Proudly South African Safari…

Patriotism, every single person in the world has their own level of patriotism. What makes us proud to be a citizen of our country, and each country has its own story to tell.

South Africa has been my home for the past 28 years of my life. I was born here, raised here and will surely grow very old here. I love my country, it has so much to offer, it is so culturally diverse and it truly is the Rainbow Nation.

Tourism is our biggest niche, we have everything to put forward and more. In South Africa alone we have the desert, the beach, the mountains, cities, vineyards and my personal preference: the bush. Safaris have long been extremely popular in South Africa – and if you have taken the time to join us at Vuyani Safari Lodge, you know exactly what I am talking about. If you haven’t visited us yet, I recommend you seriously consider this, at least once in your life (though it is likely to be more many more times once you have visited this country to fall in love with).

Vuyani Safari Lodge is based in what we call the rhombus of Safari destinations, we are centrally based and the landscape is exceptionally diverse and our wild and birdlife astonishing, not to mention the plants and geology.

Here is to name but a few of the aspects that make this country, this area and Vuyani Safari Lodge your next travel destination. We offer daytrips to the eminent Kruger National Park – one of the country’s greatest treasures! We get involved in conservation by supporting our local Animal Rehabilitation Centres. We offer a glimpse into the wonderful world of Geology and birding by doing a Boat Trip in the Blyde River Canyon, which I might add, is the third largest Canyon in the world and the only green canyon. We allow our guests to get up, close and personal with Africa’s giants by taking you to an Elephant Sanctuary where you will interact with these gentle creatures – which is an unforgettable experience.   By doing a Panorama trip you experience the most beautiful of what the South African Landscape has to offer, you see the diversity of the cultures in the brightly coloured markets along the way. You can take a hot air balloon ride and have a bird’s eye view of the Lowveld.

This is what makes our country so wonderfully diverse, and give guests at Vuyani Safari Lodge a memorable safari experience. All our day trips are led by our expert rangers, so you will have a very informative and proudly South African experience.

So if you have planned your holiday to spot the Big 5 or just take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding Landscape, even if your heart has been stolen by the conservation of South Africa’s wildlife – Vuyani Safari Lodge is the perfect destination.

*Justine Ferreira

The demise of one feeds the other – Lion Kill

What an awesome week we have had, great sightings, Stacey our newest guide who joined  the Vuyani Family, and our first Rains to feed the parched undergrowth.

On Saturday our guests were indeed very fortunate to Witness an amazing spectacle with our resident Pride of Lions. Jesse and Stacey headed out at the crack of dawn under the blanket of a very threatening and dark sky, it was cool with the lightest of drizzle dampening their faces, but they were confident on finding something special on this day’s safari.

Not far from the lodge our two guides picked up on some very fresh signs of Lions and decided to follow up. Speaking to Jesse the tracks were fresh but he was apprehensive about seeing the pride as the weather was not playing its part, but decided to follow the 5 sets of tracks anyway.

About fifteen minutes into the tracking expedition, they lost them at a rocky junction; this is when luck took over. After deliberating with Stacey and the guests as to which way the Lions had gone he decided to turn right, and “BANG” there they were.

Lions sleep for up to 18 hours a day and are usually active from Sunset to Sunrise…THIS was not one of those occasions. Jesse noticed the Male of the pride walking round and round a small termite mound, continuously sniffing the ground looking very much like a cat devising a plan. Suddenly he started to dig, sending wet earth flying in all directions. Excitement rose, as Jesse and Stacey explained to the guests that these mounds made by Termites are often used and accommodation for various animals such as mongoose, and very commonly warthogs. With his digging this male Lion was obviously hunting for such a prey species.

He dug for around five minutes when suddenly there was the white flash of tusks, indicating the presence of a Warthog, leaving the Lion leaning back and standing to attention to avoid the dangerous defensive weapons. The Warthog at this stage must have panicked and decided to make a break for it, probably because he was being pushed from the rear by other members of his family and had now become exposed. He shot out of the hole, sending the lion reeling backwards as the fleet footed animal dodged a very large clawed paw and made a hasty exit from the scene. The Second Warthog was not so lucky as the lion had now recovered from his shock of a meaty breakfast running straight at him and grasped the animal in his jaws.  To Jesse’s and Stacey’s amazement the pigs kept on coming out of the hole , 5 in all and just like a greedy child he wanted all of them,  with warthog in mouth he slammed his feet on the ground in an attempt to catch another but with the confusion missed every single time.

The Lion had his prize and his meal for the morning and after one look at the vehicle, made his way across the road and into the bush to enjoy his meal…..or so they thought. After a minute the warthog came running out into the road followed closely by the male Lion, its spine seemingly broken and sat down in front of the car. Suddenly the two cubs of the pride appeared and after a few glances from the Male decided to try and make the Kill, this was obviously the plan of the morning’s tutorial playing out in front of their eyes. Commonly this is seen as a cruel way to get food that the pride requires but is necessary in order for the cubs to learn to hunt efficiently, Jesse explained. After a few attempts and what seemed like an eternity the male lion became impatient and thankfully ended the ordeal, once again taking his prize into the bush to eat in leisure but not before warning our guides and our guests of his ferociousness by giving a very vocal charge.

To be part of a sighting such as this is very rare (even by the standards of seasoned rangers) and could be seen with the excited chatter around the breakfast table, the guests knowing that they have witnessed the brutality of nature but a true once in a lifetime experience.

Craig Carnaby

African Rain…

Freshly cut grass, home baked biscuits, you favorite perfume or your childhood home. We all have that one scent that transports us into a world of our own, a place that you either love or hate.

For me it is the smell of the first summer rains. The first falls to quench Africa’s thirst…

You can see when the rainy season approaches. Days become seemingly warmer; the air is thick and damp. The trees seem to stand taller and the grass looks a little more alive, a little like an expectant child after a trip to the dentist. The numerous bird calls can be heard from afar. You know that something is about to happen, something worthy.

The clouds start building far in the south, the sky changes from a pale blue to a dark royal. And in the distance a rumble of thunder, it is pending – the first summer storms.

In the late afternoon the sky has turned to mat grey with rolling fluffs of white, the thunder is deafening and the lightning cracks through the silence of the bush with deafening lashes. The animals retreat and hunt for cover under the safety of the bush, eagerly awaiting the first drops of salvation after the arid winter months.

Plump drops slowly start making their journey from the heavens and collide with the parchedness with a welcoming thud.

It appears as if the gates of heaven are opened and the rain pours down whilst rumbling thunder and bright white flashes of lightning add to the illustration. Small tributaries appear almost instantly and one can see the soil ravenously gulping the long awaited relief.

Instantaneously the bush seems to come alive, the trees stand tall, and the grasses lift their weary heads, the storm passes quickly and pools of water have congregated almost everywhere.

The sun peeps through the dark cloud and water droplets that have gathered on the spider webs resemble a beautifully expensive diamond necklace. Birds start their beautiful singing, twittering with each other – sharing their own experiences of Africa’s first summer rains.

Impala, Warthog, Wildebeest and the ever inquisitive Giraffe start making their way through the wet grass – silently observing the magical transformation the landscape, if you look long and hard enough it almost creates the illusion that they might be mutely nodding at each other in approval.

The whole of the Lowveld appears spectacularly vibrant; the earth a deep russet, the leaves an emerald green with small droplets of crystal clear water and the grass which had a vague straw like form has suddenly perked itself up and stands lofty swaying in the gentle afternoon breeze.

The first of the summer rains is a charmed time for us. It is as if the rain cleanses one, rids one of the collections of dust during the winter months. The earthy smell in the air, the crispness, it all contributes to the magic.

As I drive home in the afternoon the clouds are already building in the east, and the sky once again becomes gloomy and heavy with clouds. And again the rumbling of thunder silences the wildlife, lightening crashes all around and human and animal alike prepares for another downpour. This is how the summer is announced. Within a week the bush will turn lush and green. All kinds of animals and insects will start reaping the benefits of the rains and live their lives with plentiful food during the wet season. The season where most of the young are born, promptly we will see Impala lambs hopping all around, hatchlings peeking out of the nest for a better view of their surroundings. Termites and ants collecting food for their colonies, the summer is a mystic time in the Lowveld.

There is only one finish that fits perfectly for the conclusion of my story and that is the chorus to Africa by Toto:

“It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had”

I hope that everyone has a wonderful summer and joins us at Vuyani Safari Lodge for a safari in Africa to experience this magical time…

*Justine Ferreira