100% Africa !

Colesburg Overnight is close to the van der Kloof dam and the Doornkloof Nature Reserve, with animals like kudu, brown hyena, mountain Reedbuck, steenbuck, grey duiker, bat-eared fox, aardvark and the aardwolf, is where a place called Colesberg is found. An ideal stop over, between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, the deviation off the N1, you’ll find is shorter than the N1 and you have no trucks to contend with either. Enjoy a night or few at the Starry Nights Karoo Cottages. A lovely little village for those wanting to escape from the city for a few days, for those wanting to enjoy the silence, the closeness to nature, stargazing, bird watching, no traffic… the list continues. This is definitely a quintessential town, if ever there was one. Having a rich history, with not only it being the oldest settlement in the Free State, it was established as a mission in 1823, it is also the centre of the old Griqua captaincies and was caught up in the events of the Boer War. Philippolis is in the centre of South Africa. There are many attractions one can take part in, the Laurence van der Post Memorial Centre, this memorial centre is the first tourist attraction as tourists enter the town of Philippolis. However the best probably is the experience one will get when visiting the tiger experience at John Varty’s Tiger Canyons Game Drives and Concert. Going out in a 4×4 vehicle, designed with a cage, means you’re the caged animal and the tigers are free, and yes, this does mean that they will more than likely jump up on the vehicle. For more accommodation options in the Northern Cape, click here

For many people, a true African experience includes a visit to a Guest Game Farm. This particular Guest Farm is situated on the border of Botswana and is owned and managed by Frikkie and Ans Du Preez. This is a place where you can relax and unwind and enjoy the bush and experience a true safari during your visit.
The accommodation offered, provides you with plenty of comfort ranging from luxury en-suites rooms which are adjacent to the main farm house or the detached thatched chalets which offer additional privacy for guests. Campsites are available if you favor a more traditional experience of tenting or caravanning. All the usual amenities which are expected from a campsite are accessible such as, braai facilities, hot and cold running water, electricity and a communal camp fire.
For a more primitive experience, one also has the option of camping at the Boma Bush Kraal Camp, where no luxuries are accessible; it is just you and the bush, sleeping under the stars. The benefits of this spectacular location are the views of the Molopo River, as well as the picturesque sand dunes of Botswana, which are in my opinion, breathtaking. You will also have the opportunity to witness some spectacular sunsets, which will be a great conclusion to the day. If all the fresh air and bush life still does not tire you, then there are plenty of activities to explore, such as, day and night game drives, bird watching, donkey carts, horseback riding, hiking trails and bike trails. For further Northern Cape accommodation.

“I’ve seen elephant in the wild – but only at a distance. They seem gigantic and yet so gentle… I’d like to know more about these fascinating animals.” Mentions one of the visitors on our Elephant Sanctuary tour that we recently were privileged to be part of. The Elephant Sanctuary is nestled in pristine unspoilt bush, the home of five African elephants, a sight and keen learning experience like no other. Hiring a car allows you and any other traveler to get there with absolutely no problem. Enjoy the picturesque setting, wildlife and the magnificent African Elephant.

Botswana is, without a doubt, the very best part of Africa. A country known for peace and tranquility, which alone is an attractive point, where you’ll find diamonds and beef, and it also holds lots of other surprises for you. Come and explore the diverse cultures of the people of this country, and where nature can be found at its very best. If there is a place, where one wished time could stand still, it is in this beautiful country.
This land-locked country is geographically dominated by Kalahari Desert. Botswana is bordered by Zambia and Zimbabwe to the north-east, by Namibia to the north and west, and by South Africa to the south and south-east. The Zambezi River calls for a single pointed meeting between four countries, namely Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. It is here that you will also find the Chobe River, running along the northern boundary, the Nossob River running along its south-western boundary, the Molopho River, running along the southern-boundaries, and the Marico, Limpopo and the Shashe Rivers, running along the eastern boundaries.
Amazingly enough, the Kalahari Desert stretches west covering 84 % of the country. “Desert”, is a misnomer, as its earliest travelers defined it as a “thirst-land”. Most of the Kalahari, is covered with vegetation – including stunted thorn and scrub bush, trees and grasslands.
The Chobe River runs along the northern border of the Chobe National Park. Rising in the northern Angolan highlands, it’s called the Kwando and travels enormous distances through the Kalahari sands, before reaching its destination in Botswana. It’s here where it becomes the Linyanti, and then when it reaches Ngoma, it becomes the Chobe. These three mighty rivers carry more water than all other rivers in Southern Africa.
The Chobe River first off flows directly south, but is caught by a rift at Divei, and drops out onto a swamp. It then turns north through Lake Liambezi, and then finally turning east, passing Kasane and then joins the Zambezi at Kazungula, flowing briefly together before spilling over the Victoria Falls. The Chobe twists and turns through swamps of wide reed and papyrus beds, forming hidden lagoons, which sometimes fill with beautiful water lilies. Its south bank, alternating from open flood plains, dotted with pans to thick woodlands, and across the river from Botswana, lies the Caprivi Strip – the scene of grazing cattle contrasts sharply with the scenes of wild animals in the Chobe National Park.
The second largest national park in Botswana, the Chobe National Park covers 10, 566 square kilometers and has one of the greatest concentrations of game to be found on the African continent. It’s because of its’ uniqueness in its abundance of wildlife, and true African nature, that any safari taken here, is going to be an experience of a lifetime!
Divided into four distinctly different eco-systems, your choice of where to safari is not limited by any means. Serondela – its lush plains, dense forests in the Chobe River area; Savuti Marsh – in the west and about 50metres north of Mababe gate; Linyanti Swamps – the hot dry hinterland in between. From Kasane, follow the new tar road, past the airport to Sedudu Gate. This is where all persons are required to check in. But don’t forget that your four wheel drive vehicle is essential here, especially if your intention is to travel into the park!

In the vast bushveld expanse of eastern Swaziland, where the hot still sun of Africa beats on the dry, but life-giving soils as it has for thousands of years, is what you as a visitor will find when exploring the Hlane Royal National Park. Named by King Sobhuza II, its adjacent dispersal areas cover 30 000 hectares of Swazi bushveld, dominated by ancient hardwood vegetation. In the cool dusky evenings, you’ll hear the rumbling roars of the lions, and you’ll be able to find elephant and white rhino, along with an abundant and diverse birdlife, along with the nesting of white backed vultures in Africa. Take a game drive along the network of self-drive game roads that criss-cross the park’s flat terrain. It weaves between the 1000 year old hardwood vegetation, and shallows pans attracting great herds of animals, during the dry winter months. Head for the bush and experience the sights and sounds of Hlane against the roar of Hlane’s magnificent lions – definitely the symbol of royalty, as well as the pride of Swaziland.
If you are going to Swaziland, you need to book yourself into this stunning Bush Lodge. Hlathikhulu has everything and more! Situated in the heart of the park, it is elevated on a terrace overlooking the Black Mfolozi River. With excellent opportunities for walks into parts of Imfolozi, an area the most people never see. Situated in a well grown stand of umThombothi trees in a park like setting, with the grass grazed short, by the resident group of white rhino. As you sip your morning early morning coffee, your view from the deck stretches down across the Black Mfolozi River where crocodiles and hippos come to drink. And in the evening, a visitor can see a variety of animals make their way out of the surrounding bush, to drink ever so cautiously from the edge of the river.
Choose from four 2-bed units, with en-suite shower and toilet linked by wooden walkways to a central living area. As a visitor, your needs will be attended to by the staff who cook and clean and a field ranger who on request, takes visitors on walks through the African bush. The cooks can produce a variety of tasty meals to suit the bush lodge lifestyle. The exciting part about this, is that the bush camps and lodges only cater for one party at a time, so for the period of your stay, this becomes your home in the African bush!
Named after William Peak, Piggs Peak is found in the northern parts of the country, namely, the Hhohho region. Famously known for its spectacular gold mining, which was mined during the years 1889 and 1957 respectively, this town is not only known for its gold, but also the accommodation with luxurious hotels and casinos, lodges and guest houses it provides for visitors.
If you’re passing through on your way to the Kruger National Park, Orion Piggs Peak hotel which located on the main route, between Kruger National Park and Mbabane, making it the perfect stopover. It is also the biggest hotel found in this area. As a visitor, you won’t find it necessary to gallivant while you’re at Piggs, there is a redecorated and a wonderful resort for tourists at the Bulembu Lodge. This town is overflowing with accommodation, with plenty of things to do, places to see and with the time line being “Africa Time”, nothing is done in a hurry, and so perhaps for this reason, people here are very friendly. This is a holiday destination you don’t want to miss the opportunity of taking!

It was the first visit to South Africa by Lenore and Claudia Vitantonio from Cleveland Ohio in the United States. We left Johannesburg taking a drive north east to Witbank and then turned eastwards to Nelspruit and on to the Kruger National Park, we entered through the Numbi Gate and made our way to the camp of Pretoriuskop. After booking in to the huts we had a break in order for Lenore and Claudia to get some lunch before leaving on a afternoon game drive. We left camp at 15h30 and made our way down the Napi road in the direction of Skukuza. Our forst animals encountered on the drive was two huge white rhinos grazing near the road. after a good viewing of them we proceeded down encountering elephant, kudu, Impala and warthogs on the afternoon drive. we got back to camp at about 18h15. After agood dinner, it was time for some sleep before the early start the next morning.

On the morning of the 10th December, we boarded the open safari vehicle at 05h00 and turned right back on the Napi road in order to make our way to Eloff Street and a breakfast stop at the Nkhulu picnic spot. 900 meters down the Napi road we came across 4 lionesses lying in the middle of the road sleeping, they were not at all disturbed by our presence and continued to sleep as we passed them in the bush aftwer being there for more than 45 minutes. We continued down Napi road getting good sightings of buffalo, elephant, rhino, kudu, impala and Zebra. At about 2 km’s before the transport dame turn off i received a radio message of some lions lying near to Klipspringer Kopies, we decided to make our way down there. Upon arrival, we were the only car in the area, so the guests could get a good view of the pride of lions together with there cubs lying on the flat rock next to the road. At this stage the lions were only about 5 meters from our vehicle. after this fantastice sighting we were again called to the sighting of a giraffe kill about 1 meter of the road on the S114, upon arrival we narrowly missed the lions, but were treated to a sighting of six Hyenas and about 200 vultures that had tucked in to the kill to get there fill. After quite a protracted sighting, we had to make our way to Skukuza instead for breakfast as time had got away from us and all the animals that had been seen. After breakfast things started to quieten down as the weather got a bit cold. We decided to make our way back to camp for a rest before continuing out again in the afternoon.
At 15h30 we left camp, only to get a radio message from one of the other safari companies that there was a pride of 21 lions next to the natural pan about 2,2 km’s past the Napi Bolders exit, we decided to go and look for them, after a fifteen minute drive to the area, we came to the area and found them all lying on a rock next to the water looking in a southerly direction at some buffalo. While we were watching the large pride of lions, we noticed a breeding herd of elephants crossing the road behind our vehicle in the direction of the lions. This was only temporary, as the elephants soon made of in a southerly direction after smelling the lions. All in high spirits we decided to make our way back to camp taking some of the back roots. On the way back, we had good sightings of Kudum, Impala, White Rhino and more elephants grazing in the open area next to the Shithavie waterhole.

On the 11th we left camp early again at 05h00 and made our way down the Napi road to see what was going on, after an initially quite start to the mornings game viewing, we decided to make a turn at the Giraffe kill on the S114. I decided to drive down to Kwagga Pan and then take the S112 coming out on the S114 which was the road that the Kill was on. After turning onto the S112, we came across some Elephant, Wildebeest, Impala and some hyena.While on S112 we got a call of a male lion walking in the road on the S23, we decided to investigate. Upon arrival we found this huge male lion walking towards us. After turning around, we managed to follow him for another 500 meters while he was busy marking his territory. After he moved off, we made our way back to the S114. After turning right en-route to Skukuza we found one of the lions lying right next to the road busy sleeping. After getting some good photos, we moved onto the kill, to find a hyena busy eating on the kill with a huge amount of vultures around him, some good photo opportunities were enjoyed.We got a call on the radio from one of our open vehicles further up the road that they had the lions from the kill busy walking on the road in front of them. We decided to investigate, but by the time we got there, they were lying about three meters of the road on the left hand side. Good photos were enjoyed by everyone. After this sighting we made our way for breakfast. After breakfast was enjoyed, we made our way to the doispane road looking for a good leopard sighting. This was unfortunately not to be, as we had a quite trip back to camp with good sightings of general game as well as a good sighting of some hyensa pups outside their den next to the road. The afternoon game drive was pretty much the same with good sightings of general game, Elephants, buffalo and rhino being seen.

On the morning of the 12th, we left camp a little later as Lenore and Claudia were finding it difficult going, getting up so early, we made our way down to the S112 and the S114 to have a final view of the giraffe and see if we could see the lions again. This time we found one of the young males next to the road and a bit further up, we found the rest of the pride sleeping off all of the meat thet they had eaten during the past three days.
We made our way back to camp for breakfast and to get cleaned up for the trip back to Johannesburg. After breakfast, we left the camp of Pretoriuskop and made our way to the gate and then onto Johannesburg.
Both Lenore and Claudia said that they thoroughly enjoyed their Kruger Park Safari and would love to return again to do another one.

Read important tips in the sphere of vacation home – study this site. The time has come when concise information is really at your fingertips, use this opportunity.

Hi There to all from the Kruger National Park,

This is a report received from one of our guides Mark while on safari in the Kruger National Park with Erwin Doorenspleet from the 29th November to the 2nd December 2009

Now this had to be a wacka of a trip as the first animal we came across on entering the Kruger Park was a massive White Rino bull. This chap was big and I estimate him at approximately 1.8 Ton easily. Massive main horn, honed to perfection. Rather placid while the vehicle was next to him, approximately 3 – 5m away from us on the left hand side. We proceeded to Pretoriuskop to have a quick bite to eat and to book in to the rest camp for the duration of our stay.

As you know me, I couldn’t wait to get back into the bush. Fortunately as it was my guests first day in the Kruger, they to were happy to get out there. After a quick bite to eat we left Pretoriuskop camp, my route planned for the afternoon was Shebeni Koppies, Albesini north to doispan Road East to River Rd Link. Turn around and follow exactly the same route back. Later this worked in our favor as by the time we got back to camp many animal species were seen.

On the Doispan road 1,8kms before the River link road at approx 16h15 we got sight of a female Leopard lying in an African wattle tree facing eastwards. (Typical postcard photo). further on down the road a herd (20 plus) of elephants crossing from south to east.

Back to Albasini, we found a herd of buffalo crossing over towards Mestal dam. It felt good to be in the park and within 2.5 hrs we had see 4 of the “big 5″. With this in mind it was time to head back to camp.

As you all know, early rise with a cup of coffee we left camp heading North. My idea was to head along the main road between Pretoriuskop and Skakuza. Something that stood out for me, was our sighting of 2 Sable antelope approximately 10 – 15m off the road facing us (What a sight as I thought back to when last I saw one so close.) We continued North and approx 1kilometer from Matekanyane view point we had a sighting of a Black Rino bull moving eastwards.

Approx 2.2kms past the H3 junction which goes down to the Malalane gate, we spotted 2 Female Lion sleeping in the open. Not the best sighting as I would estimate them to be approx 30m of the road.
As we crossed over the Sand River, I decided to take the Marula Loop road and 500m down came across 2 humongous black mained male Lions. Both were lying on the edge of the road and brilliant photos were taken.

Up to the Tshokwane picnic spot we saw lots of general game and fabulous amounts of birds were encountered. After eating a brunch (very late breakfast – due to the amount of animal sightings) we moved Eastwards on the H10 to Lower Sabie. While on this road a number of good sightings were encountered of rhino, buffalo, elephant and general game.

At the junction to Mlondozi Dam off the H10, we came across a pair of mating Lions. Good to see nature is still on the go and the Lion is still king.
Looking up into the east, I could see a cloud build up and decided to head back to Pretoriuskop. After a visit to the camp of Lower Sabie, we made our way back to Skukuza, stopping off at various sightings of elephant and buffalo as well as general game along the way. After a short stop at the camp of Skukuza, we made our way back to camp for the night and the potential of some heavy rain.

The night sounded like a battle field in the sky’s as the thunder roared. This was confirmed the next day with little animal movement and sightings. What also played a major role was the sudden drop in temperatures. Even the new Impala lambs where aware of the change in weather.

We decided that we would take advantage of the weather and visited many different historical sites during the course of the day. Always enjoying the general game viewing as we spent our time in the African bushveld.

The night was cold and the next morning we had breakfast at Pretoriukop. On leaving the park its always interesting to see what is the last specie of animal is, to come out and say goodbye. Strange to this we had a sighting of 8 Sable antelope, wishing our guests

” Goodnight, God bless and Goodbye”.

Till next time and we meet again,

Mark
Senior Guide Nhongo Safaris

For pragmatic things to know about the topic of vacation home – please make sure to read this publication. The times have come when proper info is truly only one click of your mouse, use this chance.

Savonne and Alexis joined us on a safari to the Pretoriuskop as it was there first visit to the continent of Africa. After arriving at the Kruger National Park after a pleasant drive from Johannesburg, the girls were booked into there accommodation in Pretoriuskop rest camp. We departed on our first game drive of the safari at 15h30. Just outside of the camp we came across a heard of kudu busy browsing on the new foliage that had become quite dense after the prior week of rain in the area. We carried on with our drive coming across a huge bull elephant in the road.

We decided to wait and see if he would pass close by to us without any problems, but this was not to be as we had to soon take evasive action as he proceeded to mock charge us in order to get us out of the way. After a few short breaths from the girls, order was restored and we went on our way coming across a hyena den next to the Napi road with a juvenile hyena lying outside for some good photos. We also got to see it’s mother that was lying close by.

The morning of the 24th saw us leaving camp at 05h00 after having tea and coffee and making our way down the Napi road in the direction of Skukuza. On the early morning drive we had good sightings of Elephant and rhino as well as lots of sightings of general game such as zebra, kudu, impala, wildebeest and warthog.

We made our way to Nkhulu picnic spot for breakfast and after a welcome break we proceeded down what is known as Eloff street to the camp of Lower Sabie. On the way to lower Sabie we had good sightings of elephant, buffalo, baboons, bushbuck and hippo in the sabie river. We stopped off at sunset dam to watch the four large pods of hippos as well as spoon billed storkes and some large crocodiles. After visiting the camp of Lowe Sabie we decided to start making our way back to Pretoriuskop in order for the girls to have a rest as the tempretures in the park have climbed significantly since the start of the rainy season. On route we came across a pride of lions lying close to the road. They were very uninterested in us as the temperatures had already started to climb and they just wanted to have a sleep, something lions do quite often and very well.

After a welcome rest we decided to take a drive to Shebeni Kopies to look for the pride of lions in the area of the koppies. Our search was abruptly brought to an end when we received a call of a leopard sighting some 10 Km’s down the Napi road. We decided to try our luck and see if we couls see this guy. We drove down to the sighting of the leopard that had just killed a Banded Mongoose and lying in the shade. We made our way back in the direction of Pretoriuskop coming upon a sighting of nine Rhino’s with a four month old calf. We carried on with our drive in the direction of the camp only to have us find more lions very close to the camp of Pretoriuskop at around 18h10.

We proceeded to watch these lions before having to leave them there to get back to the camp before the gates closed.

On the morning of the 25th, the day started pretty much the same as the day before making our way for the picnic spot of Tshokwane for breakfast. While on route we encountered good sightings of elephant, buffalo and general game. After a welcome stop for breakfast we decided to take a drive down the H10 towards lower sabie, about 13Km’s down the H10 we came across a large heard of Zebra and Wildebeest, upon closer investigation we saw that both of the herds were acting very strangely and all looking in the same direction.

After a while the herds started running in our direction, we suddenly saw that there were two cheetahs walking in our direction right behind were the two herds of Zebra ans Wildebeest had been. we watched the two cheetahs make there way towards us and then started walking towards the junction of the S128. When they reached the junction, the cheetahs decided to mark there territory by climbing onto the road marker, the two girls aboard our open vehicle managed to get some really good photos as we were standing right next to them while they were doing this.

After we had finished at the sighting we carried on our way getting good sightings of Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino before reaching the camp of Lower Sabie.
After a break we made our way back to the camp of Pretoriuskop as the girls were going on a night drive that evening.

While on the night drive Savonne and Alexis managed to get good sightings of general game as well as two different sightings of lion close to the vehicle.

After breakfast on the 26th we took our leave of the camp of Pretoriuskop and the Kruger National Park and made our way up the Panorama route were we visited Gods Window, Berlin Falls and the Three Rondavels.

Both guests really enjoyed themselves and are hoping to return to South Africa if they win a competition running in the USA for tickets to the 2010 Football world Cup in June next year.

For more info on our safaris, please visit our Nhongo Safaris Website
For more info on our 4 Day Budget Safari, please visit our 4 Day Budget safari itinerary

Get practical info about vacation home – make sure to go through this web site. The times have come when concise info is really within your reach, use this possibility.

If you dare to do something that is different, then wild cave adventures are definitely the place for you. Based in the cradle of humankind, in Gauteng, with the aid of Car rental Johannesburg you will be given a tour into the most unusual environment. Ab sail into a dark cavern with the aid of safe and qualified trained professionals, who will guide you through the various rock faces, introducing you to the world below our feet. Meet some of the creatures who call this home such as bats, spiders, snakes, frogs, birds, owls, cave crickets and even blind shrimp. So it just goes to show you, there are many things that will go ‘bump’ in a cave.

If game viewing is your cup of tea, then you should look no further than Maputuland.  I usually find any opportunity to escape to the bush. Car hire facilities are easily accessible and armed with your binoculars, plenty of bottled water, a map, camera and journal you are sure to marvel in the unspoilt beauty which surrounds you. Maputuland derives from the Maputo River that flows through the area, so it is almost impossible to not be spoilt for choice, when it comes to both bird watching and game viewing, as the area is surrounded in lakes and pans. And as you watch the sun set in the apricot skies, you will know that you are home.