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12 Travel Tips — What to pack for your Wildlife Safari

After waiting for so long for the departure date of your wildlife safari you can finally start to pack. Follow these tips of what you must pack for your safari. 1. Passport and Travel Documents This seem to be an obvious item to pack. But can you imagine the disaster if you forgot this at home. 2. Camera During a safari you will get ample opportunities to take some extraordinary pictures of wildlife and nature. It is a good idea to invest in a quality camera with a zoom lens. Often the animals are far out in the bush and to get a good close-up you will most definitely need a powerful lense. 3. Binoculars A good pair of binoculars is a necessity on your safari. This is a must have item for game viewing. Many times animals are far away from the safari vehicle. 4. Clothes Packing the right clothes for your safari can make a big difference in how comfortable you will feel. Safari clothes are normally neutral and not bright colours. The days are mostly warm although the mornings can start off cool. Thus it is a good idea to layer your clothing accordingly. It will begin to cool again in the evenings. 5. Shoes Comfortable walking shoes or boots are the best to take with you on your safari. Pack enough socks as well. It might be a good idea to take a pair of sandles to relax in later after having your feet in boots all day. 6. Hat A wide rim sun hat is and essential item for your safari. Pack some sunscreen too as the sun is very hot even during the winter months. 7. Sunglasses Sunglasses are excellent for the blazing sun. It will also keep dust out of your eyes. 8. Swimsuit Many lodges and campsites have swimming pools that you can make use of. 9. Flashlight or headtorch Being in the middle of the bush will be pitch dark at night. Remember a good flashlight or headtorch with enough batteries. This will make walking between tents a lot easier in the dark. A headtorch is best as it leaves your hands free to do other things. 10. Medicine A good idea is to pack a few essential medication items for your trip. Some pain relievers, bandaids, eyedrops, allergy tablets etc. 11. Lightweight jacket Should you go on a gamedrive on an open vehicle it will come in handy to have a warm jacket with you. Some mornings and evenings can be a bit chilly. 12. Most of all- Pack light!! Don’t overdo it when packing for your safari. In this event less is definitely more. Source credit: www.travellocal.com

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Top 10 Animal Interactions in South Africa

Top 10 Animal Interactions in South Africa Addo Elephant National Park Situated in the Eastern Cape Province, this is the 3rd largest national park in South Africa. Here you will encounter one of the densest African elephant populations on earth. You can even go and view the elephants from an underground hide that looks out over a waterhole. Here you can be really close to elephants when they come to drink water. 2. Boulders Beach Boulders Beach in Cape Town is the only place in the world where you get close to African Penguins. This a family-friendly swimming beach. You can climb over the boulders, explore the rock pools and swim in the cool and clear ocean. 3. Kruger National Park Overnight in a hide in the world-famous Kruger National Park. The park offer two Sleepover Hides. They are the Sable and Shipandani. By spending a night in one of these hides you will have a fantastic opportunity to experience the African nighttime wildlife from close by. 4. Algoa Bay Dolphins An approximate number of 20 000 Bottlenose Dolphins can and be found in Algoa Bay. This makes it the Bottlenose Dolphin Capital of the World. During a visit to this area you can expect to see some of the largest pods of dolphins. It is also known as a place with the most frequent sightings of dolphins. 5. Snorkel with seals in Hout Bay, Cape Town. This amazing marine experience will be one of the most enjoyable activities that you can do in Cape Town. Duiker Island just outside of Hout Bay is home to about 5000 seals. They are very curious and playfull and will be swimming circles around you. They will often come within an arm’s length of you. It is a safe place to snorkel with seals as there are no Great White Sharks around this island due to the cold water and kelp forrest barrier that keeps them out. 6. Meerkats in the Kalahari Desert Meerkats live in large family groups that are known as clans. These groups can consist of 40 individuals and normally have one dominant female One of the best opportunities to see them is to wait beside a burrow in the morning for the clan to emerge. They are found all over the Kalahari Desert. 7. Hippos on Lake St Lucia If you always wanted to encounter hippos then St Lucia is the place to visit.St Lucia is known as South Africa’s home of the Hippo. Approximately 800 hippos roam here. It is the largest hippo population in South Africa. Hippos will remain in the water of the St Lycia Estuary for the majority of the day. You can also see hippos on the banks of the estuary during winter. However it is not an unusual occurrence to see hippos wander the streets of town at night as well as day time. They are dangerous animals so caution should be practised when one come across them. Book your stay with us at Emdoneni Lodge. Follow this link to contact us directly: Contact Us | Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project 8. Go whale watching We have the world’s premier whale watching site in Hermanus. Many people flock here every year during the whale season from early June until late November to see these mysterious and beautiful creatures. On a whale watching boat trip you will come up close to the famous Southern Wright Whales. 9. Sardine run along the Wild Coast This annual phenomenon occurs each winter in the waters of southern KwaZulu-Natal when large schools of sardines move in a band up the coast. The migration of sardines are accompanied by of hundreds of dolphins, sharks, diving birds, whales, game fish and seals who all join in the feeding frenzy. Should you want to witness this migration first hand, there are safe scuba diving trips on offer close to the feeding frenzy. 10. Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai If diving with a Great White Shark is on the top of your bucket list then a Shark Cage Diving trip at ”The Great White Shark Capital of the World” will leave you breathless. During this dive you will come up close and personal to some very big sharks. The area is known to offer an abundance of energy rich food to the sharks. This is the reason why so many Great White Sharks are found here. Credit Source: travellocal.com

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Emdoneni News

Unforgettable experiences at Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project and Spa

Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project & Spa, Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal Where comfort, luxury and nature combine, you will find the Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project & Spa. Truly a one-of-a-kind accommodation, this establishment not only offers beautiful and luxurious rooms and facilities, but they also have an on-site spa and care for South Africa’s endangered wild cats through their Cat Project. The lodge can be found just off the N2, between the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park. Their ideal location makes them the perfect base to explore the Hluhluwe area and all its beauty. With a 3-star grading and multiple awards under their belt, the owners of Emdoneni Lodge, Louis and Cecillie Nel are extremely proud of everything they have accomplished since first opening their doors in 1994. “Both my husband and I love the bush, people, nature and conservation. The lodge with our amazing staff have proven to be one of the best, if not the best 3-star property in Hluhluwe. “We are extremely proud of our product and what we offer to our guests. We as owners are very hands-on with our lodge and owner-driven,” said Cecillie to Home, Food & Travel. What Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project has to offer “Our return business has shown us many times that we have a winning combination, our guests feel at home and love the warm hospitality, delicious food, stylishly decorated rooms and our dedicated and efficient team. We strive for the best, as only the best is enough for our guests,” explained Cecillie. There are three different types of accommodation to choose from at Emdoneni Lodge; the Chalets, Rondavels and the Honeymoon Suite. From starting off with only seven rooms to having 50 rooms today, the lodge has continued to grow from strength to strength for 25 years. “Our Rondavel type family rooms are a winner, two rooms each with an en-suite bathroom. The very popular Honeymoon Suite, Windfall Cottage, is privately situated under Marula trees and offers great comfort and privacy. It consists of a lounge with DSTV, romantic bedroom, en-suite bathroom with a free-standing bath, leading to an outside shower in a privately fenced Boma area,” Cecillie explained. The Chalets are spacious and elegant, offering an authentic atmosphere that will maximize your comfort. A unique African-style with thatched roofs and round shape, the Rondavels are elegant and the popular choice at the lodge. Honeymooners or couples looking for an ideal romantic getaway can enjoy a stay in the Honeymoon Suite. “Sit and relax on your private patio, having your morning coffee or tea. In the afternoon, enjoy a glass of wine and watch Zebra, Nyala and Impala roam around the cottage,” said Cecillie. Top-class facilities to enjoy at Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project A well-stocked bar can be found in the main lodge where you can grab a drink of your choice and relax in the spacious lounge area. For hot days you can take a dip in their crystal clear swimming pool or relax under the sun in their lounge chairs. The spa menu at Emdoneni Lodge has been specially developed to cater for any needs their guests might have. They have two treatment rooms available, one of which includes an en-suite shower. Emdoneni Lodge caters for all age groups, “Children especially enjoy the fully equipped games room with pool, air hockey, table tennis, jungle gym and sandpit and feeding our resident family of tortoises,” explains Cecillie. The lodge offers free access to Wi-Fi and secure parking for your vehicle. You can enjoy breakfast and dinner at the lodge depending on your booking. Accommodation can be booked on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast or Bed and Breakfast basis. Learn all about the endangered wild cats of Africa Since the beginning, Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project has been working hard to rehabilitate and re-introduce a variety of endangered African wild cats to the wild. The main aim of the project is to care for orphaned or injured wild cats such as Servals, Caracals, African Wildcats and Cheetahs. Through their conservation efforts, many successful releases back into the wild were done by their ambassador animals. To date they have successfully released two cheetahs (soon to be four), 22 Servals, 13 Caracals, and seven African Wild Cats. In order to help create awareness about the importance of conservation, Emdoneni Lodge pays regular visits to local communities in order to get them involved and create awareness of sustainability and to respect and treasure all wildlife. During your stay, you can experience an up-close and personal tour of the Cheetah Project and learn more about the endangered wild cats of Africa. Top reasons for staying at Emdoneni Lodge: The staff and owners of Emdoneni Lodge are professional, helpful, welcoming and very friendly. They have a wide selection of rooms that are spacious and elegantly decorated. They serve a delicious breakfast and a mouth-watering dinner. They have a spa on-site that offers a variety of excellent treatments. Their Cheetah Project helps rehabilitate endangered wild cats and teach you more about them. To find out more about Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project & Spa, give them a call on 035 562 7000/082 713 3686 or email office@emdonenilodge.com. Visit their website at www.emdonenilodge.com. Find them on Google Maps. Thank you homefoodandtravel.co.za for the amazing article!

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KwaZulu Natal Road Trip

Planning your first KwaZulu-Natal road trip? Then you’ve just landed on the perfect page to help you with that! KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast of South Africa is highly undervalued as a tourist destination, and often overlooked in favor of destinations like the Kruger National Park and Cape Town. Having grown up in this amazing province we may be a little biased, but through exploring it ourselves have discovered that this sunny corner of South Africa offers it all – a vibrant and diverse culture, majestic mountains, untamed big five bush experiences and possibly the most unspoiled beaches in the country. Not to forget that KwaZulu-Natal’s winter weather (April-July) is the best in the country! KwaZulu-Natal highlights: Unspoiled sandy beaches and warm water. Malaria-free big five game reserves. Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park). A vibrant and diverse blend of cultures. World-class diving and surfing destinations. We would love you to come and explore this magical province for yourself, and have put together a list of our top picks in the province to get those travel juices flowing! Our dream KwaZulu-Natal road trip is a circular self-drive route covers 1600 km and takes in all of the highlights of KwaZulu-Natal including the berg, big five bush and spectacular beaches. KwaZulu-Natal quick facts: Summer (November-February) weather is generally hot and humid, with some rain. February is the hottest month with temperatures in the low 30’s (°C). Winter (April-July) is the best time of year to visit where the weather usually consists of mild, clear days and cool nights, with temperatures in the upper teens to mid-20’s (°C). International airport: King Shaka International Airport. Main city: Durban (eThekwini). Stop 1: Explore the city sights of Durban and Umhlanga. The Durban beachfront is one of the city’s main attractions and a perfectplace to start your KwaZulu-Natal road trip. The famous Umhlanga lighthouse is an iconic feature on the Umhlanga coastline. City life in KwaZulu-Natal is all about the beach. Explore Umhlanga and Durban, spending time on Umhlanga’s beach promenade or hit Durban’s Golden Mile by bicycle. Stop for coffee, an ice cream or highly recommended Afro’s Chicken lunch along the way. Visit some of the area’s attractions including uShaka Marine World, the KZN Sharks Board, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, the Victoria Street Market or if it is a weekend, some of the fantastic craft and foodie markets (e.g. I Heart Market or Wonder Market) in and around town. Recommended length of stay: two full days (three nights). Route suggestion: King Shaka International Airport is a thirty minute drive out of Umhlanga, or forty minutes from the Durban CBD. Pick up a rental car at the airport and head straight to your accommodation to unpack and refresh. We’d recommend basing yourself in Umhlanga as it provides easy access to Durban’s attractions with more of a nightlife and range of restaurants to choose from. Stop 2: Go on a watery safari on Lake St Lucia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lake St Lucia is home to the highest concentration of Hippos in South Africa. Evening walks on the unspoiled beaches of the Eastern Shores. iSimangaliso’s Lake St Lucia is a must-do on any KwaZulu-Natal road trip. If you are pressed for time, this is one stop not to miss! The expansive waterways of South Africa’s largest estuary are home to a wealth of fish, bird and plant life, not to mention the highest density of hippos and crocodiles in southern Africa. Take in a truly African sunset from the water, or spend time exploring the pristine coastline and big game wilderness areas that surround Lake St Lucia. St Lucia town is the ideal base from which to explore this area, and is well-equipped for tourists with a range of accommodation, restaurants and travel and tour operators (read more in our detailed guide to St Lucia). For guided experiences, we would highly recommend a late afternoon estuary boat cruise, joining a night drive on the Eastern or Western Shores, a snorkel safari at Cape Vidal or beach and bush horse riding from Bhangazi Gate. From mid-May to the end of September, a boat-based whale watching trip to view migrating humpback whales is also a must. Then take some time to explore the Eastern and Western Shores game sections at leisure, leaving plenty of time to enjoy any of the number of picnic and elevated view sites in the park to really get a feel for the enormous size of Lake St Lucia. There are plenty of attractions around St Lucia town too including excellent birding from the Estuary Boardwalk and bush trails through the iPhiva small game section. As if this wasn’t enough, Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve is an easy day trip from town and there are plenty of operators who offer tours through the park from St Lucia town. Recommended length of stay: a minimum of two full days (three nights) will barely scratch the surface of everything this area has to offer, so we’d suggest spending closer to four or five. Route suggestion: From Umhlanga, St Lucia is a 2 hour 30 minutes drive via the N2 national freeway and R618 regional road (via Mtubatuba). A bit of a detour, the indigenous forests around Eshowe are well worth a stop if you have the time. Stop 3: Encounter Africa’s big five in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest game reserve in Africa. Elephants enjoy the soft grass near the banks of the river KwaZulu-Natal has a number of world-class big five game reserves that offer unparalleled game viewing opportunities without the crowds of the Kruger National Park. South Africa’s oldest established game reserve, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is particularly special for the role it has played in rhino conservation in the country. There is also the opportunity to join a multi day wilderness walk through the park – on foot, sleeping under the stars in a pristine wilderness area is a life-changing experience that we’d highly recommend. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is an Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife managed-park. There is both self-catering or catered accommodation available for guests and the

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5 Reasons to go on a walking safari

There’s nothing like your first encounter with a dangerous wild animal on foot: the excitement, fear and thrill of this primal experience is much more memorable than a hundred game drives where you’ve ticked off the big five. Escaping the confines of your 4×4 and exploring the bush on foot opens a whole new world of the wild. Here are 5 reasons to get out of the car and put your hiking boots on: 1. A new perspective on wildlife Being on foot changes how you view animals. You may have previously dismissed impalas as boring when you see herds of them on game drives, but when you encounter them on a walking safari, you can’t help but marvel at their beauty, speed and grace. You realise how much work it is just to stay alive in the bush, and you can feel how vulnerable prey animals are: at any given moment they could be eaten, which endows you with a new sense of respect. 2. You learn more about the bush You do find out about the behaviour of animals on game drives but you learn a whole lot more on foot, especially if you have a good guide. Delve into the stories behind a pile of old bones, learn about the place of animals, insects and plants in bewilderingly complex ecosystems, discover that trees are more interesting that you think and find out about seeds that are almost magical in their evolutionary adaptations. 3. Micro details You don’t see as much big game on foot as you do on game drives, but you do get the chance to be immersed in a fascinating world of plants, seeds, insects, reptiles and small animals: all the things you don’t see on drives. You also become much more sensorially aware when you’re walking as opposed to driving: you’re constantly alert to the sounds of alarm calls and the smells of the bush, which means that you take in a lot more detail than you would in the car. 4. Learning tracking On some walking safaris, you’ll have a tracker along with your guide, who will teach you some of the basics of this master skill. Learn to read tracks in the sand to follow animals through the bush, how to identify the smell of rhino wee or work out when ablution time was by poking through middens. Tracking is interesting and fun, and adds another dimension to your wildlife experience. 5. The chance to slow down You can’t take cell phone calls or answer emails on your smartphone while on a walking safari. If you’re a technology addict, then this is the holiday for you: you’re forced to unplug, switch off and be totally connected to nature. Source Credit: africageographic.com

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