River Bend Lodge -- Addo Elephant National Park

My drive at River Bend Lodge started off on a rather chilly summer morning when my guests and I decided to try and relocate the lions we saw the previous evening. Judging from Jed who visited the same sighting around 7pm the day before, I thought the lions must be more or less in the same spot as all I could hear was hyenas calling and the lions trying to locate each other as they kept roaring.
We came across a clan of hyenas drinking at the waterhole, when the next minute I looked up to see one of the dominant male lions approaching the waterhole. At first I thought the hyenas were going to run away but they stayed put. Slowly approaching the waterhole the lion did not seem to pay attention to the hyenas as they all huddled closely together, probably also waiting to see what the lion was going to do. He got to the waterhole and started drinking for a good quarter of an hour while the clan of hyenas just anxiously watched him.
He then walked off in a northerly direction and I thought it was the last time we were going to see him, when I suddenly heard a loud noise coming from the same direction and all of a sudden there were three more lions just behind the bush chasing each other! Suddenly we were watching two male lions chasing away a young male with some serious action. With the noise of lion fighting, three of the hyenas disappeared and the other two scurried off into another direction.
The one male chased the poor youngster and didn't stop for a good 3 km while the other one stayed with the lioness.
When we eventually decided to turn back I heard another noise from the bush. A kudu was being killed by the three hyenas! Within a few minutes another hyena came out carrying a hind leg of the kudu covered in blood! We stayed with this scene for a while and en-route back to lodge came across the young male lion who got chased. Before I managed to stop the vehicle he jumped to the side, disappeared and re-emerged with a warthog piglet in his mouth! Obviously, the chase did not affect him as much as it did my guests! Late for breakfast, but another day in paradise."

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RiverBend Nominated for an Award!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone that nominated us for this fantastic award. We have been nominated for three separate categories during this month on The Good Safari Guide site, namely: Best property in SA 2009; Best Lodge Guiding Team 2009 as well as Best Safari Cuisine 2009. Experienced travel specialists such as Tour Operators, travel agents, journalists etc. can nominate their favourite property online until the 10th of March 2009

A "HIGH FIVE" to MALAMALA FOR ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL YEAR OF WILDLIFE

MalaMala Game Reserve has just released its wildlife statistics for the year 2008. As one of the only Southern African properties to publish annual records of their Big Five sightings, it is not hard to see why countless travellers return time and time again to share in this ultimate safari experience.
See for yourself:
The Big 5 was recorded on all but 9 days in 2008!
Rhino were seen every single day of the year - with the 15th October yielding 28 different sightings!
Leopards were seen on all but 3 days during the year, with a staggering average of 112 different leopard sightings a month.
A 98.2% success rate of lion sightings - with 45 different lion sightings on 9 days during the year.
Elephants eluded rangers on just 1 day of the year.
Buffalo were seen on 363 days of the year, with a large herd in excess of 300 animals viewed an average of 20 times a month.
The proof is in the numbers - To experience the best that Africa has to offer by way of wildlife, there is only one place to be... MalaMala - South Africa's original blueprint for safari.

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Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Karoo South Africa

Special rates for South African Residents at the Sanbona Game Lodges

1.10.2008 - 30.4.2009

R 2050.00 per person per night sharing / double occupancy
R 3075.00 per person per night single occupancy

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, 54 000 hectares of undulating mountains and plains, indigenous fauna and flora, rock formations and rock art make this a destination not to be missed. Specialist guiding is a key element in providing a memorable and varied experience. The name Sanbona is a combination of the "San" people who roamed this area for thousands of years and "bona" which represents their vision in order to position this portion of the Little Karoo. Be it a journey of rejuvenation and self-discovery or absorbing the various essences and activities, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve represents the philosophy of taking care of the small things in life.

The rate is inclusive of the following:
Accommodation
MealsGame Drives
Local South African Beverages

Terms and conditions:
A South African ID number is required on confirmation of your reservation
A copy of the South African ID will be required at check in
Not valid Christmas or New Year 19.12.2008-10.1.2009 or Easter Holidays

Thornybush Game Lodge, Kruger National Park South Africa

Enjoy a 3 night stay at the 5 star Thornybush Game Lodge; and only pay for 2 nights

The Sabi Sand Reserve with mixed woodland savannahs rolling into riverine watercourses lies adjacent to the greater Kruger National Park in South Africa. Thornybush Game Reserve is home to an abundance of birds and mammals including the Big Five. It is here at the Thornybush Private Game Reserve, where attention to detail and highly personalised service make for a memorable stay which awaits discovery by the discerning traveller.

Single: R9 890.00 / Double: R6 595.00per person

The rates is inclusive of the following:
Three nights accomodation
All meals, teas, coffees & snacks
2 Game drives per day
Sundowner drinks on Game drives

Terms and conditions:
Offer valid from 1 January 2009 - 31 July 2009
Subject to availabilty
Not valid over long weekends and public holidays

For more detailed information about this game lodge in South Africa, you are welcome to view the following webpage:
http://www.south-african-lodges.com/thornybush-game-reserve/index.php

Hamiltons Tented Camp, Kruger National Park South Africa

Special valid until 30 April 2009 at the Hamiltons Tented Camp, Kruger National Park

Enjoy an unforgettable stay at the luxurious Hamiltons Tented Camp in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. The special package is valid until 30 April 2009.

The Hamilton's Tented Camp offers a unique safari experience characterised by luxury and privacy. Six magnificent tents with flowing mosquito nets, slipper baths and a superb view of the Ngwenyeni dam are linked by raised timber walkways amongst ancient Jackalberry trees. The open tented lounge and dining room are perched on wooden decks while a secluded swimming pool and viewing deck offer ultimate privacy.

Single: R 5,510.00 per person per night
Double: R 3,670.00 per person per night

This special rate is inclusive of the following:
exlusive tented accomodation
three meals
two game activities

Terms and conditions:
Valid until 30 April 2009
Valid for International inbound travellers
Applicable for groups with a maximum of 10 rooms
Subject to availabilty
Valid for minimum of 3 nights stay
BOOKING CODE: HSTALE09



www.south-african-lodges.com

Clifftop Game Lodge, Welgevonden Game Reserve SOUTH AFRICA

Clifftop Game Lodge, Welgevonden Game Reserve
South African Residents Special

Enjoy an unforgettable stay at the 5 star Clifftop Game Lodge at a special rate for South African residents :

Single: R 3,015.00 per night

Double: R 2,015.00 per person per night

This rate is inclusive of:
exclusive Accomodation
Three meals
Two game activities

Terms and conditions:
Reservations are subject to availabilty
Valid only for South African Residents
Valid until 31/03/09

The Clifftop Game Lodge is located in the Big Five Welgevonden Game Reserve in South Africa's Limpopo Province, and can be reached from Johannesburg in about 3 hours.

www.south-african-lodges.com