Africa – Page 15 – See Animals Wild

Mara river tented camp

Mara River Tented Camp

seating area view of plains small enough

pool and view of the plains river small enough

The Mara River Tented Camp is totally off-grid, situated on a bend of the Mara river, overlooking one of the places that the migration crosses.

With only one other lodge on this side of the river, and at a distance, you can feel totally at one with the wilderness.

While the wildebeest are only there in high numbers during the migration, there are many resident animals. This includes a healthy population of predators and a number of famous big tusker elephants.

In particular this is where the big cats rule. As with Big Cat Diary, a BBC wildlife show that ran for several years and was very popular (filmed the other side of the river), there are significant numbers of lions leopards and cheetahs who live in the area worldwide.

Enjoy astounding wildlife, luxurious living and incredible tranquillity for your stay. Fall asleep to the sounds of the bush and the Mara river flowing past.

Singita Mara river tented camp is incredible luxury in the wilderness.

There is nothing separating the wild plains from the camp allowing you to feel completely immersed, with a team of people to look after your safety and offer all the creature comforts you could possibly want.

Furthermore, the wildlife guides are exceptionally knowledgeable and will be able to take you to see fascinating things on your game drives.

If you have any questions feel free to fill in the form below, or book this fantastic accommodation from here. Information on pricing lies below the form

Lebombo lodge

Lembombo Lodge

Singita, Lebombo, Singita, Kruger National Park, South Africa

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Lembombo lodge is set on cliffs overlooking the N’wanetsi River. You can sit in comfort and watch the animals go by, or watch them play in the river.

Lying within a private concession deep in the heart of the Kruger National Park, you get the advantage of being deep within the wilderness, but still with few people having access.

The concession covers over 80 square miles so all game drives can occur within its borders – meaning that you will not encounter hundreds of cars, and you will enjoy the wilderness largely alone.

With only 13 suites, the lodge will never feel full, and with expansive decks in the evenings you can choose to enjoy your solitude or share tales of your adventures from the day.

One of these lies in a house on its own with two suites, should a party want more space to themselves.

There is no barrier to stop the wildlife coming close, though with guards around you need never be in fear of your safety.

Despite being in the middle of a huge area of wilderness, creature comforts are not in short supply.

It is widely considered as one of Singita’s best lodges (which is saying something).

If you are interested in visiting, or would like to know more (including price) please fill in the form below

To return to the Limpopo ecosystem page click here

Ebony Lodge

Ebony lodge

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comfortable patio with plains extending away resized

patio area wild plains ready for fire resized

Ebony lodge has a fantastic location, set alongside the Sabi Sands river. This location means that even when resting in the lodge, animals will be visiting the river giving fantastic sightings.

A traditional lodge in the 19th century tradition, the place is full of items of curiosity.

Consisting of 12 incredible suites, all walls that can be removed have been, to be replaced with huge windows or canvas. This means that as well as having fantastic views you can hear the animals as they pass, and feel one with the environment rather than being removed (see below for one of the more memorable encounters this created). Note that there are staff around to protect you, so provided you are sensible you will be safe during your stay.

As with all Singita properties you can expect to be pampered during your stay, with fantastic food and drink, and first class guides.

Lying within the Sabi sands private reserve, there are far fewer people with access to the land, so you will meet fewer cars out on game drives. There is also more freedom to go off road when sightings warrent this.

Fill in the form if you have any questions or to enquire about availability.

To go back to the Limpopo transfrontier page, click here

March 12, 2018December 3, 2023

The loss of wild dogs from the Serengeti – and their return

Image source Burrard-Lucas Photography

Before 1992, as well as the Lions and Cheetah, there were huge packs of African Wild Dog (also called African Hunting Dogs) that would follow the herds as well. This was one of the largest populations of African Wild Dog population so it was devastating to have the population wiped out so quickly. However, the land given to the nomadic people of the Serengeti
Continue reading “The loss of wild dogs from the Serengeti – and their return”

March 12, 2018December 3, 2023

The Kob migration (South Sudan)

Image by Animal Picture Society

In 2011 a new country was created in Africa: South Sudan. This country is roughly the size of France. Before the split there had been a civil war going on much of the time for over 50 years. After the split there was a brief period of calm and scientists were able to go into the country to asses the state of the wildlife.

Astoundingly, despite the extraordinary length of fighting, among much wildlife, there existed a land migration Continue reading “The Kob migration (South Sudan)”

March 11, 2018December 3, 2023

Black Mamba (South Africa)

Image by John Blythe

We spent a month volunteering at Umhloti Lodge about 20 miles from Kruger. This is a nature reserve, and although none of the big five live here permanently, there are certainly visiting Leopards. However at the centre of the reserve is a Chimpanzee sanctuary (the location of the Animal Planet series “Escape to Chimp Eden”). The volunteers lived around a mile away in several little “Wendy Houses” so each morning we would walk up to the lodge. The reserve is typical savannah, with long yellowy grass, and small prickly bushes as well as trees. While you could see most animals far ahead it was possible to be surprised. On the way we would see the Giraffe and Zebras and the various Antelope species. On exiting our huts the Vervet Monkeys would scatter, and we would start the walk up the road. However on our first morning, perhaps half way up to the lodge we spotted a Black Mamba starting to cross the road. While Black Mambas are not uncommon in this area, a volunteer who had been there three months was still yet to spot one. In South Africa the Black Mamba is perhaps the most dangerous snake. It is up to 2.5m long and can travel with 80% of its body off the ground, if you meet it, on occasions it can be taller than a human.

We stopped as soon as we noticed it, however it was too late. The Black Mamba reared up momentarily and then flicked over back into the grass.

February 27, 2018December 3, 2023

West African Lions

There are a small number of lions that still live in West Africa. The population is in steep decline and is now only found reliably in one protected area with small remaining populations in a few others. The last significant population is found in a transboundary protected area between Niger Benin and Burkina Faso. This consists of Arli National park in South East Burkina Faso, Pendjari National Park in Benin and Singou Reserve. This group of protected areas is collectively called the WAP complex (W-Arli-Pendjari). Continue reading “West African Lions”

February 18, 2018December 3, 2023

Cape leopards

Cape Leopards are a fascinating part of the leopard population of South Africa. It is estimated that there are as many as 1000 cape leopards living throughout the western cape. Now the western cape covers roughly 50,000 square miles so it is a rather large area, and they are spread across a few national parks. What is interesting about this group is that they are significantly smaller than any other group of leopards with females weighing around 20kg and males 35kg (generally leopards weigh between 60 and 70kg). Continue reading “Cape leopards”

February 17, 2018December 3, 2023

Lion (Tanzania)

The majority of my safari experience has been had within the Kruger national park in South Africa. While wild, generally the facilities there are far greater than in Tanzania. As such the campsite in the Selous national park in Tanzania consisted of a flat piece of land with a sign saying ‘Lake Tagalala camp’ and a long drop toilet. However there was no fence or barrier of any kind around the camp (you are required to pay for a night guard above the costs of camping). The washing facilities were in themselves quite an exciting prospect as you used the local lake, though you took your guard with you as when we went for a was there were crocodiles on one side of us and hippos on the other.

We were sitting by our fire at around 8.30pm that evening, listening to the sounds of wildife from the surrounding area while we ate our supper. This consisted of the insects of the bush, as well as regular grunts and splashes of the hippos in their pool about 100m distant, and the roars of the various local lion prides. The night guard had gone to be with the other group that he had spent the day with. Very suddenly out of the dark about 10m distant to where we were sitting a lioness appeared out of the dark. We were sat by a fire so she was unlikely to approach but she held our gaze as she stalked across the camp site and then back into the dark.