Tag: Elephant

Malilangwe House

Malilangwe House

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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

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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
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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

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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

Limpopo ecosystem

Limpopo ecosystem

Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands, Pamushana National Park, the Jock concession and the Sweni Concession

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The Limpopo transfrontier park is a huge patchwork area of protected land. Including several large national parks, as well as hunting areas and private reserves, this is one of the last great Savannah wildernesses of Africa.

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Importantly, while there are areas with many tourists, there are also areas with little access. This huge park is primarily for the protection of the wilderness and wildlife that lives there. However, when well run it can also improve the standard of living for those living around its borders.

The selection of lodges I am offering here, range from properties in Sabi Sands, deep in the south, right up to Mallilangwe reserve which borders the north-west boundary of Gonarezhou national park, with a variety of Kruger national park concession lying in between.

I hope to add far more in the future. In particular, I will make a visit to Kruger to list the public rest stops ( I hope to be able to list these as soon as possible. The lodges that are currently listed range through the luxurious, however safari should not be the preserve of the wealthy. The public campsites have various accommodation available, from public campsites and luxury permanent tents, to huts of various size. These I am hoping will be added by the end of the year, the public accommodation is also available through the san parks website. Review of the Kruger is here

Whether you are visiting on the luxurious safari of your life, with a budget to live in luxury throughout your stay, or going on a shoestring we want to help. Or perhaps you wish to camp but have a day and night in luxury sometime in your stay.

For further information on any particular lodge, click the photo  to  see more information.

Singita Sabi Sands

One of the oldest protected private reserves, this area is world renown for its incredible wildlife sightings.

Currently offering you one of three places to stay all within the Singita area of the Sabi Sands, all with fascinating guides and wonderful creature comforts. It also has an unusually large density of leopards.

Places to stay in Sabi Sands

Ebony Lodge

Lying on the banks of the Sand river, amongst the big trees which only grow where there is plenty of water, you can sit in the shade watching the wildlife go by. With a range of suites from small couple focused to family spaces, spread widely to give everyone their own space.

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Boulders Lodge

Taking its name from the huge boulders that litter this stretch of the river, this lodge is also built amongst the trees along the Sabi sands river. Well shaded, with fantastic views of the river and surrounding Savannah you can watch the wildlife from the many boardwalks that link this property together.

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Castleton

If you are visiting the Sabi sands as part of a group, then Castleton may prove to be a good option. With 6 double suites this is a perfect place for a large family or group of friends to spend time together. Fully self contained, with a wildlife guide, cook and other staff, and with incredible views out onto the surrounding Savannah, this is a fantastic place to base yourself during a safari and to enjoy time together.

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Silvan Safari lodge

“Located in the northern section of the spectacular Sabi Sand region, where the roar of the lion is your morning wake up call and the cry of the fish eagle your hourly reminder that every heart and soul on earth beats with the connected rhythm of these historic lands.” Crowned 2018 leading luxury lodge worldwide this newest luxury lodge within the Sabi Sands region, is built to allow incredible comfort deep in the wilderness, and allow you to experience it.

Designed to keep you close to nature, amazing views are to be seen in all directions.

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Singita Kruger National Park Concession

Due in part to Singita’s impressive track record in maintaining and improving the state of the land that they have looked after, in 2001 Singita was awarded a concession. This concession lies in the southwest of the Kruger National Park on the border between South Africa and Mozambique. Covering around 55 square miles it is an area of astounding wilderness seemingly untouched by human hands. Falling close to the Satara rest camp, this area of the park is well known for some of the best big cat sightings in the Kruger – and therefore in the world.

Places to stay in Kruger National Park - Singita private concession

The two lodges only have around 20 suites combined, so you can be sure it won’t feel packed even when full.

Lembombo Lodge

Lembombo lodge falls within a private concession near the Mozambique border, allowing you to avoid the crowds. Set along the cliffs, alongside the N’wanetsi River ensuring plenty of game to watch from the lodge. With luxurious comfort and knowledgable guides this is a wonderful place to spend your safari.

Surrounded and shaded by beautiful trees, all of the suites are secluded allowing you to be fully at one with the wilderness you are in while enjoying all of the creature comforts you could possibly imagine. When you do venture out, the guides will be able to introduce this incredible place, and the sights and experiences will stay with you as you leave.

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Sweni Lodge

Sweni lodge is set alongside the Sweni river, and is built so you never feel removed from the wilderness. Lying in an exclusive area of the Kruger, you expect wonderful food and creature comforts, but miles from anywhere. This remoteness means that the animals feel safe and come closer than they would elsewhere.

Generally, only along rivers do trees grow big in Africa. This is because they are the only trees which get plenty of water. This is one of the reasons that leopards stay in this area as trees here are large enough for them to rest up comfortably.

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Jock lodge view from a bedroom

Jock's Kruger concession
(Jock concession)

The Concession around Jocks lodge and Fitzpatrick lodge lies in the south of the park, where the wildlife is at its densest. Consisting of 6000 hectares of exclusive bush, solely for the use of guests of the main lodge and secondary small lodge.

Given that these two lodges only have a combined 9 suites, even if it is full to capacity, it is not going to feel full. This gives drives and sightings a different feel to out in the greater Kruger. There are not going to be other vehicles stopped to tell you there is something to look for, but with a fantastic guide this will not be necessary.

As the animals see far fewer vehicles and people, you can be sure to natural behavior in the animals you see.

Places to stay in Jocks Kruger concession

Jock lodge view
Fitzpatrick view from the lodge

Jock lodge is the main place to stay within the Jock concession. However as it only has 6 double bedrooms it is never going to feel full

Click here or the picture to see more

Fitz-patrick lodge is a far smaller destination, designed for small groups or families to be able to enjoy time together. With 3 double rooms, there is plenty of space, for time together or to spread out

Click here or the picture to see more

Mallilangwe Reserve and Gonarezhou national park

Far north of Sabi Sands, at the other extreme of the Limpopo transfrontier park is a very different part of the wilderness. Mallilangwe reserve lies beside the Gonarezhou National Park. It was formed after a large donation allowed its purchase by the Zimbabwe government.

Pamushana lodge is the ecotourism branch of this project – the money raised is reinvested into the upkeep of the reserve. It sits high on a ridge overlooking the wilderness of the area. Consisting of seven suites which range from big enough for a couple, to a six person family, even when full it will never feel crowded.

Well known particularly for its black rhino there are large populations of many species in the surrounding area.

Pamushana Lodge

Pamushana Lodge is a traditional lodge set in the Pamushana reserve, high on a cliff overlooking the surrounding area. This includes lakes and planes. 

The lodge is decorated in the Zimbabwean fashion, with bright cloths and bead work.

The lodge consists of 8 luxurious suites, as well as a 5 bedroom villa for groups. As such even if full, Pamushana lodge will never have more than 9 groups. In the evening there is enough space that each group can sit on their own, or sit around getting to know new people and discussing the adventures of the day. 

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Malilingwe House

Malilingwe House offers the ability to enjoy the Pashumana reserve, in a space of your own.

An incredibly luxurious way to do safari, your group will have its own staff to look after you. These will include a people to cook and a  driver and wildlife guide. Having the place to yourself gives you the freedom to structure it exactly as your interests and tastes dictate.

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Lebombo lodge

Lembombo Lodge

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

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

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Zimbabwe is in the process of moving hundreds of elephants and two prides of lions from hwange National Park due to drought drying up their water pools, as well as shipping dozens to zoos in china

Drought hit animals too, and in this instance a Drought in Zimbabwe has hit hwange national park so hard that the animals have started to die in large numbers.

While the number of tourists that come to Zimbabwe have fallen dramatically since Mugabe started doing his more destructive policies, these fall in tourists has started to reverse again. Furthermore, with the economy gradually on its way to recovery people can afford to buy food and thus the pressure on wild areas from poaching has decreased significantly.

The translocation is not insignificant, plans to move 600 elephant 2 prides of lions a pack of wild dogs, 50 buffalo 40 giraffe and 2000 Impala. 

In other parts of Africa water is pumped into these areas to refill the watering holes. It is unclear whether this was impossible in this case or merely prohibitively expensive- though the cost of moving this many animals will be significant and does not solve the water problem permanently so so a longer-term solution must be found.

Zimbabwe is calling for the relaxation of rules about utilising animals (in ways other than photographic tourism) , and while this would be capable of giving the Zimbabwean government the money needed to protect these animals given the way they have behaved in recent years the international community cannot be sure that the Zimbabwean government will will behave responsibly towards their are flora and fauna.

It is certainly true that looking after animals like elephants that can hurt humans ( in recent years as much as 200 people  have died in human animal conflict) is not cheap, however before the disastrous policies of Mugabe the animals of Zimbabwe bought in a large amount of money for it’s people. Returning to this situation can allow the animals to thrive alongside a higher income for people of the country.

Zimbabwe moving 30 young elephants to China, more to follow

Zimbabwe is also under pressure for sending roughly 30 young elephants to China deal in a did with a country. Supposedly this has to be done for the health of the animals as hwang national park where they come from is suffering from a horrific drought that has killed many elephants. However undercover camera work has already shown these young elephants in concrete and metal enclosures having their will broken, flowers to be more easy to control the circuses and zoos in China. Unfortunately it appears that despite Mugabe having left power in Zimbabwe the current government of Zimbabwe still looks on the wildlife as simply a commodity to be traded away and not say something to be preserved for the future. Tourists should look very carefully before being prepared to spend money on safari in Zimbabwe. In total 90 elephants have been moved to China and Dubai in return for 2.7 million dollars.

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Antique dealers have failed in an attempt to overturn a total ban on ivory trading, antique or not

The British government introduced a law which banned the sale of Ivory whether new or antique, as you can imagine this this is not liked by antique dealers as it makes it very hard if not impossible to sell any item that has ivory in it.

Often expensive old pianos had ivory keys
Continue reading “Antique dealers have failed in an attempt to overturn a total ban on ivory trading, antique or not”
Posted on

Botswana lifted its ban on hunting elephants last month – this argument is more contentious even amongst conservationists than you would think

Botswana house around 135,000 of the 350,000 remaining elephants in Africa. In the past they have made a small but significant amount of money from these elephants by hunting, but a few years ago the president of Botswana stated that if they stopped hunting elephants and concentrated on photographic safaris they could make more money from their wildlife.

Continue reading “Botswana lifted its ban on hunting elephants last month – this argument is more contentious even amongst conservationists than you would think”
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