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Changes and Updates Happening at Ezulwini Game Lodges

Ezulwini Game Lodges in the Balule Nature Reserve are undergoing a number of changes at their luxury lodges, and owner Laurence sent us an update about current development underway at this “Place of Paradise”. It’s imperative that a lodge constantly reviews all facets of the business, from the day-to-day running of things, to the decor, food and staff facilities. And, of course, with Laurence’s fairly succinct update he has also delighted us with wildlife happenings on the doorstep of the lodges.

Here are the latest changes and updates happening at Ezulwini Game Lodges, as detailed by Laurence Saad:

The Lodge :

The two RO (Reverse Osmosis) machines and cold water dispensers are now in operation at both lodges, as well as the complimentary water canister… No more plastic! The water canisters have been engraved with our logo as well as the profile of Ezulwini the elephant (his left tusk is shorter due to him being left ‘handed’ / favouring his left side).
New communal staff bathrooms are being built at both lodges. The bathrooms comprise two toilets. two basins and two showers, each being separate for male and female staff.
Two new staff en suite bedrooms are almost complete at River Lodge. Much building work is taking place within the River Lodge staff village and the guest rooms. Both Billy and River lodge’s staff villages now each have their own RO water system, TV lounge, plunge pool and own bedroom for each person.
River Lodge has been closed for two months for a soft refurb. This has enabled us to revamp the standard chalets, and add on lounges and decks to each room. In addition, Spelati suite is being upgraded and there’s a new ultra luxury suite being built in place of the old honeymoon/ elephant chalet.
A new deck is being built around the bar area and main pool at River Lodge.

Wildlife at the Lodges :

This is the first time a bushbuck has been seen so far from the river and has been hanging around Billy’s the last few days. She’s a youngster and probably finding the Lodge vegetation irresistible as the summer rains have not yet arrived to alleviate the last two years of very dry conditions.
The elephants are having a smashing time eating the trees to compensate for the lack of grazing! The latest vegetation victims are the large evergreen tree, fuchsia and apple leaf tree which screened the sky deck at Billy’s
An nyala bull and his female friends have taken to the River Lodge garden as their new favourite eating place!
Predator viewing has been amazing. As well as the usual lion sightings, guests are seeing leopard on an almost daily basis!

That’s a wrap from Ezulwini owner, Laurence!

Camp Life at Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails

You’ve spent most of the day on foot, lumbering across rocky terrain and you don’t have the modified foot pads that elephants possess. Your feet are probably tired, your achilles tendon might be sore, and your body may be slightly frazzled from the African weather conditions. Our mobile walking safari is adventurous. Designed to bring you closer to the earth, and in sync with your natural environment, this walking safari is a first of its kind in this region of the Kruger. Observe wildlife from a vantage point not often experienced. While the experience is for the outdoor explorer, we decided the least we could do is provide you with the creature comforts from home, set up the camp for you, ensure there’s a barrage of ice cold beverages on hand, a roaring campfire and delectable food on offer.

This is Survivor, but Survivor with a twist. This is Survivor don’t-lift-a-finger style.

After an arduous day exploring new landscapes and acclimatising to the weather, you will retire to a fully set-up camp site. The trail is 3 days with night spent in classic safari style tents each in a different location. Camp sites have been carefully selected based on aspect and wildlife hotspots.

Expect waterholes and river views. Walking towards your camp site knowing that you’ve reached the home stretch is pure bliss. Walker’s are welcomed with a hand towel and ushered towards the outdoor seating area around the fire where they can enjoy a much needed drink. As the cooler part of the day approaches you will head out in the vehicle to find elusive nocturnal predators.

When you return to camp, the fire will be roaring and your choice of drink will be served. There’s no need to help or set anything up. While you sip slowly on your drink of choice and enjoy campfire chatter, our team will work hard at crafting the perfect meal. Your job is to eat and rest your legs before the next walk.

Nights are spent in the comfort of your dome tent, which comes complete with raised beds and comfortable mattresses. You actually have your own private en suite cubicle, which is accessible via the back of your tent. Indulge in a warm shower – you let the guides know and water will be heated. Showers are bushveld bucket showers, which are an absolute delight. Toilets are chemical toilets – just to keep things hygienic.

Camp Info : https://www.wilderness-trails.co.za/camp-info.html

Accommodation Info : https://www.wilderness-trails.co.za/accommodation.html

Week in Pics : The Spoils of the African Bushveld

We’ve discovered that the best way to kick the Monday blues is to start the week off with an influx of wildlife images from our camps and lodges. Call it Monday motivation or Monday distraction, either way you’ll find yourself pouring over our photographer’s abstract take on the wild and the simple, clean images that tell a story.

Week in Pictures is the time of the week when we let the images talk, and our adjectives take a back seat. We also take the opportunity to share updates from the camp. Whether it’s a rare happening or bulk sighting of a specific species, we always take the time to share the information.

Zanelle, a ranger from Umkumbe Safari Lodge in the Sabi Sand sent through an image of an elephant in the foreground and an elusive leopard hiding in the low-lying shrubbery beneath the fork of the Marula tree. Elephants and leopards continue to enthral us with their presence, but this image we were not expecting!

Klaserie camps Ivory Wilderness Riversong Camp, nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot have also enjoyed their fair share of big cat sightings. nThambo and Africa on Foot observed one of the Mbiri males feasting on a buffalo kill, while the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses were spotted close to the kill site.

The highlight was the discovery of a hyena den, which meant guests were afforded the opportunity to observe the cubs playfully picking up sticks and exploring their new turf. Ivory Wilderness Riversong Camp certainly isn’t short of sightings, and has recently witnessed a local leopard cruising the dry riverbed in front of camp. Warren and his team have also stumbled across bundles of hyena cubs in their den, slowly emerging from the safehouse.

Chacma Bush Camp and Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails in the bustling Maseke Balule Game Reserve is a game rich area brimming with elephant sightings. Chacma continues to enjoy elephant sightings in front of camp, while the wilderness trails have undertaken their third three day scheduled trail.

Xobega Island Camp, in the midst of the Okavango Delta, continues to deliver continuous sightings of birds, hippo and crocs. The Delta is teeming with life beyond the crystal clear waters.

Coastal Chick Experiences Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails

I packed the multi-coloured Mini-Mal surfboard back into its overused cover and hung my wetsuit up to dry. Literally, not figuratively. I clumsily trotted towards the khaki section of my wardrobe to dust off my veldskoen and grabbed a handful of neutral colour bush clothes. My surf brands were tossed aside in favour of my less-attractive – yet comfy – bush attire (I have zero safari style). You’re probably wondering why I so eagerly transformed from Billabong to Billawrong?

I just received word that our latest product (Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails) was going to conduct an inaugural trail, with guiding legend Luan Oosthuizen at the helm. I wasn’t about to miss out on the possibility of adventure, endless campfire chats and exploration of new terrain. It was time to give the waves a break and give the bushveld a chance.

I flew direct to Hoedspruit, which is the best option given that your safari experience is quite physical – conserve your energy for the trail. Upon arrival, the team will transfer you from the airport (for a fee) to your first wild destination. Photographer Em Gatland picked me up from the airport and we bumbled back to the first campsite in the depths of the Maseke Balule Game Reserve, an hour’s drive from the airport heading in the direction of Phalaborwa.

The drive into the first campsite was unique. Rolling landscapes gave rise to Koppies with neatly stacked boulders, intrusive dolerite dykes, and granite intrusions on the banks of the Olifants River. The dusty roads, on each twist and turn, delivered endless views of elephant herds dotted across the horizon.

When we (Thelma and Louise) arrived at the campsite, I was taken aback at the scenery. We spent the night on the banks of the Olifants River which holds many mysterious secrets. This is where wildlife comes alive ! The choir of sounds echoing through the area combined with the serenity of the water flowing was pure bliss.

We stayed in a private dome safari tents, of which there were 4. Each tent had twin beds with comfortable mattresses and a carpet on the floor. The front of the tent had a cover and camping chair where you could enjoy a spot of privacy. The rear of the tent had a zip which meant easy access to your camping bathroom, comprising a simple private plastic structure housing a chemical toilet and bucket shower (with a wooden floor grate). A step-up from my haphazard camping style.

This 3 day trail is a non-participatory mobile camping set-up, which means you don’t lift a finger. While I was there, I did help to set-up the camp with the rest of the team and relied heavily on young intern Guy Chapman to do the dirty work.

We were doing a “dry-run” of the trail, which meant the order of camping and day structure varied to the norm. There are three campsites and they include waterhole views, woodland views and sweeping river views.

Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails is a one-of-a-kind mobile safari experience in South Africa. This is one is for the adventurers and nature lovers who are looking for a walking safari experience like no other. A sister camp to Klaserie’s Africa on Foot, Wilderness Trails is designed to offer 3 nights camping in the Maseke Balule Game Reserve, each night in a different location. Each day is spent walking through the 8000 hectare reserve in the Greater Kruger Park, and each night is spent at a new, fully set up mobile campsite in a scenic location in the wilderness. A maximum of 8 guests (sleeping in 4 tents) are taken on the Kruger walking adventure of a lifetime. A professional Africa on Foot trained guide and tracker team will lead an informative, thrilling, and unforgettable walk in the wild.

After settling in, the next morning we arose before the birds. We had a quick coffee and listened to Luan discussing the etiquette of walking through the bushveld. The walk was at a slow and easy pace, taking in all the geology and flora of the area. Every so often our khaki-clad guide, Luan, would stop to tell us various myths and facts about plants. We stumbled upon giraffe, steenbok, waterbuck, kudu and elephant while exploring on foot.

We stopped for numerous water breaks and a much needed breakfast stop. Each step of the way Luan checked to see if we needed to recharge our batteries, which made us feel quite comfortable. Overall the trail was long but not particularly arduous and the terrain covered is rocky, but relatively flat.

While guests are out exploring the Kruger on foot, a ground team will be taking down the first camp and setting up the next one in a new location. A packed brunch will be enjoyed in the bush, while snacks and refreshments will be on offer upon arrival at camp. Evening game drives complete the experience, before campfire dinners and bed in a canvas dome tent.

When we returned to camp after a sweaty day of traversing new landscapes, we were met with eager smiles. I bypassed the gesture of a cold cloth to wash my hands and headed straight for the wine. We all grabbed a chair around the fire and settled in for the evening.

We only had one glass of wine.

Week in Pics : The Iconic Animals of the Safari World

When you’re traversing new reserves and scoping out a wealth of bird species, there’s bound to be a delay in the delivery of “Week in Pics”. We’ve made up for our 2 day delay by presenting you with recent images of the iconic animals of the safari world. We’ve got a portfolio of striking images of leopards, lions, hyena cubs and hefty buffalo that we’re dying to reveal.

Our three Klaserie camps, nThambo Tree Camp, Africa on Foot and Ivory Wilderness Riversong Camp; have enjoyed numerous leopard sightings over the past week. Africa on Foot and nThambo spotted Cleo, Bundu and an unknown leopard. It wasn’t only leopard that snuck its way into this week’s sightings, but also our lions. The main lion protagonists this week included the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses. At Ivory Wilderness Warren spent time with a young female leopardess, observing her every move. Ivory Wilderness has also enjoyed a plethora of plains game sightings in recent weeks.

Interestingly enough, at all three Klaserie camps there were noteworthy sightings of hyena cubs frolicking just outside their den sites.

Chacma Bush Camp and Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails both operate within the Maseke Game Reserve, a reserve with a heavy presence of elephant herds. Chacma has, yet again, enjoyed plenty of elephant sightings in front of camp. It seems to be a theme at Chacma! The newly established Wilderness Trails have witness many unique wildlife sightings while traversing the undulating landscape on foot.

Ezulwini Game Lodges have been indulging in the spoils of their recent camera trap sightings, and sightings have included: leopard, honey badger, scrub hares and small nocturnal creatures. A young male lion was spotted resting under the Ezulwini River Lodge sign which provided the perfect photographic opportunity.

The Botswana camps continue to enjoy plenty of bird sightings, and the waterways of the Delta are always rich with wildlife.

After a brief catch up, we’d now like to share our latest slew of images courtesy of our rangers and photographers.

Africa on Foot Watches Wild Dogs Feasting on Pregnant Impala

The endangered African wild dog is a highly-skilled and successful carnivore that conducts precision based kills in packs. You’d be forgiven for thinking that these lithe mottled colour dogs are timid and adorable, given that they appear gregarious and ceremoniously playful in their demeanour . Looks, and sometimes social behaviour, can be deceiving. The rare African wild dog is a sleek predator, and rather brutal when they catch their quarry. The wild is the wild, and there’s no sugar-coating a kill!

Photographer Jochen and guests from Africa on Foot witnessed a wild dog feeding frenzy that was the direct result of a rather gruesome kill. Africa on Foot was one of the first to respond to a report of 6 wild dogs with a fresh kill. When they arrived, the dogs were heartily tucking into a pregnant impala, which was quite a macabre scene. Jochen said one of the dogs yanked out the oesophagus of the antelope with its powerful jaws, but the most horrific scene was when one of the youngsters casually yanked the foetus from the mother. A gruesome scene, but with such rapidly declining numbers of African wild dogs in the wild, it is vital that the dogs eat to ensure their survival.

While we didn’t witness the take down of the pregnant impala, we can only assume it must have been brutal. The dogs would have been engaging in playful behaviour and probably emitting a series of interesting vocalisations due to excitement overload. What ensued next was cruel mayhem, and a rather ruthless execution of an unsuspecting species. Did they know they would be getting two meals for the price of one?!

When the pack spots potential prey, they make no attempt to conceal themselves. The simply approach a entire herd and identify the weakest or slowest individual. In this case, it was a heavily pregnant impala – a vulnerable and an easy target. The dogs hunt using their eyesight, so will generally conduct kills during the light of day or if there’s plenty of moonlight at night.

When they’ve identified their quarry, they will rely on their stamina to tire out their prey, and the pack will then help to bring the prey down. The hunt starts off with a slow trot and escalates to a faster pace if their target puts up a chase. If the prey struggles to fall, the leader of the pack will slash the prey while on the run, until the pack catches up. They may even disembowel the prey while it’s still running, and this causes death via shock and blood loss.

A cruel way to find the perfect meal !

While it is phenomenal to watch a predator conduct a kill, at the same it’s heartbreaking. A kill always evokes mixed emotions from its onlookers. The blood-soaked dogs were well fed, but we said farewell to the possibility of new life due to enter into the Klaserie!

#CameraTrapTales : Leopard Walks Around Ezulwini Lodge

Christian and the team at Ezulwini Game Lodges strategically placed camera traps in high “wildlife” traffic areas close to the lodge. The results are always astounding, if not amusing. Over the past few months we’ve revealed a few stills from the camera traps, with astounding footage emerging from a bustling waterhole on our traverse. We shared the information and images pertaining to that period of time, and now we have a new slew of images from a camera trap placed in a high human traffic area!

After the delights from the waterhole camera trap, we carefully placed a camera in the pathway leading towards the entrance of Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge. Once again, we enjoyed a motley collection of sightings, a favourite being that of the elusive leopard. But before we analyse that sighting, let’s look at the species that revealed themselves in our hidden camera show.

There’s a civet – a large black and white stripe creature with a black fur mantel. Then there’s the large spotted genet cat, that could be confused for a civet if visibility isn’t great and it’s a fleeting sighting. The spotted genet is a solitary species that thrives on a diet of insects, amphibians and rodents. The civet is largely nocturnal, and much like the genet, live a solitary lifestyle. Both civets and genets will scavenge for food and can be opportunistic omnivores. Perhaps a reason why they were heading into lodge territory.

Then there was the honey badger. An industrious, headstrong and relentless species that fears nothing. Honey badgers are renown for waltzing into lodges after dark and breaking open doors, and fridges to access a free meal. Luckily, our lodge is well locked and guarded ! We weren’t surprised to see the badger at play. The diurnal species included a small duiker, sounder of warthog and a surprised scrub hare.

With so much activity of the smaller species around the periphery of the lodge, we’re not surprised one of our resident leopards came sniffing around. An abundance of prey will attract the master stalkers and predators of the bushveld, and this is exactly what happened with this leopard. Leopards will use the cover of darkness to patrol their turf and conduct expertly crafted hunts. Our local legend is the aqua marine eyed Chavaluthu, and although it’s tricky to sex the leopard in this image, judging from the slender frame it could well be one our graceful leopardesses.

Needless to say, the camera trap has revealed yet another bunch of surprises ! Keep reading our blog to get more #CameraTrapTales.

Week in Pictures : Friday the 13th is Just Another Day in the ‘Veld

Friday the 13th bears no meaning to our wildlife. For them, it’s just another day in the bushveld where one day becomes interlaced with the next, and the only focus is to eat, survive and reproduce. The simple life can often be a brutal one! This week has displayed its fair share of barbarity, with plenty of predator kills happening on our doorstep. This is the circle of the safari life, where endearing moments are meshed together with heartbreaking moments. And, as bystanders, we get to observe the beauty of the bush life unfolding before our eyes.

Our Botswana camps are the ones in the spotlight today – and with good reason. Our photographer spent time traversing the game rich areas of the Chobe National Park, the Kwatale Conservancy and the world-heritage site of the Okavango Delta. While staying at Camp Savuti and Camp Linyanti, there was an abundance of sightings of predators.

The Marsh Pride of lions was spotted on the Savuti Marsh, feeding their newborn cubs while a lone male was in the vicinity. Then there were rare wild dog sightings, a fleeting glimpse of a leopard and plenty of lechwe and Tssebe cantering through the wilderness. The sundowners, the birdlife and the pristine night skies are testament to the fact that Botswana is a top safari destination.

Africa on Foot’s newly launched sister product, the Africa on Foot Wilderness trails set out on Thursday for yet another exciting 3 day walking adventure through the Maseke Game Reserve. A highlight from nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot this week has been yet another sighting of the Ross Pride females – but not the Breakaways. These two lionesses are normally in the company of the Mbiri male coalition.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge enjoyed a rare sighting of White Dam’s male cub, scent marking and enjoying a quick sniff of the game viewer! Ezulwini Game Lodges set-up a camera trap in a high wildlife traffic area on a path that links to the lodge, and seems an elusive leopard emerged. The latest addition, Chacma opened its doors a few weeks ago, and the first guests enjoyed lion, buffalo and elephant sightings. The Maseke male lion coalition appears to be the pride to watch!

In the meantime, here are our images showcasing the beauty of Botswana and our latest camp, Chacma Bush Camp.

Photographs of Birds Spotted at Chacma Bush Camp

The Kruger habitat accommodates a complete smorgasbord of birder’s delights, and there are over 477 species of bird thriving in the diverse habitats of the Greater Kruger. There are commonly spotted birds seen in abundance, some of which include the lilac-breasted roller, the southern yellow-billed hornbill and the grey go-away bird – our very own warning signal for plains game.

Then there are the lifers and rare to spot birds such as the Pel’s fishing-owl and ground hornbill. Of course Africa’s largest flying bird, the kori bustard always dwells in these thickets. With the Olifants River meandering through sections of the Chacma Bush Camp traverse combined with the many waterholes dotted throughout, it provides the perfect habitat for water birds such as herons, storks, plovers, spoonbills, and sandpipers.

In front of camp there is a natural waterhole where you see massive flocks of hundreds of red-billed queleas that love nothing more than swarming the banks of the waterhole. There’s a resident brown-hooded kingfisher that sits on his perch and watches the area below for potential prey.

Because of all the predator activity you’ll see plenty of vulture species soaring in their kettles, circulating the air above kill sites. Of course, these are not the only carnivorous birds about. Bateleur eagles, brown snake eagles, harrier hawks, martial eagles and plenty of other raptors exist for your photographic pleasure.

Other commonly spotted birds include orioles, robins, chats, larks, cisticolas, and coucals. There are also plenty of woodland birds fluttering about, and of course land dwellers like ostriches.

Whether you are a lifer or a birder, the Maseke will provide ample birding opportunities to satisfy your plumage obsession.

Week in Pics : Purrfect Time to Spot Big Cats

The big cats are emerging from the thickets and appear to be oblivious to their curious onlookers. They’re strutting their stuff on dusty rugged roads, traversing open plains and conducting kills close to camp. After all, this is their domain, and we’re merely visitors with a keen eye for big cat antics. The change of season is upon us, which means we’re enjoying a spate of new behaviour within all of our reserves. Interestingly enough, the Sabi Sand, the Klaserie and the Balule reserves have all witnessed a spate of big cat sightings. Isn’t this just the purrfect time to spot big cats?

Let’s delve into the feline delights from our camps.

Xobega Island Camp in the Okavango Delta

We stray away from the big cat sightings to highlight the phenomenal birding happening in the waterways of the Delta at the moment. The Okavango Delta certainly delivers in terms of bird sightings, making it a prime destination for birders from all corners of the globe.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge Highlights

Word on the (wilderness) streets is that ranger Zanelle spotted 3 young male lions tucking into the remnants of an elephant carcass. Lions don’t normally take down elephants due to their colossal size, but being opportunistic feeders, they will pounce at any occasion to feast on a fallen giant. We can assume that the elephant died of natural causes, which meant a free take-out meal for the boys. Zanelle suspects the trio were the Tsalala males, but we have yet to confirm.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp Highlights

This week we saw the return of an old, powerful legend – one of the Trilogy male lions. His recent recruit, the Mafikizolo male was at his side. This powerful duo sauntered into the traverse and have moved off into the thickets, giving the Mbiri males a window to enter the traverse. The Ross Pride lionesses always provide us with an almost guaranteed lion sighting, which always delights guests. Another item that deserves mention, is that two cheetah were spotted this morning while on drive with Africa on Foot.

Chacma Bush Camp

Chacma Bush Camp is our new kid on the block, and this intimate camp lies on 8000ha of pristine, undulating wilderness in the Maseke Balule Nature Reserve. Not much is known about this area, because very few commercial lodges operate here. Chacma sees an abundance of elephants that visit the camp on a daily basis to drink from the waterhole in front of the swimming pool. We have just discovered the presence of 6 burgeoning young male lions that rule the land with vigour. They’ve been spotted on two kills and at one stage were patrolling their turf with intent. There appears to be a heavy presence of lions, which is always a good sign.