Emdoneni Tips & Information

Going on holiday with your family, especially if that includes young children, can be challenging. Not every holiday spot is set up to cater for families and their various needs and if you choose the wrong place to stay, your holiday is not going to be the peaceful break you planned. So you need to take time to carefully consider your accommodation choices.

Can’t decide whether to have a bush or beach holiday this year? Why not both? Located in beautiful Hluhluwe, Emdoneni Lodge is the perfect destination for your holiday, with the area boasting activities to suit the whole family, be it in the bushveld or on the sand!

Wildlife are an important aspect to our lives, even though we may not understand it completely they play an imperative role in our daily living. The most important thing to remember is that without wildlife, humans would not exist.

We are used to the hustle and bustle of everyday life and its stresses but it is important to put some time aside to be surrounded by nature, animals, peace and quiet. Why are Animals Good for us to be around? Numerous studies point to the positive impact that animals have on our children. “A study in the Journal of Paediatrics shows that kids who had a dog during the first year of their life had higher immune response, with 31% fewer respiratory tract infections than those without”(onegreenplanet.org). Interaction with animals is also known to help people relax the mind, body and soul…and we all know this is much needed in order to refuel and bring your “A Game” to work every day! So, you don’t live near a green space or aren’t surrounded by nature? Now what? You need to make even more of an effort to spend time outside (even if it’s just your weekly exercise that gets done outdoors as opposed to in between the four walls of the gym!). It is also important to take time off or a weekend away every now and again, to spend time outside. A visit to the Emdoneni Lodge and Game Farm is ideal. Our accommodation is designed to make you feel like you are outdoors even if you’re inside. This, combined with the pampering from our staff and of course being surrounded by nature and wildlife is great for your health! What are some of the health benefits of fresh air and nature Fresh air is good for digestion – this is particularly important if you are looking to lose weight. It improves your blood pressure and heart rate – polluted air is bad for your heart and forces your body to work harder at getting the oxygen it needs. Fresh air makes us happier – it’s simple, the amount of serotonin we produce is affected by the amount of oxygen you inhale. Strengthens your immune system – the white blood cells we use to kill off germs and fight bacteria need oxygen to work at their optimum level. The more time you spend outdoors, the more energy you will have and the sharper your mind will be. What about your children? Studies in the UK have shown that playing outdoors boosts problem-solving skills, focus and self-discipline. Other benefits for kids includes; flexibility, self-awareness and emotional benefits such as reduced aggression and increased happiness. Emdoneni Lodge prides itself on actively welcoming children of all ages to come and spend time with the  cats and enjoy the outdoors. We have plenty of planned activities and game drives designed with kids’ safety in mind, all supervised by experienced guides. Emdoneni aims to show children how to appreciate nature rather than rely on technology to be entertained. Have a look at our kiddies program, your kids will love spending the time outdoors and you can also enjoy a holiday with nature. Meet Storm our new child What better way to enjoy the outdoors than being up close and personal with a cheetah! On the 15th of February 2015, Emdoneni Lodge were lucky enough to welcome our own “child”. One of our only fertile female Cheetahs (Autumn), gave birth to Storm (pictured on the right). Storm was adopted by Leney, Rigard and Wian Loots, 12 year old triplets from Pretoria. We are so blessed and grateful that our new baby is loved and cared for.   Find videos of Storm on our Facebook page and read our blog about him next month. So, are you keen to book your next holiday with nature and experience all the health benefits that come along with nature and animals? Give Emdoneni Lodge and Game Farm a call on: +27 (0)35 562-7000, contact us online or make a booking now. Please note:  All above images were taken in a controlled environment by the people who raised and care for them.