Hippopotamus – Page 2 – See Animals Wild

Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa

Comfortable Safari vehicle for trips out

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 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.

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.

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

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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.

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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

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 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

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

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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

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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

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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 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

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

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.

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

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.

Click photo to see more

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.

Click photo to see more

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.

Click photo to see more

“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.

Click photo to see more

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 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.

Click photo to see more

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.

Click photo to see more

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 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 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.

Click photo to see more

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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Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa

Jock Safari Lodge

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

Places to stay in Hwange National Park

Sweni Lodge

Pamushana Lodge

Malilangwe House

Faru Faru Lodge

Castleton

Boulders lodge

Limpopo ecosystem

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

Places to stay in Sabi Sands

Places to stay in Kruger National Park - Singita private concession

Jock's Kruger concession (Jock concession)

Places to stay in Jocks Kruger concession

Mallilangwe Reserve and Gonarezhou national park

Add your sighting

Jock's Kruger concession
(Jock concession)