WINDOWS TO WILD AFRICA
“The virus that shall not be named” may have clipped our wings for now - but rest assured that Africa is waiting on the other side - hopefully sooner rather than later!
We hope you enjoyed our previous newsletter’s “armchair safari”. For those of you who usually travel all year round – we truly feel your pain! There is nothing quite like safari FOMO – be it for yourself or your clients! We hope this edition of Snippets will again indulge your “wanderlust wanderings” as we share a few more travel escapism stories with you during lockdown. Please feel free to share them too!
GARONGA
Garonga is renowned for its delicious bush breakfasts and boma dinners – but we didn’t know quite how far the TripAdvisor rave reviews had extended. Forget “The tiger who came to Tea” – the buzz in camp last week was all about the Cheetah who came for Brunch! Not only did this beautiful cat catch her lunch in camp – but she dined out in style between tents 4 and 5! Ranger Sophie Barrett has shared both her pics (mostly taken from the shower in tent 4!) as well as the full story in her blog. Feel free to share it on your social platforms!
We also couldn’t resist sharing this little safari gem of a video with you! Sophie captured this sassy rhino calf laying down the law to a buffalo or two - although we suspect having Mom hot on her heels boosted her confidence!
MASHATU
All the lockdown action at Mashatu in Botswana’s Northern Tuli Game Reserve has been captured and shared with us by guide, Kaizer Sekanonyana and resident photographer, Aubrey Tseleng. Great news to cheer us all up is that one of our favourite leopards, Mothoja, the one with a limp, has had her second litter of cubs! Only this little cub pictured above has been spotted so far - but isn’t he/she gorgeous? Read Aubrey’s full blog here. Welcome to the Mashatu family, little one.
GHOST MOUNTAIN INN
There’s no shortage of adventure available in Zululand and the Elephant Coast. Guests at “GMI” (as we affectionately call it!) are spoilt for choice – whether they wish to explore one of the local game reserves on their own or book one of the half or full day guided activities on offer with Jean and her experienced Ghost Mountain Safaris team. Birding is also a huge draw-card as the area is an official Birding IBA with over 420 species.
Expert guides offer Big 5 game drives in nearby uMkhuze Game Reserve (the fig forest walk is also not to be missed!) or a little further away in the famous Hluhluwe-Imfolozi.
GMI also now offers a range of exciting new activities in the Manyoni Game Reserve (originally part of the WWF black rhino range expansion project) - and which is now home to all the Big 5 as well as cheetah and wild dogs.
Activities include day or night game drives and guided walks as well as specialised photographic or birding safaris. But one of the real highlights of a stay at Ghost Mountain HAS to be their incredible boat safaris on the scenic Lake Jozini where you can spot elephant, rhino, hippo and crocodile in the dam or on the shores – as well as incredible birdlife against the backdrop of the Lebombo mountains.
MACHABA SAFARIS
Great news – the next episode is now available! This time Nala, our favourite Junior Ranger, based at Machaba Camp in the Okavango Delta, teaches us all about the Yellow Bellied Sand Snake. This is her sixth lesson from the bush with previous episodes covering hyenas, vultures, chameleons, leopard tortoises and even a kitchen safari to make the famous Machaba fudge! If anyone can raise your spirits and put a smile on your face in these challenging times for tourism – its Nala. Check out her #OnSafariWithNala YouTube videos.
THE ANT COLLECTION
Just like “Out of Africa” - Sue shares her blog about her recent visit to the Waterberg Game Reserve - and how her stay at Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill brought back wonderful memories of her idyllic childhood in Africa.
ROYAL MADIKWE
If anyone is looking for safari Wedding or Honeymoon Ideas for 2021 – check out this great review by Wersha Bharadwa in Wedding Ideas Magazine.
KAMBAKU
We thought we’d end off this edition with a big “cheers” as we share a drink with three friendly elephants who came for drink at the pool at Kambaku River Sands. Luckily no social distancing required between elephants! Check out the video on their Facebook page.
Till next time … Remember Africa is Waiting on the other side… The Ethos Team.