The Week in Pictures : Cool Cats and Amber Sunsets

A clear theme for “Week in Pics” has emerged. One sideways glance at the slew of images from our guides and photographers is all you need to figure out the common denominator : CATS. Included in the portfolio of leopard and lion images, there are pictures of charismatic sunsets and general game, which always provides a fantastic overview of the many aspects of a safari.

It has certainly been a big cat week across the Greater Kruger. Weekly we are treated to sightings of lion cubs in both the Maseke Game Reserve and Balule Private Nature Reserve, and Umkumbe tend to steal the limelight with leopard sightings. Our other camps consistently provide intricate reports of their sightings. The Lowveld is heaving with sightings at the moment, but in our books 2019 seems to be the year of the cat!

Ezulwini Game Lodge loves being in the limelight with their big cat sightings. The Machatons are still the reining kings of the area, and the Kudyela lionesses continue to nurture and protect their young cubs. The guides at Ezulwini literally come across piles of lions flopped across savannah landscapes. Always a delightful sight.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge also enjoys their spate of lion sightings, but their big cat favourites are leopards. We’re never short of a leopard update from our Sabi Sand crew. Tatowa’s male cub – their blue-eyed boy – was spotted scent marking his land, patrolling the shrubbery and relaxing in a tree. Basically spotted engaging in typical leopard behaviour! Among the feline antics there was an incredible sighting of two zebra stallions getting involved in an aggressive showdown while a few curious giraffe stood by and observed the scene.

Ezulwini wasn’t the only lodge to spot lion cubs during the course of the week. Guests and guides from Chacma Bush Camp spent a fair portion of their time observing the bumbling antics of the Maseke cubs during playtime at the waterhole. The waterhole seems to be their favourite playground!

nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot in the Klaserie experienced a bit of a motley crew of sightings, enjoying observations of the ever famous Nyeleti tucking into a recent kill in a tree, 4 male lions relaxing during the heat of the day and a huge herd of elephants enjoying a mammoth swimming session at the waterhole.

Without further ado, here are our recent images fresh from the Greater Kruger.

The History of Uganda’s Batwa Pygmy Tribe in Bwindi Region

Visitors flock to Uganda to trek with gorillas deep within the verdant untouched forests of the region, and combine their arduous gorilla trekking experience with chimp tracking safaris in the heart of Kibale Forest. The wildlife and landscape of Uganda is a major drawcard for many tourists, but it’s not the only thing that Uganda has to offer its visitors. Learning about the cultural diversity and the dramatic history of Uganda is key to understanding so much of how this developing country made its mark on the map. One of the tribes we are going to explore today – the Batwa Pygmy tribe – has a story that’s actually tightly woven into gorilla trekking safaris.

The story of the Batwa people is one of woe and sacrifice, and their historical presence is one of great significance. They were the original inhabitants of East Africa’s Great Lakes, and the guardians of the equatorial forests before they were pushed to the outskirts of Bwindi forest when it was was gazetted in 1991. The story of the ousting of the Batwas is a multi-layered discussion with many aspects coming into play. Many believe that the Batwa were evicted to make way for colonial tourism, and others believe it was to ensure the success of the dwindling numbers of wild gorillas in the area. Needless to say, the eviction of the Batwas and marginalising this ancient group, without any support, is one of great sadness.

History of the Batwa

For over 60,000 years (a stat according to anthropologists) the indigenous forest people lived in harmony with the gorillas. The Batwa are believed to be some of the first inhabitants of the earth, and the original inhabitants of East Africa’s Great Lakes. Survival was based on hunting bush meat and gathering edible fruits from their surrounds. Hunts were done by using poison tipped arrows and homes were made from durable plants, sticks, vines and leaves. Until recently, Bwindi’s mountain gorillas shared their forest with the Batwa pygmies, a tribe of hunter-gatherers who lived in its caves and trees for thousands of years. They were the protectors of the forest and lived side-by-side with the wild mountain gorillas.

Why were the Batwa Pygmies removed from their forest home?

There are many aspects affecting the ousting of the Batwas. They were the initial hunter gatherers that have now been forced to live on the periphery of their natural home. The Bwindi was declared a national park to protect the gorillas, and thus the human element was forcibly removed.

The Batwa never hunted gorillas but gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans, which means the presence of the Batwa greatly increased the chance of infection and disease from human to primate. In 1991 the Batwa were given conservation refugee status, never really establishing themselves in the surrounding communities or in the jungle; and constantly living in limbo.

How do the Batwa Pygmy people survive?

When the Batwa were removed from the forest they weren’t given any compensation for land or crops. It was agreed that they could live on the periphery of the forest but could not hunt bush meat. They were left to fend for themselves and struggled to mix with the local communities. There was simply was no place for them in the market place either, meaning they couldn’t trade or even buy provisions.

The Batwa were unprepared for this, having only known the jungle lifestyle and how to thrive in that environment. Generations born into the more contemporary Batwa life have managed to establish and survive better. Currently, the Batwa keep their culture alive and bring in a minimal income through displays of hunting, gathering honey, weaving baskets and doing traditional dances for tourists.

In conjunction with your gorilla and chimp trekking safari to Uganda,we highly recommend you get to know the story of the Batwa and contribute where you can. The Batwa Experience has greatly benefited the communities.

The Week in Pictures : Lion Cubs and Pouncing Predators

Lion cubs face a high mortality rate in the wild and are completely helpless when born, relying on their mother for nutrition and protection. Lionesses stash their cubs in den sites for the first few months of their life, ensuring they are protected from plundering scavengers and revengeful testosterone fuelled male lions seeking to take over prides. Needless to say, there are numerous factors contributing towards the low survival rate of lion cubs in the wild. Seeing them is a rare privilege and we only really spot them when their mother deems it safe enough to release them from her designated den area. We’ve noticed a similar themed thread that has woven through from last week through this week, which is the heavy presence of lions and cubs in the wild.

There has been a notable increase in lion cub sightings while on drive with Ezulwini Game Lodges. Our videographer Rogan spent a few days lapping up the spoils of River Lodge, and was taken aback at the abundant sightings of the healthy Kudyela lion cubs (sired by the Machatons). Upon arrival at the lodge they stumbled across a pride of 22 lions! There goes Ezulwini Game Lodges, overachieving again.

Chacma Bush Camp is also enjoying a wealth of little lion sightings, with the growing Maseke cubs spotted bumbling around the edge of a waterhole. Coupled with the lion cub sightings, the team encountered a pack of wild dogs on the trot. They enjoyed the antics that ensued after a kill was made, and a few snatch and grab sessions between pack members that provided entertainment for our guests. Rewind back to lion sightings and we’re happy to report that both the Lamai females and Maseke males were also spotted.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge guides have had plenty of fun with their recent guests, teaching them about how to handle harmless snakes and plenty of other useful wildlife facts. The highlight of the week has to be the sighting of leopards Ndzanzeni mating with Nweti, and then also the close encounter with Nweti casually sniffing the wheel of the game viewer.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp have enjoyed a few lion sightings recently, with the most epic sighting being that of two lion prides entering into a dramatic scuffle. The days following the fight, the defeated lions were spotted in an open area, licking their wounds and tending to their bruised egos. There were plenty of sub-adult lions in the pride of 11 that took on the pride of 9 – young and brave!

Those are our highlights from our Kruger camps. Below we have a selection of images from last week. We trust you’ll enjoy our selection!

Whisk the family to Walkers Bush Villa

Walkers Bush Villa in the teeming Timbavati Game Reserve is the perfect family break. The villa is lavish, secluded and can be perfectly tailored to your family’s unique tastes and whims.

The kids might be up and at ’em at the break of dawn, but mom and dad had hoped for a lie-in. No problem. There are a number of activities that can be arranged to keep the kids occupied and entertained while the parents enjoy their snooze. Or maybe the family’s teenager needs their beauty sleep while mom and dad enjoy their early morning game drive? Why not! The Timbavati’s borders are open to the Kruger National Park, which means there are all manner of critters and creatures to look out for on drive (keep an eye out for the now famous and regularly-spotted Sunset Dam leopard).

Perhaps the family feels like having a large late afternoon lunch out on the patio, instead of dinner inside? Done! The private chef at Walkers will cook up whatever your heart desires at whatever time suits the family best – plus, his delectable dishes will have you overindulging and still coming back for more.

Or maybe the parents feel like an afternoon bush walk with a knowledgeable ranger to spot some
birds, while the kids have the sparkling pool at the villa all to themselves? No worries. In fact, birders are guaranteed to see a veritable kaleidoscope of feathered friends in and around Walkers, from flamboyant orioles, warblers and weavers to varicoloured robins, coucals and rollers. And, of course, the kids are perfectly safe alone at the villa, and a vigilant eye can be arranged to keep watch while they’re in the pool.

Point is, a family getaway to Walkers Bush Villa can be customised to whatever the family feels like. There needn’t be any rigid schedules or programmes. The chef, staff and guides are at your every beck and call, and with enough warning, almost anything can be arranged when it comes to drives, walks, bush breakfasts, sundowners, and the like.

It’s also completely private, which means you can treat the villa like your home away from home and there won’t be anyone else to judge the idiosyncrasies and peculiarities of your unique little family. And no one will be there to witness any of the inevitable screaming matches that are so synonymous with family getaways.

The four spacious rooms mean every member of the family will have ample space to retreat to
(mom and dad get the big master suite with ensuite bathroom, of course), while the rest of the
house is perfectly appointed with airy spaces flowing into one another.

The vast verandah is perfect for those sundowner sessions, while the sun loungers on the newly-built pool deck are great for catching a few rays between dips.

Why not spoil the family with an escape to this secluded slice of heaven in the heart of the Timbavati?

The Loved-up Luxury Honeymoon Suite at Ezulwini River Lodge

The Balule Nature Reserve is the Greater Kruger’s best kept secret and its unsurpassed natural beauty makes it a worthy safari destination for honeymooners. Ezulwini Game Lodges sits in the epicentre of wildlife activity in the Balule, and each lodge has been designed in such a way to take advantage of the magnificent surrounds. Billy’s has the famous meandering wooden skywalk that winds its way over wild bushveld, and provides the ideal vantage point for game viewing. The new waterhole is an absolute magnet for game, and so is the Olifants River that flows in front of River Lodge.

The team at Ezulwini have implemented a few decor changes at River Lodge and injected a fresher lighter palette into the interior. One of the well-appointed rooms to receive special attention was the honeymoon suite; a luxurious hideaway ideal for loved-up honeymooners. With the freestanding modern bath, outdoor shower, private plunge pool and extensive balcony; who would ever want to leave this palatial abode?

We do encourage you to leave your suite, despite its obvious lavish offerings. The Ezulwini traverse is pumping with predator sightings at the moment, and lodge manager Angele floods us with reports of leopard, lion cub and elephant sightings. From insects to predators, herbivores and reptiles; the Balule is an endless playground of sightings!

Photographer Em Gatland spent time at River Lodge and decided to showcase the loved-up honeymoon suite. The Ezulwini team go out of their way to add welcoming touches to the room prior to arrival, but not much is needed given the splendour of the natural surrounds.

Surrounded by wild, governed by wildlife and cocooned in luxury. Ezulwini has certainly lived-up to its namesake, “Place of Paradise”.

The Week in Pictures : Barging into 2019 with Gusto

We’re barging into 2019 with the gusto of a revenge filled dagga boy stampeding towards its intended target. It’s going to be a year of endearing moments, bloodcurdling take downs and unique sightings. And we’re going to be right there – in the heart of the action – delivering new stories, videos and images of each performance. We trust that the year ahead will be filled with veritable delights from the wild. We’re looking forward to observing the shift in dynamics with big cats, and whatever else comes our way.

In 2018 our Kruger camps enjoyed a number of noteworthy sightings and – in retrospect – the year was a successful one. We can’t complain about the smorgasbord of wildlife delights that came our way during the course of the year. Let’s hope 2019 delivers the same level of sightings. 2018 certainly set the bar in terms of game viewing.

What stood out for us in 2018? There seemed to be a marked increase in leopard sightings at our Kruger camps with the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve and Sabi Sand bringing in the majority of leopard reports. Coupled with the increase in leopard sightings, we welcomed a number of lion cubs into the wild. Ezulwini Game Lodges stole the limelight with consistent sightings of 11 cubs belonging to the reigning Machaton kings. Chacma Bush Camp have also enjoyed sightings of tough and tawny cubs on the Chacma traverse. The Timbavati’s Walkers Bush Villa tend to enjoy a good balance of predator sightings, with reports of both leopard and lions being observed.

In years past, the Klaserie was famed for its abundant lion sightings, but it was the leopards that drove 2018. Will 2019 be the year of the lion for the Klaserie? Or will we enjoy 50/50 sightings of both? The dynamics of the lion prides in the Klaserie have provided us much confusion over the past year, and hopefully 2019 will be the year that sees a few dominant leos on the traverse. We can only hope that all of our camps look forward to further sightings, and that certain species reveal themselves more often!

Let’s transport ourselves back to present time and do a quick recap of the sightings from the past couple of weeks. The Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp teams observed a violent scuffle between two prides of lions (unidentified). In total there were 20 lions involved in the showdown, with two teams comprising 11 and 9 individuals. One of the prides wandered over into another’s territory and suffered the consequences!

With Umkumbe Safari Lodge we continue the romantic saga between Nweti and Natumi, who were spotted enjoying yet another mating session. As December was drawing to a close a newborn albino elephant calf was spotted in the wild. A perfect gift in time for the festive season. Yesterday the southern pride of lionesses were seen lazing about in the heat of the day – always great to see this famous pride of lions. A highlight was a unique moment with a hyena cornered by a huge pack of wild dogs. Both species approached the game viewers, allowing visitors to relish the opportunity of getting up close and personal with predators!

Ezulwini Game Lodges continue with their vast array of sightings. There’s always a wildlife spectacle in the Balule, and guides ensure they’re constantly at the helm of the sightings. The Machaton male lions were – once again – spotted resting in the plush undergrowth. The Kudyela cubs often decide to put on an appearance for guests, which always makes for an enthralling experience. In other lion news, the 4 unknown male lions from the east made another guest appearance, adding to the lion sighting numbers.

Local leopard Chavaluthu has been mating with an unknown leopard, then 2 unknown leopards have also been mating. The highlight of the week was the sighting of an unknown leopard together with her two cubs! The Olifants River is in full flow and is attracting a colourful array of summer migrant birds. Is that all? No, most certainly not. A huge pack of wild dogs were seen frolicking about, and a hyena clan was hovering outside an obvious den site.

Guide AD from Chacma Bush Camp said that the Maseke lion cubs were spotted over the weekend. These cubs are happy and healthy, and have certainly not shied away from the centre stage.

Walkers Bush Villa spotted the Giraffe Pride devouring a recent giraffe kill. The youngsters eventually moved off in search of water, while the larger male stayed to gorge itself on the rest of the kill. The team in the Timbavati have enjoyed ample sightings of elephants, leopards, lions and a curious hyena approaching the vehicle.

Our message to you? Barge into 2019 and make it count!

Original Spicy Cocktails and Yuletide Cheer in a Bushveld Setting

The festive season arrived without warning, and we’re now in the thick of the madness. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you can’t ignore the busyness of the holiday season and the jovial mindset of holidaymakers. And our attitude is – if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em ! The team based at Chacma Bush Camp, Africa on Foot, and nThambo Tree Camp decided to surprise guests with a few original recipe cocktails, handmade Christmas cookies and snacks. The bushveld is brimming with activity, and the drab colours of the winter season have gradually made way for gleaming emerald colours synonymous with a Kruger summer. The natural setting was perfect and pristine; so it was up to our teams to get creative and frivolous.

Gemma designed a few safari cocktails using bush plums found just outside camp, and used a twist skills to cleverly craft a few holiday drinks. The bush plums were devoured by the elephants, but the lumbering herds managed to leave a handful for our team. Delectable Christmas cookies were baked with love, and decorated using the mainstream colours of Christmas. Flavours of the bushveld were elegantly merged flavours associated with holidays in colder climes – we’re talking spicy cinnamon aromas, aniseed and orange. Africa on Foot’s festive set-up was under the shade of a tree and the nThambo set-up was on the deck overlooking the local waterhole.

Chacma Bush Camp arranged a similar set-up at camp, and used an array of Christmas themed ideas for decor. The theme was carried through into the kitchen where staff prepared a delicious batch of cookies and prepared mouth-watering drinks.

So, will Gemma and the team share their recipes? Yes ! The cocktail recipes and ingredients are listed below. There’s still time for you to whip a safari style cocktail.

Christmas Cake Truffles and Spiced Rooibos Vodka Martini

Brewed Rooibos tea
x5 tots of vodka
Cinnamon sticks
Star anais
Cardamon pods
Cloves
Sliced apricots
Sliced lemon
x2 tots lemon juice
Sliced red grapes
Sliced peaches

Cocktail Jug : Bush Plum and Cinnamon Spritz

x5 tots of Bain’s whisky
250 ml peach juice
250 ml orange juice
500 ml soda water /sparkling water
4 cinnamon sticks
4 cloves
Handful of peeled bush plums
Add plenty of ice

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.