Tag: Buffalo

Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa

Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa

Elephants come to visit
They even drink from the pool
Comfortable Safari vehicle for trips out
Going on walks
Lodge sitting room
Relax overlooking teeming plains

Mhondoro Lodge and villa is set within the Welgenvonden Reserve and is set on a hill looking out across the plains.

There is a watering hole in front of the lodge, and uniquely this is connected to the lodge by an underground tunnel allowing guests to visit the hide in safety, without disturbing the animals they are there to see. This allows incredibly intimate views of wildlife that is completely relaxed

The main lodge has 5 suites, two deluxe rooms for 2, two deluxe suites with 2 bedrooms each, perfect for families or friends travelling together and the separate Villa, which sleeps 6 (the Villa comes with its own staff and can be completely separate from the lodge).

Despite being in such a remote place, you can expect to be pampered during your stay, with fantastic food and drink, incredible wildlife encounters and a comfortable place to sleep. With a fantastic team of chefs and quality food and drink the wildlife is not going ot be the only thing you remember about your stay.

However, while your stay will be luxurious, that is not the reason you come to africa. As you see from the video above, there is significant amounts of wildlife that live on the reserve including the big 5 though there are 60 other mammals to look out for.

One of the advantages of a private reserve like this, is often you stand a greater chance of seeing rarely seen mammals, such as aardvark and aardwolf and brown hyena (an animal almost never seen in the Kruger)

Jock Safari Lodge

Jock Safari Lodge

View of the lodge
Sitting area with a view
Luxurious bed
Impressive sized rooms
Buffalo on a game drive

Jock Safari Lodge lies in the south west of the Kruger national park, on a 6000 hectare exclusive concession.

This part of the park is one of the most game dense within the park. However, coupled with the exclusive rights given to guests of the property, you can experience them without the traffic jams that occur on the roads in the surrounding area.

This leads to a wonderful laid back life. Whether sitting in the lodge or out on a drive or on foot, you never know what is going to happen next.

With incredible views in all directions, the house has been designed with plenty of places to sit comfortably and watch the world go by, when you are not out exploring the park

The price for this place is all inclusive

If you have any questions, or would like to enquire about availability or book fillin the form below.

Camp Hwange

Camp Hwange

Eat under the stars
Fantastic breakfast
Freshly prepared by Chefs
Incredible Chalet
Indoor dining
Luxurous place to stay

Camp Hwange lies in a concession within Hwange national park. This gives you the flexibility and more relaxed feel of a private reserve, but because it is within the national park the animals are truly wild and don’t see humans every day, furthermore the ecosystem that they live within is large enough to support a healthy population-  Hwange national park actually lies within the largest conservation project ever undertaken, the Kalahari-Zambezi transfrontier park, an area of around 250,000 square km of wilderness, stretching across 5 countries.

With the ability to do both walking safari, and go out in the car there is incredible flexibility. Also expect to go on night drives, giving you the chance to see nocturnal animals rarely sighted.

With the camp only consisting of 8 Chalets, even when full it will not feel crowded. The camp is set around a watering hole, so you will not only see wildlife during your trips, but can watch wildlife when ever it comes to visit. You can also expect fantastic food and other creature comforts during your stay.

With knowledgeable and interested guides, you will be fascinated by what you see, and it will all be explained by your guide, while they also keep you safe.

At camp Hwange, you can expect to be spoilt rotten both with fantastic creature comforts but also incredible wild encounters both when you leave the camp to explore, but also from your home base.

Pricing information is below the form

To ask questions or enquire about availability please use the form below.

KAZA Transfrontier park

Kalahari-Zambezi Ecosystem (KAZA)

Including Hwange,Chobe, Kafue national parks and protecting jewels of africa such as the Okovango Delta and the Victoria falls, this is likely to become one of the worlds premier wildlife destinations. It covers more than half a million square kilometers

Singita, Lebombo, Singita, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Singita, Sweni, Kruger Singita, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Singita-Lebombo-Lodge-Long-bar-deck reisized

The Kalahari-Zabmbezi Trans-frontier park is perhaps the most daring conservation effort in the world, Including several large national parks, as well as hunting areas and private reserves, this is one of the last great Savannah wildernesses of Africa and plays host to some of the most impressive natural specticles such as the Okovango breaking its banks, spreading life-giving water across the Kalahari desert.

Drone-Singita-Sabi-Sand-Ross-Couper-2 resized

Combining such a huge area into a conservation network is quite a challenge. As well as the huge range of wildlife there is also a significant human population of around 2.5 million.

The KAZA covers an area of 170,000 square miles (quarter of a million square km)  and within its borders lives important populations of many animas.

For instance, around 250,000 elephants or about 60% of those on the continent live in this huge area. However these huge animals are not sensbly distributed across the area, and gradually barriers are being taken down to allow the huge herds to return to ancient homelands such as in Angola (where they have learnt to smell the landmines, and so can avoid them). 

This is obviously a project that will take many years to complete. However it is clear that its success will greatly benefit conservation in africa.

For my part, over time I hope to list many activities and places to stay within this huge area to support its conservation, and allow people around the world to enjoy this special place.

Hwange National park Zimbabwe

The largest National park of Zimbabwe covering an area of  ‎14,651 km2  or 5,657 sq miles.

Initially formed as a reserve in 1922 it was made a national park in 1961. It is one of Zimbabwe premier reserves, with significant populations of the ecotourism big 7 (Big 5 plus cheetah and wild dog)

The hope is that as the Kalahari Zambezi transfrontier park becomes more than just a paper park, it will benefit the whole area. While seemingly large, a park of just over 5000 square miles it will only consist of around 2% of the Kalahari Zambezi transfrontier area, allowing animals to migrate in and out of areas during floods and droughts.

Places to stay in Hwange National Park

Camp Hwange

Spread around a watering hole, Camp Hwange is a traditional safari permanent camp, with all the rooms getting a perfect view of the watering pool and its visitors, allowing you to laze in the camp as the wildlife comes to you.

Being a seasonal camp it is open from the beginning of May to the end of November.

Click the picture or here to find out more

Hwange Bush camp

Hwange Bush camp is nestled under a group of trees, providing very welcome shade, it provides you with a comfortable place to rest deep in the bush.

With the small size of camp (it consists of 6 “rooms”), animals are less afraid allowing you to truly experience the wilds.

This is a seasonal camp as well so is open from the beginning of May to the end November

Click the picture or here to find out more

Sweni lodge

Sweni Lodge

Singita Sweni main lodge swimming pool resized
sweni room resized
Singita-Sweni-Lodge-Game-Drive3 resized
Singita, Sweni, Kruger Singita, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Set high on the banks of the Sweni river in the world famous Sabi Sands, the Sweni lodge is a place of safety to enjoy the wilderness around.

Overlooking the Sweni river, evening can be spent in the pool, or sitting out on the deck watching all the wildlife wandering by.

Apart from seeing the animals by in and around the river, this placement also means you are surrounded by large trees which only grow on the around the water. This ensures plenty of shade and lower temperatures, but it also means that monkeys and other animals that live in woodland also come close.

Sweni Lodge is set within the Sweni concession, an area of around 55 square miles only accessible to guests at Sweni lodge and its sister lodge Lembombo. Sweni lodge only has seven suites so even when full will not feel crowded. With Lembombo only being a bit bigger than Sweni, out on game drives you will often have animals to yourself – something that if you have experienced the Kruger next door is a real treat and in most reserves very rare.

Sweni lodge is an incredibly comfortable place to stay, and you can expect incredible food and drink while you are there, but people go on safari to see the animals and at Sweni they can be seen all around the lodge. The lodge is full of people who love the bush and wish to share their passion with everyone who visits. Expect many incredible encounters and to come back knowing more than when you went.

If you are interested in visiting and would like to check availability, or have a question fill in the form below and someone will get back to you. pricing is below

To return to the Limpopo ecosystem page click here

Pashumana lodge

Pamushana Lodge

Pamushana-Lodge-1_resized
Singita-Pamushana-Lodge-Deck-and-Bar_resized
Singita-Pamushana-Lodge-Lounge-Area_resized
Singita-Pamushana-Lodge-Pool-Side_resized

Pamushana Lodge is set within the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, a 502 square km wilderness refuge. The refuge borders the Gonarezhou National park of Zimbabwe, and forms a part of the Limpopo transfrontier park.

As such it is part of the same wilderness area of Kruger and the Sabi Sands.

Known for its sandstone outcrops, Mopane forests and Boabab trees it is an area of lots of character.

With high concentration of game including regular sightings of both black and white rhino, and with wild dog a common sighting in the area, you can expect some exciting encounters.

Below is a video diary of some visitors which were seen on a previous trip, and gives you an idea of some of the work that your visit would support.

While you may be staying a long way from other people do not expect to be roughing it.

You can expect fantastic food and drink, with locally sourced produce. The wonderful guides, who will take you out and have encounters with the local wildlife are also well respected.

For further information, and enquiries as to availability please fill in the form below.

Malilangwe House

Malilangwe House

Singita-Malilangwe-House-Aerial-View resized
Singita-Malilangwe-House-Breakfast- resized
Singita-Malilangwe-House-Breakfast-with-a-view resized
Singita-Malilangwe-House-Hide resized
Singita-Malilangwe-House-Pool-with-a-view resized

Malilangwe House is set within the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, a 502 square km wilderness refuge. Lying close to the Pamashuna lodge, it gives a similar experience, but for the exclusive use of one group.

With its own staff to take care of your every need, including chefs and wildlife guides, your time visiting can be based around your interests.

The refuge borders the Gonarezhou National park of Zimbabwe, and forms a part of the Limpopo transfrontier park. As such it is part of the same wilderness area of Kruger and the Sabi Sands.

Known for its sandstone outcrops, Mopane forests and Boabab trees, it is an area of lots of character.

With high concentration of game including regular sightings of both black and white rhino, and with wild dog seen regularly in the area, you can expect some exciting encounters.

Malilangwe House is a luxurious place to stay. With a 25m private pool pool gym and all the other amenities you could imagine. Each group has the place exclusively. 

Malilangwe has five luxurious double bedroom suites each with its own private decking outside. Perfect for groups of friends to use it, giving space for time together and time alone.

With all food included and wine provided at each meal and with all your wildlife drives included in the price, this an incredible home from home for the duration of your stay.

If you have any questions or in interest in visiting and would like to check availability and ask any questions. Pricing is below.

Faru Faru Lodge

Faru Faru Lodge

Singita Faru Faru Lodge - View of Lodge resized
Singita Faru Faru Lodge - Main Pool and Water Whole resized
Singita Faru Faru Lodge - Suite resized
Singita Faru Faru Lodge - Deck Overlooking River resized
Singita Faru Faru Lodge - Lodge Lounge Area resized

Assuming that a place you stay in the Serengeti is comfortable, the most important thing you are looking for is somewhere that you will see much wildlife from the camp. Faru Faru Lodge is built right beside a watering hole which means that there will be a constant stream of animals coming to quench their thirst. Not content with simply being by a watering hole the river also passes nearby, so while you will spend much of your time exploring outside the lodge, the animals will also come to you and there will always be something to watch from the lodge.

Due to glass walls in as many places as possible the wildlife can be seen from most areas of the lodge.

Imagine sitting out on the veranda, eating delicious food and watching as the wildlife take their drinks only 10m away. Containing only 10 rooms made up of seven suites, one family suite and two bedroom suites, even if completely full and everyone is on the veranda together there is plenty of space. At the end of the veranda, before the cliff, is the swimming pool which means you can bathe in the evening, keeping cool, while looking out as the world goes by.

The lodge itself is built in a simple elegant style, and while much of its art and craft come from Africa, some of its design cues come from Denmark. Due to its design this lodge can safely be used by smaller children.

Sitting in the Grumeti conservation area on the west side of the Serengeti, only people visiting Sasakwa Lodge, Sabora Tented Camp and Faru Faru Lodge can be in the area. As such you will not see the the scrums around exciting sightings that you often see in the Serengeti. There is something extraordinarily satisfying about finding incredible wildlife spectacles and having to share them with no one. The pace of life in this way is slow, and you can enjoy the moment for as long as you wish. 

Despite there being few people using this reserve it still covers 500 square miles giving you huge amounts of space to explore and look for wildlife.

Overlooking a watering pool and with a riverbed passing close by, and with windows on all sides, your viewing of the animals can continue as you relax in the camp. 

The owner is in residence during certain periods of the year, and given the range of properties that Singita run, it tells you something of how special place this is. Always a challenge in these sorts of lodges, is to find a way of creating an incredible luxury without removing people from the feel of being in the wild, however Faru Faru Lodge has succeeded.

Faru faru lodge is regularly listed as one of the best lodges in Africa 

If you are interested in visiting or would like to know, do fill in the form below with any questions you might have. Pricing is below

Castleton

Castleton

Castleton from behind
Castleton with cheetah
Eating Alefresco
Eating indoors
Wild dogs near the house

Castleton is an amazing place to stay in Sabi Sands. Consisting of six double en suite cottages around the main house, it is perfect for groups of friends or large family gatherings. The place is used exclusively by one group at a time.

Originally the home of Singitas founder Luke Bailes grandfather it still has a hugely homely feel.

Looking straight out into the parks grasslands and overlooking a watering hole, game watching can be done while sitting in the comfort of this home away from home.

Included are all the staff you could require, including cook and game driver.

As you can imagine this is a way of doing safari that few will get the chance to experience.

While this is by no means a cheap way to do it, it compares well to a public lodge for that number of people and the length of your stay.

Expect incredible food, comfortable beautiful house to stay in and some of the most well informed wildlife guides.

This also guarantees the feel of the wild, as drives take place on the private sabi sands, which you only share with the other lodges, and you stay alone in this fantastic lodge. 

If you are interested in booking this place for a visit, or would like to ask for more details, please fill in the form below. pricing information is below the form.

To return to the Limpopo transfrontier park page click here

Boulders Lodge

Boulders lodge

boulders lodge resized
Singita Boulders Lodge (7) pool in trees resized
Singita Boulders Lodge (8) river view resized
Singita Boulders Lodge (15) outside view resized

Boulders Lodge has one of the best locations possible for watching the wildlife from the lodge, as it overlooks the river so wildlife regularly walks past.

The lodge takes its name from the boulders that litter the river that passes by.

Boulders Lodge is a very comfortable lodge; all the rooms are unique with fantastic views of the wilderness surrounding it. 12 suites are found along the  side of the lodge overlooking the river – giving you fantastic views of the elephants and other animals as they come to drink. All of these suites have glass walls so your view of the wilderness is never impeded. They also have their own veranda with a stone fireplace. As if this is not enough, there is also a heated plunge pool on each of these verandas.

Of the 12 suites, there are two bush suites that overlook  a watering hole and the surrounding wilds. There are also two suites specifically designed for families. These include an en-suite master bedroom and a second en-suite twin room. These also come with their own sitting area and dining space.

With pleasant wooden walkways connecting everything, the whole property gives fantastic access to see what is passing by.

Sitting in an incredibly game rich part of the park the private Sabi Sands reserve – known particularly for its density of lions), there is much to be seen, whether this is from the lodge or on game drives. Because the reserve is private you can be sure of meeting far fewer other cars on game drives.

This is an incredibly luxurious way to do your Serengeti safari. Your stay also includes all food and wine at meals (specialist liquors and champagne is extra).

If you are interested in visiting and would like to know rates or have another question to ask before booking fill in the form below. Pricing is below in South African Rand = roughly 20 to a pound

If you wish to return to browsing the Limpopo transfrontier page click here

See Animals Wild

Read more news

Join as a wild member
to list your wild place & log in

Join as an ambassador supporter to
support this site, help save wildlife
and make friends & log in

Join as an Associate member
to assist as a writer, creator, lister etc & to log in

List a wild destination

List a destination in
the shadow of man

List a hide for animals more easily seen this way

Highlight some news
missed, or submit a
one-off article

Browse destinations for fun or future travel

Temporary membership
start here if in a hurry

Casual readers and watchers