘musth’ males experience a period of heightened testosterone and aggression. Males wander extensively in search of receptive females. Females will steer clear of bulls unless they are ready and will let bulls know through vocalisations and scent. Courtships is short and mating even shorter, lasting no more than a few minutes. They may mate several times over a period of one or more days. If successful gestation will last up to 22 months. The entire herd will help support the pregnant mother as well as help care for the calf when born.

The mighty hippopotamus turns courtship into a dramatic display of power and territory. Males show dominance by opening their massive jaws up to 150 degrees, brandishing enormous canine teeth to establish hierarchy.
To mark their territory, they spray dung with flickering tails. Females choose their mates based on both fighting prowess and territory quality. Once calves arrive, the mothers become fierce protectors, protecting their young from all possible threats including male hippos, who play no role in raising the calves.

This is but a glimpse into the remarkable rituals and complex courtships in the African wilderness.
Each season brings new opportunities to witness nature’s most spectacular moments.
Experience these extraordinary wildlife encounters for yourself on an unforgettable safari adventure.

Contact our reservations on reservations@sundestinations.co.za to be part of Africa’s endless wild romance

A Wild Start to 2025: Wildlife Highlights

It’s been a wonderfully wild start to 2025 so we thought we would share a roundup of January wildlife highlights from our portfolio of incredible camps around South Africa and Botswana.

With green season in full bloom, landscapes are lush and bursting with life. Here are just some of the spectacular sightings captured in Jan.