Luxury safari vacations

North Island, Seychelles

A couple visiting North Island, Seychelles were greeted on their first day of their vacation by an exciting event on the beach. They had just settled into their private villa when they recieved a phone call from reception telling them to make their way down to the beach.

They wasted no time and on arrival discovered a green turtle nest with youngsters actively hatching. Guests watched 140 hatchlings making their way down to the water. Elliot was on hand to make sure that none of the turtles got stuck in the footprints on the sand.

Green turrtles are endangered species and their nests are closely monitored to ensure that the maximum number of hatchlings make it to the ocean.  They are hunted as a food source and considered in many countries to be a delicacy. Nesting beaches are also under threat of development and pollution.  According to Elliot Mokhobo, who watches over the nests, only one or two out of an entire nest will reach adulthood.  He marks each nest and knows eaxactly how many eggs there are in each one and when they are due to hatch.

The average lifespan of a green turtle is 80 years. They have been known to live even longer in the wild. Unlike the predatory hawksbill and loggerhead turtles - the green turtle is a herbivore feeding predominantly on seagrass.  They migrate long distances between feeding grounds but will return to the same spot where they were hatched to lay their eggs.

Tags: beach vacation, green turtles, north island, seychelles vacation, travel, wildlife news

The best sighting in the camp over the last few months was a leopard sighting outside one of the tents which was spotted by a honeymoon couple from New York. They had just returned from a morning walking safari and happened to disturb a browsing giraffe which in turn disturbed a leopard who quickly climbed down the tree it had been resting in. This leopard is known to frequent the dry season island opposite the camp and her calls can often be heard at night. This relaxed female has also been seen with her young cubs and guests at the camp were fortunate to see them feasting on an impala carcass and playing in the fallen trees.

As the dry season continues the water level of the lake continues to drop but it has not affected the boat safaris. The sighting from the boat have been wonderful with lots of animals meeting at the lakes edge for a drink. The boat safaris also offer the rare opportunity to see malachite king fisher. They allow the boat to drift close to them and on one occasion one flew into the boat and perched on one of the seats before diving into the water.

Fishing has also been good with some great catches including a 29 kilogram catfish. What a fantastic catch!

The best sighting was spotted by one of the camps guides on a morning game drive. He saw two lions playing football with something that resembled an artichoke. He took a closer look and he saw that it was in fact a pangolin ant eater. This ant eater is covered in a protective layer of scales and with the ability to roll itself into a tight ball has excellent protection against predators.  The lions spent hours trying to uncoil the creature to no avail and in the process they cut their tongues. The lucky pangolin managed to get away this time.

Many African tribes have suspicions about these little ant eaters. The local Ndengereko people believe them to be fortune tellers and leave out bowls of rice, water and a spear  and whichever of these objects the pangolin approaches first will determine the outlook for the year ahead. The rice symbolises a year with plenty food, water means lots of rains and a spear means a year of troubles.

Read more about a luxury Tanzania safari

Tags: leopard, lions, luxury Tanzania safari, Selous Safari Camp, wildlife, wildlife news, wildlife sightings

Whilst visiting the Hwange National Park recently some guests were lucky enough to see a displaying – the worlds heaviest flying bird. Keen bird watchers will know that this is a very rare occurrence and this was the first such sighting for Wilderness Safaris in 60 years of combined bird watching.

The male was spotted standing with his neck inflated to four times its usual size. He was prancing around proudly with his tail cocked – this display accompanied by a booming call. He was then spotted resting with his folded wings touching the ground looking as if he was unhappy that his efforts had not immediately attracted a female.

There is research based evidence that this type of bird  is polygamous – mating with multiple females to whom the burden of parental care is given. This would be the reason for such a dramatic display as he would need to do his utmost to ensure that he is chosen above any other males than may be around.

Other birds that have recently been spotted include the summer migrants like the Yellow Billed Kite and Wahlbergs Eagle as well as raptors such as Bateleur and Tawny Eagle.

Tags: african vacation, bird watching, Hwange National Park, Wilderness Safaris, wildlife, Zimbabwe safari

Mombo and Little Mombo were recently voted No. 1 Resort in Africa in the Conde Nast Traveler (USA) Readers Choice Awards. 25 008 readers voted on more than 10 000 properties and destinations worldwide. The criteria included categories like activities, atmosphere, ambience, beaches, friendliness, lodging, restaurants and scenery.  Both of these fabulous camps achieved a ranking of 97.1 - placing them at No. 10 slot on the Top 100 list as well. This list is described as “hotels, resorts and cruise lines that achieved near perfection”. The impressive ranking was also due to a high demand for properties with low room numbers.

Wilderness Safaris features well in the ratings with Jao Camp, Savuti Camp, Vumbura Plains, Xigera and Kulala Desert Lodge all featuring in the Top 20 Resorts in Africa.  

Andy Payne, CEO od Wilderness commented on their achievement “In our industry there is no better feeling than to exceed customer expectation, it is fuel for all growth in our business - so the recognition from Conde Nast Traveler readers in this form and to this extent is so important for our business and is greatly appreciated. Kudos to our team at Mombo, and of course, all the animals!”

Tags: Botswana safari, luxury safari vacation, mombo camp, travel news

Guests staying at Toka Leya Camp were recently treated to a rare sighting of wild dogs. The two guests had decided to take an early morning game drive before their departure  - having seen four of Zambia’s five rhinos they weren’t expecting to beat that. However, driving alongside the edge of the Zambezi River the guide spotted a wild dog lying contently in the early sunlight. Nearby lay a half eaten impala carcass on which the dog had been feeding.

The wild dog is Africa’s second most endangered species and a rare sight in the Victoria Falls area. It was also unusual for the dog to be alone as they usually hunt in packs, rapidly devouring their prey. Not even any side striped jackals or vultures were present.

After about thirty minutes the dog wandered off into the shade – eyes still guarding its prize catch.

Tags: Toka Leya Camp, travel news, Victoria Falls, wild dogs, Zambia safari

Large concentrations of wildebeest and gazelles have been making their way down the Mara River to the Paradise plains .  The rains have meant that large herds of wildebeest have lingered a little longer on the plains than usual.  The main herds of zebra have stayed mostly in the east of the reserve. A large poportion of the migrating wildebeest  have moved westwards towards Lake Victoria in search of further grazing, despite the fact that there is still plenty of grass in the area.  This is an amazing example of the unexplainable driving force of these animals to cross the river.

Views from the hot air balloons have been fantastic with sightings of the migration, leopard, lion and rhino in the Mara triangle.

During the month of Septemeber there were births of a variety of species - fuzzy brown zebra foals, hyena pups, topi calves and warthog piglets have been spotted. Ostrich eggs have not yet hatched and have been targeted by lion and hyena.

The lions have been spending their lazy days under the shade of trees. They have little reason to venture far in search of food with an abundance of wildebeest all around. The new cubs are thriving.  Cheetahs are also doing well with many cubs being close to maturity.

There have been a couple of sightings of rare Caracal including a mother and cub. The Caracal is a small, tawny coloured cat with with ears resembling a lynx. Serval cats have also been spotted periodically.

Elephants have been travelling longer in search of food and most sightings have been of matriarchal herds.

Tags: Kenya safari, masai mara, travel news, wildebeest migration

Impalila main lodge

The game viewing at Impalila Island Lodge in Namibia has been excellent.  Guests have been fortunate enough to see fantastic river crossings by elephants - right in front of the lodge, frolicking and playing as they went on their way. Guests also spotted lions, crocodiles, hippos and lechwe along the banks of the Chobe River whilst on their river cruises. Many guests have mentioned that one of the highlights of their stay at Impalila Island Lodge was the romantic picnics on the sandbanks of the upper Zambezi. On one of these picnics you will  feel as if you are marooned on your own private desert island……

Tags: luxury safari, Namibia safari, travel news, wildlife news

Susuwe Island Lodge

There have been regular leopard, lion and wild dog sightings at Susuwe Island Lodge in Namibia. Guests have been lucky enough to see an average of two leopard sightings a week which is a good indication that the population is stable and hopefully on the increase. There are growing populations of red lechwe, waterbuck and greater kudu. There has also been an influx of nomadic lion species due to the dry season movement of hundreds of buffalo into the Bwabwata. These lion sightings have improved by 50% over the winter and remain constant with some of the females showing signs of denning. Three large male lions who are probably related have been spotted in the area over the last three months. They seem to have declared themselves as being in charge of the territory. Other cat sightings include cheetah, African wild cat and caracal.

Tags: luxury safari, Namibia safari, travel news, wildlife sightings

The South Luangwa Valley in Zambia is one of the richest and most exciting game viewing areas in Africa. The scenery is diverse and typically African dominated by the meandering Luangwa River which floods the area every rainy season leaving beautiful lagoons and small lakes dotted around the extensive valley floor. There is woodland, rich areas of open plain and as you move south you come to the Chendeni Hills which provide excellent walking opportunities. Most visitors to Luangwa spend about a week there staying at a series of contrasting camps and lodges which takes between six and twelve guests.

The wildlife is equally rich and diverse with herds of elephant, particularly large numbers of graceful giraffe, impressive herds of mighty buffalo and over a dozen species of antelope. The South Luangwa is one of the best places for spotting predators and lion, leopard, cheetah and other predators are regularly seen, as well as a host of fascinating smaller creatures such as baboon, warthog and serval.

South Luangwa is particularly good walking country and most days begin with a steady, not tiring, four hour walk with an expert guide and an armed national parks tracker (most of whom have an uncanny sixth sense for spotting the most elusive creatures). In the afternoon you would usually take a drive by open vehicle, perhaps combined with short walks and in the evening after sunset you have the further opportunity for a night time drive when you can see nocturnal creatures such as porcupine and aardvark and predators. This is also a superb birding location with 466 species of birds, including many types of eagle, herons and spectacular colonies of carmine bee-eaters.

Tags: luxury vacation, south luangwa, travel, vacation in africa, Zambia safari, zambia vacation

Wildlife sightings at Old Mondoro have been excellent. Elephants have been frequenting the camp with perfect timing - just as the guests arrive or as a send off when they depart. An old buffalo bull has been spotted roaming the camp at night in search of protection from the ever present predators of the bush. Maybe just a false sense of security as a leopard has also been spotted a mere 50 metres away from the camp.

During a morning game drive some guests saw some spotted hyenas huddled around the remains of a kudu carcass. Further along they were aso fortunate enough to see a leopardess and her 8 month old cub feeding on a buffalo.  At night there have been some sightings of civet, genet, jackal, wild cat and serval.

Each day at Old Mondoro seems to bring exciting new sighting for guests. A truly classic safari camp!

Tags: luxury safari, old mondoro bushcamp.zambia safari