Sun Destinations Blog - Page 29 of 116 - Sun Destinations Safari

Leave no pet behind! Roam Private Game Reserve’s Manor House is pet friendly

Pet-friendly destinations are few and far between, and it’s always hard leaving your furry friends at home when you go on holiday. But at Roam, everyone’s welcome, including Rover.

What’s better than visiting the picturesque plains and undulating hills of Roam Private Game Reserve in the Great Karoo? Well, visiting Roam with your pet by your side, of course. Guests of Roam’s Manor House – a self-catering, exclusive-use home away from home, perfect for families – are encouraged to bring their dogs and cats along, provided that they have the necessary vaccinations.

The Manor House is truly a dream Karoo escape. Its well-appointed living area is open and airy with double volume ceilings, and large farmhouse windows and French sliding doors that flood the space with sunlight. There are three bedrooms: one large master suite with sliding doors opening on to the boundless Karoo veld, and two spacious rooms for the kids. It’s understated and sophisticated, with a touch of luxury, but the standalone Manor House was primarily built for comfort and seclusion in the Karoo wilderness.

It’s set on 300 hectares of unspoilt Karoo, on which guests can take their pets for long walks – Fluffy would likely have never seen such vast open spaces in its life! The position of the house means it’s well isolated and gives the feeling that you have the whole reserve to yourself. Absolute bliss.

After taking the dog (or cat, if you can get it to tolerate a leash!) for its daily walk, enjoy cooling off in the lovely and inviting pool or kick back and savour a sundowner on the expansive deck – you will never want to get up from the super comfortable sun loungers surrounding the pool. Your pet will love the rolling green lawns of the garden, and there’s ample space for it to run and play to its heart’s content in the yard around the house.

As night falls, you’ll want to get the fire going in the huge braai on the back stoep. Karoo chops, anyone? When in Roam! And, as the blanket of stars descends, try and identify the constellations with the telescope that comes with the Manor House. City slickers will certainly not be used to a night sky this lit!

** Dogs need to be on a lead at all times when not in the confines of the garden and house. The conservation levy will apply to pets. It should be noted that pets can only be walked in the 300ha around the Manor House and not on the main reserve. Please let the staff at Roam Private Game Reserve know the type of pet that will be accompanying you on your family holiday.

Walkers Bush Villa Official Launch Party ! About Last Night…

Last night the team at Walkers Bush Villa hosted a launch party and invited a few industry professionals, and a number of other guests. Delectable canapés married with lavish accompaniments ensured belly growling was kept to a minimum. A veritable smorgasbord of craft gins were served, together with a fine wine selection and a locally produced MCC. Crisp cold bubbles jostling in champagne glasses greatly contrasted the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the event. But then again, that’s Walkers Bush Villa in a nutshell – absolute understated sophistication and elegance combined with a relaxed yet professional atmosphere. The relaxed sophistication is evident right from the finer details of the decor, to the craft beverages, wine selection, cuisine and guiding.

The opening event at Walkers was an opportunity to mingle, network and get to know the team behind Walkers Bush Villa. And it was paramount that a handpicked selection of guests experience the magic of the villa. It was also the perfect occasion to introduce the recent soft refurb of the villa, and to listen to the history of Walkers from none other than Howard Walker himself. After guests indulged in Six Dogs gin infused with blueberries and flavoured tonics, and glasses of Tanzanite Brut and Brut Rose; the chitter chatter permeated the air creating quite a relaxed and lovely evening overall. We sent in the intrepid media crew from Sun Destinations (Em and Rogan) who visually documented the event.

This event truly highlighted the safari lifestyle. A sophisticated soiree in one of the most exquisite settings in the Lowveld. We’re not talking about the pomp and ceremony that goes hand-in-hand with the Royal wedding, but it was certainly refined and spirited. While guests sat around the pool area eagerly snacking on carefully crafted canapés, a small group of nyala decided to visit the grounds. Of course, this isn’t the first time wildlife has come to the lodge. Huge breeding herds of buffalo have been known to stampede their way past the grounds, marauding scavengers can be heard vocalising through the night, and the rustle of predators in the thickets is always close.

We’ve introduced Walkers on numerous occasions, and by now you know that this haven of tranquility sits comfortably in the heart of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The villa can be hired out on an exclusive use basis, and is ideal for the discerning traveller seeking an intimate and personalised luxury safari experience.

The team at Walkers will tailor-make your experience suited to your guests needs, and an event similar to the one hosted last night can be re-created. The event serves as a gentle reminder that Walkers is a prime spot for a party or intimate event. 50th, 40th and whatever else. Make a weekend of it – Walkers welcomes you!

New Mountain Bike Trails at Roam Private Game Reserve

The Great Karoo is a place of stark beauty. Smack in the middle of this seemingly desolate but deceptively diverse heartland lies Roam Private Game Reserve, where guests can opt for game drives, guided walks or – for something a little different – an exciting mountain bike ride.

Nowhere in South Africa are the skies more vast than on the flat, arid plains of the Karoo. The smooth rhythm of the horizon is only interrupted by the scattered and peculiar flat-topped koppies so typical of the region, and the occasional mountain range. At a cursory glance it might seem almost Martian, but at closer inspection the parched panorama comes alive with a rich diversity of hardened semi-desert flora which includes a variety of succulents, fynbos, renosterveld, dwarf bulbs, geophytes and a veritable kaleidoscope of desert flowers.

Guests at Roam are not only privy to the floral secrets of the Karoo biome, but are also treated to an array of plains game which includes 13 species of antelope, zebra, giraffe and even buffalo. Roam has also recently initiated a cheetah programme on the reserve whereby rescued cheetah were reintroduced to the plains as part of a major conservation project. With a bit of luck and a pair of sharp eyes, guests could also spot smaller predators such as black-backed jackal, caracal, Cape fox, meerkat, bat-eared fox and civet.

Now all of these delights can be enjoyed on a leisurely bike ride. Guests of Roam Safari Lodge and the Manor House are now encouraged to saddle up their iron horses and pedal their way around the reserve on a number of mountain biking routes of varied distances. Naturally, game drives are a fantastic way of gaining intimate knowledge of the reserve and its inhabitants, but imagine waking up in the luxurious comfort of the Safari Lodge or the Manor House to a crisp Karoo sunrise and sipping on a coffee, before setting off into the wild on two wheels, with the looming Swartberg Mountains forming the perfect Insta-worthy backdrop.

The ultimate sense of freedom envelops you, as you cruise through the reserve at your own pace, traversing empty basins, sandy river beds, steep shale climbs and technical down hills, while spying creatures great and small. The stillness of the morning is only punctured by your own breathing and the crunch of your mountain bike’s wheels on one of four mapped out trails.

The Green Route is a kid-friendly 6km amble in the area around the Manor House, and the Yellow Route is a slightly more strenuous 15km, while the 24km Orange Route traverses a good portion of the reserve and the rider is bound to see plenty of game. The Red Route is recommended for fitter riders keen on exploring all the way to the north end of the reserve. It includes a number of stiff climbs, exhilarating downhills, almost guaranteed sightings and – with a slice of good fortune – a glimpse of the cheetah coalition that now calls Roam home.

Bring your own mountain bike, a helmet and a medium level of fitness, and come and roam the Karoo on your own two-wheeled game ride.

The Week in Pictures : Where the Wild Things Roam

There’s a beautiful ebb and flow of sightings in the bushveld. Sometimes it’s a week of plains game sightings peppered with predator sightings, and other weeks its predators barging into the limelight and plains game taking a back sight. A few things are always consistent in the ‘veld, and that includes mind-blowing sunsets, spectacular safari scenes of vast landscapes, and the smell of the wild. There are plenty of wild things roaming throughout the reserves, and it’s our job to track them and observe from a non-threatening position. This week we have a mix of wildlife and landscape images, and in terms of sightings it seems to be quite evenly spread between the plains game and the predators.

The wild dog pups in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve have, once again, been spotted. Seeing these rare dogs is always a highlight! Ezulwini Game Lodges continue to enjoy prolific sightings of big game and predators. Their incredible camera trap has been set-up in a prime position and has certainly captured plenty of data. The results from this Balule camera trap always have a tale to tell. Umkumbe Safari Lodge have a few unusual sightings recently, one of which included that of a giant emperor moth. Umkumbe continues to see ample leopard sightings and have even been rewarded with sightings of the southern pride of lions. Chacma Bush Camp came into contact with the Maseke coalition of lions, and continue to spot these big boys on a regular basis.

#TheSafariLifestyle : Sunsets and Safari Cuisine at Walkers Bush Villa

This week the chocoholics of the world celebrate their love for sugar and cocoa beans. It’s international chocolate week, which is an excuse to enrobe anything and everything with velvet textured chocolate goodness. It’s clearly the week to celebrate one of life’s many hedonistic pleasures, which is why we’ve decided to indulge in the gourmet splendour that goes hand-in-hand with an exclusive safari experience at Walkers Bush Villa. Sunsets broken by silhouettes of towering marula and imposing leadwood trees provide the perfect setting for an absolute feast of cleverly crafted gourmet cuisine. Crisp craft gin cocktails infused with pink tonics complement the bold oranges and gentle pinks of the evening sky. Sunset is when we begin the eating and drinking, ensuring we’re perfectly in tune with the dining habits of predators. Golden hour canapés include an array of traditional meats and snacks, while dinner is an affair designed to break-up the relationship between you and your diet. And dessert? Is there chocolate? There just might be.

Walkers Bush Villa offers an intimate and exclusive private safari experience, with top guides and chefs at your disposal. After scrumptious breakfasts, luscious lunches, and some downtime on the lawns surrounding the pool; your guide will usher you into the vehicle for the afternoon game drive. After a couple of hours tracking and viewing wildlife, a prime location is selected for sundowners. The sundowner session can involve anything from an elaborate interlude of snack platters and gin tasting, to simple drinks, and even bush braai sessions.

A while ago our photographer, Em Gatland, photographed one of Walkers’ famous sundowner sessions. Gourmet boerewors rolls were served on the banks of a river and a campfire was made for added ambience. Flowing water, spectacular views and the smell of sizzling sausage on the fire provided the perfect outdoor experience.

When guests return from their night game drive they are encouraged to settle down around the roaring fire in the boma area. This is also a great spot for afternoon sundowners if you choose not to head out into the ‘veld. A prime position to enjoy rustic, artisan food prepped to perfection. For a more formal and lavish dining session, there’s the banquet style dining room table.

The sundowner session is a much celebrated time of day, which is often referred to as golden hour. Watching that blazing ball sink into the savannah and smother the blue sky with its confident yellows and oranges is always a sight to behold. The Walkers team celebrates sunset with much gusto, and will tailor-make a dining experience according to your group.

The Week in Pictures : Wild Dogs and Savage Predators

Our savage predators have been incredibly active in the Greater Kruger, and certainly haven’t bothered keeping their ruthless take downs out of the limelight. This week is almost a repeat of last week’s update, with the predators refusing to leave the stage. We’re talking abundant leopard and lion sights spanning the Kruger savannah and the unruly landscapes of the Kwatale Conservancy in Botswana. Coupled with the big cat sightings, there has been a marked increase in wild dog pup sightings. This would make sense given that the pups are now old enough to leave their den site and adopt the nomadic ways of their species.

Let’s briefly take a look at the highlights from the week before we share our hypnotic wildlife images. The Klaserie Camps, nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot, have enjoyed a bulk load of wild dog sightings. And it’s not your standard dog sightings. Rogan and Chade have spotted plenty of wild dog pups thriving in their terrain! Chacma Bush Camp have also documented a number of wild dog sightings, which only adds to their recent predator sightings which have also included

Ezulwini Game Lodges and Umkumbe Safari Lodge are really top of the log when it comes to cat sightings for this week. We are still taken aback at the consistent lion cub sightings on Balule soil, which add to the already epic sightings of the Kudyela lionesses and Machaton kings. There are 13 cubs in total, and they’re all thriving under the protection of the Kudyelas and Machatons! Umkumbe are living up to the Sabi Sand reputation of being the go-to destination for leopard sightings. Guides seem to be enjoying regular sightings of the young Nweti male, who is still quite nomadic.

One of our Botswana camps, Tuskers Bush Camp, has stolen the show with their sighting of an aggressive showdown between lions and hyena. The activity started at early evening around the waterhole in front of camp. A breeding herd of elephant chased the lions away from the pan in front of camp, but the lions returned. That night one of our guest photographers heard piercing cackles and plenty of noise. He woke up to find a huge showdown between a lion pride and hyena.

What’s Happening with the Lions of the Klaserie? A Lot. Here’s An Update.

When a pilot episode of a new series is aired we get sucked into the storyline and we’re often left angling for more. Pilot episodes are fleeting and they lull us into a false sense of security that episode 1 of the series will be released. Unfortunately, pilot episodes are fleeting and fickle. They’re full of false promises. They’re there the one minute and gone the next. When we watch pilot episodes we tend to identify with characters and mull over possible plot twists. Pilot episodes remind me of the recent lion pride dynamics in the Klaserie. Pilot episodes come and go, just like the lions of the Klaserie!

Recently we’ve seen a spike in the presence of new lions within the reserve. These lions reel you in, get you hooked and rarely return. We still have a few regular visitors and a couple of locals hanging about, but there are so many lions crossing over from the neighbouring reserves at the moment. There are a few repeat sightings of the Mbiris, Ross females and River Pride, but they tend to be unpredictable. The most recent sighting – and an exciting one – is that of the Black Dam male lion mating with one of the Ross Pride lionesses! So, how did we get to this major 2018 shift with the Panthera leos of the Klaserie? To answer that, we’d need to delve into a brief lion history of the Klaserie.

The Klaserie has always enjoyed a bounty of lion sightings. The turbulent history of the prides and coalitions within the reserve is well-documented. Over the past few years we enjoyed consistent sightings of the Trilogy, the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses and the Ross Pride. The River Pride were also spotted, but only once in a blue moon. It was crystal clear which cats dominated the territory around nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot, and these dominant powerhouses left little space to accommodate newcomers. They were guardians of the traverse, leaving no grass or shrub unmarked. Sightings were always somewhat predictable, but we all knew that when something is too stable in the world of lions, nature decides to rock the boat for dramatic effect.

Circa 2016 we began to see small but significant changes with sightings in the reserve, starting with the notorious Hercules Pride and the emergence of the brave Mbiri coalition. The ruthless Hercules Pride provided guests and guides with bit of action-packed drama on a regular basis. The Hercules Pride were mainly confined to the western border of the Africa on Foot traverse. They’re the type of lions that flew under the radar and attempted to remain as unnoticed as possible. These 2 adult females and her 4 youngsters proved themselves to be silent but violent lions, and showed their ruthless ways when they killed off the Ross Pride Breakaway’s young cubs. These beasts would happily ward off any lion laying claim to their small pocket of bushveld and even took to beating up the Ross Pride Breakaways, leaving them humiliated and battle-scarred.

However, despite the war zone area, the Ross Breakaways remained strong on their territory. During this period of time we also had the appearance of Mabande, the Mapoza males, and the lone Sumatra male. They all enjoyed a few mating sessions with the Ross Pride ladies, and a few of them tested the territory of the Trilogy kings; but the Trilogy boys always emerged victorious.

The arrival of the Mbiri male coalition wreaked havoc. The boys sauntered across from the Manyaleti Game Reserve and made it clear that it was their time to shine. They became involved in a few scuffles with the Trilogy and sent them on their way with a few physical scars and wounded pride. The Mbiris proved to be a forthright force and ensured the Trilogy had major competition on their hands. They were the brave imposters seeking to take over the Trilogy’s coalition and posed a massive threat to this king-like Trilogy and their dynasty. This was the period of time we bore witness to scuffles and showdowns between the Trilogy and Mbiris. The Mbiris began mating with the younger Ross females on a regular basis, attempting to spread their warrior genes across the Klaserie.

At this stage, the Ross Pride Breakaways were still around, cruising the ‘veld like the old ladies protecting their habitat. The Trilogy would lie low for a while and then make a revengeful return, ensuring their kingdom was not overthrown.

Fast forward to this year. Things changed, and drastically so. The legends died and disappeared, carving the way for new blood and potential kings to lord over females. All of a sudden there was a blank canvas of bushveld needing to be conquered. The most common sightings are that of the Mbiri boys, but they tend to spend a lot of time over in the neighbouring Timbavati. The Ross females are also spotted regularly and there seems to be an increase in activity of the River Pride at the moment. There are the odd sightings of the Hercules Pride, and then a few unknowns filtering through and contact calling at night.

The most recent lion sighting deserves a mention because it offered up a few consecutive days of epic feline moments. We spoke to Chade who told us that the Black Dam male from a neighbouring reserve missioned into the Klaserie for a few mating sessions with one of the Ross Pride lionesses. Guests were lucky enough to see this brute of a lion enjoying a few trysts with the Ross females. It seems that regularly spotted males and newcomers to the reserve try to establish territory by mating with the Ross lionesses! Chade also alerted us to another appearance of a few pilot-episode-lions comprising 5 males and 4 females that often move in and out of Africa on Foot territory. Do we know who they are? No, not at this stage!

Will we see a permanent series of lions, or will we get hooked on hundreds of pilots? Which lions will create a legacy and stake claim to a kingdom? 2018 is certainly a unique year in terms of Klaserie lion pride dynamics in 2018!

The Week in Pictures : Family Felidae Steal the Show

Last week we delivered a magnificent edition of Week in Pictures, filled to the brim with a fine collection of Kruger wildlife images. Accompanying the images was a rather detailed update from each of our camps. Today we’re going to focus on the images, and less so on the words.

It seems that our big cats have emerged from the dense thickets and appear to moving slowly through the reserves in search of mating opportunities. The weather is getting warmer, which means a flurry of activity in the Kruger.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge continues to enjoy sightings of new leopards on their traverse, with the latest sighting being that of Thamba. Thamba originates from the north of the reserve. The highlight of the week was the sighting of a rare serval on a kill just metres away from a pride of lions. Then there was the sighting of the Southern pride of lions, comprising 2 males and 3 females. The big cat sightings never seem to disappoint and it’s always great to see a smaller species of cat enjoying the limelight for a while. The camps in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve have also enjoyed prolific cat sightings, and the quest to identify lions crossing over into new lands continues. Last night, when the wind was still and air crisp, the lions were heard contact calling. Who were they? We haven’t ascertained that yet! Our videographer, Rogan, says they also had a brief sighting of Bundu before he dashed off into the unforgiving night.

Ezulwini is winning in terms of lion sightings. We have to hand it to Angele and the crew – they’re certainly delivering when it comes to sightings. The traverse is home to the mighty Machatons, the Kudyela lionesses and 13 cubs ! The Ezulwini camera trap series is doing well, and the stills that have emerged show a few very active lions, hippos and elephants. Chacma Bush Camp is located close to the Balule Nature Reserve and also appears to enjoy abundant sightings of big game. Week after week we report that the elephants continue to lumber down to the waterhole, and this week is no different. The huge rocky outcrop behind the lodge seems to be a favourite resting spot for leopards. Nsala Safari Camp continues to enjoy its prime position next to the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, and guide Brett has managed to spend a bit of time behind the lens capturing magical safari moments.

And that’s a wrap for this week!

Gourmet Country Fare at Roam Safari Lodge in the Karoo

The Great Karoo is the heartland of the Cape. This vast semi-desert region offers a unique biome that is not only of geographical, archeological and cultural significance, but is also a paleontological world of wonder. Fossils from the Jurassic period, fragments of ancient eating tools from original inhabitants, intriguing quaint Karoo towns, farmlands and an undulating landscape define the Karoo basin. The Karoo is also the epicentre of home-cooked, farm style cuisine that creatively incorporates locally grown produce and organically farmed meat (Karoo lamb is a must!) with international culinary trends. The region is worth a visit, if not for it’s colourful heritage and history, then for its mouthwatering edible delights.

The chef at Roam Safari Lodge, together with the management team cleverly crafted a menu incorporating international food trends with a few signature dishes and sweet treats. The office based reservations team stayed at Roam Safari Lodge and remarked on how exquisite the food was. They ate until they couldn’t move, which is part-and-parcel of our safari experience – to relish and revel in local sugary and rich delights from the Karoo.

The chef will tailor-make a menu according to your dietary requirements – as obscure as they might be! Reservation consultant, Chelsea, found the dining experience completely enchanting. She dined on sticky honey chicken served on a tasty pea puree drizzled with ginger, moist Karoo style lamb chops cooked and chargrilled over an open fire, and finished off her evenings with condensed milk desserts. She arrived requesting a sugar-free menu, and after the second meal saw the fine dining spread and delved straight into sugary bliss.

Local Karoo fare generally includes variations on home baked custard and peaches, koeksisters (sugary, syrupy twists of pastry), cakes, Karoo lamb chops (try this with a minty gremolat), brandy tart, spicy pastes, bread baked on the fire, tomato breedie, potjies, and sizzling braais.

Are you a foodie? Then we’re sure you love the gourmet country fare on offer at Roam Safari Lodge in the Karoo.

The Week in Pictures : Cubs, Cats and Carnivores

Last week Monday was Heritage Day, which means we skipped the Week in Pictures in favour of celebrating our heritage. As a result, we owe you a bumper edition of updates and images. Highlights from the week include : cheetah sightings, lion cub sightings, and new developments in lion pride dynamics. The theme this week is “cubs, cats and carnivores” which is perfectly fitting given that this week’s sightings are dominated by the meat-loving species. The herbivores have most certainly made their presence known, but it’s the cats that have come out to play.

Nsala Safari Camp

Nsala is the new kid on the block – a delightful addition to the Sun Destinations portfolio of Kruger camps. This rustic camp is located in a big five reserve and borders the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. Brett sent through this series of images from recent game drives, proving that Nsala really delivers in terms of sightings. Highlights included a sighting of a leopard with its kill, and a pack of African wild dogs trotting across the reserve.

nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot

We had a quick catch-up with Chade (Africa on Foot guide) who provided us with some much-needed information regarding the status of lion sightings in the Klaserie. Both camps are seeing lions on a regular basis and not much has changed in terms of recorded lion sightings. What’s shifted is the prides and coalitions that we’re seeing. There seems to be an increase in the number of unknown lions at the moment, many of which slip across into the traverse for brief periods of time. Chade said it’s tricky to place an ID on these lions that seem only enjoy fleeting visits. Lions that seem to provided regular sightings for guests and guides is the River Pride. Chade conducted a walk this morning and discovered yet another unknown lion pride!

Leopard sightings still remain a highlight in the Klaserie, and firm-favourite Ross Dam never foregoes an opportunity to be in front of a camera. She was recently seen stashing her kill in a tree

On Wednesday night during the #LiveBushFeed session, guests bore witness to a few incredible moments between a pack of 12 African wild dogs and 8 pups. A sighting well-worth mentioning.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Umkumbe has stolen the show with their recent sighting of a female cheetah with two of her cubs. The female is blind in one eye and has still managed to successfully raise two cubs in an environment riddled with predators and fierce competition. The cubs aren’t exactly fresh-from-the-den, but are still youthful enough to be under their mother’s watchful eye. This was a top notch sighting but it certainly doesn’t mean that it was the only sighting. Guides also tracked down the leopard Kigelia (Little Bush’s daughter) and observed her quietly as she was patrolling her territory.

Walkers Bush Villa

Walkers Bush Villa is located in the popular Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and certainly enjoys a bounty of sightings, which is not uncommon given the location. A rather delightful sighting of hyena cubs bumbling around outside their den site has certainly proved to be a highlight of the week. These cubs will only enjoy independence when they are 2. Until then, the den site is the centre of clan activity, where each member will protect the young cubs from plundering predators.

Ezulwini Game Lodges

The traverse around Ezulwini Game Lodges is literally a hive of activity at the moment. The dominant Machaton male lions continue to swagger through their turf with confidence and a sense of entitlement. They have sired cubs with the Kudyela lionesses, ensuring their powerful genes are passed down to future generations. The Kudyelas now have 13 cubs borne from 6 lionesses. The 3 Machaton males have certainly ensured that their genetics are dominant within the reserve! Here are a few of our more noteworthy sightings, capture perfectly through Angele’s eyes.

Chacma Bush Camp

Chacma Bush Camp is in the heart of big five territory, and the surrounding Maseke Game Reserve always has something in store for its guests. The plains game are in abundance, which means the reserve is rife with predator activity. Buffalo and elephant continue to filter down to the waterhole in front of camp – a ritual for both species!