Blogs from Sabi Sands, Mpumalanga , South Africa, Africa
November 7th 2011
We flew from Cape Town to Nelspruit Mpumalanga and drove for two hours to Dulini Lodge in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. We have been lucky enough to have four nights in this rather special place, so instead of the usual combination of ill-informed opinion and schoolboy humour this episode will (rather gloatingly) depict the highlights of a typical day. In Sabi Sands the animals have become used to the open safari vehicles driving around. They regard them as neither a threat nor as prey, so they ignore them. This lets the vehicles drive very close to the wildest animals. Of course, if you climb out of the vehicle you could immediately become a leopard’s luncheon. Safety is taken seriously, and each ranger carries a rifle and is regularly trained in its use. So yesterday, for ... read more
October 25th 2010
We had another bad storm last night, with heavy duty thunder and lightening all night. First time I'd slept under thatch, but it was watertight! It rained whilst out on drive yesterday morning and we all wore ponchos that were the size of 2-man tents. We looked like a bad vietnaem movie!! We spent 2 hours finding nothing on the drive this morning, apart from a tortoise! Then after some seriously scarey off roading we found a leopard. Got some lovely shots, then had to follow it knocking trees down in our path just like an elephant! Our guide is so cool. Last night after geting back from the drive we were all at the bar prior to dinner when he asked if we'd like to go back out again and look at a honey badger ... read more
Feels like the trip is coming to an end
Published: October 24th 2010Africa » South Africa » Mpumalanga » Sabi SandsOctober 24th 2010
It's strange how flippant you get about what you see here. We now take no notice of Impala, Waterbuck and Elephant. I'm even getting used to seeing buffalo and Lion. The Big 5 have been ever present, but not there on a plate for you, we've had to work hard to find them. The last couple of days have brought more lion sightings. Great one today of 2 females sitting in the shade. We had a slow puncture at the time so there was still an element of danger!! We chased across the plains last night to reach a herd of 150 buffalo drinking from a lake. We then drove amongst them and watched them come towards us with the sun setting behind. You couldn't have staged anything so good. We were in the only vehicle ... read more
October 23rd 2010
After lunch we went back to the room to find some beer on ice for Trev. It's standard practice to give both the bride and groom champagne, but the staff here have got to know us well enough that they thought Trev would prefer beer. I then went up to the Rock Lodge to get ready. They put me in the Master Suite which is a 3 level room complete with only plunge pool overlooking the fabulous view. My bottle of Moet was on ice... The Minister came to see me before the service. He's a lovely guy called Carl who lives in the Kruger. He was very friendly and down to earth. Once I'd finished getting changed, and everything else was ready I had to walk to where the ceremony was being held. It was ... read more
October 23rd 2010
I insisted on sitting in the front of the land rover for the journey back down to Safari Lodge. No way was I clambouring into the back of the Puma with my long dress and heels! Once back here more champagne was opened and we sat in the lounge area with Kim and Dane. All the guests were out on a drive and it felt that this beautiful impressive place was all ours. It was nice to just chill and relax. Our dinner with in the wine cellar, and it had been decorated beautifully for the occasion. The meal was great, you couldn't fault it and PJ the Chef certainly delivered. We had 6 courses in all including scallops, Springbok and a chocolate dessert to die for. When the others came back from the drive we ... read more
October 23rd 2010
Friday 22nd - morning drive - BEST SO FAR! We could easily have missed the drive as it's pretty standard to have breakfast in bed after your wedding here, but we didn't want to miss a drive, and how right we were! We headed out at 530 as usual and spent the first 2 hours trying to find a leopard called Metsei. There were drag marks from a kill, and prints in a certain areas so we set about trying to find her. Dan the Tracker had gone off on foot and we kept circling a particular area for signs that she'd come out of the bush. Our ranger Greg has so much patience, or is it stubborness!? We'd got to the point where we were ready to give up and head in for breakfast when ... read more
What happened to Wednesday!
Published: October 22nd 2010Africa » South Africa » Mpumalanga » Sabi SandsOctober 22nd 2010
Wednesday was filled with excellent food and great company again. Animalwise we were within spitting distance of a huge 50 year old male elephant, with one tusk. He was amazing just ripping throught the trees and crunching the branches like they were made of candy. Got some great photos again, I hope. The other great find of the day were a group of zebras. I always think they are so elegant. In the evening we saw a male lion trying to seduce a female. He was being very attentive, tried licking her and purring at her. Nothing seemed to be working. He farted next to her and that didn't work either! We drove away to watch another male and could then hear the original pair mating. So maybe that farting thing worked after all. We were ... read more
October 21st 2010
They really look after you here at Ulusaba anyway, but when it's your wedding they take extra special care of you. We had total free rein of what dinner to have, and had lots of choices of where to hold the ceremony and the dinner. We've gone for the lower deck of the Rock Lodge for the ceremony. If you have a look at the Ulusaba website there's a picture of it. The views are tremendous. Wé're then having dinner afterwards in the Wine Cellar!! It's an individual little building with interior spiral staircase and a lovely veranda. We can help ourselves to whatever wine and champagne we want. I'll be okay but I didnt'see any beer! We've chosen a 5 course menu, but all I can remember at the moment is Scallops for the 2nd ... read more
A Day in the life of a bride at Ulusaba
Published: October 21st 2010Africa » South Africa » Mpumalanga » Sabi SandsOctober 21st 2010
Woke up at 430 this morning, way before the alarm call so getting used to these early starts! Heard a rumbling noise in the distance and after checking it wasn't Trev's belly I realised it was a lion. What a way to be woken up! Whilst having a cup of tea waiting for the group to assemble we saw 2 males wandering not far from the veranda. they just seemed so close. The 7 of us (me, Trev, Julie, Mark, Callum, Greg (the ranger) and Dan (the tracker) then headed off at about 530. Within what was no more than a couple of minutes we found the male and female that we'd been watching on Weds night. The sun was just coming up and the light was just right for some great photos. We sat and ... read more
October 20th 2010
Just a little bit about the game drives. We're in Land Rover Pumas. They are great vehicles for this terrain. They take 7 passengers and have one of those seats on the bonnet for the tracker. They've taken us over some varied terrain and we've felt safe all the time, if not always comfortable! The tracker often goes off on his own and follows tracks. Armed with just a walkie talkie! A couple of times the guide has also gone off, with the tracker, and the rifle and left us all in the vehicle. Part of me wanting something dangerous to happen so I can get in the drivers seat (I'm sat nearest) and take off at high speed (they leave the keys in it!) When we go for drives in the morning we stop for ... read more
