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Curabitur arcu erat

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Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi.

Aenean sollicitudin, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit. Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi. Proin condimentum fermentum nunc. Etiam pharetra, erat sed fermentum feugiat, velit mauris egestas quam, ut aliquam massa nisl quis neque. Suspendisse in orci enim.

“Believe in yourself! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”
– Hosea Ballou

Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. P.C. Marlyn Monro Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi.

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Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.

Don’t forget to explore these things in Iceland

Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor.
Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora.
Torquent per conubia nostra
Per inceptos himenaeos.

“No one has a greater asset
for his business than a man's
pride in his work.”

Hosea Ballou

Curabitur non nulla

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Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi.

Aenean sollicitudin, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit. Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi. Proin condimentum fermentum nunc. Etiam pharetra, erat sed fermentum feugiat, velit mauris egestas quam, ut aliquam massa nisl quis neque. Suspendisse in orci enim.

“Believe in yourself! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”
– Hosea Ballou

Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. P.C. Marlyn Monro Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi.

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Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.

Don’t forget to explore these things in Iceland

Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor.
Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora.
Torquent per conubia nostra
Per inceptos himenaeos.

Proin eget tortor

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Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi.

Aenean sollicitudin, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit. Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi. Proin condimentum fermentum nunc. Etiam pharetra, erat sed fermentum feugiat, velit mauris egestas quam, ut aliquam massa nisl quis neque. Suspendisse in orci enim.

“Believe in yourself! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”
– Hosea Ballou

Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. P.C. Marlyn Monro Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi.

Lightbox Gallery

Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.

Don’t forget to explore these things in Iceland

Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor.
Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora.
Torquent per conubia nostra
Per inceptos himenaeos.

Donec sollicitudin molestie

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Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi.

Aenean sollicitudin, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit. Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi. Proin condimentum fermentum nunc. Etiam pharetra, erat sed fermentum feugiat, velit mauris egestas quam, ut aliquam massa nisl quis neque. Suspendisse in orci enim.

“Believe in yourself! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”
– Hosea Ballou

Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. P.C. Marlyn Monro Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi.

Lightbox Gallery

Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.

Don’t forget to explore these things in Iceland

Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor.
Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora.
Torquent per conubia nostra
Per inceptos himenaeos.

Make worth relationships

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Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi.

Aenean sollicitudin, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit. Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi. Proin condimentum fermentum nunc. Etiam pharetra, erat sed fermentum feugiat, velit mauris egestas quam, ut aliquam massa nisl quis neque. Suspendisse in orci enim.

“Believe in yourself! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”
– Hosea Ballou

Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. P.C. Marlyn Monro Mauris in erat justo. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi.

Lightbox Gallery

Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Nullam ac urna eu felis dapibus condimentum sit amet a augue. Sed non neque elit. Sed ut imperdiet nisi. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.

Don’t forget to explore these things in Iceland

Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor.
Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora.
Torquent per conubia nostra
Per inceptos himenaeos.

Wild Dogs & Pups Make a Kill at nThambo!

Putting it modestly, we’ve had an EPIC couple of weeks in the Klaserie! There’s just no other way of putting it. From a cheetah calmly feeding on her kill, only to lose it to a leopard; the Breakaway lionesses killing a buffalo right in front of our eyes, shortly joined by the greedy Mapoza male; the an elephant delivering a stillborn calf, and sadly losing it to the lions; numerous leopard sightings that knocked our socks off; the Hercules Pride spotted once again in our neck of the woods, feasting happily on a buffalo kill; and now, a pack of African wild dogs seen taking down a pregnant impala in front of nThambo Tree Camp this morning!

Africa on Foot guests were out on a walking safari this morning, while nThambo guests were being driven around the Klaserie by their guides Luan and Isaack. Only 10 minutes into the safari, Luan spotted the pack of wild dogs not far from nThambo at a waterhole called Wim’s Dam. His guests got the first visual of these rare and endangered predators, which also go by the name painted wolves, or Cape hunting dogs. Luan called in the sighting on the radio, notifying Greg and Enoch from Africa on Foot, who decided that the wild dogs were a good enough reason to cut their walking safari short and take a game viewer to the sighting. The dogs were on the move. A pack of 11 (6 pups and 5 adults) trotting quickly through the bush, on the scent of something tasty, and soon they arrived in the open area in front of nThambo Tree Camp.

The 5 guest chalets at nThambo overlook the open area and have views of the Klaserie all the way to the Drakensberg Mountains in the distance. This almost shrub-free plain is perfect for a quick hunt, and that’s exactly what the wild dogs had in mind! They picked up the pace to a sprint and bolted across the open area after a herd of impala, coming to a successful halt just in front of guest chalet 1. Southern Africa’s most endangered large carnivore had just made a kill right in front of our eyes!

At this time of year, the pregnant impala ewes are beginning to drop their lambs, and it just so happened that this particular female that was caught by the dogs was expecting. The death was quick, as the dogs worked fast to disembowel their prey, and once the pack of 11 started to feed from the carcass, it became clear that they had got more than they bargained for. The carcass was reduced to skin and bone in a matter of minutes, and soon it was all over. A classic and very fortunate safari sighting for our guests!

Hercules Pride Feast on a Buffalo Kill

The indomitable Hercules Pride was spotted looking as fierce as ever as they chowed down on a buffalo carcass recently. This elusive pride is always a treat to see, and due to their scarcity, we only catch up with them every so often when they venture out of their mostly untraversed territory. The 4 subadults are looking fantastic, clearly following in the footsteps of the two large lionesses and the Trilogy males, one of which sired these cubs almost 2 years ago!

An impenetrable glare from a Hercules lioness as she takes a break from her feast of buffalo. The two adult lionesses of this pride are large, and their reputation precedes them. When these 4 subadults were only cubs, the lionesses were undoubtedly aggressive, and they never stuck around to be seen. Thankfully now, we get to enjoy sightings like this, but there is still that threatening glint in their eyes, reminding us who they are.

A day prior to this epic encounter with these top predators, we spotted the Hercules Pride lazing happily in the early evening. The pride of 6 assumed the “flat cat” position, with the young males lying on their backs with their legs flopping comfortably to either side. As the day cooled down, they began to engage in the ritualised behaviour of yawning, nuzzling one another, and stretching. They were clearly getting ready to hunt!

After a night-time hunt, the lions landed a buffalo, which they were thoroughly enjoying when we found them again in the morning. The pride was greedily tucking in to their kill, but sent a golden stare our way every once in a while. These subadults were first spotted in March 2015, when they were merely glimpsed before the adult lioness snarled aggressively at us and sent her cubs running into the coverage of the bush. At that time the young cubs were only a few months old. Now, the 3 males and 1 female are spectacular subadults. It appeared that all the members of the pride got to eat their fill. Usually, the scene of a lion kill is a place of aggression between individuals. 6 Impressive lions fighting for their share can often lead to growling, swatting, and swiping at one another.

There was still plenty of flesh on the carcass, so we assumed the pride would be there for a while! Previously, we would have been forced to give the Hercules Pride a lot of space as they were so uncomfortable in the presence of vehicles. There territory lies in private property, and not many vehicles have access to the area, meaning that these lions were not habituated from an early age.

Nothing like ending a big meal with a snooze! The survival of all 4 cubs in the Hercules Pride is a fantastic show of how successful the lionesses have been in raising their young in the early stages of life, and how the pride works together to keep well fed and avoid conflict.

The 3 young males of the Hercules Pride are sired by one of the Trilogy males, of which there is only one left, and he has moved out of the area. These males are still very vulnerable to other lions, such as the Mapoza. If they come into contact with the Mapoza, there is a chance there will be a fight, which could end badly for the Hercules Pride. However, if this pride continues to live in the shadows, and grows into a fantastic pride of 6 with 3 leading males, the Mapozas should probably watch their backs! Here is to many more sightings of these magnificent cats in the Klaserie!

Take a look back at our history of Hercules Pride sightings over the past almost 2 years:

March 2015: Who are the Hercules Pride?

July 2015: Hercules Pride & Trilogy Dine Together

October 2015: Hercules Pride Kills Ross Breakaway Cubs

December 2015: Hercules Pride Kills a Buffalo at Africa on Foot

July 2016: Hercules Pride Spotted in the Rain at nThambo Tree Camp

September 2016: Hercules Pride “Cubs” Growing Up

September 2016: Hercules Pride Hunting Buffalo

Gallery: New Images for Xobega and Tuskers in Botswana

Two of our exciting safari camps in Botswana – Tuskers Bush Camp and Xobega Island – have undergone soft refurbishments, giving each camp their own enchanting appeal, and warming up the rooms and guest areas with striking, yet gentle, floor and furniture details. From old African treasures, to textured fabrics, and natural materials, both Tuskers and Xobega now radiate atmospheres of comfort and indulgent escapism. Simple, yet luxurious, these eco-friendly camps remain true to their authenticity, with traditional bucket showers and uncomplicated decor, while elegant touches make them ultra-chic. Take a look at the new images for Xobega and Tuskers from photographers Em Gatland and Daniel Dugmore who have recently visited.

Tuskers Bush Camp, Kwatale Conservancy, Northern Botswana

Xobega Island Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Week in Pictures: Rain and Relief

With the twelfth month of the year officially underway, we can look back on the past year’s transition from drought and devastation to a blossoming Garden of Eden. The bush is always invigorated and full of life, even when the landscape looks parched, but there is something about the buzz of summer, and the weight of leaves on the trees, the movement of a flowing river and the fullness of dams that make this time of year the busiest in the bush. We are finding ourselves incessantly swatting at flying insects as we sit and watch a pride of lions, or ducking to avoid a spider’s web as we cruise through the bush on safari.

The luscious greenery is gentle on the eyes, but with it comes a plethora of creepy crawlies, and air dense with moisture, while the searing daytime temperatures are a force to be reckoned with. This is Africa, and it is as forbidding as it is exquisite. This is the rainy season following a drought – we could not be happier to sit among the bugs and be caught in the rain on game drive; it means the fast has ended! Enjoy the Week in Pictures: Rain and Relief

Africa on Foot, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger Park

Umkumbe Safari Lodge, Sabi Sand Wildtuin, Greater Kruger Park

nThambo Tree Camp, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger Park

Xobega Island Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Ezulwini Game Lodges, Balule Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger Park

VIDEO: Front Row Seats at a Lion Kill in Klaserie

After catching up with the Breakaway lionesses and one Mapoza male yesterday morning looking decidedly lazy and content with sleeping all day, we were hoping the cooler evening hours would coax them into action. Well, action was what we got! Afternoon game drive took a dramatic turn at Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp when the distinct call of a buffalo in distress rang through the air, and a cloud of dust rose ominously from the thicket near Twala Dam in the Klaserie. Kevin MacLaughlin was camera-ready at the scene of the sleeping lionesses, when all of a sudden the clumsy hooves of buffalo stepped right into enemy territory, setting the cats into stealthy action.

In the light of dusk, the pair of lionesses were at an advantage, as the buffalos’ sight was beginning to fade. They moved carefully, taking full advantage of the vegetation that grew between them and their targets. They separated at first – one lioness keeping to the left of the herd, while the other stalked behind it undetected. Kevin quickly pressed record as the oblivious buffalo crossed right over the lions’ path and disappeared into the thicket. The lions followed and Kevin lost visual, but not 3 seconds later the sound of stampeding, bellowing buffalos gave away the news: the chase was on!

Kevin immediately put his Land Rover into gear, clung onto his camera, and took the road most likely to lead to the action, stopping every few seconds to listen again, dust settling around him. The continuous call of one unfortunate buffalo was the assurance he needed – the lions had landed their prey. A couple of metres on, the bush opened into a clearing, and there were the two lionesses clinging to a female buffalo, still on her feet and thrashing angrily at the predators. It wasn’t long until she fell to the ground, and both lionesses positioned themselves for the kill. Kevin began to film once again, and just at that moment the radio crackled to life with Africa on Foot’s ranger Greg asking if what he could hear was true.

Greg arrived, shortly followed by Ryan guiding his guests at nThambo Tree Camp. One lioness was tightly clamped around the throat of the buffalo, which was still kicking intermittently, and gurgling perilously with its last breaths. This iconic example of the predator-prey relationship in action is not for the faint hearted, as two of the Big 5 fight for their lives. It took about 30 minutes for the lionesses to kill the buffalo, and no credit could be given to the Mapoza male who came trotting onto the scene, emerging from the darkness, his eyes reflecting green in spotlight that illuminated the bush. The male couldn’t have been too far away, as he was seen with the lionesses earlier that day, and when his acute hearing picked up the sound of a buffalo in trouble, he headed straight in the direction of his soon-to-be meal.

The pleased safari guests were excitably fidgeting with their camera settings, clicking away, and repositioning, capturing this incredible African night on camera. Once the deed was done, the lioness whose jaws had unfailingly clamped around the buffalo’s wind pipe released her grip and got up to join her sister a few metres away from their prize. The male lion was feeding first, as is typical at a lion feast, and the hard working lionesses lay obediently awaiting their turn.

This morning, when we caught up with the lions, it was clear both females had eaten well. Their bellies were near bursting, and the buffalo carcass had at least halved in sized. The male lion was nowhere in sight, and a swarm of emerald green flies had formed a blanket on the carcass. All the drama of the night before became a part of history – just another buffalo carcass available to the scavengers and decomposers of the bush.