Because of my work, and also children not being permitted at the lodge, I actually almost never get to spend time with family on the reserve. Plus: my kids are very young, Oliver and Sophie are both 3 years old only (yes they are twins). But this year I decided to take them out on a few safaris, to show them what daddy does for a living. It was experimental, one doesn’t know how such small children react to seeing many of the world’s largest animals, but to our surprise, they were very well-behaved and they absolutely loved the experience.

We saw elephants, rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest, monkeys, lots of impala, lions and we even tracked cheetahs up-close. My wife and kids were absolutely blown away. Seeing a stilling monkey mother from the patio was also a fascinating experience. So touching!

See some of our many photos we took. It made me also realise the true scope and quality of sightings our guests get these days. I am not always aware of it, but, boy oh boy, have we come a long way. It is truly first class now. We see many of the world’s rarest animals in a setting that really blows you away, and the sightings are reliable. The many lakes create photo opportunities that, well, there are not many places that compare. There really aren’t.

Stilling monkey mummy

Checking out the Landcruiser with Maddie, their friend:

Tracking cheetahs:

Checking in on the wildebeest and their (very) new offspring

Massive elephants up-close!

A quick visit at the new Vuyani Tented Camp building site (4km north of the Vuyani Safari Lodge!). We shall continue with the construction in 2 weeks.

And also the 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster was in action. We had so much fun! You must try it when you are at the lodge. It takes you all the way back to a special time in history. Makes you feel like Bonnie and Clyde. Without the Tommy gun, of course. We don’t have that one. 😉

Very often, when I mention the w0rd “wet season”, our many British guests shriek … they fear more of the grey and miserable weather they are trying to get away from. Fear not! Our wet season is the best time of the year. Lots of bloom, lots of colors, lots of lucious green and a true explosion of wildlife. And even if it is called “wet season”, truth is, we often go many days on end without any rain at all, sometimes weeks. Rain tends to be short-lived, and very strong. This is no boring drizzle days on end! It’s the sort of monsoon type rain that we need so much more of. Water is scarce here, and some years you are blessed, and some years are tough. Last year was a dry wet season, so nature suffered. This year, things are looking better, and we have had a few good rainfall events, so wildlife is doing well.

See some of our best shots over recent days, showing how all things are greening up. November saw a lot of offspring being born, and this contiues into December. Fingers crossed for a lot more rain to come this summer season. It’s great for nature, and it produces the sort of wildlife sightings that our guests travel around half the world to witness. Truly spectacular!