Gin and tonics while on safari go together like a horse and carriage. The age-old drink, initially distilled from juniper berries, is synonymous with safari sundowners. But why? An old wives tale leads us to believe that the quinine in the tonic water repels mosquitoes. Truth be told, you’d actually need vast quantities of quinine to…
The Sun Destinations Blog
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…
When it comes to siesta time, leopards tend to seek out elevated areas providing sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness. This height advantage means they are in the ideal position to eagerly scan the ‘veld for potential prey; and it keeps them out of harm’s way. A leopard generally relaxes at the top of a termite mound,…
There are a number of resident lion coalitions and prides on Africa on Foot and nThambo’s traverse. These are the local battle-scarred kings and queens that have staked their claim on the land around camps, and frequently put on award-winning shows for guests. The ever-shifting pride dynamics ensure things are never static with our lions, and we’re often gifted…
The artful African wild dog is an accomplished predator that targets and takes down prey together with their pack. They hunt via a method called coursing, which involves marathon like running sessions in pursuit of quarry and don’t rely on tactics in their execution of prey. A wild dog’s mobile meal eventually slows down due…
Despite being aloof and independent cats, leopards actually make excellent mothers. These muscle-bound felines lead a notoriously solitary lifestyle where it’s “each man for himself”. Leopards aren’t pride orientated and are rarely seen keeping company with other leopards. We only see leopards together during periods of mating or when mothers are rearing their young. Just…
The leopard sightings have peaked in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve over the past few weeks, and the nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot traverse is fast becoming the central hub for Panthera pardus sightings. Long may this magnitude of sightings continue. It’s not the fleeting glimpses of the whir of mottled rosettes disappearing into the bush…
According to textbooks, May – August is the African wild dog’s denning period. This is when the dogs seem to cease their nomadic ways and individual packs lead a more sedentary lifestyle, and the timing is perfect given that it generally overlaps with the end of the impala rutting season. The end of the impala…
The African wild dogs are quite prominent on the Klaserie traverse, and guests have been enjoying consistent sightings of these mottled dogs frolicking in waterholes and indulging in ceremonious greetings. Sightings of the dogs are considered rare, and packs tend to cover wide terrain which means it’s hard to track their movements. What we do know is…
This is the first instalment of our monthly Rangers Review, a blog that highlights a few major events and our rangers’ favourite sightings from the month. This is the kick-off edition and we hope to document each notable occasion with a portfolio of images and video where possible. Below are a few of our highlights and happenings…