Celebrate Right at Walkers Bush Villa

Struggling with ideas on how to celebrate a big milestone? How does an exclusive-use luxury villa in the
heart of the Timbavati sound?

Walkers Bush Villa in the Greater Kruger is the ultimate luxury bush getaway. Think ‘Out of Africa’, and
then some. Lavish air-conditioned rooms, wide open living areas, a sprawling stoep and expansive deck with pool, plus large lush lawns are all yours to use privately when you book at Walkers. It’s an exclusive-use property, which means you’re guaranteed seclusion and privacy, impeccable service and even a private chef.

It also happens to be a great venue for commemorating big milestones, such as 50 th birthday celebrations. We had a massive launch party at Walkers a few weeks ago to showcase the recently revamped Villa. Guests included many of our friends in the industry, travel agents, fellow lodge owners from the area and a few Hoedspruit locals. In other words, quite a large party. But the vast verandah, spacious living areas and sweeping lawns meant it never got crowded or cramped, and the property could’ve swallowed twice as many guests with ease.

The experience can also be tailored to your every whim, and decorations, food, wine and most everything
else you’d need for the perfect celebration can be trimmed and customised to your taste. The brand new pool deck is a great place from which to enjoy a Timbavati sunset, a welcome drink and a few canapés, after which guests can mingle and chat on the stunning verandah before sitting down to an expertly catered Walkers dinner in the tastefully appointed dining room.

When guests depart and the celebrations eventually draw to a close in the wee hours, there are four opulent rooms for you and your nearest to rest your weary heads in. Walkers Bush Villa sleeps 10 comfortably – there’s one master suite, and three standard bedrooms all of which can be reconfigured according to the group’s needs.

To cure the hangover the next morning, let the private chef whip up a delicious breakfast, and spend the day on the deck loungers, sipping on Bloody Marys and occasionally dipping into the pool. Later, enjoy a game drive with one of Walkers’ knowledgable game rangers and stop for sundowners at a waterhole – keep your eyes peeled for any of the big five and a host of other predators and lowveld critters.

The Timbavati’s borders are open to the Kruger National Park, so the possibilities for game sighting are endless. You might even get to see one of the white lions that have been spotted here! Walkers Bush Villa is the perfect venue for discerning and sophisticated guests looking for a celebration with a difference in the heart of the bushveld. Seclusion and privacy are the order of the day, which means the only noise complaints you’re likely to receive will be from diurnal wildlife missing out on sleep.

The Week in Pictures : Wildlife Advent (ure) Calendar of Images

When one door closes, another one opens. If you applied this famous quote from Alexander Graham Bell to your seasonal advent calendar, you’ve probably devoured your entire calendar in one sitting. It happens. If you’ve run out of delectable chocolates hiding behind those fat santa doors, then take a peek at our safari advent calendar of images. Look, you can’t eat these images, but you’ll derive great pleasure from looking at them. We’ve even left a few blank spaces between images to give you the opportunity to look away and return again the next day. If you devoured advent in one sitting there’s a high probability that you’re going to keep scrolling with these images!

We trust you’ll enjoy our lighthearted version of Week in Pictures. Whatever your belief system, we hope that you make the most of this bustling festive season! We won’t be doing the Week in Pictures next week, but we will be blogging about the various festive celebrations that have taken place.

Brief highlights from our camps :

Ezulwini Game Lodges saw the entire Machaton mega-pride of lions, and the coalition of kings in a separate sighting. The Olifants River was in full flow after the recent rains, which means plenty of giant herbivores and loving creatures emerged.
Chacma Bush Camp enjoyed perfect visuals of a huge pack of wild dogs around the waterhole. Early in the week the resident lion cubs were spotted and they’re looking well-fed and healthy. There was also a rare sighting of a black mamba snake while on drive.
Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp have enjoyed regular sightings of leopards within the reserve, and a sighting of one of the Mbiri male lions mating with a female.

Dec 18

Dec 19

Dec 20

Dec 21

Dec 22

Dec 23

Dec 24

Dec 25

Lone hyena vs massive pack of wild dogs

When a lone female hyena encountered a hostile pack of wild dogs at a waterhole near nThambo Tree Camp at Africa on Foot in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, it made for quite the spectacle.

Hyenas get a bad rap. From The Lion King to the recent Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, hyenas are portrayed as vile, cowardly, loathsome creatures. But in actual fact, spotted hyenas in particular, are more than scavenging, carrion-eating, high-pitch laughing villains; they’re highly intelligent, fearsome hunters that are to be revered and respected.

Why this particular female spotted hyena thought it a good idea to have her bath time at this waterhole, while there was a huge pack of excitable and antagonistic wild dogs in the vicinity, is unclear. But in hindsight, she’ll probably regret not legging it as soon as the dogs arrived. Speaking of intelligent and fearsome hunters, though, wild dogs are almost without rival in the wild. The level of organisation, communication and intricate hunting strategies they employ are perhaps only bested by the killer whale.

This pack is regularly sighted in the Klaserie and, when you consider how endangered these creatures are and how rarely they’re seen, guests of Africa on Foot have been extremely fortunate to catch a glimpse of them time and again over the last few weeks.

This pack is massive and numbers 23 dogs in total. They’ve recently come out of their denning period, so the pups are also in the mix. Wild dog breeding is incredibly interesting. They are what is called cooperative breeders, which means only the alpha pair breeds, and only their litter is nursed and fed during this time, usually in a vacated aardvark hole where the pups can be protected from potential predators.

Coinciding with the denning period, is the impala rutting season, which means male impala are usually tired from rutting and become easy prey for these clever painted hunters. In the video, the dogs are probably preparing for just such a hunt, when they come across the hapless hyena. Being fierce food-source rivals, they probably thought it a good opportunity to get one over on the competition.

The hyena, vastly outnumbered, tries her best to fight them off while not showing them too much of her haunches, before eventually backing into the waterhole and trying to intimidate the dogs with her dangerous dentistry (apart from crocodiles and hippos, the hyena has the strongest bite in the African wild).

The wild dogs eventually call off the chase, perhaps rather conserving their energy for the upcoming hunt, and the hyena escapes with a few painful bite marks, but lives to fight another day.

Keeping up with the Kudyelas

The Machaton male lions sired cubs with the Kudyela lionesses, and successfully increased their genetic bloodline in the Balule. These reigning kings sought to produce offspring to ensure their powerful genetics were passed down through the generations. The lion cubs are often spotted on Ezulwini’s traverse, just bumbling around and patrolling boundaries with the older pride females. The 4 Kudyela lionesses birthed the collection cubs, and last night guests were rewarded with sightings of the future legends of the Balule Nature Reserve.

We’ve introduced the Balule lion fan club to the new additions over the past couple of months, and the cubs are still healthy. Last night photographer Em Gatland joined the game drive in the Balule and they came across two of the 10 lion cubs.

The cubs belong to the 4 Kudyela lionesses, and are roughly between 4 – 8 months old (3 cubs, 3 cubs, 2 cubs and 2 cubs). The lionesses are often been spotted on the move, shifting den sites for the cubs. A few of the cubs are now old enough to move around with their natal pride, so we’re speculating that the cubs spotted last night were the older ones.

Cubs are weaned at about 6 months, and right now they are learning a few hunting techniques from the pride elders. Cubs will learn how to stalk, ambush and attack prey while in the pride. Females learn how to hunt when they are much older than their male siblings. Lionesses stay in their birth pride for life (they may breakaway and form split-off prides) and therefore aren’t forced to hunt from an early age. Males are ousted from 2 – 3 years of age, and are therefore forced to hunt at a much earlier age.

We hope you enjoy Em’s lion cub images of the Kudyela cubs!

Umkumbe Male Leopards Declare War. It Gets Rowdy.

In one corner we have virile and agile youngster Nweti, filled with bravado. In the other corner we have the wise gentleman, Inyathini, filled with experience and stamina. These two testosterone fuelled leopards have declared war, and there’s a prickly tensioned filled atmosphere when we’re in the company of these two contestants. We use the word contestants, because really that’s what they are. What we are witnessing on the outskirts of Umkumbe Safari Lodge is typical male leopard behaviour – a fight over land ownership. Ultimately, this is what causes warfare between male leopards. Which is exactly what’s happening between young Nweti and legend Inyathini. Nweti wants Inyathini’s territory. These are interesting times on the Umkumbe traverse!

When a burgeoning young male seeks independence from his mother, he has an innate desire to establish territory of his own. The young males seek a home range to call their own, one that is preferably laden with females and ample prey sources. The dominant male leopard has exclusive breeding rights to the females within his own turf. Unless he is overthrown by another thrill seeking youngster. If under threat, leopards generally flee. But if they’re long established in an area and have the experience of an ageing warlord, they won’t give in without a fight. To make sure leopards from neighbouring regions understand their game plan, the males will scent mark low lying shrubbery, claw parts of trees, and produce guttraal barking calls to advertise their home range. This is what Nweti was doing, but it was on homeground that was ALREADY claimed by aloof legend, Inyathini.

Guides at Umkumbe have witnessed the animosity between these two leopards, with plenty of underlying tension becoming more apparent over the past weeks. We’re pretty sure Miles, Geoff and Tanya are keeping an eye on the leopard shenanigans. Who will stay? Who will flee? Will one of them die in a brutal battle? This we cannot predict!

Inyathini is an enigma. The luminary has been around for years and is the ultimate loner. He has little known history, but we have established that he wandered over from the Kruger National Park and has since settled into the Sabi Sand. He was aggressive at first but is more relaxed nowadays. It’s clear he came from a hidden enclave of the national park with little activity.

Nweti is a young male leopard born and raised in the north west Sabi Sand. He has always been fairly relaxed around vehicles, and oozes confidence. It’s clear that this boy is trying to establish a solid home range. Unfortunately, these things come at a price (ousting others) but it’s a showdown that Nweti is willing to fight.

Nweti encroached on Inyathini’s stomping ground. A home range that was rightfully his for quite sometime. Older males have been known to tolerate coming-of-age youngsters on the boundaries of their personal traverse but there’s an understanding that the newcomer must cower in shame and leave immediately.

Nweti didn’t flee. He stayed. And he even mated with local lass, Ntsumi. A brave move given that he was outside of his jurisdiction.

You can only imagine what happened next. A war began to brew between the two males. When the fight eventually broke out, Inyathini walk away with bloodied fur and open wounds. And a deflated sense of pride. It became clear that Nweti had won the battle. He proceeded to mark his new kingdom rather vigorously, and not one low-lying bristly shrub went unmarked. With Inyathini seemingly ousted, we were equipped to see less of the legend.

But things are never that black and white in war. While in hiding, Inyathini spent some time nursing his emotional and physical wounds, and came back to claim what was rightfully his land. The old boy looked strong and healthy after his quiet retreat!

As it stands, the leopards are back to square one. A Mexican stand-off of sorts. The calls have been heard and there’s plenty of growling happening in the dead of night. We sense that another war is brewing – but for now we monitor the situation closely to see which leopard will emerge victorious!

The Week in (Festive) Pictures : Predators Still Sleigh in the Storm

There’s a promise of rain hiding beneath the claps of thunder and bolts of lighting assaulting our senses. We’ve waited patiently for sheets of rain to drown our landscape and replenish our arid soils. The intermittent rains have brought a burst of colour and lush greenery to the wild, but we needed more. After threatening sounds from the exquisite cloud cover, the rains came. And we rejoiced! A perfect gift just in time for the festive season. Despite the rather adverse wet conditions, our predators still continue to slay their prey. Nothing will stop those at the top of the food chain from feeding. The festive Week in Pictures is all about storms and those predators still willing to “sleigh” in the challenging conditions.

Chacma Bush Camp

The sky opened and released its wrath on the landscape. The rains pelted down and left no corner of the Maseke parched. When the rains subsided, the birdlife emerged and our waders waddled through deep pools of water. Pachyderms and plains game enjoyed a veritable feast of greens, and the predators were over the moon at the increased presence of potential prey!

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

Our Klaserie camps took a break from game viewing to enjoy a few festive season celebrations. Cocktail and snack sessions were enjoyed by guests; and our team had plenty of fun designing the festive celebrations. We’ll share a few of these moments towards the end of the week. In other news, the Klaserie team have enjoyed a plethora of wild dog sightings; and there was even a scuffle between the scavenging hyenas and mottled dogs.

The leopards are stealing the big cat show, with Nyaleti taking on centre stage. Last night guides witnessed yet another remarkable moment in the wild. It was a moment that left us feeling torn between laughing and crying. Heartbreakingly hilarious. Nyaleti taunted and teased her latest meal – a young impala lamb. She was swatting and pawing the lamb before attempting to make her kill. Guide Mauritz said she was “playing with her food”!

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

The highlight from Umkumbe this week was the sighting of the mega-pack of African wild dogs. There were leopard sightings during the course of the week, but we had to give the award to the wild dogs. They made quite a spectacle on the open road and delighted guests with their typical high-pitched tweets.

Ezulwini Game Lodges

6 Reasons to Visit Motswiri Camp on the Selinda Spillway

The Selinda Spillway, linking the Okavango Delta in the west to the Linyanti Swamps in the east, is one of the last remaining true African wildernesses. We can think of hundreds of reasons to visit this wonderfully wild corner of Botswana, but here are six that might tickle your fancy.

Wild country

Motswiri Camp operates exclusively on a massive 120 000 acres of wilderness on the wildlife-rich Selinda Spillway in Northern Botswana. The Selinda Reserve only allows for a very limited number of people at any given time, which means you’re essentially ensured privacy and exclusivity.

It’s veritably teeming with game and birds, and you will likely not have seen an abundance and variety of wildlife like you are virtually guaranteed to see here – from the luxury of the camp’s deck, no less. Recline on Motswiri’s viewing deck with a G&T in hand and watch as elephants happily slosh and splash through the waterways in front of camp, before sitting down to a starlit dinner, and later repairing to one of five comfortable tented chalets. As you drift off to the smorgasbord of sounds in this vast and untamed wilderness, you’ll feel as though you have Africa to yourself.

Motorised boat safaris

Guests at Motswiri love the game drives, but it’s the boat safaris that see them returning. Gliding over smooth hazel waters, you’re guaranteed to see plenty of game on the banks (and in the water!) – keep an eye out for those hot-tempered hippos and sly crocodiles. Sundowners are always a serene affair on boat safaris here. Drink in hand, listen to the gentle lapping of water against the hull as the sun sinks, and watch pinks, oranges and purples reflect off the Spillway’s glassy surface.

Mokoro cruises

If you fancy getting even closer to the water, hop in a makoro – a traditional dugout canoe – and let one of the experienced Motswiri guides lead you on a memorable water safari through the snaking canals of the spillway. You’re bound to see even more game and birds as you silently coast the reed-fringed waterways. Keep an eye of the pretty Angolan painted reed frog; they’re brightly coloured but only about 35mm long, so keep your eyes peeled!

Walking trails

Back on terra firma, why not embark on a beautiful, informative bush walk? Walking safaris in the Selinda Reserve tend to serve up all manner of thrilling sightings, and the guides are extremely knowledgeable. You’ll learn plenty about the fauna and flora of the area, and even do a bit of tracking. It’s a great opportunity to indulge in nature/wildlife photography, and for those keen to wet some line, a spot of fishing can be worked into the walking trail, too. Guides can tailor the experience to suit the group’s interests.

Baobab sunsets

Sunsets are a huge deal here, and the staff at Motswiri will make sure you get the best African sundowner experience you’ve ever had. As mentioned, the boat-safari sunsets are rather epic, but there’s a famous spot on the spillway that takes things to the next level. A lone, majestic baobab stands sentinel over a shallow waterlogged area. In the background, elephants bathe contentedly while birds of all shapes and sizes flit about to conclude their business before darkness descends. Under the massive baobab, a table is laid out with the tipple of your choice, ready for you to toast another tough day in Africa. It really is a magical, mystical spot that will take your breath away.

Sleep out

If you’d like to immerse yourself even further in this wild paradise, Motswiri can now set up a ‘fly camp’, which is more rustic than the base camp, but even closer to the water’s edge. Guests are led on a walking safari from main camp, sleep over at the fly camp for a night and are then driven back the next day. Avid fishermen like to spend a night here, as they are much closer to the fishing waters and can cast a line whenever they feel like it. But non-fishing guests also like the change of scenery. It is less Karen Blixen, and more Kingsley Holgate, and that is part of the charm of the fly camp!

How We Celebrate Your Romantic Safari at Chacma Bush Camp

Chacma Bush Camp is a magical destination. It’s the birthplace of many a smitten couple. We’re not sure if that exquisite koppie behind the camp boasts special powers, but we know of a few loved up couples that have strengthened their bond while staying at Chacma. This intimate bush camp has been shot by Cupid’s arrow, and just being at Chacma certainly seems to bring out a more romantic side to its visitors.

The team at Chacma decided to share the spell of love, and have committed to going out of their way for loved-up couples wanting a private or romantic safari experience. In between the big five sightings -and observing elephants drinking at the waterhole in front of camp – our managers secretly set-up private dinner sessions cocooned between the granite boulders on the koppie.

While you’re photographing those handsome Maseke male lions, the team sneak off to set-up a honeymoon sundowner session complete with a tipple of your choice, and a table laden with snacks. Slump back into beautifully appointed Melvill and Moon chairs as you watch the golden glow descend upon the Maseke landscape.

The Chacma team is flexible in terms of creating the idyllic romantic safari experiences. They will need to know your plans and ideas prior to arrival, so that equipment and logistics can be sorted out. Due to erratic weather patterns – and the unpredictable behaviour of wildlife – they may have to abort certain romantic options and opt for an alternative. The Chacma team is always open to ideas you might have in mind for your loved one (within reason!).

For special occasions at Chacma, the following set-ups can be arranged :

Exclusive dining session at either the pool side, or on top of the rocky outcrop behind camp
The full Melvill and Moon honeymoon sundowner set-up (extra cost)
Private sundowners with snacks and a few gins/drinks of choice. Guides will select an open area with superb views for this to take place.

A couple of weeks ago we hosted a lovely English couple called Joely and Trevor, and decided to spoil them with a private dining session for Trevor’s upcoming birthday. Our videographer took a quick video of the table set-up. This lovely couple were treated to the dinner surprise when they returned from game drive.

Gemma said there was also a fantastic honeymoon couple from Germany, who delayed their honeymoon safari because of work commitments. They enjoyed their special romantic sundowners, and were treated to a table laden with cheeseboards, snacks and other delectable delights. Gin and tonics were served because, well, that’s the safari drink of choice!

We have plenty of international lovebirds flocking to the Chacma for a private honeymoon session, and we encourage you to join the pack of die-hard romantics and make the journey. After all, Chacma seems to be a favourite on Cupid’s list.

The Week in Pictures : “All Things Bright and Beautiful”

This week we owe you a bounty of wildlife images, given that we missed last week’s “Week in Pictures” . The usual flurry of activity continues in the Greater Kruger, with the new season bringing with it plenty of promise. The cubs and calves recently born into the reserves seem to be thriving, and we’ve not yet witnessed any majorly heartbreaking moments in the wild. We’re watching the landscape shift gently from the bland colours of winter to the more vibrant colours of summer. Summer migrant birds are arriving, and there’s an elated buzz in the wildlife world. It’s brighter and more energetic out there, but not for our human khaki-clad team on the ground – temperatures are reaching 40 degrees celsius. Frenzy in the wildlife world, and lethargy in the human world!

The lion cubs on the Ezulwini Game Lodges traverse are thriving in their environment. The Kudyela cubs are bumbling about and exploring their backyard. Guests were also rewarded with a sighting of an active hyena den, complete with cubs grappling and play fighting with one another. There was even a report of an unknown leopard with a scrub hare – just a small snack!

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp have enjoyed abundant sightings of the ever graceful Nyeleti leopardess, a beguiling stark beauty. There were also noteworthy sightings of a massive tusker enjoying a tree debarking session, wild dogs and plenty of plains game. The Klaserie team decided it was time to begin the holiday festivities early, and set-up a glamorous gin tasting in the midst of the bushveld.

Chacma Bush Camp has been the star of the show this week, with packs of wild dogs and pups trotting around the local waterhole. Of course, that wasn’t the only incredible sighting enjoyed by guests. The highlight? Lions came to the waterhole in front of camp to drink. Guests were settling down and enjoying their dinner when the felines filtered down to the body of water. During the day – and at breakfast time – guests enjoyed plenty of elephant sightings from the comfort of camp!

Umkumbe Safari Lodge is enjoying watching the a few serious leopard events unfolding in the Sabi Sand. On this morning’s game drive miles came across Nweti and Natumi leopards mating, and both leopards have been spotted on a regular basis. Nweti is wanting to dominate Inyatheni’s territory and guides have witnessed the start of what appears to be turf war. There’s plenty of highly charged leopard activity at the moment!

This week we celebrate all things bright and beautiful in the Greater Kruger!

Do the Wild in Style at Walkers Bush Villa

Karen Blixen can eat her heart out. When it comes to style, elegance and unapologetic luxury in the heart of the bush, Walkers Bush Villa is without rival.

If you’ve had a taxing year and feel like you deserve to treat yourself and your nearest to a relaxing, fully catered experience at a private game reserve, then perhaps the lavish five-star Walkers Bush Villa in the midst of the renowned Timbavati Private Game Reserve is just the ticket. The kicker? You don’t have to share this particular lap of luxury with anyone else. It’s the ultimate exclusive bush hideaway where seclusion, privacy and opulence are the order of the day.

The other great benefit of staying at Walkers is that guests can tailor their experience according to their taste and whims, and there’s no rigid schedule that needs to be adhered to. But allow us to describe what a typical day at Walkers Bush Villa might look like:

Wake up at around 5H30 and enjoy a coffee on the lovely patio while listening to the surrounding bush chirp, click and buzz into life. At 6H00, depart on a game drive with an experience guide into the wilds of the Timbavati – make sure to keep an eye out for the big five, including the regularly-sighted Sunset Dam leopard and, of course, the famous white lions of the Timbavati. As the Timbavati shares borders with both the Kruger and the Klaserie, there are no limits to what one might see on a drive, and the best part is that you won’t get traffic at a sighting as you would in the Kruger. Here, you’ll have sightings all to yourself and guests might even be taken off-road on occasion to get closer to game – something not permitted in other parks.

At 9H00, you’ll arrive back at the Villa and tuck straight into a breakfast specially prepared by the private chef at Walkers. Guests then have the choice of how they’d like to spend the rest of their day. Bush walks can be arranged, as well as additional drives, but we’d advise guests to take advantage of the private luxury of the Villa during the day. Make use of several seating areas on the expansive patio, all of which overlooks the surrounding bushveld.

Catch up on some reading or take time to admire some of the handcrafted items and classic art scattered throughout the house, including a few original Dylan Lewis sculptures. Or use the binos to spot birds from the comfort of one of the loungers. Avid birders usually have the time of their lives at Walkers as they delight in the bouquet of birds on show, including a multi-hued variety of robins, chats, shrikes, orioles, larks, coucals and rollers that flit about the bush surrounding the house.

During the hottest part of the day, cool off in the inviting pool, or catch a few winks in one of four large air-conditioned bedrooms, or relax in one of two comfortably appointed lounges. The patio leads down to lush lawns where the kids can run around to their hearts’ content, and there are also additional kids activities that can be arranged on request.

The afternoon game drive usually departs at 16H30, and generally serves up a host of exciting sightings of animals congregating at waterholes, and, of course, a special sundowner spot is selected where guests happily indulge in a G&T while admiring the view. At around 19H30, upon returning to the Villa, a table would have been set up under the stars in the wonderful boma area, and a delectable dinner is served by the chef.

Bush breakfasts and dinners can also be arranged should the guests wish – it’s all up to how you’d like to spend your days at Walkers! It’s the ideal group- or family getaway, and the Villa sleeps up to 10 people. There’s one master suite, and three standard bedrooms all of which can be reconfigured according to the group’s needs.

For a catered, private, luxurious bush break, there’s simply no beating Walkers Bush Villa…