| > | | | | game drive. |
| | | | This was in the hands of a rare breed of ranger, |
| As our winter weather brings a mixture of | | | | a female! Tanya whisked us both away into the |
| sublime sunny days, wild and windy washdays and | | | | surrounding biomes (a climatically and |
| so much more in between, this month Claire & I | | | | geographically defined area of ecologically similar |
| visited the malaria free area of the Eastern Cape | | | | communities of plants, animals, and soil organisms) |
| and two somewhat divergent private game | | | | in search of elephants. We succeeded admirably. |
| reserves, Pumba Private Game Reserve and | | | | A breeding herd under the watchful eye of |
| Lalibela Private Game Reserve. | | | | it’s matriarch allowed us to witness the |
| South Africa at this time of year is beautiful. Sun | | | | goings on within her herd. Special mammals these, |
| seekers are well looked after in Durban and | | | | gentle, intelligent and for Claire & me, enriching to |
| further inland within our north and eastern regions; | | | | watch. Lions are to be found on the reserve as |
| further south the weather can turn within a few | | | | are the sometimes controversial white lion, part |
| hours as the prevailing cold fronts caress Cape | | | | of their breeding program. |
| Town and onwards to Port Elizabeth (now | | | | Once back at Pumba Lodge, the night sky a |
| proclaimed Mandela Bay). This cosmopolitan city is | | | | darker shade of jet black and a delightful full |
| named after the first acting governor’s | | | | cream sherry (South Africa produces an excellent |
| wife, Elizabeth Donkin and boasts a little over one | | | | array of Sherries) in hand, we chatted to our |
| million inhabitants. Importantly, she is the entry | | | | hosts around a blazing fire. For the purest in us, it |
| airport to numerous private game reserves in this | | | | is of concern that the burning of wood at our |
| area. Regular flights from both Cape Town and | | | | safari lodges is consuming vast amounts of timber |
| Johannesburg bring these properties into the very | | | | and therefore not in support of responsible |
| doable category in terms of accessibility. | | | | tourism. At Pumba Lodge, and many other lodges |
| As we meander along the Africa Tamed path of | | | | that are supportive of our environment, their |
| wildlife property reviews, it may be good to | | | | supply of burning timber is found in trunks of |
| understand our evaluation criteria. Quality, quality | | | | felled alien trees (Blue Gum, Wattle, Black Wood |
| and quality is our simple guideline. Quality of | | | | etc) which we strive to remove from our |
| rangers/trackers, quality of reserve | | | | indigenous woodlands. Dinner was a plated affair |
| owner’s business philosophy and overall | | | | wrapped in the warm blanket combination of our |
| quality of accommodation/location & cuisine. Allelse | | | | host Pyromaniac’ who set up a |
| is relative. There is a myriad of private wildlife | | | | magnificent fire next to our table, and really first |
| resorts in southern Africa, some internationally | | | | rate table service. |
| recognised with names you may certainly | | | | We visited Pumba’s Msenge Bush Lodge |
| recognise, Mala Mala, Singita and the ever green | | | | the next morning. Ideal for bush getaways of an |
| Londolozi all based in the Sabi Sands Game | | | | intimate and remote style, we felt this particular |
| Reserve then there are in excess of one | | | | property an excellent choice for an intimate |
| thousand other properties ranging from the | | | | corporate function or those looking to get lost not |
| eminently suitable to eminently forgettable. | | | | so much in but within Mother Nature. |
| We seek to learn and understand the owners | | | | Our next adventure (for this is exactly what they |
| business philosophy first, through this will flow the | | | | are, fun as well!) found us at Lalibela Private Game |
| management & staff modus operandi. You will be | | | | Reserve at Mark’s Camp. Designed to |
| spending up to ten hours every day in the | | | | cater for families, this child friendly lodge is |
| company of your ranger and this demands a | | | | complemented by two distinctivly different lodges, |
| certain characteristic to be present. Suitable | | | | Lentaba Lodge and for us their prime camp Tree |
| knowledge, experience and a fundamental passion | | | | Tops. Oh my, this one has character! Five tented |
| and enthusiasm for Mother Nature are a basic | | | | units positioned amongst tree tops affording only |
| prerequisite. Ability to share their knowledge at an | | | | ten guests exclusivity, a place to rest and |
| appropriate level to make your interface | | | | rejuvenate all in one. Our stay at Lalibela’s |
| meaningful, memorable and pleasurable is key. | | | | Mark’s Camp was unremarkable, warm |
| Your location, accommodation, cuisine and staff | | | | hospitality and condusive co guests but without |
| team all contribute towards your overall | | | | imaginative creativity. Our game experience on |
| experience, however the first two criteria dictate | | | | the morning drive captured numerous interesting |
| the bulk of our review focus. Quality comes in | | | | game sightings but nothing remarkable. |
| different sizes, none fit all
| | | | We did however experience an interactive cultural |
| Ok, with this information at hand, we set off to | | | | drumming evening, which created much fun and |
| our first review at Pumba Private Game Reserve, | | | | laughter amongst the clients staying at Mark's |
| an hour’s drive from Mandela Bay. Pumba | | | | Camp. A great ice breaker and nice addition to |
| Water Lodge is rated five star, offers twelve | | | | the atmosphere of the camp. |
| stone and thatched cottages beautifully placed in a | | | | In August, we share with you our top private |
| raised positioned overlooking the expansive | | | | game reserve in the Eastern Cape, Shamwari |
| Kariega Lake. A great viewing deck overlooking | | | | (Shona word for Friend). An exceptional |
| the lake extends from the guest area. Well | | | | example of worldclass conservation in action, |
| appointed cottages offer all we would expect | | | | superlative accommodation, strong team spirit on |
| from a five star property including private plunge | | | | the ground in conjunction with well balanced game |
| pools for each of the cottages set into your | | | | viewing. |
| individual viewing deck. Fully air-conditioned, | | | | Back now to our fireplace and a bottle of |
| invitingly furnished and with what we declared, a | | | | Rupert Rothchild 2001 Chardonnay before dinner, |
| decent distance from your neighbour, Claire & I | | | | until August, stay warm! |
| settled in for a late lunch before our afternoon | | | | |