Sausage Tree Blog

Best Time to Visit Sausage Tree Camp – Seasonal Guide

Tue, 12 May 2026 08:30:32 GMT

Choosing the best time to visit Sausage Tree Safari Camp

Choosing the best time to visit Sausage Tree Safari Camp depends entirely on the safari experience you want. Some guests prioritise easy Big Five sightings, others want dramatic green landscapes, migratory birds, newborn wildlife, or fewer crowds.

At Sausage Tree Safari Camp, located in the Olifants West Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger region, every season offers something different. After more than 14 years hosting guests throughout the year, we’ve seen how dramatically the bush transforms from one month to the next.

It’s important to note that weather patterns in the Lowveld can vary. Some years the rains arrive as early as mid-September, while in others they only begin towards late November. Likewise, occasional late rains can continue into May.

The good news? Wildlife viewing remains rewarding year-round — just in different ways.

During the dry season, animals travel further and gather around permanent water sources, making sightings easier and more predictable. During the green season, food and water are abundant, so animals disperse into smaller territories, creating more natural and intimate encounters.

Dry Season (May – September)

The dry season is traditionally considered the classic safari period in the Greater Kruger.

As rainfall disappears, vegetation thins out and animals begin concentrating around rivers and remaining waterholes. The bush becomes more open, visibility improves, and game drives often produce excellent Big Five sightings.

What to Expect

From May through early September:

Cool mornings and evenings (around 8–12°C)
Mild daytime temperatures (18–26°C)
Virtually no rainfall
Clear skies and low humidity
Excellent visibility through sparse vegetation

The Olifants River becomes a major wildlife corridor, attracting elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, antelope, and predators.

Wildlife Viewing During Dry Season

This is the easiest time of year for tracking and spotting wildlife.

Common sightings include:

Elephants almost daily
Lions several times per week
Leopards and wild dogs regularly
Large buffalo herds
Concentrated antelope populations

Although migratory birds are absent during winter, resident birdlife remains impressive.

Who Should Visit During Dry Season?

Dry season is ideal for:

First-time safari travellers
Families with children
Guests focused on Big Five sightings
Wildlife photographers seeking action
Travellers visiting during school holidays

Advantages of Dry Season

Minimal rain interruptions
Clear views of the Drakensberg Mountains
Exceptional stargazing
Very low insect activity
Comfortable daytime temperatures
Easier wildlife tracking

Things to Consider

Winter cold fronts occasionally move through the Lowveld. During these short cold spells:

Daytime temperatures may stay below 12°C
Night temperatures can drop to around 5°C

Fortunately, Sausage Tree Safari Camp is designed for winter comfort. Guests enjoy:

Heated game viewer seats
Blankets on game drives
Amarula in morning coffee
Large boma fires at dinner
Hot water bottles in beds
Heated rooms and suites

Green Season (October – April)

The green season is often misunderstood.

Many experienced safari travellers actually prefer this time of year because the reserve becomes lush, dramatic, and quieter. Wildlife sightings may be slightly less predictable, but the scenery, birdlife, and newborn animals create a completely different safari atmosphere.

What to Expect

From November through March:

Warm to hot temperatures (25–32°C)
Afternoon thunderstorms
Green vegetation and flowering trees
Dramatic skies and sunsets
Active birdlife and reptiles

Rain usually arrives in short, intense afternoon storms rather than all-day downpours.

Wildlife During Green Season

Because water and food are available everywhere, animals spread across the reserve rather than concentrating around rivers.

This means guides rely more heavily on tracking skills and experience.

The reward is seeing wildlife in stunning natural surroundings with rich green landscapes and dramatic skies.

Newborn Animals

From January through March, many species give birth, including:

Elephants
Giraffes
Impala
Wildebeest
Zebra

This also creates exciting predator interactions as lions, leopards, and hyenas focus on vulnerable young animals.

Birding During Green Season

This is the best time for bird enthusiasts.

Migratory species arrive from Europe and elsewhere in Africa, including:

European bee-eaters
European rollers
Various warblers

These combine with resident species such as:

Eagles
Kingfishers
Herons
Lilac-breasted rollers

Who Should Visit During Green Season?

Green season suits:

Repeat safari visitors
Birdwatchers
Landscape photographers
Guests interested in reptiles and insects
Travellers wanting fewer crowds
Families travelling during Christmas, Easter, or October holidays

Best Green Season Months

Recommended months include:

November
February

January can be extremely rewarding for newborn wildlife but is typically hotter and wetter.

Shoulder Seasons (May and September)

For many guests, May and September offer the ideal balance between game viewing, weather, and comfort.

These transitional months combine elements of both the dry and green seasons.

What Happens in May?

Rainfall stops
Vegetation transitions from green to golden
Temperatures cool down
Animals gradually begin concentrating near water

What Happens in September?

Temperatures warm up
Early rains may begin
Fresh greenery appears
Wildlife remains active around remaining water sources

Why Guests Love Shoulder Season

Both months generally offer:

Pleasant temperatures (18–25°C)
Good game viewing
Fewer crowds
Comfortable sleeping weather
Beautiful photography light

Best For

Shoulder season is ideal for:

Couples
Return safari guests
Travellers wanting moderate weather
Photographers avoiding extreme conditions
Guests seeking a quieter safari experience

Which Season Is Best for You?

Best Time for Big Five Sightings

Any month can produce excellent Big Five viewing.

Best Time for Newborn Animals

January, February, and March.

Best Time for Bird Photography

December through March.

Best Weather Overall

May and September.

Fewest Visitors

Late January, February, May, June, and early December.

Best Time for Lower Flight Costs

Late January, February, May, and June typically offer lower international airfare pricing.

Booking Recommendations

For peak travel periods — including Christmas, Easter, July, August, and October school holidays — booking 4–6 months in advance is recommended.

For quieter periods, availability is often possible with shorter notice, although booking at least three weeks ahead is advisable.

So, When Is the Best Time to Visit?

The truth is that there is no single “best” season for safari.

Some guests return every July because they love classic dry-season wildlife viewing. Others visit every February for the dramatic skies, newborn animals, and peaceful atmosphere.

Both experiences are exceptional — they simply prioritise different things.

At Sausage Tree Safari Camp, wildlife viewing remains rewarding throughout the year. The only major seasonal differences are migratory bird activity and reptile sightings, which peak during the warmer months.

Your ideal safari season depends entirely on what matters most to you.

Ready to Plan Your Safari?

If you’d like help choosing the best season for your safari experience, we’d love to help.

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A New Chapter Under Canvas: Introducing Our Reimagined Luxury Tented Suites

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 06:07:57 GMT

You know that moment when you slide open your tent door at dawn and the whole African bush spreads before you?

"You know that moment when you slide open your tent door at dawn and the whole African bush spreads before you?" James asks, unable to contain his excitement. "Well, we've just made that moment even more magical."

After months of careful planning and construction (with the occasional curious elephant supervisor), we're thrilled to unveil the transformation of Tents 4 and 5 into our new Luxury Tented Suites. These aren't just upgrades – they're a complete reimagining of what canvas accommodation can be in the African bush.

Where Canvas Meets Contemporary Comfort

The first thing you'll notice? Those sliding glass doors. Gone are the traditional zippered canvas flaps (though we'll always love that distinctive zip sound). In their place, smooth aluminum and glass doors that glide open to seamlessly blend your indoor sanctuary with the wild beyond.

"We wrestled with this decision," Sonja admits. "Canvas zips are part of the authentic safari experience. But when we saw how these doors frame the view, how they let you wake up and slide your whole room open to Africa – we knew we'd found something special."

The magic happens at that dawn moment. Instead of fumbling with zippers while half-asleep, you simply slide the door open and – there it is. The waterhole reflecting the sunrise. Elephants making their way through the mist. Your morning coffee view, uninterrupted and spectacular.

Space to Breathe, Room to Dream

Step inside our new Luxury Tented Suites and the transformation continues. We've created genuinely spacious interiors that finally answer the question: "What if you could have five-star hotel space with that authentic tent feel?"

The new layout includes a proper seating area with a comfortable sofa and armchair – perfect for those lazy afternoons when you want to read while staying connected to the bush sounds outside. And here's the clever part: that sofa transforms into a proper sleeper bed, making these suites ideal for families with young children.

"We've had so many families squeeze into our standard tents," Pitso mentions over breakfast. "Now, parents can actually relax in the evening while little ones sleep comfortably. It changes the whole safari experience for families."

Decks Designed for Living

But perhaps the most dramatic change is outside. Our new expanded decks aren't just bigger – they're completely reoriented to capture the best views Olifants West has to offer. We spent weeks studying sun patterns, wildlife movements, and those perfect sunset angles before positioning each deck.

"Tent 4 now faces directly toward our most active waterhole approach," Themba explains. "I've watched guests sit on that deck for hours, binoculars forgotten, just absorbed in the constant wildlife parade."

Tent 5 captures something different – a sweeping vista toward the Drakensberg Mountains with the riverbed in the foreground. It's become our sunset suite, where the evening light show plays out like a private performance.

These aren't just viewing platforms anymore; they're outdoor living rooms. With upgraded deck furniture, you might find yourself spending more time outside than in. Morning coffee, afternoon reading, sundowner drinks after your game drive – the deck becomes your connection point to the African wilderness.

The Details That Make the Difference

While the big changes catch your eye, it's the thoughtful details that enhance your stay. The new beds, positioned to let you watch the sunrise without leaving your pillows. Enhanced lighting that lets you read comfortably but dims to almost nothing for stargazing. Power points thoughtfully placed for charging cameras without trailing cords across the tent.

"We kept asking ourselves, 'What would make us want to stay here?'" James explains. "Every detail had to enhance the experience without losing that essential tent magic."

The en-suite bathrooms maintain our beloved outdoor showers – because really, is there anything better than hot water under African stars? But we've refined the indoor sections too, with better lighting for those middle-of-the-night visits and improved water pressure that works even when elephants are drinking at the pump station.

Maintaining the Magic

Some of our regular guests worried when they heard about upgrades. "Don't change too much," one longtime visitor pleaded. "We love Sausage Tree just as it is." We understood completely. The challenge was enhancing comfort without losing authenticity.

That's why you'll still fall asleep to canvas walls breathing with the night breeze. You'll still hear every sound of the African night – perhaps even better through those new glass doors. The luxury lies in the ease, the space, the views, not in cutting you off from what you came here to experience.

"It's still camping," one of our first guests in the new suites observed. "Just camping like royalty would do it."

Perfect for Every Safari Dream

The beauty of these new Luxury Tented Suites is their versatility. Honeymooners love the romance of waking up to panoramic bush views. Families appreciate the space and the sleeper sofa option. Photography enthusiasts go wild for the expanded decks and unobstructed sightlines.

"We had a professional wildlife photographer stay in Tent 4 last month," Polite shares. "He photographed a leopard drinking at the waterhole without leaving his deck. Said it was worth the whole trip just for that moment."

Looking Ahead

While we're starting with Tents 4 and 5, the response has been so enthusiastic that we're already planning similar upgrades for our other tents. Each will receive the same thoughtful treatment – studying views, maximizing comfort, maintaining the authentic feel that makes Sausage Tree special.

"Change is always nervous-making in a place people love," Sonja reflects. "But sometimes you have to evolve to keep offering the best possible experience. These new suites let us welcome guests who might have chosen elsewhere for comfort reasons, while giving our regulars new reasons to return."

Your Invitation to Experience the Evolution

As we put the finishing touches on these transformations, we can't help but feel excited about sharing them with you. Whether you're a first-time safari guest or one of our beloved returners, these new Luxury Tented Suites offer a fresh way to experience the African bush.

Imagine sliding open those doors to your first African dawn. Picture yourself on that expanded deck, gin and tonic in hand, as elephants parade past. Think about the luxury of space – to spread out, to relax, to truly inhabit your safari home.

The bush hasn't changed. The wildlife remains wild and wonderful. Our warm welcome and Pitso's incredible food continue to create memories. But now, when you lay your head down in one of our new Luxury Tented Suites, you'll discover that the perfect safari accommodation can indeed get even better.

Ready to experience our reimagined luxury under canvas? Contact info@sausagetree.co.za to reserve Tent 4 or 5 – our new Luxury Tented Suites in the heart of the Greater Kruger.

From Our Kitchen to Your Heart: Chef Pitso's 13-Year Safari Legacy

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 20:53:25 GMT

Pitso's journey to becoming the heart of our kitchen began in 2012, when he arrived as a young assistant chef, eager but uncertain. "I knew how to cook," he recalls, "but safari cooking? That's different. You're not just making meals – you're part of the whole experience."

The aroma hits you before you even open your eyes. Fresh bread, cinnamon, and something indefinably African wafts through the pre-dawn air, gently pulling you from dreams of yesterday's leopard sighting. By the time you've stumbled to your tent's coffee tray, there they are – Pitso's famous rusks, still warm, waiting to be dunked in that first life-giving cup. This is how mornings begin at Sausage Tree Safari Camp, and it's been Chef Pitso's signature wake-up call for thirteen remarkable years.

"Food is love," Pitso says with his characteristic shy smile, flour dusting his chef's whites even at 4 AM. "When people are far from home, in the middle of the bush, good food doesn't just fill stomachs – it creates memories." And oh, what memories he's created.

Thirteen Years of Safari Flavors

Pitso's journey to becoming the heart of our kitchen began in 2012, when he arrived as a young assistant chef, eager but uncertain. "I knew how to cook," he recalls, "but safari cooking? That's different. You're not just making meals – you're part of the whole experience."

James and Sonja saw something special in Pitso from the start. His natural warmth, his attention to detail, and most importantly, his understanding that in the bush, every meal is a celebration. Under their guidance and with his natural talent, Pitso evolved from assistant to head chef, and from cook to artist.

"The first time I made rusks on my own, they were hard as rocks," Pitso laughs. "The guides joked they could use them for self-defense against leopards! But I kept trying. Now guests take them home to remember their safari."

The Famous Rusks: A Labor of Love

Ah, those rusks. If Sausage Tree Safari Camp had a flavor, it would be Pitso's rusks dunked in strong coffee while the sun rises over Olifants West. The recipe, perfected over years of early morning baking, remains Pitso's closely guarded secret, though he'll hint at buttermilk, a touch of aniseed, and "just the right amount of love."

"Rusks are personal for me," Pitso explains while shaping the next batch. "My grandmother made them when I was young. Not fancy, just good. When guests tell me my rusks remind them of home, or their grandmother, or childhood – that's when I know I've got it right."

The ritual begins at 3:30 AM. While the camp sleeps and hyenas call in the distance, Pitso's kitchen comes alive. By the time guests wake for their morning game drive, dozens of rusks cool on racks, their sweet scent competing with the wood smoke from the previous night's boma fire.

Beyond the Bush Kitchen Basics

But Pitso's talents extend far beyond his famous rusks. Over thirteen years, he's transformed bush cuisine from simple sustenance to an integral part of the safari experience. His philosophy? Respect local ingredients, honor traditional flavors, but never be afraid to innovate.

"Guests come expecting basic camp food," Sonja notes. "Then Pitso serves his butternut soup with roasted seeds and African spices, or his game carpaccio with wild rocket from our garden, and they're amazed. He's elevated bush cooking to an art form."

The challenges of bush cooking would defeat many chefs. Limited storage, no quick runs to the grocery store, power considerations, and dietary requirements that can change with each new guest arrival. Yet Pitso thrives on these challenges.

"Every week is different," he says. "Maybe we have vegetarians, someone gluten-free, a guest who's never tried game meat, children who are picky eaters. I love it! It keeps me creative."

The Magic of the Open-Air Kitchen

Pitso's kitchen tells the story of thirteen years of safari service. The well-worn cutting boards, the collection of cast-iron pots perfect for traditional potjies, the spice rack that's grown to include flavors from around the world – brought by grateful guests who return year after year.

"This kitchen has seen so much," Pitso reflects during a rare quiet moment. "Birthday cakes baked during power cuts, using the gas oven by lantern light. Christmas dinners when guests became family. That time we had to cook an entire meal on the braai when the stove broke, and it became one of our most memorable dinners."

The kitchen's position allows Pitso to watch the waterhole while prepping vegetables or stirring sauces. "Sometimes I'm chopping onions and elephants walk by. Or I'm making bread and hear lions roaring. Where else can a chef work with this view?"

Memories Served with Every Meal

Over thirteen years, Pitso has created countless food memories. There was the honeymoon couple who requested a surprise bush dinner, complete with Pitso's take on their wedding cake flavor. The 80-year-old guest who cried when Pitso's oxtail stew tasted "exactly like my mother's." The child afraid to try new foods who ended up requesting Pitso's kudu kebabs every night.

"Food opens hearts," Pitso observes. "Around our table, strangers become friends.

They share stories between courses, laugh over dessert, plan tomorrow's adventures over coffee. I'm not just feeding bodies – I'm helping create connections."

His signature dishes have become legend among returning guests. The breakfast fry-up that somehow tastes better in the bush than any five-star hotel. The lunch salads that showcase whatever's fresh, garnished with edible flowers from around camp. The dinner showstoppers – perhaps his famous warthog fillet with green peppercorn sauce or his vegetarian bobotie that converts carnivores.

Teaching and Sharing: The Next Generation

These days, Pitso has assistants of his own, young people from nearby communities eager to learn the art of safari cooking. He teaches them with the same patience James and Sonja showed him thirteen years ago.

"It's not just about recipes," he tells them. "It's about reading your guests. The tired family who needs comfort food. The adventurous couple ready to try something wild. The guest who's homesick and lights up when you remember they mentioned loving a certain dish."

He's particularly proud of his involvement with local schools, sometimes hosting students interested in hospitality careers. "If I can inspire one young person to see cooking as art, as a way to touch lives, then I've given back something valuable."

The Heart of the Camp

After thirteen years, Pitso isn't just our chef – he's family. Guests request him by name in their booking inquiries. "Will Pitso still be making his rusks?" they ask. Travel forums mention his food as a highlight. Food bloggers have featured his bush cuisine innovations.

Yet Pitso remains humble, more likely to credit his team, the quality of local ingredients, or the magic of the bush setting than his own considerable skills. "I'm just lucky," he says. "Lucky to wake up here every day, to cook for people living their dreams, to be part of their African adventure."

A Taste of Tomorrow

As Pitso plans tomorrow's meals – checking dietary requirements, planning his market list, perhaps tweaking a sauce recipe – he reflects on thirteen years of safari service. "Every meal is a chance to make someone's day special. Maybe they've just seen their first leopard, or they're celebrating an anniversary, or they're simply here, living their safari dream. My food is part of that story."

The sun sets over Olifants West as Pitso begins dinner preparations. Soon, guests will gather, stories will flow, and another memorable meal will unfold under African stars. And tomorrow morning? Tomorrow morning there will be fresh rusks, warm from the oven, waiting to start another perfect safari day.

Because after thirteen years, Pitso knows the secret: in the bush, food isn't just sustenance. It's comfort, celebration, connection, and memory all seasoned with African magic and served with love.

Come and taste Pitso's thirteen years of culinary passion at Sausage Tree Safari Camp. Contact info@sausagetree.co.za to reserve your place at our table.

Night Sounds of the African Bush: A Guide to After-Dark Calls

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 19:08:09 GMT

The bush never sleeps...

The sun has just dipped behind the Drakensberg, painting the sky in shades of amber and purple. You're settling onto your private deck with a nightcap when it begins – the ancient symphony of the African night. First, a distant rumble that seems to vibrate through your chest. Then, an eerie whoop-whoop echoing across the riverbed. Welcome to nature's most primal concert, performed nightly at Sausage Tree Safari Camp.

"The bush never sleeps," James often tells our guests around the evening fire. "It just changes the performers." And he's absolutely right. As darkness falls over Olifants West, a whole new cast of characters takes center stage, each with their own distinctive voice in this wild orchestra.

The King's Roar: Understanding Lion Calls

That bone-deep rumble that stops conversations mid-sentence? That's the undisputed headliner of our night show. A lion's roar can travel up to 8 kilometers, and when you hear it from your tent at Sausage Tree, it feels impossibly close (don't worry, you're perfectly safe in our elevated tents and predator fencing!).

"Lions roar for many reasons," explains Themba during a morning drive. "Territory marking, calling the pride together, or sometimes just because they can." Male lions typically roar more frequently, especially during mating season. The sound starts with a few low moans, building to full-throated roars before trailing off into grunts.

Pro tip from our guests' experiences: If you hear lions roaring during the night, mention it to your guide at morning coffee. They can often track the direction and may lead you straight to the pride on your dawn drive!

The Laughing Gang: Hyena Conversations

No sound in the African night is more misunderstood than the hyena's call. That famous "laugh"? It's actually a sign of excitement or nervousness, often heard when clan members compete over food. But hyenas have a whole vocabulary:

The "whoop" – A long-distance contact call that sounds almost questioning: "Whoo-UP?"
Groans and soft giggles – Used during social interactions
The famous cackle – High excitement or stress
Deep growls – Aggression or warning

"People think hyenas are just scavengers," Life tells us, "but they're incredible hunters. When you hear that excited cackling at night, they might have just brought down their own prey."

The River Chorus: Hippos After Dark

From our camp overlooking the Olifants River, the hippo ensemble is a nightly treat. These massive "river horses" might seem docile during the day, but come nightfall, they emerge to graze, filling the air with their distinctive calls.

The classic hippo laugh – a series of deep, rumbling "MUH-huh-huh-huh" sounds – often startles first-time visitors. "Sounds like a giant having a good chuckle," one guest perfectly described it. But hippos also grunt, bellow, and wheeze, especially when asserting dominance or during territorial disputes.

The Spotted Phantom: Leopard Sawing

Perhaps the most thrilling sound for safari enthusiasts is the leopard's call – a rough, sawing rasp that sounds like someone cutting wood with a blunt saw. "Ugh-ugh-ugh," repeated several times, often while the cat patrols its territory.

"When you hear a leopard calling near camp," Polite advises, "remember the location. These cats are territorial, and we might find it on tomorrow's drive." Female leopards also make a different call when in estrus – a repeated, almost dove-like "aoow-aoow" that can go on for hours.

The Miniature Musicians: Smaller Nocturnal Voices

Not all night sounds come from the big stars. The supporting cast creates the constant backdrop to bush nights:

Scops Owl : Its monotonous "prrrp... prrrp... prrrp" is like a metronome keeping time for the night orchestra.

Nightjars : These birds produce various calls, but the Fiery-necked Nightjar's "Good Lord, deliver us" (yes, that's what it sounds like!) is unmistakable.

Tree frogs : After rain, these tiny amphibians create an almost deafening chorus of clicks, whistles, and trills.

Fruit bats : High-pitched squeaks and the rustle of wings often signal their presence around fruiting trees.

Bush babies : Their name comes from their infant-like cries – haunting wails that can make your hair stand on end if you don't know the source!

The Trumpet Section: Elephants in the Dark

Elephant communication at night is particularly special. Beyond their famous trumpet, elephants use infrasound – sounds below human hearing – to communicate over vast distances. What we can hear includes:

Rumbles: Deep, rolling sounds used for close communication
Trumpets: Excitement, alarm, or aggression
Ear flapping: Creates a distinctive sound, often indicating mild irritation
Stomach rumbles: Yes, you can actually hear their digestive system at work!

"Sometimes you'll wake to what sounds like a thunderstorm," Sonja shares. "Then you realize it's just elephants at the waterhole, their stomachs rumbling as they drink."

Reading the Night Symphony

Experienced guides can "read" the night sounds like a news bulletin. A sudden silence often means a predator is moving through. Alarm calls from birds or antelope create a trackable path of disturbance. The excited yips of jackals might indicate a kill nearby.

"The bush telegraph is always working," James explains. "When you learn to listen, you know exactly what's happening out there."

Creating Your Own Night Sound Safari

During your stay at Sausage Tree, we encourage you to create your own night sound diary. Keep notes of what you hear and when. Our guides love helping guests identify mystery sounds over morning coffee. Some tips for your nocturnal listening:

Step onto your deck : Sounds travel better in the cool night air
Be patient : Wait 10 minutes for your ears to adjust
Note the time : Different species are active at different hours
Direction matters : Sounds from the river versus the bush tell different stories
Embrace the silence : The quiet moments make the calls more dramatic

When the Night Comes Alive

There's something profoundly moving about lying in your tent at Sausage Tree, separated from the wild by just canvas and gauze. As you drift off to sleep, the night sounds become a lullaby – primal, authentic, and absolutely unforgettable. You're not just observing nature; you're part of it, wrapped in the same darkness that has sheltered these creatures for millennia.

Our guests often tell us that the night sounds become their most vivid safari memory. Long after they've returned home, they find themselves lying awake, missing that wild symphony. Some even play recordings to recapture the magic, though nothing quite compares to the real thing.

So tonight, when you hear that first distant roar or the splash of a hippo returning to water, don't just listen – immerse yourself. Let the sounds of the African night remind you why you traveled all this way. Out here, in our corner of the Greater Kruger, you're experiencing the same soundtrack our ancestors heard thousands of years ago.

Sweet dreams are made of this – the wild lullabies of Olifants West, performed nightly, exclusively for our guests at Sausage Tree Safari Camp.

Meet Our Bush Family: The Trackers Who Make Magic Happen

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 04:12:58 GMT

"You see that broken twig? The way it's snapped tells me a young bull elephant passed here maybe two hours ago. He was relaxed, probably heading to water."

Themba points to what looks like, well, just a twig to most of us. But after 15 years tracking and guiding in the Greater Kruger, Themba sees stories written in the sand that the rest of us miss entirely.

At Sausage Tree Safari Camp, we often say our trackers don't just find animals – they read the bush like an open book. Today, we're pulling back the canvas to introduce you to the remarkable men who make our game drives truly magical: Themba, Polite, and Life.

Themba: The Bush Professor

Themba's calm smile is the first thing guests notice. The second? His almost supernatural ability to spot a leopard in dappled shade from a moving vehicle. "My grandfather taught me to see with more than my eyes," he explains over breakfast. "You must feel the bush, understand its rhythms."

Born in a village bordering Kruger, Themba spent his childhood learning traditional tracking from his grandfather. "We'd spend days following animals, not to hunt, but to understand. My grandfather said, 'If you want to protect something, first you must know it.'"

What sets Themba apart isn't just his tracking skill developed over 15 years – it's his gift for teaching. Guests often comment on how he transforms a simple sighting into a masterclass on animal behavior. "When people understand why a lion chooses this tree for shade or why elephants strip bark in certain seasons, they connect deeper. They become protectors, not just observers."

Polite: The Eagle Eye

If Themba is our professor, Polite is our magician. With 10 years of tracking experience, his ability to spot wildlife borders on the miraculous. "Leopard, 3 o'clock, in the marula tree" – and sure enough, after several seconds of squinting, guests finally make out the perfectly camouflaged cat that Polite spotted at 50 meters.

"My secret?" Polite grins. "I don't look for animals. I look for what doesn't belong. A branch that's too still, grass moving against the wind, birds alarming in a specific pattern."

Growing up herding cattle in the lowveld, Polite learned early that observation meant survival. "Lions and leopards were real dangers. You had to know where they were before they knew where you were." This childhood vigilance evolved into an extraordinary skill set that now delights rather than defends.

Polite's enthusiasm is infectious. His signature "Ooh, ooh, ooh!" when he spots something special has become camp legend. "When you love what you do, it shows," he says. "Every drive is different. Even after 10 years, I still get excited when we find a pride on the hunt or a leopard with cubs."

Life: The Rising Star

Life may be our newest tracker with just 3 years under his belt, but what he lacks in experience, he makes up for in pure passion. Born and bred near Hazyview, Life grew up on the edge of the Greater Kruger, where wildlife was part of daily life.

"I used to watch the guides and trackers when I was young," Life remembers. "I knew this was what I wanted to do – to share our incredible wildlife with people from around the world."

Though still learning the finer points of tracking, Life brings fresh eyes and boundless enthusiasm to every drive. His keen spotting skills have already earned him a reputation, and guests love his excitement when he finds something special. "Every track tells a story," he says. "I'm still learning to read all the chapters, but that's what makes it exciting."

The Magic of Teamwork

What makes our tracking team truly special is how they work together. On any given drive, you might find Themba at the wheel with Polite on the tracker seat, while Life assists in spotting from his position. They complement each other perfectly, creating experiences that go far beyond simple game viewing.

"We're brothers out here," Polite explains. "When Themba spots fresh tracks, I might scan for where they're likely resting, and Life helps spot movement in the distance. Together, we give guests experiences they'll never forget."

Giving Back: The Daktari Connection

This teamwork extends to their commitment to conservation education. Through our close association with Daktari Bush School, our trackers regularly take underprivileged schoolchildren on their first-ever game drives here in Olifants West Nature Reserve.

"Seeing a child's face when they spot their first elephant – that never gets old," Themba shares. "Many of these kids live so close to the reserve but have never experienced the wildlife. We're changing that, one game drive at a time."

The Daktari drives are special for everyone involved. Our trackers become teachers, sharing their knowledge with the next generation. "If we don't pass on what we know, who will protect these animals when we're gone?" Polite asks. "These children are the future of conservation."

Beyond the Big Five

While finding the Big Five thrills guests, our trackers' true passion shines when sharing the smaller wonders. Life's excitement over a rare bird sighting, Polite's fascination with termite architecture, or Themba's encyclopedic knowledge of trees – these moments often become guests' favorite memories.

"Anyone can show you a lion," Themba says. "But when you understand why dung beetles are essential to the ecosystem, or how a honeyguide bird got its name, or why this fever tree grows exactly here – that's when you truly see the bush."

Creating Your Own Bush Memories

After thousands of drives between them, our trackers still approach each outing with fresh enthusiasm. "Guests often ask what my best sighting was," Themba reflects. "But honestly? It's always the next one. Because it's not just about what we see – it's about sharing that moment of wonder with people who've traveled across the world to be here."

As the sun sets on another day in Olifants West, our trackers are already planning tomorrow's adventure. Will it be following fresh leopard tracks along the drainage line? Watching wild dogs hunt at sunrise? Or perhaps discovering a pangolin – the holy grail of sightings?

Whatever tomorrow brings, one thing's certain: with Themba, Polite, and Life leading the way, magic awaits. Because at Sausage Tree, we don't just show you animals – we introduce you to neighbors, share their stories, and help you become part of the endless narrative of the African bush.

Join Themba, Polite, and Life for your own tracking adventure. Book your stay at info@sausagetree.co.za and discover why our guests say our trackers are the real treasures of Sausage Tree.

Winter Wildlife Wonders: Why August is Magic in Olifants West

info@sausagetree.co.za (Team Sausage Tree) — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 04:12:55 GMT

There's something magical that happens in Olifants West Nature Reserve when August rolls around.

As James likes to say over morning coffee, "August isn't just winter here – it's when the bush reveals all its secrets." And after welcoming guests to our little corner of the Greater Kruger for years, we couldn't agree more.

Picture this: You're wrapped in a warm blanket on your private deck, steam rising from your coffee cup as the sun paints the Drakensberg Mountains gold. Below, a parade of elephants makes their way to our waterhole, their breath visible in the crisp morning air. This is August at Sausage Tree – raw, authentic, and absolutely unforgettable.

Why Winter Brings the Wild to Your Doorstep

The dry season works like nature's magnet. With water scarce across the reserve, our permanent waterhole becomes the neighborhood gathering spot. It's like having front-row seats to Africa's greatest show, right from your tent or our pool deck.

Our tracker Themba often chuckles when guests ask about the "best" time for game viewing. "Every season has its magic," he'll tell you, "but August? August is when the animals come to us." And he's right. The sparse vegetation means those elusive leopards can't hide as easily, and the concentration of game around water sources turns every drive into an adventure.

Morning Magic and Afternoon Delights

Those early morning game drives in August are something special. Yes, you'll need that extra fleece (we provide warm ponchos and blankets), but watching the sun burn through the morning mist while lions stretch and yawn? That's the stuff of dreams. The cool weather keeps the predators active longer, and we've had some of our most spectacular sightings during these winter months.

Back at camp, August afternoons are perfect for what Sonja calls "productive laziness." The pool deck becomes a social hub where guests swap stories while watching the constant parade of wildlife below. It's not uncommon to spot elephant, kudu, waterbuck, and even the occasional leopard, all while you're floating in the pool with a cold drink in hand.

The Secret Season for Photographers

Here's something many folks don't realize: August offers some of the best photographic conditions of the year. The clear, dust-free air after months without rain creates stunning visibility. The golden winter light lasts longer, and with animals concentrated around water sources, you can capture those portfolio-worthy shots without racing around the reserve.

Cozy Evenings Around the Fire

As the sun sets behind the Drakensberg, August evenings take on a special charm. Back from your sundowner game drive, our boma fire crackles to life, and there's nothing quite like sharing the day's adventures while the Southern Cross emerges overhead. Chef Pitso's hearty winter menu warms you from the inside out – think rich game stews, fresh-baked bread, and his famous rusks ready for tomorrow's early drive.

The cool evenings mean the night sounds seem clearer somehow. Lying in your tent, safe within our anti-predator fencing, you might hear the distant roar of a lion, the whooping call of hyenas, or the gentle rumble of elephants at the waterhole. With your eco-air conditioner set to warming mode, you're cozy as can be while still feeling connected to the wild world just beyond your canvas walls.

Making August Memories

What makes August truly special at Sausage Tree isn't just the incredible wildlife viewing – it's how the season brings people together. With only five tents, our camp becomes an intimate gathering of kindred spirits. Cool evenings encourage longer conversations around the fire, shared excitement over the day's sightings, and friendships that often last long after safari ends.

As we always say, there's no bad time to visit the African bush. But August? August offers something extraordinary – a perfect blend of comfortable weather, exceptional game viewing, and that indefinable magic that happens when the African winter works its wonders. Whether you're a first-time safari-goer or a seasoned bush lover, August in Olifants West will capture your heart.

So dust off those fleeces, pack your camera, and come discover why we believe winter is one of the bush's best-kept secrets. We'll have the coffee ready and the blankets warm – all you need to bring is your sense of wonder.

Ready to experience August magic at Sausage Tree? Contact us at info@sausagetree.co.za to start planning your winter wildlife adventure in the Greater Kruger.

Tented Safaris in Africa: The Ultimate Guide to Authentic Luxury Under Canvas

jccarne@hotmail.co.uk (James Carne) — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:50:44 GMT

What Makes Tented Safaris in Africa So Special?

Picture this: You're lying in a sumptuous king-sized bed, Egyptian cotton sheets soft against your skin, when a lion's roar pierces the pre-dawn African sky. Just canvas separates you from one of nature's most magnificent predators. Your heart races—not from fear, but from the pure exhilaration of being truly present in the wild. This is the magic of tented safaris in Africa , where luxury meets adventure in the most authentic way possible.

After 14 years of welcoming guests to our family-owned camp in the Greater Kruger, we've discovered that nothing quite captures the romance and raw beauty of Africa like a luxury tented safari. While lodges have their place, there's something irreplaceable about falling asleep to the symphony of the bush, with only canvas walls between you and the untamed wilderness.

The beauty of African safari tents lies in their ability to immerse you completely in nature without sacrificing comfort. Unlike traditional lodges with their brick walls and glass windows, tented camps offer an intimacy with the environment that transforms your entire safari experience.

The Sensory Experience

When you stay in one of our luxury tents , you're not just observing wildlife—you're living alongside it. The gentle rustle of canvas in the evening breeze, the distant roar of lions, the pre-dawn bird chorus that serves as nature's alarm clock—these become the soundtrack to your adventure.

At our camp in the Olifants West Nature Reserve, we've positioned our tents to maximize this connection. Each morning, guests tell us about the elephants they heard passing by in the night, or the Impala that grazed just meters from their private deck. This proximity to wildlife is what sets tented safaris apart from any other accommodation style .

Sustainable Luxury

Modern glamping safari experiences have redefined what it means to camp. Today's luxury safari tents feature:

Climate-controlled interiors with eco-friendly air conditioning
En-suite bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs
Private outdoor showers with bush views
King-sized beds with premium linens
Private viewing decks
Solar-powered electricity

What makes this luxury sustainable is the minimal environmental footprint. Tented camps can be erected and dismantled with little impact on the ecosystem, allowing pristine wilderness areas to remain untouched for future generations.

Luxury Tented Camps

These are the crème de la crème of exclusive tented safari lodges . Built on raised platforms with thatched roofs protecting the canvas, they offer year-round comfort with all the amenities of a five-star hotel.

What to expect:

Spacious tents (often 80+ square meters)
Swimming Pool at our main area
Game Drives
Gourmet dining experiences
Spa treatments

What to Expect: A Day in a Luxury Tented Safari Camp

5:30 AM - Coffee and Safari snacks await you in our lodge
6:00 AM - Depart for morning game drive as the bush comes alive
9:00 AM - Bush breakfast beside a watering hole
10:30 AM - Return to camp for relaxation or guided bush walk or a track & sign excursion
12:30 PM - Lunch served on the main deck overlooking the river
2:00 PM - Siesta time or spa treatment
3:30 PM - Afternoon tea before the evening game drive
4:00 PM - Evening game drive with sundowner drinks in the bush
7:30 PM - Return for pre-dinner drinks around the campfire
8:00 PM - Candlelit dinner under the African stars
10:00 PM - Retire to your tent, falling asleep to nature's lullaby

Please note that these are a rough indication only and will vary according to season and operational requirements

The Conservation Connection

What many guests don't realize is that eco-friendly tented camps in South Africa and across the continent play a vital role in conservation. The low-impact nature of tented camps allows them to operate in sensitive ecosystems where permanent structures would be inappropriate.

At Sausage Tree Safari Camp, every booking contributes R50 to Daktari Bush School, educating local children about wildlife conservation and job opportunities. We also actively support the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit and participate in alien plant clearing programs. Conservation ethic is woven into the fabric of authentic tented safari experiences.

Family-Owned vs. Corporate: Why It Matters

There's a palpable difference between staying at a family-owned camp versus a corporate property. When the owners live on-site, as we do, every detail reflects personal pride and genuine hospitality. Our guides and staff aren't just employees—they're extended family who share our passion for the bush.

This personal touch extends to:

Flexibility in activities based on your interests
Intimate knowledge of local wildlife behavior
Authentic cultural experiences with local communities
Home-style cooking with family recipes
The ability to cater to special dietary needs or celebrations

Planning Your Tented Safari Adventure in the greater kruger

Best Time to Visit

Southern Africa:

May to September: Dry season, excellent game viewing
October to April: Green season, newborn animals, bird migration

What to Pack

Essential items for an authentic safari experience in South Africa :

Neutral-colored clothing (khaki, olive, brown)
Warm layers for early morning drives
Comfortable walking shoes
Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
Camera with zoom lens
Binoculars
Personal medications and insect repellent

Health and Safety

Consult travel medicine specialists about vaccinations
Malaria prophylaxis for certain regions
Comprehensive travel insurance
Trained first aid staff in camp

Insider Tips from 14 Years in the Bush

Communicate dietary preferences in advance—bush chefs are remarkably creative
Pack a small flashlight —navigating to your tent at night adds to the adventure
Bring a journal —you'll want to record every magical moment
Don't overschedule —some of the best sightings happen from your tent's deck

The Romance Factor

There's a reason honeymoon tented safaris in Africa are increasingly popular. The combination of privacy, adventure, and luxury creates unforgettable romantic moments. Private dinners on your deck, couples' spa treatments with bush views, and the shared excitement of wildlife encounters forge bonds that last a lifetime.

Making the Choice: Tented Camp vs. Lodge

While both offer luxury safari experiences, tented camps provide:

Greater connection to nature
More authentic bush atmosphere
Often more exclusive (fewer guests)
Unique sensory experiences
Generally more eco-friendly operations

Lodges may be preferable for:

Guests seeking maximum insulation from elements
Visitors with mobility challenges (some camps)

Conservation Through Tourism

Every night spent in an African safari tent directly supports conservation. Land used for photographic safaris generates income that makes wildlife more valuable alive than dead. This economic model has saved countless species from extinction and provides sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

Your Tented Safari Awaits

After years of sharing our corner of Africa with guests from around the world, we can say with certainty that tented safaris offer the most authentic, memorable way to experience the continent's wild places.

The African bush has a way of stripping away life's non-essentials, leaving only what truly matters: connection, wonder, and the profound realization that we share this planet with creatures magnificent beyond imagination. And there's no better place to experience this than from the romantic comfort of a luxury safari tent, where every moment brings you closer to the wild heart of Africa.

Author Bio

Author Bio: James Carne is the co founder and owner of Sausage Tree Safari Camp in the Greater Kruger National Park. With over 20 years experience in the African bush, James and is also fluent in French and has conversational Spanish and Portuguese. He has acquired an extensive knowledge of the Kruger ecosystem and history. James is actively involved in educational and environmental programmes for local communities via his chairmanship of Daktari Bush School and Animal Orphanage.

Ready to experience the magic of a luxury tented safari? Contact our reservations team to start planning your authentic African adventure, or explore our safari packages to find the perfect fit for your dream safari.

Beyond the Tent: How Modern Safari Camps Blend Rustic Charm with Surprising Luxury

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 04:54:43 GMT

Design: Where Wild Meets Refined

When we think of a safari, images of untamed wilderness, vast savannahs, and thrilling wildlife encounters often take center stage. But there's another dimension that modern safari camps are mastering – the seamless blend of rustic charm and surprising luxury. Today’s safari experiences go far beyond the tent, offering a perfect harmony between the raw beauty of nature and the comforts of modern living. Let’s explore how these camps are redefining what it means to adventure in the wild.

1. Authentic Design Meets Modern Aesthetics

Modern safari camps celebrate their rustic roots by embracing earthy, authentic designs inspired by the environment. Think canvas tents, thatched roofs, and wooden furnishings that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. However, within these designs lies a layer of luxury – handcrafted furniture, tasteful decor, and artful touches that elevate the ambiance. It's a perfect marriage of tradition and innovation, where you feel connected to the wild without compromising on style.

2. Comfortable Living in the Heart of the Wilderness

Gone are the days of roughing it out on a safari. Today’s safari tents are outfitted with plush bedding, en-suite bathrooms, and even air conditioning in some cases. From king-sized beds draped in luxurious linens to private decks overlooking the savannah, these tents offer an oasis of comfort amidst the rugged outdoors. It’s a level of sophistication you’d expect from a boutique hotel – only here, your morning wake-up call might be delivered by the distant roar of a lion.

3. Elevated Dining Experiences

Dining on safari is no longer about simple campfire meals. Today’s safari camps pride themselves on delivering world-class culinary experiences. Gourmet chefs craft menus inspired by local flavors, often using farm-to-table ingredients sourced nearby. Guests can enjoy multi-course meals in an open-air dining area under the stars or indulge in a romantic breakfast overlooking a waterhole frequented by elephants. Luxury and adventure meet at the table, creating unforgettable moments for the palate.

4. Wellness in the Wild

The modern safari experience extends to personal well-being, with many camps offering spa treatments, yoga sessions, and wellness facilities. Imagine unwinding with a massage in the middle of the bush or practicing yoga on a deck as the sun rises over the savannah. These thoughtful additions allow guests to rejuvenate and relax, balancing the thrill of adventure with moments of serenity.

5. Technology Meets Nature

While many guests come on safari to disconnect, modern camps recognize the need for balance. Some camps offer Wi-Fi and charging stations discreetly integrated into the design, so you can share your incredible experiences without disrupting the natural vibe. Additionally, innovative eco-friendly technologies ensure that luxury is sustainable – from solar-powered energy systems to waste management initiatives that protect the surrounding environment.

6. Exclusive and Intimate Experiences

Luxury safari camps focus on providing intimate, personalized experiences. With fewer tents and guests, the atmosphere is private and peaceful. Guests can enjoy tailored game drives, private guides, and curated itineraries that cater to their interests. Whether it’s a sunrise hot air balloon ride or a candlelit dinner in the bush, these exclusive touches make the safari experience truly one-of-a-kind.

7. Connecting with Nature, Guilt-Free

Modern safari camps are deeply committed to sustainability and conservation. By staying in these camps, guests contribute to the preservation of wildlife and the surrounding habitats. Luxury here isn’t just about comfort – it’s about traveling responsibly and leaving a positive impact. From eco-friendly construction to initiatives that support local communities, these camps ensure your stay benefits the environment as much as it benefits you.

A New Era of Safari Adventures

Modern safari camps have redefined adventure travel by introducing a new era of luxury in the wild. They’ve managed to capture the essence of the untamed wilderness while wrapping it in layers of comfort, elegance, and sustainability. This blend of rustic charm and surprising luxury makes every moment special – from sipping champagne as the sun sets over the savannah to falling asleep to the symphony of nature in your opulent safari tent.

So, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first safari adventure, these camps promise an experience that goes beyond the tent – an adventure that’s as exhilarating as it is indulgent. It’s time to discover the wild, reimagined. Are you ready?

Multilingual Safaris: Connecting Global Travelers to Africa’s Wilderness

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 03:45:06 GMT

Safety Through Clarity

At Sausage Tree Safari Camp, language barriers dissolve the moment you meet guides fluent in Spanish, Dutch, French, and German . This isn’t just about translation – it’s about bridging cultures in the bush.

Safety Through Clarity

When a bull elephant mock-charges, every second counts. Guides like French-speaking James Carne use precise terminology:

English : “Stay seated!”
French : “Ne bougez pas! Restez assis!”
Misunderstandings here aren’t mere inconveniences; they’re risks multilingual guides eliminate.

Cultural Nuances in Nature Interpretation

Spanish Guests : Guides compare the Kori bustard’s mating dance to flamenco.
Dutch Guests : Learn how termite mounds inspired Dutch canal drainage systems.
German Guests : Detailed explanations of the Olifants West ecosystem’s carbon sequestration rates

Guest Tip : Practice wildlife terms in your language pre-trip (e.g., Dutch “neushoorn” = rhino).

Why Private Reserves within Greater Kruger Offer a More Exclusive Tented Camp Experience

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 03:30:00 GMT

The Crowd Factor: Quality Over Quantity

When planning an African safari, many travelers default to iconic national parks like Kruger. But seasoned safari-goers know the real magic lies in private reserves – and Olifants West Nature Reserve, home to Sausage Tree Safari Camp, exemplifies why.

The Crowd Factor: Quality Over Quantity

In Kruger National Park, sightings of the Big Five often draw 20+ vehicles jostling for views. By contrast, Olifants West – part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem – limits vehicles to 2 per sighting. This rule isn’t just about tranquility; it’s ethical. Overcrowding stresses animals, particularly predators teaching cubs to hunt.

At Sausage Tree, guides prioritize low-impact encounters . Recently, guests witnessed a female leopard named Karula stash her impala kill in a sausage tree (the camp’s namesake) without a single other vehicle present. Such moments define exclusivity.

Activities You Won’t Find in National Parks

Bush Walks : Guides like tracker Polite Manhuke (10 years’ experience) teach guests to “read” the bush – from deciphering porcupine quills to identifying elephant digestion cycles via dung.
Night Drives : Spot rare species like pangolins or civets, and learn how stars like Scorpius guided ancient explorers.
Flexible Timing : Unlike Kruger’s rigid gate hours, private reserves allow sunset-to-starlight drives when predators are most active.

Why Olifants West Stands Out

This 9,000-hectare reserve borders the Olifants River, a lifeline for elephants and buffalo. Its mopane woodlands shelter rare antelope like the Sharpe’s grysbok. Sausage Tree’s 5 tented suites face a seasonal waterhole frequented by nyala herds – a scene you’ll enjoy privately, as day visitors aren’t permitted in private reserves.

Pro Tip : Visit April-October (dry season) when animals congregate at water sources.

Tented Safaris in the greater Kruger National Park

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 03:00:47 GMT

Kruger Tented Safaris: Unforgettable Luxury & Immersive Bush Experiences

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the African bush? Discover luxury tented safari packages in Kruger National Park and experience the ultimate immersion in nature, combined with the comforts of luxury accommodations.

Overview of Tented Safari Packages in Kruger National Park

Sausage Tree Safari Camp offers a variety of tented safari packages, catering to different preferences and durations. Whether you're seeking a 3-day adventurer getaway, a 4-day exploration, or a nature discovery and luxury tented safari, there's an option to suit every adventurer.

3 Day Adventurer Getaway

Embark on a thrilling 3-day adventure that includes an immersive itinerary, travel details, and exhilarating game drives. Get ready to witness the wonders of the African wilderness up close.

4 Day Explore Kruger

For those seeking an extended exploration, the 4-day safari offers unique wildlife encounters and an in-depth experience of the diverse landscapes within the greater Kruger National Park.

3 Day Nature Discovery & Luxury Tented Safari

Indulge in a mix of comfortable luxury and nature immersion with a 3-day safari that promises a truly unforgettable experience.

Day-by-Day Itinerary and Safari Highlights

Each day of your safari promises new adventures, from game drives to experiential moments within the park. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the African bush and witness the incredible wildlife that calls Kruger National Park home.

What’s Included & Not Included

Our tented safari packages come with a range of amenities and services to ensure a comfortable and memorable experience. From luxury accommodations to guided game drives, we have everything covered to make your safari unforgettable.

Exclusive Tented Camp Experiences

Explore the unique features of our exclusive tented camp by booking the whole camp, with only 5 tented suites we can offer an unrivalled safari experience exclusively for your group.

Why Choose a Tented Safari?

Discover the benefits of choosing a tented safari, from immersion in nature and luxury comforts to sustainable practices and flexible itineraries. Experience the African bush in a way that's both authentic and luxurious.

Booking Your Kruger Tented Safari

Ready to embark on your adventure? Our clear CTAs and detailed booking process will guide you through planning the perfect safari, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kruger the best safari?

The greater Kruger National Park offers diverse wildlife, expansive landscapes, and a range of accommodation options, making it an excellent choice for a classic African safari experience.

How many days safari Kruger?

Ideal safari durations range from 3-4 days for first-timers, 5-7 days for a comprehensive experience, and 8+ days for deep immersion and dedicated wildlife tracking.

Unforgettable Glamping Experience in Kruger National Park

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 09:22:54 GMT

Unforgettable Glamping Experience in Kruger National Park

Experience the breathtaking beauty of South Africa's wildlife in the lap of luxury with our exclusive luxury safari tents in Kruger National Park. Our glamping experience offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart of the African bush while enjoying the comfort and style of first-class accommodation.

Luxurious Safari Tents

Our luxury safari tents are designed to provide the perfect blend of adventure and comfort. Each tent features en-suite facilities, including butler-fed hot showers and comfortable beds, ensuring that you can relax and rejuvenate after a day of exciting safari activities.

Thrilling Big 5 Game Viewing and Safari Experiences

Embark on thrilling game drives and bush walks to witness the majestic Big 5 in their natural habitat. Our expert guides will lead you through the park, offering insights into the diverse wildlife and ensuring an unforgettable safari experience.

Dining and Relaxation

Indulge in hearty cuisine and traditional boma dinners, complemented by relaxation areas where you can unwind and share stories of your safari adventures with fellow travelers.

Affordable Luxury Safari Options

For those seeking an affordable luxury safari experience, our glamping options in Kruger National Park provide an ideal opportunity to explore the wonders of the African wilderness without compromising on comfort and style.

Expert Tips for Planning a Safari in Kruger National Park

Planning a safari can be overwhelming, but our experienced guides are here to provide valuable tips and advice to ensure that your visit to Kruger National Park is seamless and memorable.

Incorporating expert advice and testimonials from experienced safari guides and guests who have stayed in our luxury safari tents, we aim to provide a comprehensive and detailed overview of the unparalleled glamping experience in Kruger National Park.

For more information about our glamping options and to plan your dream safari in Kruger National Park, visit our website www.sausagetree.co.za .

Setting Ourselves Apart

While other pages may focus solely on luxury and exclusivity, we stand out by providing specific details about our tents and amenities, along with a comprehensive overview of the surrounding area and game viewing experiences. Our commitment to offering detailed information, expert advice, and high-quality media sets us apart from the competition.

Conclusion

We hope this information has inspired you to embark on a remarkable journey to Kruger National Park. Book your luxury safari experience today and immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of the African wilderness.

Book your luxury safari experience today!

Experience Luxury Safaris at Sausage Tree Safari Camp | Greater Kruger National Park

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 11:34:00 GMT

Book your luxury safari experience at Sausage Tree Safari Camp today.

Nestled in the heart of the Balule Nature Reserve, part of the prestigious Greater Kruger National Park, Sausage Tree Safari Camp offers an intimate and luxurious safari experience that combines untamed wilderness with sophisticated comfort. This exclusive camp provides guests with an authentic African adventure while maintaining the highest standards of luxury and personal service.

Location and Natural Setting Strategically positioned within one of Africa's most renowned wildlife areas, Sausage Tree Safari Camp benefits from its location in the Greater Kruger ecosystem, a vast protected area that supports an incredible diversity of wildlife. The camp overlooks a scenic dry riverbed, offering guests spectacular views of the surrounding bushveld and the majestic mountains beyond.

The Greater Kruger National Park is recognized as part of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme, highlighting its significance in global conservation efforts. This pristine wilderness area is home to over 147 mammal species and 500 bird species, making it one of Africa's premier wildlife viewing destinations.

Luxury Accommodation The camp features five meticulously designed, African-styled luxury safari tents that epitomize the perfect balance between wilderness immersion and refined comfort. Each tent has been thoughtfully positioned to ensure maximum privacy while offering uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape.

Our luxury tents include:

Spacious en-suite bathrooms with freestanding baths
Private outdoor showers for an immersive nature experience
Elegant furnishings that reflect African design elements
Comfortable viewing decks for private game watching

The Safari Experience At Sausage Tree Safari Camp, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional safari experiences that cater to both adventure seekers and those seeking relaxation. Our experienced guides lead twice-daily game drives in specially equipped 4x4 vehicles, offering the best opportunities to encounter the Big Five - lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo.

Morning drives begin at dawn, when the African bush comes alive with activity. As the sun rises, guests have the opportunity to witness predators returning from their nocturnal hunts and herbivores emerging to graze in the cool morning air. Afternoon drives culminate in the cherished safari tradition of sundowners, where guests can toast the setting African sun while reflecting on the day's adventures.

Unique Activities and Experiences Beyond traditional game drives, we offer a range of activities designed to enhance your safari experience:

Guided Bush Walks Expert rangers lead intimate walking safaris that allow guests to discover the smaller wonders of the African bush. These educational experiences provide insights into tracking, plant life, and the intricate relationships within the ecosystem.
Night Drives Exclusive night drives reveal the mysterious world of nocturnal wildlife, offering chances to spot elusive creatures like leopards, hyenas, and smaller nocturnal species that are rarely seen during daylight hours.
Photography Opportunities Whether you're an amateur enthusiast or a professional photographer, our guides are trained to position vehicles optimally for wildlife photography, ensuring you capture memorable moments of your safari experience.

Conservation and Sustainability Sausage Tree Safari Camp is committed to responsible tourism and conservation. Our presence in the Greater Kruger National Park contributes to vital conservation efforts through guest conservation levies that support anti-poaching initiatives and ecological programs.

We maintain strict traverse rules to minimize our impact on the environment and ensure wildlife can behave naturally in their habitat.

Dining Experience Our camp offers an exceptional dining experience that combines local flavors with international cuisine. Meals are prepared by skilled chefs using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, and are served in various stunning locations around the camp. From bush breakfasts to candlelit dinners under the African stars, each meal is crafted to be a memorable part of your safari experience.

The Perfect Guest Experience Sausage Tree Safari Camp caters to various types of travelers, from adventure seekers to those seeking a peaceful retreat in nature. Our intimate camp setting is ideal for:

Wildlife enthusiasts eager to encounter Africa's iconic species
Photographers seeking perfect wildlife shots
Couples looking for a romantic safari getaway
Nature lovers wanting to connect with the African wilderness
Eco-conscious travelers interested in sustainable tourism

Best Time to Visit The Greater Kruger area offers excellent game viewing year-round, though each season brings its own unique advantages. The dry winter months (May to September) typically provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities, as animals concentrate around water sources. The summer months (October to April) bring lush vegetation and newborn animals, along with spectacular bird watching opportunities.

Making Your Reservation To ensure an intimate safari experience, Sausage Tree Safari Camp maintains limited occupancy. We recommend booking well in advance, especially during peak seasons, to secure your preferred dates.

Sausage Tree Safari Camp offers more than just accommodation; it provides an immersive journey into one of Africa's most spectacular wilderness areas. Our combination of luxury amenities, expert guiding, and prime location in the Greater Kruger National Park creates an unforgettable safari experience that will leave you with lasting memories of Africa's wild beauty.

For those seeking an authentic African safari experience without compromising on comfort, Sausage Tree Safari Camp represents the perfect choice. Here, the romance of traditional safari meets modern luxury, creating an experience that captures the true essence of an African adventure.

Never Run in the Bush

jccarne@hotmail.co.uk (James Carne) — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 08:22:30 GMT

Solid advice based on us being mostly the slowest species in the bush and we frequently remind guests of this here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp.

However there are always exceptions and our old friend, the Leopard Tortoise is of course one of them.

We still have not received any substantial rains other than some prolonged drizzle which is enough to bring the leopard tortoise back out of its winter hibernation.

It is the most common common tortoise in the Greater Kruger Lowveld area and is the largest reaching a maximum of 700mm and 40kg and can live up to 75 years.

It is the only South African species of tortoise that is able to swim thanks to a V notch in the shell area above its neck which allows it to keep its head above water.

Why “Leopard” Tortoise ? They have no teeth and enjoy a vegetarian diet so its all about the leopard like colouring of their carapace.

You can distinguish between the sexes by the longer tail of the male and its concave underside plastron , a design for ease of mating.

The sex of tortoise hatchlings is determined by the incubation temperature in their chamber under loose sand and vegetation. 26 to 30degs C means males , 31 times 34 degs C means females. As your Sausage Tree guides will tell you in their relentless pursuit of assailing our guests with fun filled facts, this is easily remembered as … cool dudes , hot chicks,

You might witness a Leopard Tortoise snacking on hyena scat (poo to you and me ) . It might be taste driven but more likely its for calcium absorption for she’ll maintenance.

Running away from predators is not an option and they are vulnerable to Leopards , hyena, rock monitors and ground hornbills.

Unfortunately locally tortoise meat is considered a delicacy. This and unauthorized pet trafficking means they are currently an endangered species .

Our Wild Dog pack back story

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 02:39:20 GMT

A Story of Resilience...

Around three years ago a very small pack of four adult African Wild dogs appeared on our Olifants West Nature Reserve in Greater Kruger. Occasional sightings of this pack of three males and one female were always a thrill for guests and guides alike.

Unfortunately African Wild Dogs are critically endangered and there are only a total of approximately 400 currently in the whole of South Africa most of which reside in and around Kruger Park. There are only some 6,600 left in Africa.

Back at the beginning of the twentieth century in the Sabie protected area , which was rechristened Kruger National Park , wild dogs were abundant. However they were shot on sight by farmers and Kruger rangers alike even up to the mid 1970s as they were generally considered vermin. Today snares account for the majority of fatalities which is not the case on Olifants West Nature Reserve thanks to the relentless patrolling by our all female Black Mamba environmental monitors.

However there have been several deaths of Wild Dogs being hit by vehicles outside of our protected area. Wild Dogs demand very large home ranges and will quickly and easily dig under fence-lines crossing main roads to get to other game reserves.

Getting back to our mini pack of Wild Dogs, around a year ago visits into our area became more frequent. Six months ago the female showed signs of being pregnant , the gestation period being three months. We were hoping strongly that when the time came to den they would settle in our traversing area. We got lucky and about three months ago we discovered their den and a litter of 12 pups were seen for the first time. Within one week they moved den , still within our area. At this point they were down to nine pups.

The average newborn to adult mortality rate is 50%. One pup disappeared in quick order but then for around three weeks we were enjoying glorious sightings whilst keeping a respectful distance from the den.

Then disaster….the adult mother was observed to have severe injuries presumably from an encounter with a lion , leopard or hyena. Our reserve WhatsApp group was buzzing with speculation of a veterinary intervention. As such this is very rare, permission needs to given from on high but is sometimes granted if the injured individual is of a species that is critically endangered ie rhino. However before any decision was made the female succumbed to her wounds.

So now there was much informed and uninformed albeit well meaning debate about what to do with the pups. Fortunately they were already weaned as they were over sixteen weeks old so the adult males could hopefully continue to make their frequent, usually impala kills and return to the den and regurgitate meat for the pups in their traditional fashion.

It was decided that there would be no intervention and to let nature take its course… we all held our breath.

For the next two weeks the adult males did a great job and all was well . Then we were amazed to be privileged to witness the approach of a new adult female who appeared seemingly from nowhere but must have broken away from her natal pack somewhere and was looking to find another pack to join. She was immediately accepted . The timing of her arrival was beyond fortuitous, it was incredible.

Then another disaster whilst the pack were away from their den with pups they had a run in with lionesses and lost two pups in the process . They never returned to their den and left our area heading south and we thought that would be the last we would see of them .

Luckily we were wrong and we saw them again two weeks later and have enjoyed regular sightings ever since.

As you can see from this very recent video, courtesy of Daniel Kavesh from Seattle , one of our guests at our Sausage Tree Safari Camp , the pack is thriving , the pups are growing , just five in number, and in a few months, all being well, will be joining in with the pack hunts.

The Fiery Necked Night Jar

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 09:48:33 GMT

Why goatsucker you may not unreasonably ask ?

Last night we heard an increasingly rare sound , that of the Fiery-necked Nightjar.

Its liquid melodious call makes it one of the most beautiful nocturnal noises you might hear when staying with us at Sausage Tree Safari Camp in Olifants West Nature reserve in the Greater Kruger.

A member of the family Caprimulgidae , the scientific name Caprimulgus literally translates to “goat-sucker”.

Why goatsucker you may not unreasonably ask ?

It is derived from the name given to nightjars in the Middle Ages in Europe due to their huge mouths and habit of flying around animal sheds at dusk ( rich pickings for insect food).

The myth evolved these were transformed witches sucking the milk from the teats of goats , poisoning the udder and causing it to wither away.

Nightjars have a unique niche role designed to devour flying insects that emerge early evening. They have several adaptations for this purpose.

Their eyes are huge , with a large number of rods and a reflective tapetum on their retina to give them acute night vision. They are most active at dusk and on moonlit nights.

They have a massive gape and their lower jaw opens both in vertical and horizontal planes. They do not fly around agape but open only at the moment of capture. Rictal bristles line the upper and lower gape to help net insects in flight . The bristles around the eyes help protect them.

To help keep the bristles clean and not clogged up with bits of insect, they have a comb on the end of each middle toe , known as a pecten , for grooming purposes.

All species have remarkably effective camouflage plumage for daytime hiding at their roosts from predators.

One drawback of their niche insectivorous lifestyle is that come winter they need to migrate in pursuit of a plentiful supply of insects.

When your guide points out the call of the Fiery-necked Nightjar , think of the refrain “ Good Lord deliver us “ and you will always be able to identify its call

El NINO AND OLIFANTS WEST NATURE RESERVE

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:58:57 GMT

El Nino and its effects on Wildlife in Greater Kruger

El Nino events are characterised by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific which can significantly alter

global weather patterns. El Nino is triggered by a warm current of water flowing past the Peruvian coast replacing the cold water current which happens every two to five years.

When El Nino arrives this typically spells drought for our area. The latest El Nino event which began last summer 2023 is expected to cause lower rainfall and higher temperatures as it did in 2015-2016 producing extreme drought conditions here which was exasperated by a further El Nino event in 2018-2019.

No two El Nino events are exactly alike and the impacts on weather patterns vary. This latest El Nino has resulted in no significant rain benefit as the rainfall since mid January here on Olifants West Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger whereas summer rains often extend to the end of April. We have also experienced a very warm winter. The long range forecast for our area is no significant rains until November.

It appears this EL Nino event has been one of the strongest on record. What this has meant is that the bush is extremely dry with very little nutritious food for herbivores and their winter fat reserves are looking depleted. In other words the herbivores are losing weight and strength. The last cycle of drought saw a sharp fall off of the populations of buffalo and hippo within the entire Kruger Park area. The buffalo population fell by more than 60% .

Water is still generally available due to the abundance of artificial waterholes and the Olifants River running through our reserve although very low is still flowing. The problem facing most species is the lack of nutritious food.

As usual in nature , when changing conditions adversely affect some species, others will prosper. In this case it is the major predators ie lion, hyena, leopard wild dog etc…who benefit.

From a guest perspective it has been a marvellous time for leopard sightings which have been abundant as the bush has thinned out.

The good news is that the El Nino cycle has ended and we are in a neutral phase with the betting on the arrival of El Nina being November time.

In the meantime we are doing our rain dances.

The elusive African Wild Cat

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 12:37:19 GMT

A truly rare sighting...

Guests at our Sausage Tree Safari Camp in the Greater Kruger were treated to the extraordinary sight of the very rarely seen African Wild Cat strolling off into the night with a scrub hare for dinner firmly gripped in its jaws. The accompanying video quality is poor but the content is great.

Surprisingly, given its common name , African Wild Cat ( felis lybica ) is found in West and Central Asia as well as Africa. Not only in bushveld and grassland savannah but in desert areas as well .

It is a shock to see one for the first time as one expects it to look somehow different to a domestic cat but this is not the case . Sandy grey fur and pale vertical stripes on the sides and around the face. It is considerably smaller than the European Wildcat. Generally in comparison with your average domestic cat it does have longer legs, more reddish ears and sits more upright.

It is a testament to its alertness and survival skills that it manages to co exist in our area despite the presence of considerably more powerful predator species.

Unlike the African Wild Dog which has remained separate from domestic dogs, Dna studies of African Wild Cats have revealed much hybridisation with domestic cats in many areas.

Their nocturnal hunting skills rely heavily on their acute hearing and they feed mainly on mice , rats , lizards, birds and insects.

Although obviously Lions and Leopard are the focus of guests’ feline sightings desires it is surprising and gratifying how captivated our guests are when we do get a Wildcat sighting.

Honey Badger aka bush legend

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 06:15:24 GMT

It is a very rare sighting indeed and a few days ago very lucky guests staying at Sausage Tree Safari Camp here on Olifants West Nature Reserve had a very close up view of an unusually relaxed mother and cub.

Why does the honey badger enjoy such a legendary status?

Its all about its toughness and aggression. From its gangster walk to its David (weighing in at an average of 16kgs) and Goliath fearless tactic of best defence is attack by sinking its teeth into the scrotum of a male lion or buffalo which is not exactly cricket but is entirely effective.

They have vice like jaws, very powerful claws and an elastic loose very thick skin that enables them if they find themselves in the jaws of a major predator to turn the tables on it by turning and striking and biting the predator’s face until it lets go.

Add a very noxious gas it can emit from its anal gland and you get the picture. This gland also serves to disorientate bees when a badger attacks a hive to forage for its favourite food, honey.

It has a unique helper in its perpetual quest for honey, the greater honeyguide bird. This bird can uniquely digest beeswax and will by calling and making displays lead honeybadgers and humans to beehives and then consume the leftover beeswax.

Famously, if it tangles with a cobra and gets envenomated in the act of killing it , the honey badger will lapse into unconsciousness for one or two hours and then wake up as if nothing had happened and proceed to consume the dead cobra.

One of the main reasons that they are such a rare sighting in these parts is because they are largely nocturnally active. Their black and white coat combined with bristling and lifting of its tail when feeling threatened leaves the would be predator in no doubt of its identity at night .

They are very intelligent and long lived , 20 years or more. If you are interested in being sure of seeing a honey badger during your stay at Sausage Tree Safari Camp then we recommend you book a visit through us to the Moholoholo animal rehabilitation centre nearby and meet the world famous honey badger , Stoffel.

What fate for the African Pangolin?

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 08:47:17 GMT

We were privileged to attend a lecture on Pangolins given by Professor Raymond Jansen of Tswane University, predominantly for the benefit of our Black Mamba all female, anti poaching environmental monitors, at their Operations HQ here on Olifants West Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger

To write that it was fascinating would be a significant understatement .

The professor opened up with a banger : the 8 species of pangolin are in the unique order of Pholidota . The closest order is Carnivora! In fact medical treatment for pangolins follows along the same lines as for domestic cats.

The pangolin has been traced back 85 million years to an ancestor fossil found in Germany, a relic from Pangea times.

The pangolin is the only mammal to be covered in scales which are made of keratin, the one and the same substance as our fingernails and the horns of rhino. It is also unique for an African mammal, bipedal.

The four Asian species are perilously close to extinction and the four African species are heading the same way. Two of the four African species are arboreal, the white bellied pangolin ( the most frequently encountered) and the black bellied pangolin. The rarest is the Giant ground pangolin weighing in at a staggering 44 kilos plus. These three species are predominantly found in Central and West Africa. The Temmincks ground pangolin weighing in between 6 to 14 kilos is the the most widespread species and is the one that if you are incredibly lucky, can be found in our area.

Many a field guide has spent years in the field without ever having seen a pangolin. They are solitary and nocturnal and feed only on ants and termites using a tongue which is as long as their entire body attached to their sternum, which when not in use curls up within the abdominal area.

Ground pangolin mortality has for many years been caused by electric fences when they walk unwittingly into one with the bottom strand being live, and on contact triggers their defence mechanism whereby they curl up into a ball and die of electrocution. Wandering onto roads and becoming roadkill is another. Traditional medicinal use in sub Saharan Africa is another as the scales are considered to have healing powers to treat a host of serious to minor ailments. However field research conducted by the Professor’s students found this to be possibly sustainable as a traditional healer attested to needing just two scales a year for grinding down into potions for an entire village. However the other traditional use of gifting a pangolin to tribal chiefs and elders as the most prestigious gift that can be made, is not sustainable and is said to be the reason why pangolins can no longer be found in KwaZulu Natal.

In West and Central Africa traditionally pangolin have been hunted for their meat and openly and legally sold on the side of roads at around $20 per animal. The scales having no perceived medicinal or cultural value were discarded as waste.

In more recent times the arrival of Chinese doing business in Africa has dramatically altered the pressure on the African pangolin. There has been a very longstanding tradition of using pangolin scales in traditional Chinese medicine and with the demise of the Asiatic species the illegal trade in African pangolin scales has rocketed. 90% of African scales are estimated to be China bound where they are eventually sold at very high prices and 75% of the trade is routed through Nigeria . Here in South Africa , our province of Limpopo has become a hotspot for pangolin poaching.

The professor reports that entire containers full of scales have been confiscated in Hong Kong which represents a staggering number of pangolin poached. Efforts by a relatively recently formed pangolins anti poaching unit which includes members of the Hawks special unit of the South African police due to the Nigerian organised crime involvement has resulted in 267 arrests to date and recent sentences have risen to eight years. Hopefully this sends a strong message out, discouraging people from entering the illegal trade.

Recovered pangolin from sting operations has led to rehabilitation sometimes as long as a year. Even after the pangolin has been medically treated for the inevitable dehydration and pneumonia acquired during its capture, it may take many months to stabilise it from the stress it has sustained. The sound of male voices ( poachers are usually male) is enough to make it curl into a ball which is why female volunteers are normally used at pangolin rehabilitation centres. The rehabilitation process is highly intensive as one cannot feed them in captivity but need to be accompanied on very long foraging walks . However these efforts are proving to be 85% successful.

Sausage Tree Safari Camp supports these efforts via putting up free stay prizes at fundraising auctions,

Back to the question, what fate for the pangolins? Something radical needs to happen if this extraordinary mammal avoids extinction within 10 to 15 years at the present rate of loss. It’s in a worse predicament than that of the other keratin carrying much poached African mammals, the rhino. The rhino can have its horn removed without harm to it and it regrows , no such option for the pangolin and its scales . The rhino can be kept in full and semi captivity and breeding farms . The pangolin cannot be kept in any kind of captivity.

In an open letter to Director General of the World Health Organisation and the Executive Director of UN Environment program which can be found on the website below, Professor Jansen highlights the zoonotic origins of all the pandemics known to man including the current Covid - 19 virus which is thought to originate from a wet market in Wuhan whereby a natural host species, in this case the horseshoe bat, came into close contact with an intermediate species thought to be a pangolin via blood and/or excreta and was then consumed by a human. The proposal is not for a global ban on wet markets as this would be unrealistic and unfair to millions of people whose diet is wholly dependent on the animals and plants sold therein. Rather, to educate and regulate against the known SARS virus-carrying mammal species being sold in wet markets is the way forward to avoid further pandemics. The bycatch of this strategy, if adopted, could be the survival of the pangolin.

If you want to help save the pangolin then please make a donation via: http://www.africanpangolin.org/

Lesser Bush Baby

Wed, 08 May 2024 15:38:14 GMT

Also known as the Southern Lesser Galago, and the “lesser” is fairly apt in terms of it is a lesser known mammal of the bush and for first time safari goers usually an unexpected and surprising sighting. As we are now in early winter here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp in Greater Kruger , the sparser vegetation makes for easier spotting of these endearing lesser primates.

The first glimpse of this small, nocturnally active animal is often two bright orange eyes caught in the tracker’s spotlight up in a tree. If the bush baby remains still then its entire head ,body, arms, legs and tail will be visible to the general comments of how cute it looks. This may be followed by a display of its phenomenal leaping ability, bouncing from branch to branch as far as 5 meters in one jump.

It has very large eyes which are fixed and fill up their entire sockets, so to compensate its head can swivel within an arc of 180 degrees. Its large ears can also move independently of each other. It’s nighttime vision is very good but its hearing is remarkable. Slow motion filming has revealed that a bush baby can grab an insect in mid air during one of its prodigious leaps, and has been concluded that this is thanks to a finely developed sense of hearing as it has its eyes shut for protection when the catch is made. Its tail can be as long as its body and helps it to maintain its excellent balance.

Its diet during summer months is composed of insects and spiders, and during the insect free winter months it dines on the gum from acacia trees.

Although highly social living in family groups of two to eight , it will forage on its own at night and sleep huddled together in its group tree nest during the day. They will groom each other using forward facing lower canines and an elongated second digit on their hind claw. They even have a secondary tongue below the teeth to clear hair trapped in their teeth.

They are territorial and the dominant male and female will mark their territory by urinating onto their cupped hand and rub it onto their hind feet, spreading it as they move.

The young males will leave their natal group on the onset of puberty to find another group, which avoids inbreeding. The gestation period is around 125 days and one or two babies is the usual. They grow quickly, are independent within eight weeks and can have a lifespan of ten years.

Their enemies are many such as genets, civets and owls ie nocturnal predators active hunting at the same time as they are foraging, travelling as much as 2 km and visiting 500 trees in one night.

Sometimes, in houses with thatched roofs in the bush, a mother will drop one of her newborns and doesn’t retrieve it. This is an opportunity to hand raise a bush baby, Sonja and James having raised several. They are not called babies for nothing though, as they need feeding every 3 to 4 hours around the clock (the real reason for being called bush babies is from the baby like cries of its much larger cousin: the Greater bush baby). After 8 weeks, a window is left open at night to encourage them to forage outside and thus the process of introducing them into the wild begins. They may take a few months or up to a few years, but eventually one morning they won’t return, having integrated with a local group, the way it should be.

There's more to hyenas than meets the eye!

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 13:36:12 GMT

Hyena are not everyone's favourite mammal, which is sad because we think they're pretty amazing. Perhaps its because they look rather odd. With their front legs longer than their hinds ones, and generally large and chunky looking, they most certainly are not the best looking mammals in the bush. Add to this a menacing "grin" and jaws that deliver one of the biggest bite forces in the animal kingdom and you have an animal that's generally loathed rather than loved.

Hyena are generally portrayed as the "bad guys" of the bush - just think Shenzi in Disney's Lion King! Their bad reputation is completely undeserved and far from being snide, sneaky, double crossing scavengers they are, in fact, clever and successful predators with an amazingly complex and competitive social structure.

The largest and most widespread of Africa's three species that also include the brown and striped hyena, spotted hyena clans are presided over by a matriarch or alpha female which is generally the oldest and most experienced female member of the clan. In this matriarchal society, the females are larger than the males and dominate them completely, so that even the lowest ranked female will be dominant over the highest ranked male!

Unlike other carnivorous mammals, spotted hyena cubs are born with their eyes open and with teeth and will readily attack each other, often killing weaker cubs, especially in same-sexed litters. This behaviour is called neonatal siblicide and kills an estimated 25% of cubs in their first month.

The cubs grow strong quickly, thanks to milk which has enormously high fat and protein content that they will drink for up to 16 months old and the ability to process solid food from three months onwards. The cubs are relentless in their demand for milk and keep their mother very busy.

Of course, the hyena's success is dependent on the ongoing competition with its closest rival - the lion. These age-old enemies' fates are interlinked because they occupy the same ecological niche and are in direct competition with one another, hunting the same prey species. They will also steal each other's kills. In fact, research has shown that lions steal more from hyena than the other way round, dispelling a commonly held belief that hyena are the "thieves" of the African wilderness. In fact, hyenas are more prone to waiting politely for lions to finish their meal before edging in to take what's left than barging in to take the main course!

We have been blessed for a number of years now with a succession of hyena denning on Olifants West Nature Reserve but more recently the hyena have been thin on the ground due to the burgeoning size of our Thakazile lion pride They killed at least two hyena and chased away the others but in the last three months they have begun to return and all of us here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp love them, and love showing them to our guests and listening to them calling as we drift off to sleep at night.

This blog was also originally published by Africa Geographic

Republished 16 April 2024

Let's hear it for hippos - fish feeders of the Olifants!

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 06:35:51 GMT

The debilitating drought that ended five years ago saw the Kruger National Park lose almost half of its hippo population, with an estimated 4000 of these water-dependent animals dying, not as you'd imagine, from a shortage of water, but due to a shortage of food.

Drought always hits hippo populations hard as they depend on good grazing when they leave the safety of the water at night, travelling up to 20km away from the water to feed mostly on grasses. They can consume up to 50kg of grass in one night, acting like a biological lawn-mower.

Here in the Olifants Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger, whilst we didn't lose thousands of hippos, we did notice a significant drop in numbers during the drought, as with most of our larger herbivores. Thankfully numbers are now recovering nicely, which is good for the Olifants River and the other water sources on the reserve.

Hippos are critical for healthy rivers for an unusual reason - their poop. Hippo dung provides valuable nutrients for fish and other aquatic species, so when you see a hippo defecating in the water, think positive thoughts! However, as with any good thing, too much of it can cause problems. When water sources like dams and seasonal rivers shrink, too much hippo dung can prove toxic to aquatic life, primarily because of the absorption of dissolved oxygen.

Hippos spend their days in the water, and can move through it quite rapidly when they need to. They're not good swimmers, but generally walk or run along the bottom of rivers or dams, surfacing every three to five minutes to breathe. They can sleep underwater too, thanks to the process of surfacing to breathe being a subconscious one.

Hippos are trailblazers. Literally. They have an enormous impact on the land surrounding river systems and dams as they generally take the same paths each night to feed, clearing vegetation and creating hard surfaces as they constantly move across the ground. These paths are followed by other animals as they offer direct access to water.

Hippos are very dangerous due to high levels of agression, most especially in bulls which are extremely territorial. They are also exceptionally nervous and when out of the water will seek to escape to it when startled or alarmed. Their bite can be fatal, thanks to their long, sharp incisors and canines which brush past one another in a scissor action, plus their incredibly powerful jaws.

Territorial bulls preside over a relatively small stretch of river, or waterholes and dams. In its territory a mature bull will dominate a pod of females and babies, as well as juveniles and younger bulls which are allowed to stay in the pod as long as they remain submissive. Territories primarily exist to establish mating rights with the females and fights between bulls invariably revolve around dominance.

Before coming to blows, bulls will gape at one another, opening their huge mouths to almost 180 degrees, showing off their canines and incisors in a threat display. The incisors point forward, like tusks, and can reach up to 40cm in length. The super-sharp canines can grow up to 50cm in length. They are used in combat and play no role in feeding.

A hippo's skin has very little hair. It is also very sensitive to the sun, which is why hippos prefer to stay submerged during the hottest periods of the day. They secrete a red-coloured oily substance that acts as a natural sunscreen, but they still need to stay in the water as much as possible as too much exposure to the sun causes their skin to crack.

Hippos are very vocal animals and are able to communicate above and below the water at the same time. They achieve this courtesy of a fatty area around their necks which vibrates when the hippo vocalises through its nose, sending the sounds waves out into the water at the same time. The sounds are amplified by the water and can be heard over large distances, and express important information like "this is my territory" and "I am here, so stay away".

Here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp we love for our guests to experience the sounds the hippos make, which always remind us of someone guffawing at a particularly rude joke!

Supporting tomorrow's conservationists

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:24:00 GMT

Here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp in the Greater Kruger Park we're especially conscious of the responsibility we have to encourage the youth of today to become tomorrow's custodians of nature, and to make what we do more relevant and beneficial to those living in impoverished and disadvantaged rural communities. So we give back as much as we can, and encourage our guests to contribute to the programmes we support while helping to make them aware of the great work being done in educating local children and creating the all-important bridge between eco tourism and community upliftment.

The main beneficiary of the work we do in this respect is something of a "local legend" here in the Lowveld - Daktari Bush School and Wildlife Orphanage.

In operation since 2006, Daktari's aim is to inspire a love of nature and wildlife in local children, educating them in the value of the environment and why it is so important to protect and conserve it.

Its bush school does just this, immersing children from the rural communities around the Hoedspruit area in the wilderness and teaching them about the plants and animals that call it home. It also teaches them about anti-poaching and a wide variety of other issues and challenges facing wild Africa and extends out into Eco Clubs at local secondary schools, constructive job hunting for those who want to pursue careers in eco tourism and conservation and other community developments projects.

Every week, eight children from the area are welcomed to the Daktari Bush School to spend five days learning about the environment. They are collected from their schools on a Monday morning and are returned on a Friday afternoon. It's a dynamic teaching programme that aims to ignite a lifelong love for nature in each child, teaching them important life skills and their relationship with the environment around them

Completely taught by volunteers, Daktari depends on us and other lodges like us to help fund their projects and we donate R50 for every booking we receive to Daktari. We also pass the fundraising baton on to our guests through the global Pack for a Purpose programme. This supports more than 525 education projects around the world, including schools and libraries. It works by asking tourists to pack the supplies needed by these projects when coming on holiday. The result is a hugely positive impact on local communities benefitting from Pack for a Purpose.

By packing a few extra supplies in their luggage, travellers donate to specific projects in the areas they visit, be they schools, orphanages, family care centres and nature reserves.

With our guests, of course, it's Daktari that benefits. We drop off all supplies brought by our guests direct to Daktari and work closely with Pack for a Purpose to ensure Daktari benefits from a carefully planned needs list that's published on the Pack for a Purpose website.

Guests are encouraged to bring two to three kilograms of supplies with them in their luggage.

Uniquely , due to the very longstanding and close and strong connections between our owners and the founders of Daktari we are able to offer our guests here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp a guided tour of Daktari, normally closed to the public, which fits in comfortably between the morning and afternoon game drives and all the profit from this tour goes directly to Daktari.

We are proud to have on our team Karrine , front of house, and Kabelo ,assistant cook, who are both ex Daktari graduates , which is very much what the Daktari programme is designed to do.We believe that it's only by involving communities in conservation and tourism that we can hope to continue to protect Africa's last great wilderness areas.

From fishing owls to giant herons...

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 06:41:46 GMT

The beautiful Olifants River runs along the northern border of Olifants West Nature Reserve within the Greater Kruger on its way to join the Limpopo in Mozambique, creating a magnificent habitat for a variety of riverine birds that draw birders from all over the world.

Here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp we're lucky enough to have a 5km stretch of the river as part of our traversing . Located west of the Olifants River Bridge, this is where we get regular sightings of the inimitable Pel's fishing owl, not to mention African fish eagles, yellow-billed storks, saddle-billed storks, goliath heron, giant kingfishers, pied kingfishers and African spoonbills...

The Pel's fishing owl is one of the largest owls in the world and is found along rivers and lakes throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Their favourite habitat is riparian forests with large trees, such as we have along the Olifants. They're residential in habit, so don't migrate but are territorial, staking out portions of river bank and lake-front to call their own.

Although mostly nocturnal, we have been fortunate to see Pel's during the day, especially when prey is scarce or hard to find in the winter. As their name implies, their main prey is fish and they are able to catch fish up to 2kg in weight. They swoop down to catch fish just below the surface of the water with their powerful talons and don't submerge or get themselves too wet doing so.

During the summer, we're seeing a lot of yellow-billed storks and spoonbills and a general abundance of birdlife along the river. Yellow-billed storks are fascinating to watch as they wade the shallows in search of prey. They rely mostly on a sense of touch to find and catch small fish, crustaceans, aquatic insects and frogs, moving their heads and slightly opened bills to the left and right in gentle, swaying motions until their bills make contact with prey, whereupon it snaps shut in a reflex motion. The stork then raises its head and swallows its prey whole.

The yellow-billed stork also uses its feet in its search for food, using a stirring technique to churn the water and the soft silt on the river floor, disturbing prey that might be sheltering in vegetation along the banks. You'll often see them following crocodiles or hippos, feeding on whatever these two animals stir up with their movement through the water.

The African spoonbill has an unmistakable appearance thanks to the spoon-like shape of the end of its bill. Related to the ibis, like the yellow-billed stork it patrols the shallows along the banks of the Olifants River, looking for fish and occasionally molluscs. Also like its stork "cousin" it swings its head from side to side in the water with its bill slightly open, catching prey mostly through touch rather than relying on vision.

We're also blessed with a variety of kingfishers, from the spectacular giant kingfisher to the beautiful pied kingfisher, as well as the pygmy and malachite. The giant kingfisher is the largest of the African kingfisher species and chooses a stationary perch from which to hunt, diving down into the water and submerging itself to catch its prey which it then carries back to a perch to devour, swallowing it whole, head first.

The pied kingfisher is very active along the banks of the river, flitting from perch to perch in search of prey. It feeds mainly on fish but will also eat crustaceans and dragonfly larvae. You'll often see it bobbing its head up and down as it scans the surface of the water for signs of prey. When it sees something that interests it, it will fly from its perch and hover over a patch of water, keeping its head still as it watches for prey, then diving down into the water to make a catch, which if small enough can be swallowed in flight.

The Olifants is also home to the world's largest heron - the goliath heron. At anywhere up to a metre and a half in height, with a wingspan of up to 2,3m and weighing in as much as 5kg, the goliath heron is also one of the most aquatic of all herons. It rarely ventures away from water and prefers to fly along waterways rather than over land.

Preying primarily on large fish, goliath herons are solitary birds and are highly territorial too. It hunts by standing still in the shallows, watching the water at its feet exceptionally closely. As prey comes close it spears it with an open bill, swallowing it whole as quickly as it can. Sometimes it's not quick enough and its prey will be stolen by a fish eagle, which frequently follow goliath herons in search of easy meals.

These are just some of the amazing riverine birds you are likely to spot along the Olifants. If you're a keen birder, or have an interest in finding out more about birds, then we'd love to see you soon here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp.

An African icon...

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 13:27:40 GMT

Of all of the animals of Africa, perhaps the most beloved and revered is it's one, true giant - the African elephant. The world's largest land mammal is also Africa's biggest icon, and, sadly, one of its most threatened, thanks to the demand for ivory.

It's said we lose 100 elephants a day here in Africa to ivory poaching. That's one elephant every 15 minutes. Gone. Forever. On the Olifants West Nature Reserve, home to Sausage Tree Safari Camp, our elephant population is well-protected, and shared with the Greater Kruger, moving freely between the reserves that make up this amazing grouping, including the legendary Kruger National Park itself.

We regularly see large breeding herds on game drives as well as some magnificent individual bulls and bachelor groups and consider it a privilege to get sight of them, switching off our vehicles where we can to spend time, quietly observing them and appreciating their presence.

Elephants are, quite simply, incredible mammals. Intelligent, emotional, empathetic and acknowledged as being sentient. They are capable of using tools, recognise themselves in mirrors, have incredible spatial awareness and recent research has even shown that they are able to work out which humans are the most dangerous, giving them the ability to classify us into groups that pose different degrees of danger!

Elephants "grieve" for their dead and offer assistance to others in their family unit in distress. The oldest members of herds have innate "wisdom" and store knowledge and experience of both their social groups and their environment. They are able to hear and communicate over enormous distances through low-frequency, infrasonic rumbles and other vocalisations, including trumpeting, as well as foot stomping, which resonate at a frequency other elephants can detect through the ground. They have enlarged ear bones and sensitive nerve endings in their feet and trunks and "hear" these sounds through the soft skin pads on their feet, picking up the sensitive, seismic vibrations and are thought to also lay their trunks on the ground to detect vibrations.

There is so much that has been written about elephants, so many facts and figures, so much research done by so many that sheds light on their way of life and so much more to learn. And there is so much being done throughout Africa to try and protect them from their biggest threat - us. It's sometimes hard to cut through this mountain of information and focus on what we can do to help ensure our children and grandchildren live in a world where African elephants still roam wild and free. Here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp we believe that protecting their habitat is key to the survival of elephants. Their range is hampered by human expansion and human competition for the same resources - access to water and food. It's restricted by the fence lines we put up to both protect them and us. Elephants need space, and it's up to us to ensure that there is enough space for them, and that we learn to live alongside them through better understanding their needs.

Our role is easy - by helping our guests to understand these incredible animals we create elephant ambassadors who help to fuel and drive conservation programmes. And through these programmes we are slowly finding ways to co-exist with this most wonderful African icon. And hope for their future.

Come and see this African Icon at Sausage Tree Safari Camp

5 Reasons to visit Olifants West Nature Reserve

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 09:10:43 GMT

Olifants West Nature Reserve (OWNR) is one of Southern Africa’s most alluring Big Five safari destinations. Expertly guided game drives in open 4x4 Game Viewers, operate out of a scattering of small mid-range camps and offer exceptional wildlife viewing. High densities of elephant and buffalo are attracted to the Olifants River. The reserve is also known for its large lion prides and relatively conspicuous black rhino. Other safari favourites range from giraffe and zebra, plus hippo and warthog, to spotted hyena and cheetah. Most South African private reserves are fenced in their entirety. OWNR, however, is open to the world-famous Kruger National Park , meaning that wildlife moves freely between the two.

Here are Five Reasons to Visit Sausage Tree Safari Camp
in the Olifants West Nature Reserve

High wildlife volumes throughout the year due to the Olifants river
Heart-stopping encounters with the endangered black rhino
Exceptional sightings of one of southern Africa’s largest lion prides
One of the most uncrowded corners of the greater kruger
A great base for exploring further afield

1. High wildlife volumes throughout the year due to the Olifants River

The main river in the Lowveld, the Olifants is a wild and truly magical presence that flows through the northern edge of OWNR towards Kruger. It is a magnet for thirsty wildlife, especially in the Dry season, when less reliable water sources dry up.

The large herds of elephant for which the river is named are regularly observed marching along its banks or crossing between them. Patches of tangled riverine woodland are a favourite haunt of the majestic greater kudu and handsome nyala antelope. Stretch-necked giraffe browse on riverside trees, while baboon and vervet monkey play on the grass underneath.

The river also supports a rich birdlife. Stork and heron pick through the shallows, African fish eagle soar overhead, and colourful barbet, turaco and hornbill congregate noisily on fruiting trees. The riverbank is a superb spot for sundowner drinks. Keep one eye open for Pel’s fishing owl, a massive and eagerly sought nocturnal hunter that emerges at dusk.

2. Heart-stopping encounters with the endangered black rhino

Olifants West Nature Reserve is one of the most reliable places in Africa to see the rare black rhino. This elusive species is far more endangered than the relatively common white rhino, with a global population estimated at just over 6,487.

The black rhino is often quite difficult to locate in its favoured habitat of dense bush. Once sighted, however, encounters are often enlivened by its rather pugnacious temperament. There are no guarantees, of course, but the odds of seeing a black rhino over the course of a couple of days at Sausage Tree Safari Camp are excellent.

The reserve’s success as a black rhino sanctuary rests largely on the dedicated work of a grassroots anti-poaching unit known as the Black Mambas. The unit is comprised almost entirely of female rangers from local communities. The highly effective Black Mambas won the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) Champions of the Earth Award in 2015.

3. Exceptional sightings of one of southern Africa’s largest lion prides

Several lion prides are resident in Olifants West Nature Reserve, but none compares to the Takazile pride, which currently numbers 20-plus individuals. The pride is led by the Masungulo brothers ,a coalition of two related males, all now in the prime of life at nine to 10 years old. It also includes seven adult females and almost two dozen subadults and cubs.

With so many mouths to feed, kills are almost a daily occurrence in Takazile territory. But even when this oversized pride is not on the hunt, it is almost always entertaining. In the early morning, youngsters tend to be at their most boisterously playful.

4. One of the most uncrowded corners of the Greater Kruger

Olifants West Nature Reserve forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park , which incorporates the Greater Kruger and neighbouring national parks in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. This is the largest safari ecosystem anywhere in Southern Africa, extending across 37,500 km² / 14,478 mile².

Greater Kruger is the only remaining protected area to support viable populations of all the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and both species of rhino). Wildlife is free to roam throughout the area. All these charismatic creatures and more are frequently spotted on OWNR. Unlike Kruger, however, OWNR is a private reserve. So, while you get to see all same wildlife as in Kruger National Park, often at far closer quarters, tourist numbers are controlled. The bush retains an uncrowded wilderness feel.

5. A great base for exploring further afield

Olifants West Nature Reserve boasts a more varied topography than much of Greater Kruger. Game drives often provide tantalising views west to the Drakensberg escarpment. These magnificent mountains can easily be explored as a day trip out of OWNR. The majestic Blyde River Canyon is only 60km / 37 mile away by road. The canyon is 26 km / 16 mile long and 800m deep, and its lush vegetation supports a wealth of forest wildlife. Blyde River Canyon is the centrepiece of the scenic Panorama Route . This route incorporates the immense God’s Window and Three Rondawels viewpoints, as well as half a dozen gorgeous waterfalls.

And here is a 6th reason. A booking early in 2024 of 3 nights with us at Sausage Tree Safari Camp entitles you to the choice of a free privately guided tour of the Panorama Route or in the Kruger National Park.

WHEN CROCODILES RULED OUR WORLD

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:23:55 GMT

It is purported that they did once, sometime after the dinosaur extinction, but not in the form as most of us would imagine.

Present day crocodilians with their thick, armoured skin, large teeth, slow lifestyles and predatory habits give the image of being directly descended from dinosaurs , unchanged for hundreds of millions of years.

Wind the clock back to approximately 200 million years ago and some of the crocodilian species fitted this description and were large enough to prey on dinosaurs but the majority were very small , fast moving animals preying on insects. There were even herbivorous versions , plant eating with complex mammal like teeth. After the dinosaur extinction it is thought there was a period during which these type of crocodilians thrived and dominated.

The big question , still unanswered is why and when did these crocodilian species evolve from being fast growing , high metabolism animals to what they still are today : slow growing , slow metabolism creatures.

We do know the larger , modern group of crocodilians likely first appeared in Europe around 145 million years ago. After this the ancestors of crocodiles and alligators split in North America and crocodiles developed the ability to live in salt water thus spreading much further still , whilst alligatorials ( including caiman) were confined to freshwater rivers and lakes.

Today there are only 28 species of crocodilians found only in tropical and subtropical areas , a fraction of the number of species that prevailed in their period of domination.

Fortunately one of the species is the Nile crocodile which is the most common one on this planet, and is to be found in our Olifants River which forms the Northern boundary of our Olifants West Nature reserve , part of the Greater Kruger. This species can grow to over 4 metres in length and is reputed to reach 90 years of age. It is said to be the only predator in these parts that has no fear of humans. Very often a reported death by drowning , if unwitnessed ,was likely to be in fact a victim of a crocodile as it is a perfect crime : no evidence , no remains. Their prey range is simply anything they can overpower , an ambush predator with significant biting force and the large conical teeth , once locked on , are virtually impossible to loosen.

They can if necessary survive on one large meal per year. During times of drought and winter in the Lowveld they can lower their metabolic rate and enter a state of suspended animation. They are deceptively fast when required reaching speeds of over 30 km/hr both on land and in water albeit for short distances only.

Come to Sausage Tree Safari Camp in Olifants West Nature Reserve and we will take you next to the Olifants River in search of these incredible predators.

African Buffalo Recovery

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 14:20:36 GMT

Are African Buffalo seasonal breeders? Yes , they are and here in Greater Kruger , January is the month we used to see the arrival of the newborn calves.

However because of the series of drought years that ended four years ago, their numbers had crashed to less than half the pre drought population of approximately 36,000. As a result, up until six months ago, our buffalo sightings were infrequent, albeit slowly increasing. Not that we received any complaints, as the lowly buffalo seems to be at the bottom of the must see list of first time visitors to our safari lodge at Sausage Tree . It is a curious fact that there seems to be little in the way of support for this species in the face of the relentless and prolific trophy hunting that takes place in sub Saharan Africa. We would underline , not here in Olifants West Nature Reserve, where this practice came to a stop several years ago.

The other members of The BIG 5 club attract immensely more popularity than the poor old buffalo. Maybe it’s because subconsciously we regard them as wild cattle, which they are, and the dietary carnivores amongst us have a lifetime of acceptance as to what cattle are here for….

There is a major irony at play here. The longstanding origin and definition of The Big 5 originates from the big game hunting industry and was essentially a very successful marketing ploy, designating the 5 most dangerous animals in Africa to hunt on foot. The underlying irony is that the general consensus amongst hunters is that the older males, aka Dagga Bulls, are the most dangerous of them all.

Meanwhile back at Sausage Tree Safari Camp , the good news is that we are enjoying many more buffalo sightings , especially of large breeding herds . Last week our guests had a stand out moment, witnessing the birth of a calf , which was the first such sighting here on Olifants West Nature Reserve for a very long time.

Book up now for next January 2025 and you may be lucky enough to see the same but you will be lucky enough to enjoy our 2024 rate being held over for you.

2023 Year in Review

jccarne@hotmail.co.uk (James Carne) — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 09:57:46 GMT

This has been a stand out year for the quantity and quality of animal sightings.

Our Takazile pride continues to expand thanks to the considerable mating efforts of our two dominant Masungulo males who took over only eighteen months ago in a killing spree of unprecedented carnage . Currently the pride numbers six adult females and thirteen cubs of different ages. Twenty one in all. The Singwe pride has diminished to one female however she is heavily pregnant.

Our elephant sightings have been prolific and in the last two months we have been privileged to have the immense tusker Ezulwini spending a lot of time in our area.

This year our black rhino sightings have been supplemented by frequent white rhino sightings giving our guests the opportunity to see the physical differences between the two species first hand.

Overall our leopard sightings have dramatically increased over the course of the year including cubs.
We are also seeing a most welcome return of buffalo herds on a frequent basis that had been lacking as the legacy of our last major drought period.

Regular sightings of a pack of four wild dogs has thrilled guests with occasional visits from a pack of eleven and a pack of nineteen.

Rare bird frequent sightings of Southern Ground Hornbills and more recently Pels fishing owl along Olifants riverside.

We must also give a mention to the supporting cast of different antelope species, zebra. giraffe, warthog , smaller felines, mongoose, baboons , vervet monkeys , frogs, reptiles et al.
The rainfall we received in February and now in December has been wonderful and the bush is bursting with new life.

Sausage Tree Safari Camp

After the slow recovery during 2022 , this year has seen a very welcome steady return to pre Covid levels of occupancy.

Our solar panels, inverters and batteries system we installed at the end of last year came into its own this year keeping power on during critical periods of load shedding.
We supplemented our front of house service with Nelly and Karrine joining our team . We sponsored Nelly to become a qualified masseuse which is a welcome addition to in camp activities. We also sponsored Jimmy to get his FGASA level 1 qualification so congratulations to him . We also introduced a new bush track and sign optional guest activity for one hour after breakfast which has proven extremely popular.

In October we hosted a group of nine ladies for a five day wellness program of safaris, yoga , meditation and vegan meals which was a first for us and was very well received

Our team have continued to receive outstanding written reviews on various social media platforms.

The Sausage Tree Safari Team thanks you all for your very appreciated support, wish you a wonderful 2024 and look forward to hosting you soon.

And suddenly the frogs are here again….

jccarne@hotmail.co.uk (James Carne) — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 22:25:43 GMT

We have been blessed with lots of good , penetrating rains through November and December so far and now during the evenings , the frogs and toads are making their incredible variety of calls.

The majority of calls are for mating purposes and some are territorial announcements, both are made by males. Other calls are known as release calls made by a male being subjected to amplexus by another over eager male , or by a female calling time out on the mating business. Finally there are the occasional distress calls made by either sex when seized by a predator.

And the difference between frogs and toads? In fact toads are a family of frogs, Bufonidae , that have a particularly granular and glandular skin with large parotid glands behind the head that secrete a cardiotoxic substance as a deterrent against predators. Another difference is the huge number of eggs toads produce , up to 20,000 in a string as opposed to clumps. Unlike other frog species , the Bufonidae are poor jumpers and swimmers.

We have a wonderful variety of species here on Olifants West Nature Reserve and one of the standouts is the foam nest tree frog due to its extraordinary breeding strategy. Being arboreal , the female will find a suitable branch or rock face overhanging a pool of water. She will start to stridulate with her hind legs as she secretes from her oviduct a liquid that is whipped up into a froth as she lays her eggs. Several males will be in attendance jostling for pole position to perform amplexus with her and fertilise the eggs . This process can take up to 24 hours or more during which she will occasionally descend into the water to rehydrate through her skin and on return will usually find a different male in pole position. Approximately 1200 eggs are produced and fertilised in this manner. As the foam dries out , in size and shape it resembles a white melon. This offers protection from the sun and predators alike and within half a dozen days the tadpoles grow heavy enough to drop out of the bottom into the water and maybe one or two will survive to adulthood. That is only if the pool of water chosen has not dried out in the meantime.

Another intriguing species is the Bushveld Rain Frog which is terrestrial and needs no pools of water to breed like other frogs but have hard digging equipment on their heels “tubercles” for burrowing into the soil softened by the newly arrived summer rains . Eggs are deposited here in a protective jelly to avoid desiccation whilst they develop. They also dig burrows to inhabit to keep safe from predation and from which the male will serenade females with his mating calls hoping she will abandon her burrow to meet him above ground and that is when the fun begins.

The male is considerably smaller than the female and both have very rotund bodies with very short legs making amplexus an Everest like challenge. However to overcome their physical disadvantages , once the male manages to get on her back she secretes an adhesive that locks the male in place. Of course all good things must come to an end and her other little trick is to secrete a releasing agent when she has had enough.

These two species could not look more different. The Foam Nest Tree Frog is a classic Kermit looking frog whereas the Bushveld Rain frog is comical in appearance and waddling walk, and a permanent expression of dissatisfaction.

Signs of the Changing Times

info@sausagetree.co.za (Team Sausage Tree) — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 06:42:06 GMT

The incredible Knob Thorn tree

As we leave the long dry winter season behind us ,signs appear announcing changes are afoot, even before the arrival of the first rain.

Here in the Greater Kruger Lowveld .in the Olifants West Nature Reserve , the Knob thorn tree , Acacia nigrescens , is the first tree species to flower. The creamy white, sweetly scented flowers appear as early as August long before the first significant rains arrived , which this year was in the first week of October.

The Knob thorn is one of the most common species of tree in our Lowveld area and is also “hysteranthous“ which simply means it produces flowers before it leaves. This behaviour is normally explained as a way of facilitating wind and insect pollination . The mass of flowers bloom en masse which attract insects when there is little else competition and the wind is more effective on a leafless tree.

Certainly August has always been referred to as the windy month traditionally. So this appears to be a satisfactory explanation except it is not.

August is not a month when insects are around to pollinate.

Fortunately another much larger species is available : The giraffe.

This is thought to be uniquely the only example of a large mammal being a pollinator , which is usually a role played by birds , insects and bats. During the short flowering season it is estimated that the flowers make up as much as 40% of the giraffe’s diet. During feeding , vast quantities of pollen get stuck on the giraffe’s head and neck which then gets deposited on the next Knob thorn tree it visits. Covering as much as 15 kms distance in a day , the giraffe is a highly effective pollinator.

The younger Knob thorns exhibit knobs with a small black hooked thorn at its centre , on the newer branches of mature trees and on the trunks of younger trees. These highly prominent knobs give this tree species its common name as well as some degree of protection from herbivores.

When the leaves arrive they are small but highly nutritious interspersed with pairs of fishhook type thorns. The giraffe’s 50cm long very tough tongue and inner mouth parts have no trouble in stripping off the leaves.

The wood is hard and resistant to fire and termites and in bygone days was used for railway sleepers , mine props and fencing posts. The bark has a high level of tannin that is used for leather tanning.

Traditional medicine applications from the grinding of the knobs into powder , range from pain killer , salve for eye infections, breast enhancements and aphrodisiac.

Lions v Leopard as told by Jimmy

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 09:35:26 GMT

A Giraffe is Born

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 09:35:22 GMT

Our Sausage Tree guests were treated to an extremely rare sighting of a giraffe giving birth.

This footage was captured by Themba , our guide.

Our Sausage Tree guests were treated to an extremely rare sighting of a giraffe giving birth. This footage was captured by Themba , our guide.

After a very long gestation period of up to fifteen months she produced a baby that can be 2 metres tall weighing over 100kgs. This is considered to be the second largest baby of land mammals after elephant.

The baby is usually born with the neck folded down along the body, so the feet emerge first, shortly followed by the head. As the mother is always in a standing position and the legs being so long by the time the entire body is free of the mother , the baby’s legs are almost on the ground which minimises the impact. It is thought that the minor shock far from causing damage in fact kick starts the lungs into action.

This birth was successful and our guests saw the newborn eventually struggle to its feet with a bit of nudging from its mother.

The baby giraffe having such a high centre of gravity suffers from wobbly legs syndrome and can only successfully follow its mother after two days . This makes it particularly vulnerable to predation as compared to most other mammal prey species.

Happily mother and newborn were seen thriving on several subsequent safari drives.

African Giant Land Snail

jccarne@hotmail.co.uk (James Carne) — Wed, 10 May 2023 02:28:26 GMT

Farewell to the Summer Season here in the Greater Kruger

As we say farewell to the summer season here in the Greater Kruger we will lose sight of one of our most extraordinary species Achinata fulica.

Commonly known as the African Giant Land snail , it is one of nature's hermaphrodites having both male and female sexual organs. They cannot self fertilise , reproduction only occurs with another individual and the silvery snail trail they leave behind contains olfactory signals of readiness or readiness to mate.

They mate at night after a courtship ritual of around 30 mins which includes head and front parts petting, which if successful leads to copulation averaging 6 hours.

Transferred sperm can be stored for two years to help counter drought period. Egg clutches average 200 and take 8 to 21 days to hatch.

They feed on a wide range of live and dead plant and animal matter including sand , very small stores , bones as calcium sources for its shell development. They reach adult size by 6 months but continue a slow growth until death with an average life expectancy of 3 to 6 years.

Best never to pick one up as they can be carrying a parasitic nematode that can infect a serious meningitis in humans.

Uniquely extraordinary is the anus that starts facing rearwards and then the mantle cavity contorts whereby it ends up facing frontwards above the head , and this is known as " Torsion" .

Fortunately it also has a jet wash away system that propels its waste forward beyond its mouth avoiding ingestion of its own faeces.

This is an unusual photograph of a large example climbing up a window.

Midsummer

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 08:21:37 GMT

As we approach mid summer, the bush is resplendently lush and green from the significant amount of rain that has fallen in November.

As we approach mid summer, the bush

is resplendently lush and green from the significant amount of rain that has fallen in November.

The impala lambs abound, beautiful and terrifyingly fragile, vulnerable to so many different species of predators. Our guests have already witnessed an African rock python swallowing one luckless baby. They need to keep an eye on the sky in case a Martial eagle might be on its killing swoop.

If they make it to adulthood, at approx 4 years they have done very well and may even get to 12 years old.

Grooming is a serious business and they are the smallest antelope to allow oxpeckers to feed on them. During the rut , the males are too busy to groom themselves and their normal tick load increases by a factor of 6 which would be more without their feathered assistants. Impala allo groom and self groom using their modified loose lower incisors as an effective comb.

Uniquely Impala are regular mixed feeders switching from grazing to browsing at will.

Accomplished athletes capable of leaps of 12m long and 3m high and a top speed of 70km/hr.

It is hard to imagine that before the 1920’s there were no impala West of Orpen gate in what is today the Greater Kruger, including our own Balule Conservancy. Now they are by far the most populous antelope species throughout the entire Kruger National Park.

Aloes and Sunbirds in Midwinter

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 09:35:24 GMT

Aloes and Sunbirds in Midwinter

This is the time of year that our aloes are in splendid flower and catch the eye of the beholder as well as that of the exquisite sunbirds.

What are aloes?

Shrub or tree like succulent perennials that typically grow in arid regions occurring in various southern and eastern African countries.

Depending on the variety, aloes are pollinated by various birds and insects. Many other insects, birds and mammals are pollen or nectar “thieves” that feast on these plant products without contributing to pollination.

Aloes resist drought by storing water in their large, fleshy leaves. The green grey to bright green leaves are thick, rigid, and

pointed at the tips, often with toothed margins. In some varieties Leaves grow straight out from the centre; in others they curve

upwards and on others curve down towards the ground.

Densely clustered, tubular, bright red to yellow flowers grow on stalks high above the leaves. Small fruits develop from fertilised flowers ,and when the fruits dry out they form pods that split open to release tiny seeds. Small, papery wings on a seed help it disperse in the wind.

Aloes have a long and wide history of use in medicines and cosmetics.

A.Vera especially is used for its healing properties for sunburn, minor burns and abrasions. Leaves from certain aloes when ingested have proven to reduce certain types of cholesterol and also blood glucose levels in diabetic patients .

The A. Aborescens is used for all kinds of conditions ie stomach disorders, wounds, anti bacterial, anti ulcer , anti inflammatory.

It’s gelatinous inner pulp from its leaves is used in shampoos and moisturisers.

In Balule , the White Bellied , Scarlet Chested and Marico sunbirds are busy hovering and perching around the aloes feeding on massive amounts of nectar providing an indispensable energy source to fuel their high metabolic rate.

Long sharp claws for perching, long and shaped bills to match the shape of their target flowers , a very long telescopic tongue with papillae to reach and lap up the nectar are some of the adaptations that have evolved for their lifestyle.

The nectar they are feeding on often has a 75-80% water content. Their “compensatory feeding “ ie gorging on the nectar to maintain their energy intake requires a special method of dealing with all this water called “water shunting “ . This passes about 2/3 of the water through the gut without absorption, bypassing and avoiding overloading the kidneys( life threatening). The sucrose and other minerals are by necessity rapidly absorbed in the stomach for energy intake.

It is an intriguing example of how a type of food source dictates the design and behavior of the feeder over time.

(Images courtesy of Sarah Solomon)

Migratory Birds

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 12:05:06 GMT

Migratory Birds

The months of December and January are the peak arrival time of migratory bird species for us here in Olifants West Nature Reserve, Balule.

According to the stats , more than 100 migratory species have been recorded in Southern Africa of which 44 Palaearctic species (from Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Northern and central parts of the Arabian Peninsula) and 35 Intra-African species have been recorded in South Africa.

The whole phenomenon of bird migration is the subject of much study and is not necessarily fully understood but is certainly motivated by the drivers of feeding and breeding success. Primary physiological for migration is considered to be change in day length resulting in hormonal change increasing the rate of fat deposition and control of sleep.

Additionally the feathers generally undergo considerable wear and tear that necessitates moulting to restore their trim prior to migration.

Navigation is based on a variety of sensory inputs: sun compass, magnetic field detection via receptors within the bill area, sight interpretation of visual landmarks.

The survival of migratory bird species depends not only on the integrity of their breeding and wintering sites but also the safeguarding of their watering and feeding pit stops on route.

Climate change affects timing of migrations and breeding , as well as population size and range expansion and contraction.

Why do so many species migrate to Southern Africa? Simply because our summer rains produce an abundance of food ie termites, locusts, beetles etc….

One of the first arrivals to our area is the Yellow Billed Kite which can be as early as August and you are just as likely to see it as you drive along the R40 as in our reserve.

A notable and intensely audible arrival is that of the Woodland Kingfisher and when you hear its call for the first time it is said that this heralds the real start of summer.

European Rollers , European Bee Eaters, Pygmy Kingfishers are just some of the migratory species that add even more resplendent colours to the already rich palette of our resident bird species.

My personal favourite is the later arrival , around now , of the Amur Falcons. Gregarious during their wintering session here , they will suddenly appear in their numbers having made an incredible two month journey from as far afield as North East China. A journey of 15,000 kilometres! They will leave in April via Zimbabwe, Mozambique,, Zambia, Malawi and Kenya apparently stopping in Somalia to not only build up more fat deposits but also to catch the strong winds to help them across the the Arabian Sea , a leg of about 3,000 kms. A non stop flight of about 60 hours.

Their population has been impacted heavily by the hunting of them for food in the Indian Nagaland. Fortunately, the population is in recovery, thanks to the efforts of Indian Wildlife having banned this practice as of 2012.

(Images courtesy of Derek Solomon)

Baboon Business

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:04:09 GMT

The Chacma Baboon

It seems the natural choice of blog for this month as the local baboon troop have been very busy in and around our Sausage Tree Safari camp.

This period of intense dryness before the first substantial summer rains is a time of food stress for baboons amongst other species. However being so intelligent ( rated 4th smartest primate) and agile they swing into our camp in search of food always when the game drive vehicle has left and our staff are off duty.

Daily visits to the staff kitchen area. Food is locked away but the cooker is semi outdoors so anytime anything is left cooking unattended it may well disappear.

Two months ago they got in through a lodge window by prising open a slightly warped wooden window frame. The mess they left whilst our main lodge was unattended was apocryphal. Seems they like coffee beans , chocolate powder and sugar.

The frame was duly replaced and a fortnight later they got in through the same window this time by smashing it presumably with a rock. Less mess this time as when the lodge was not in use and all baboon consumables had been put away in a locked store.

Anti baboon forced entry measures had to be taken by replacing the windows with unbreakable glass , fixing lots of small spikes on the window ledges and getting a blown up photo of a leopard (their most feared enemy) to move around close to the windows inside.

Fortunately this seems to have worked and the only incident further is the most unusual breaking off of a wing mirror of one of our gameviewers in our parking bay which we assume was out of rage at seeing another baboon in its face. Would have liked a video of that!

When chasing away baboons, staff always make sure its in areas where they have plenty of room to escape as a cornered baboon is potentially very dangerous. An adult male has incisors of a similar size to that of a male lion, and his muscle density eight times greater than that of an average male human.

At the end of the day the baboons are just being baboons and with the arrival of our summer rains once there is more food available in the Greater Kruger bush they will no longer be about their business in our camp.

The Spotted One

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 08:37:33 GMT

For the last few weeks since we discovered the latest spotted hyena den we have been having some incredible sightings of the two newest pups who are still in their imitation black bear cub stage.

This has inspired us to do some more research on this most fascinating of species and we want to share some of the fun filled facts with you if only to help dispel the Spotted On'e bad rep.

Let’s begin with conception , unlike most other mammals , the female is completely in control over mating and because of the unconventional nature of their sexual genitalia , not having a conventional vaginal opening the male cannot force himself on her. Her pseudo penis is a similar length to that of the adult male and she even has a pseudo scrotum albeit an empty sac. Visually the difference between the two is that the male’s penis is pointed at the end and the female’s pseudo penis has a rounded end. Due to the length and brow opening of the birth canal , her very first litter , which can be during her third year , is often still born. Hyena lifespan can be nineteen years.

So she gets to choose which male she mates with and young females especially will prefer males that were born into or that joined the group after she was born thus effectively avoiding incestuous breeding with her father for older brothers.

Given the time and investment she will have to put into the usual litter size of one or two cubs , just occasionally three, it seems only right that she gets to choose the male with the best genes.

It’s not so much the gestation period 0f 110 days , which is similar to other large carnivores but the very lengthy nursing of up to 15 months that makes raising her cubs so time hungry. Her milk has the highest protein content of any mammal and has a very high content as well. Consequently the cubs physical growth is rapid.

Hyena cubs are the most precocial of any mammal species. They are born averaging 1.5kgs but with eyes open and incisors and canines already erupted.

The mother and her litter will spend the first two weeks in the birth den in a separate location from the communal den before she moves the cubs to her communal den.

Hyena society is intensely matriarchal as the female has a higher level of testosterone and is larger than most males. The competition amongst cubs especially if they are both female is intense , and the second to arrive , usually one hour later, can succumb to starvation as the first cub will dominate.

It is the young male who usually will leave the clan in their fourth year and research shows they will home in on a clan with the highest number of young males which makes sense in that they start at the bottom of the ladder of the social ranking so their climb up should be shorter in such a clan. Clan size in some areas can be up to 130 members in which there is a strict linear dominance hierarchy in which all females and their young dominate all immigrant males.

The spotted hyena is the large carnivore with by far the greatest population compared with other large carnivore species in Africa , although they are now confined to Sub Saharan Africa.

Despite their reputation as the scavenger of the bush the truth is that on average lion scavenge more meals than spotted hyena. The spotted hyena is a skilled and successful hyena weighing in up to just below 60 kgs , and can singly take down prey up to 180kg in weight and when hunting in groups will hunt down zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo. It can consume 15kgs of prey which is 25% of its own body weight and because of its incredible stamina even though it may have spent one hour chasing down its prey it can start eating immediately, before lion come to rob them of their prey. The biting force is considerable and is 40% more than a male lion hence it’s ability to crush bones so easily

Finally it plays a very important role in keeping diseases that are very harmful to other species , including us , ie anthrax by consuming carrion riddled with same with no ill effects for itself.

The African wild dog -Lycaon Pictus - Painted Wolf

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 17:04:39 GMT

We have been privileged with a lot of African wild dog sightings lately , there being a pack of seven that spend a lot of time around our part of Balule. African Wild dog are seasonal breeders and here the pups are usually born in mid winter after a gestation period of 70 days so they could well be denning somewhere nearby

This prompted us to do some research as to what the current status is of the African wild dog population in South Africa which up until now we understood to be less than 300 and extremely endangered.

It is reported that the main area left in South Africa where African wild dog are to be found are within Kruger National Park and the surrounding areas within the Greater Kruger.

The most recent report we could find published in May this year states that from 2009 the population has increased from 120 individuals to between 300 and 350 today. Thanks to the relocation efforts of the Endangered Wildlife Trust parks have been increasing in smaller provincial protected areas. However we could not find a total number for the population in South Africa.

African Wild dog are natural roamers and will easily cover areas of 500 to 2000km2 . We know from where we are situated near a portion of the Westernmost fence line of the Greater Kruger that they will frequently dig under the boundary fence to access smaller reserve areas to our East . Unfortunately this involves crossing the R40 highway and several wild dogs have been run over and killed over the last ten years we have been here.

Snares set by poachers are another hazard that they are vulnerable to.

Whilst the population gene pool is uncontaminated by domestic dogs , the wild dog are susceptible to distemper and rabies , the latter having decimated a pack of sixteen that frequented the Blue Canyon area.

Reading the accounts in the biography of Harry Wolhuter , first game ranger for the Sabi Game Reserve as of 1902 the first ever protected area for animals in South Africa that was later renamed the Kruger National Park in 1926 , wild dogs abounded and today they are so rare and sought after.

What happened?

Unfortunately the wild dogs became victims of their own hunting success being rated by far the most successful hunters in comparison with the other major species of carnivores. Their method of killing didn’t help their reputation as tearing their prey to pieces is a gruesome spectacle. However the prey goes into shock within a handful of seconds and thereafter feels nothing , bleeds out and dies very quickly. Those of you who have witnessed lion kills know how excruciatingly long they can take to kill their prey sometimes.

They were considered vermin and farmers would shoot or poison them on sight and often receive a reward for doing so. From 1911 to 1934 more than 369,000 pound sterling was spent by the local administration on eradication of predators and wild dog featured highly. This practice was only officially stopped in Kruger National Park in 1931 and in other areas continued to the 1970s. By this time the population had been decimated.

Behind the Ethiopian wolf , the African wild dog is the second most endangered carnivore in Africa having gone extinct in 25 of the 39 countries in which they used to roam. Whilst the Endangered Wildlife Trust has successfully relocated individuals to form a breeding pack in reserves outside of KNP , the options are limited as only reserves greater than 35,000 hectares suffice. Space is an acute ongoing problem as with so many species today.

Their life expectancy is normally around 10 years but in the Kruger area they rarely exceed 5 years and is lower than in the rest of Africa which may may be due to the high density of other stronger predators, notably lion and hyena.

Ironically , they are the only large carnivore that is not dangerous for humans and there is no recorded incident of an African wild dog attacking a human in the wild.

Some other random African wild dog facts :

Predominantly daytime active cooperative hunters
Only the alpha male and female do the breeding and the litter size can be 2-21 pups. The rest of the pack support the pup raising and will return to the den and regurgitate meat for them.
Although they have similar coloration each individual has its unique patten but the muzzle is always black and tail tip is always white.
Pack size varies from 6 to 50 and averages 12
Impala averages 90% of their prey in Kruger area
Food intake to weight is very high averaging 2 to 4kgs per day as they have a very high metabolism able to sprint at 60 to 70 km/h for 2kms and run at 48 km/h for over 5kms.
Unlike most sociable mammals , males remain in the pack and the females emigrate. The ratio of males to female is much higher than in other mammalian social groups.

RHINO POPULATION IN SOUTH AFRICA STILL IN CRISIS

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 08:27:23 GMT

Despite millions of dollars in all kinds of aid and funding and the determined and brave efforts of so many people on the front line and behind the scenes , the long awaited release of the estimated remaining rhino population in the Kruger National Park makes for very worrying and sad reading.

The numbers are estimated to have declined by a colossal 59% since 2013 , just seven years. The remaining white rhino population is estimated at 3,529 and the black rhino population at 268. In 2013 it was estimated that South Africa held over 90% of the Southern Africa white rhino population and over 45% of the African black rhino population. We know that in the meantime the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, in Kwa Zulu Natal, second only to KNP in rhino numbers in South Africa has also fallen in prey to relentless poaching. Also the Northern white rhino population numbers only two remaining now.

166 rhino were poached in South Africa in the first six months of 2020 which is a big fall compared to the peak of 1,215 poached in the whole of 2014. However this is little cause for celebration as it is more a reflection of how many less rhinos are left to poach as to any slackening of demand for the horns in the Far East. The Covid pandemic national lockdown in South Africa in the second quarter of last year would have hampered the poachers normal level of activities.

As far as it is known the price of the horn still reaches $70,000 to $80,000 per kilo to the end users in the Far East whether purchased for medicinal purposes or as a status symbol.

The arguments for and against illegalizing the sale of rhino horn outside South Africa continues , the legalization strongly supported by all breeders and most of the private owners. They argue that feeding the market with legal horn will reduce the demand and bring the price down per kilo and this in turn will make the criminal organizations involved lose interest in this currently very lucrative activity. Opponents counter argue that the lowering of the price will make the product all the more affordable to a larger market segment and the criminal organizations will market poached horn at even higher than current prices from rhino in the wild feeding on different types of leaves , plants and grasses in the wild retaining the mythical healing properties, that the horn being composed entirely of keratin simply does not have.

There is a keenly awaited annual update due any day now from South Africa’s department for Environment Forestry and Fisheries on its strategy for combating rhino poaching.

We ask whether now is finally the time to dehorn all the rhino within the Kruger National Park. Yes , it would be a costly operation but with the relatively small numbers left now , it would be doable and in a relatively short amount of time. Private funding would be made available in addition , we are sure.

Here on Balule reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park dehorning took place two years ago and the poaching has fallen away dramatically as has been the case in other reserves with the Greater Kruger who have had their rhinos dehorned . Studies to date both in South Africa and elsewhere on dehorned rhino populations have shown no evidence of any detrimental effect on the animals. The rhino still need protection as the residual horn is still of value but importantly of considerable less value for the risks involved in the poaching and illegal importation.

The only negative is visual , and it is strange to see rhinos without their horns but of course they do grow back and we would definitely rather see a rhino without a horn than no rhino at all.

Here at our Sausage Tree Safari Camp in Olifants West Nature Reserve, part of Balule, we have been extremely fortunate to have our rhinos very successfully protected 24/7 by our all girl, Black Mamba Environmental Monitors, funded and organized by Transfrontier Africa whom we support.

Please feel free to visit their website http://www.transfrontierafrica.co.uk/ and make a donation however small.

RAIN IS THE KEY TO EVERYTHING AROUND US

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 08:24:25 GMT

Here in Balule , Greater Kruger National Park, we received our first rains in early September which is unusual but not unheard of. Untypical of recent years is that more rain has been forthcoming in regular intervals without any hectic, intense downpours that can do more harm than good by causing surface run off, flooding and destroying roads.

As we start the new year we already have over 300mm of rain recorded (our area average is 345mm) rainfall since the beginning of this summer season and a strong certainty of more to come until end of the summer in April. According to the South African weather service this is because the El Niño Southern Oscillation is in La Niña as opposed to El Niño and the forecast indicates that it will most likely remain in La Niña during late summer.

La Niña is a periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in central and east central equatorial Pacific and typically occurs every three to five years. The knock on effect for Southern Africa and more specifically for the Lowveld is above average rainfall.

This will refill our underground aquifers which dropped significantly during the El Niño years with lower than average rainfall we have been experiencing over the last six years. The general growth of human developments in the Lowveld, a low rainfall area, has put a a lot of stress on water resources.

The upshot of all this is that our bushscape looks magnificent , green and lush, and food is in abundance for the herbivores and pools of water abound. Newborn of various species are strongly in evidence. Herbivores are putting on fat. Which will carry them through our dry winter. The migratory birds are being rewarded for their extraordinary journeys with an explosion of alates , the prince and princes of the termite colonies that have been fattened up courtesy of the worker termites in their underground nurseries ready for their once in a lifetime flight.

We anticipate that the beautiful orb spiders that have been noticeable by their absence during our recent drought years will be back in force but we must be patient as they are busy laying eggs that will probably not hatch until this time next year.

It's the season of plenty!

mike.lawrie448@gmail.com (Mike Lawrie) — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 13:26:01 GMT

Summer in the South African bush is something to behold. Trees, shrubs and plants that have endured our long, dry season have transformed into lush, verdant thickets and forests and the Balule Private Nature Reserve is green, green, green!

This is the difference that rain makes to our water-scarce environment. The clouds began to build up in mid-November last year as the heat built to a crescendo and our first storms of the season were a blessing. Within a few days new growth began to appear everywhere, from the first tentative blades of grass that pushed their way through the soil to buds forming on every tree and shrub. Slowly but surely the bush rejuventated, given new life with every downpour.

The coming of the rains is a signal to our wildlife that the season of plenty is about to begin. Many species perfectly time the birth of their babies to take advantage of the increase in food sources. Many species like impala and wildebeest are what we call synchronous breeders - this means they synchronise mating and giving birth and you know that after spotting the first lamb or calf of the season, there will soon be many more! In fact, research has shown that as much as 90% of impala births happen in a three to five-week period each lambing season.

The secret to synchronised birth is synchronised breeding, so where animals like impala have a breeding or mating season, or rut, the birth of the young will happen more or less at the same time following the gestation period. It's a survival strategy - births are synchronised to mitigate the high mortality rate of young from predation.

It's always lovely to see a range of baby animals on game drives here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp, and summer is most definitely "baby heaven" as we regularly see the young of many different species, from impala lambs and zebra foals to cute warthog piglets and baby giraffes. Sometimes we're lucky enough to see a newborn, still wobbly on its legs, or cute goslings following their Egyptian geese parents across dams and waterholes.

Here's an interesting fact - antelope species and others like zebra, buffalo and even larger species like rhino and elephant are known as precocial - their young are able to stand within a few minutes of being born. The big cat babies, on the other hand, are what's called altricial - born completely helpless - and they remain dependent for the first few weeks of their lives. There's a correlation here as the first group of animals are prey species and the big cats, of course, are predators. It makes sense that prey species have evolved to get up and running as quickly as possible! Predator species like lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dogs and hyena are all altricial and give birth to dependent young.

Summer in the Africa is also the season for amazing birding, as the bush is filled with both endemic and migrant species, many of which choose this season to breed and hatch young. The Wahlberg's eagles arrived at the start of the season and immediately began nesting, as did the African paradise flycatchers, whose impressive russet red tail plumage gives it away as it flits between branches in riverine and savannah thickets. The male has beautiful elongated tail feathers more than twice its body length during the breeding season, making it one of the stand-out species to spot.

The skies are also filled with European bee-eaters which spend the European winters with us, as do many of the swallow species and the gorgeous Amur falcon, which makes its way from Asia to make the most of our season of plenty!

And of course, the "creepy crawlies" are also at their most prolific during the summer, with an increase in insects and arachnid species. We're seeing a lot of elegant grasshoppers at the moment, with their distinctive, bright red and yellow colouring. Colour has a huge role to play where insects are concerned, often warning would-be predators that they are in for a nasty surprise if they're thinking about feasting! And that is most certainly the case where the elegant grasshopper is concerned, as it is full of unpleasant-tasting toxins, meaning that birds and other predators tend to steer clear of it! This method of warning predators is called aposomatic colouration.

The elegant grasshopper has been exceptionally successful at warning off predators to the point that it has no real need to escape anything. As a result, the grasshopper's wings, especially in the male, are very underdeveloped and while they can jump well, they often come back down to earth upside down or on their sides, before clumsily getting to their feet!

Find out more about our fabulous frogs

mike.lawrie448@gmail.com (Mike Lawrie) — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 13:22:12 GMT

There's very little to compare to the sound of the African bush on a summer night, with a cacophany of calls from a myriad creatures overwhelming your eardrums. Most intriguing are the often electronic-sounding, piercing beeps, bips and bops emitted by some of our smallest and most numerous inhabitants - frogs.

They proliferate during the rainy, green season which is when they mate and reproduce, with ponds, waterholes, puddles and dams filled with tadpoles of all shapes and sizes. And you'll frequently find them in and around Sausage Tree Safari Camp, especially after a downpour.

The three most frequently seen species here on the Balule Private Nature Reserve are the grey foam nest tree frog, the bushveld rain frog and the painted reed frog.

The grey foam nest tree frog is a fascinating little amphibian. As its name implies it's an arboreal frog and doesn’t really swim or spend time in water, although it does need the water to rehydrate. Its slightly bumpy skin changes colour in response to ambient temperature, ranging from white and pale grey to a mottled, patterned brown. Insectivorous, they've got the reputation for having one of the most extreme mating rituals in the animal kingdom! A single, fertile female is literally "encased" in males for hours on end, which cluster around her, using their back legs to help her whip a sticky liquid she secretes into a frothy foam. She lays up to 1000 eggs into this foam "nest" which is located above a water source. The eggs are fertilised by the multiple males who surround her.

The foam stops the eggs from dyring out until the tadpoles hatch and wriggle out of the foam, dropping into the water below to complete their metamorphosis.

Like many frogs, during the dry season the foam nest tree frog has adapted to allow it to survive without water. Its skin, for example, is resistant to evaporation and they aestivate - spending months in a torpid "dormant" state.

The bushveld rain frog is about as different as its possible to get! Also insectivorous, it lives underground, emerging usually at night after heavy rains to find food and to mate. It's an odd-looking frog, with a round, stumpy body, short little legs and an extraordinarily grumpy-looking face. It's able to inflate its body if attacked, making it look even more comical.

With its short little legs the male bushveld rain frog has a problem when it comes to mating, as its legs are not long enough to firmly grip the female. So the female secretes a kind of organic "glue" from her back to help the male stay in place while mating. Stuck together, they burrow backwards into the soil in search of a moist spot in which to lay eggs, which hatch into froglets rather than tadpoles. After mating, a release agent is secreted to allow the frogs to separate!

The painted reed frog is the most colourful of the frogs found around Sausage Tree Safari Camp. It's also one of the most common species in the area. The clue to their appearance is in their name, as they are colourful and intricately patterned. They emit a short, high-pitched whistling call which, if you are standing close to them, can actually make your ears ring! It's this call that attracts females and the males are careful to select the best "call" sites after rain where they call from dusk to around midnight each night. Call sites are usually ponds or other water sources, although the males will also call from reeds and trees, calling consistently for successive nights.

The females hear the call and make their way to the males, entering the pond and selecting a mate, laying eggs in the water which hatch into tadpoles a few days later and become fully formed frogs within eight weeks.

Bridging the tourism-conservation gap

mike.lawrie448@gmail.com (Mike Lawrie) — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 13:19:24 GMT

Have you ever wondered what a safari lodge actually does? Granted, lodges and camps like Sausage Tree Safari Camp provide accommodation and services to the world's tourists, welcoming people from all over the world, looking after them and making sure they have a great holiday. But there's so much more to a lodge than just provifing a nice place to stay in the bush.

Most importantly, a safari lodge is a critical bridge between tourism and conservation and has an invaluable role to play in helping to educate guests from across the world on the challenges and issues being faced in protecting wilderness areas and key species across Africa. Our guests become ambassadors not just for a destination, but for the wild flora and fauna they see every day during their stay with us. So it's absolutely imperative that we take our role as custodians and teachers seriously.

Safari lodges have an obligation to share knowledge, experience and understanding with guests, to make them aware of the precarious position many species find themselves in and give advice as to what they can do to help.

While they may not be scientists or academics pioneering the way forward, safari lodges and camps are "in the field" every single day and often assist in valuable research that is changing the way the world thinks about conservation and the management of wilderness areas. Our collective "voice" is taken seriously because we see the effects of climate change, human-wildlife conflict and habitat loss first-hand.

Many of us also work hand-in-hand with conservation programmes to help improve the understanding of what is happening and how better to reduce the pressure on key species and fragile environments. We do this by working with communities, ensuring that game reserves are not just the playgrounds of the wealthy but have real and meaningful benefit for those who live on their periphery, creating a tangible value for wildlife and protected areas.

In many respects, lodges across Africa are the frontline of conservation, where guests come into physical contact with places they have only ever seen on a television screen or a YouTube video. It's usually a powerful impact and leaves a lasting, if not lifelong impression. So the onus on us is to get the message out, to educate and inform and express the need to conserve Africa's wilderness areas for generations yet to come without our guests feeling like they are being bludgeoned!

Lodges invariably do this by giving our guests incomparible wildlife experiences, showing them what "wild Africa" is all about and gently explaining to them how important it is that what we have now is still here in 100 years or more.

Ultimately, it all boils down to passion, and making the most of it by sharing it with guests. It's about where we are and what we do, and no matter whether it's a basic bush camp or a luxurious 5-star retreat, a safari lodge is a conduit to the wilderness and has to make sure that it provides a voice for those who have none - the countless species of animals and plants whose existence is in our hands.

The long and tall of it!

mike.lawrie448@gmail.com (Mike Lawrie) — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 13:16:20 GMT

They're one of Africa's most iconic animals, beloved by tourists from across the world and carvings of them get carried onto outward-bound planes at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International each each and every day... And yet giraffe numbers across Africa are plummeting with an estimated drop of 40% over the last 30 years to an estimated 97,500 individuals remaining throughout the continent.

Indeed, two of the nine known sub species - the Kordofan and Nubian giraffes - are listed as critically endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List - just one stage away from being declared extinct in the wild. The reticulated, Maasai, Thornicrofts and West African sub species are also listed as either endangered or vulnerable by the IUCN.

Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, civil unrest and poaching for bush meat, skins and tails are some of the reasons for the giraffe's dramatic decline. It's all very sad when you consider that the giraffe is the tallest terrestrial animal on the planet and the largest ruminant. With its super model looks (long neck and legs), its horn-like ossicones and incomparable coat pattern the giraffe is simply a stunning beast and a firm favourite of our guests here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp and across the Balule Private Nature Reserve.

It's closest living relative is the equally strange okapi and although that neck is super-long, it has the same number of cervical vertebrae in it as other mammals - seven. However, those vertebrae are up to 28cm long! They need the length to browse on the uppermost branches of trees, their favoured food being the leaves, fruits and flowers of mostly acacia trees.

They live in groups of related females with their offspring or sometimes form bachelor groups of unrelated bulls. They're social though, and often gather in large numbers. When they're standing still feeding, these groups are known as a "tower". When they're on the move, they're called a "journey".

So how tall does a giraffe actually get? The tallest recorded bull thus far measured 5,88m (19,3 feet) and the tallest female 5,17m (17 feet). Their front and back legs are around the same length but its body is relatively short from front to back. Giraffes have only two gaits - walking and galloping - and when walking they move the front and hind legs on one side together and then the front and hind legs together on the other side. Camels also do this.

The giraffe's ossicones are actually made of ossified cartilage. When they are born, a baby giraffe's ossicones are flattened backwards to avoid damaging the mother's birth canal. As the giraffe grows they become more upright and eventually fuse to the skull. With males the ossicones become thickened and develop bald patches on top (due to constant fighting for dominance) whereas the female giraffe's ossicones remain slender, dainty and fluffy! This is the easiest way to tell male from female at a distance.

Other ossifications on the heads of male giraffes as they grow older add weight to their skull and aid in "necking" - the swinging blows delivered by the heads and necks of combatting males during their constant battle for dominance and mating rights.

The critically endangered Kordofan giraffe has a pronounced and distinctive third ossicone in the middle of its forehead. The reticulated and northern sub species also have this third or median ossicone.

The giraffe is a very taciturn animal which it has always been thought does not make any sounds other than the occasional snort. Many believe that giraffes have no vocal cords but this is untrue. Supposition is that the giraffe cannot move sufficient air over their vocal cords or folds to make them vibrate and produce sounds, but in 2015 scientific researchers discovered that they actually hum, mostly at night, and at very low frequencies (around 92HZ), making the sounds they produce right at the lower end of the human hearing spectrum. If you'd like to hear what a giraffe hum sounds like, click here:

https://soundcloud.com/wired/giraffe-humming

While we still have no idea what this humming is for, the researchers deduce that it's a way for the giraffe to stay in touch during the night without drawing the attention of predators.

Which is probably a good idea as giraffes are one of the favourite prey species of lion, who hunt mostly at night.

A wolf in dog's clothing!

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 06:32:51 GMT

It's hard to believe that Africa's beautiful painted wolf (African wild dog) is still stigmatised in spite of its endangered status, but that's the cold truth about these beautiful, but highly efficient predators with both formal and informal livestock farmers across the continent still regarding them as a pest.

Indeed, in South Africa of old, the painted wolf (it's name comes from its latin name - lycaon pictus) was persecuted, shot and killed with the government rewarding such actions with a reward of 5 shillings per animal! Thankfully those days are consigned to the history books and anecdotes of yesteryear and today, here on the Balule Private Nature Reserve, we are always extremely glad to see them, which we do frequently on our game drives. Or even driving along the R40 north of the small town of Hoedspruit which dissects a major portion of their local range! Painted wolves are regularly seen crossing this major road and our local drivers know to look out for them and allow them to cross in safety, warning other road users of their presence when they are found.

Here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp we currently are seeing a small pack of three painted wolves with seven pups in our area, which are always a special sighting for our guests.

The reserve's research team also recently collared an alpha male in our area, so we are fortunate to be "in the thick of it" when it comes to dog activity.

There is no underestimating the critical role that painted wolves play in the ecosystems they inhabit. Their presence helps to regulate prey species and, as a result, help to shape entire vegetation landscapes. They are Africa's most successful predator in terms of kill rate, and also its rarest. Their fascinating and intricate social system is also the subject of much research and through this we have discovered that they are one of the few species that actively looks after their sick and old, highlighting an incredible bond that all pack members share.

Packs can be large, with up to 30 individuals, but only the alpha female usually breeds in a pack, although sometimes, depending on conditions, the beta female will also produce pups, but the alpha female will raise them all nonetheless. The role of the pack is to look after the alpha male and female, with the betas waiting in the wings to step in if the alphas are lost. It's a strict hierarchy that drives potential new alphas and betas off on their own, splitting large packs to form new, emerging packs. Unusually, once they reach maturity it is the males that tend to stay within their family pack while the females leave to form or join new packs.

Painted wolves range over huge distances, only staying in one spot when they den and the pups are born. Painted wolves breed seasonally, with pups being born usually in the dry season when the hunting conditions are at their best. When the pups are ready to eat solid food they are given priority when the pack makes a kill, even over the alpha pair, so that they grow as quickly as possible, enabling them to keep up with the pack and speed up the process of leaving the den site.

It's been known for a single pack to range over as much as a 1500km distance, which is why seeing painted wolves is such a privilege. It's an enormous home range, so let's put it into perspective - imagine an area the size of Greater London, home to some 7,5-million people. This huge city would only be able to support only one or two packs of painted wolves!

Fortunately, we tend to see them once a month or so, and usually more regularly in summer because of the plentiful prey species - especially impala. Of course, their presence in our area depends on other predator activity and we find that if we are seeing a lot of lion and hyena, painted wolf sightings tail off.

Because of this huge range and their need for space, the loss of habitat is a major concern and perhaps the greatest threat facing the painted wolf.

Their coats are something to behold. Each of the spotted, mottled patterns is unique - like a fingerprint. Their large, round ears are perhaps their most distinguishing feature and allow for exceptionally acute hearing that can pick up the calls of other pack members over long distances.

Everything from hares and warthog to impala and kudu is on the painted wolf menu, and they have even been known to hunt larger species such as buffalo - concentrating on the immature and weakened animals, as well as calves. They are exceptionally intelligent hunters and display remarkable hunting strategies that see some members flank prey while others fall behind or take up ambush positions further ahead.

Ultimately, this beautiful, clever canid is part of our wilderness landscape here in Africa and the priority for several large conservation organisations that are working together to secure its future. So the next time you stroke your pet dog or rub its tummy, think about its African "cousin" out here in the wilds of Africa - our very own "wild dog".

From mouse control to feeding beetles - the secret life of owls

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 10:57:29 GMT

Renowned for their silent flight and legendary eyesight, owls are some of the coolest, and most misunderstood birds of prey in the African bush.

Here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp we're fortunate to have regular sightings of a number of owl species, some in broad daylight. It's not unusual to see the wonderful little pearl-spotted owlet and its cousin, the African barred owlet, out on morning and afternoon game drives when the sun is still shining brightly. As the sun goes down, however, we're more likely to see the spotted eagle owl, scops owl and and Southern white-faced owl.

Common belief has it that owls can see in the dark. Actually, they can't see in complete darkness but rather use ambient light like starlight and moonlight to amplify their sight and help them focus in the dark. It's actually their hearing that makes owls such effective night-time predators. They use their ears to pinpoint prey and have asymmetrical hearing with one ear located slightly higher on their heads than the other. So when you see an owl characteristically bobbing its head up and down, it's using its ears to hone in on movement, using what we call 3D hearing to assess how far away a potential meal is and whether it is in the branches of a tree or on the ground.

An owl's ability to fly virtually silently is down to its super fine, "furry" wing feathers that help to muffle all sound. So effective are these feathers that we humans have borrowed their tech in archery, using feather-like "silencers" on bow strings to dampen the sound of them loosing arrows.

It's silent flight that allows owls to be such successful killers and the African bush's chief rodent control officers, capable of consuming thousands of mice each year. An owl will regurgitate the fur, feathers and bones of its prey in a pellet. Although moist when first regurgitated, these pellets soon dry out and become their own self-contained ecosystem, playing host to moth and beetle larvae as well as fungi. The larvae eat the fur and feathers and use some of it in the construction of their cocoons, which they build near the host pellet.

The varying sizes and shapes of the local owls means that they are not in direct competition with one another, feeding on prey species from smaller birds and rodents to scrub hares and fish. The Pel's fishing owl is top of the list of riverine birds that birders come to the Balule Private Nature Reserve to see, but it's not alone in its pescatarian pursuits - we've spotted Verreaux's eagle owl and spotted eagle owls catching tilapia from the waterhole in front of our camp!

Of course, a lot of guests hear owls long before they see them (if they are lucky enough to spot them on a game drive or here in camp). The most common calls in the night-time bush are of the scops owl and the pearl-spotted owlet, which can easily be distinguished from the African barred owlet by its distinctive call (and the fact that it has "false eyes" in the feather markings on the back of its head).

Throughout history owls have been persecuted because of the belief that they are harbingers of death and doom. Some African cultures believe they are omens of bad luck and ill health, threatening their very existence, and kill owls on sight. Along with modern pesticides and road deaths, this fear has contributed to an overall reduction in owl numbers, with many species now listed as vulnerable. Today, thankfully, dedicated education programmes and outreach initiatives are helping to develop a new understanding of the importance of owls in both urban and rural communities.

Sausage Tree Safari Camp by night...

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 10:55:28 GMT

Find out the things that go bump, or otherwise, when the lights go off...

Make no mistake about it, the human guests at Sausage Tree Safari Camp - or any lodge for that matter - are not the only visitors! Under cover of darkness a whole new guestlist is revealed as a variety of nocturnal creatures move through and around camp, going about their nightly business.

The beauty of staying in a tented camp like ours is that come nightfall you get to hear the incredible cacophany of sounds that make the African bush so mesmerising. There's nothing to beat hearing lion and leopard calling, or the eerie "whoop" of the spotted hyena and the high pitched bark of the jackal while laying in your bed.

So what's out there, in the darkness, moving around while you are asleep? Sausage Tree Safari Camp manager Eswe Ras asked himself this question when he kept finding evidence of night-time guests at his house close to camp, and no small amount of damage to his garden. So he put up a camera trap to find out who the culprits were and the images have shown him that once the lights are out, there's a veritable party going on outside!

"There's been a camera trap at our waterhole in front of the camp for many years," says Eswe. "We've seen amazing things on the waterhole camera, from African wild cat with kittens to hippo and everything in between, but I wondered what was going on at my house and guide Matthew Sussens' house which is immediately next to mine," he adds.

The camera's roll of honour includes the usual suspects like civet, genet and porcupine, and has also captured elephant and honey badgers inside and around the outskirts of the camp. While the results may not be too surprising, the regularity of the visitors and what they get up to has been a revelation.

"Every morning if you walk around camp before the guests are awake you will find the tracks of civet, genet and porcupine," says guide Matthew. "Now we have honey badgers making regular visits to camp," he says, adding that one miscreant badger even bumped into the glass door of a guest's outside shower door while said guest was in the bathroom!

The camera trap shots are shared each day with guests at the camp, a lot of whom have no idea about these amazing little creatures of the night.

"Because we hardly ever see these animals out on a game drives, a lot of guests have no idea what they are or how fascinating these nocturnal animals can be," says Matthew. "So showing them who's in camp while they are dreaming is very exciting for them, and makes them appreciate the wilderness that much more and understand that it's about more than just the Big Five," he adds.

Eswe guessed that the honey badgers were doing most of the digging and causing the majority of the damage to his garden, but the camera has shown him that the holes he is finding every morning are, in fact, being made by porcupines. "They are steadily eating their way through my plants," he sighs.

While honey badgers are renowned for being extraordinarily difficult to manage in some safari camps and lodges, going to enormous lengths to get access to kitchens and rubbish bins or waste sites, the badgers at Sausage Tree Safari Camp seem to be a bit more low key and have not yet tried to chew or claw their way through the kitchen door.

"They seem a lot more skittish here in camp," says Eswe. "They'll take advantage of an open door or window, for sure, but so far are still wary of the human presence here," he says, adding that it's a huge relief for staff in camp that the badgers are not, well, badgering them. Given their penchant for being very grumpy and tenacious beyond belief, Eswe and his team are happy the badgers are thus far behaving themselves. "They're just incredible little creatures, and we love them dearly, from a distance!"

A tree like no other!

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 10:51:38 GMT

It's one of the most bizarre fruits in the botanical kingdom and its shape has helped to name the tree it hangs from - the tree after which we are named... Meet the oddly shaped and occasionally lethal pendulous fruit of the "sausage tree" - Kigelia Africana.

Huge, sausage-shaped and growing up to a metre in length, there's no mistaking the fruit of this beautiful riparian tree that grows close to rivers and streams and often along drainage lines. They can take up to a year to ripen and can weigh in at a whopping 10kg so sitting under a fruiting tree can be risky to life and limb, with a number of deaths recorded from people being hit on the head by falling "sausages".

The sausage tree is a member of the same family of flowering trees as the jacaranda and can grow as high as 20m. It flowers for a few weeks in spring each year, displaying flamboyant deep red blossoms that attract an aray of animals with their scent that's generally the most powerful at night, attracting the fruit bats which are the tree's main pollinators.

The tree's leaves are eaten by a range of herbivores from elephant to kudu and the fruit themselves are eaten by monkeys, porcupines, hippos and a variety of birds. When they fall and dry out, when opened they reveal a tough, fibrous and pulpy inner filled with seeds that's often chewed by mammals such as zebra and giraffe, helping to spread the dispersal of seeds in their dung.

The unripened fruit is highly poisonous to humans if eaten, and when ripe is a highly effective emetic that believe it or not is brewed into a beer! In order to make it safe for consumption and to avoid the purgative properties, the fruits have to be sundried, fermented with sugar cane juice for at least 24-hours and dried again before being added to a large barrel of sugar cane juice where it is fermented for a further four days.

It's also used in a variety of traditional and mainstream medicinal remedies and has significant medicinal properties, especially in the treatment of skin conditions and irritations. A traditional treatment for mosquito bites is to slice the fruit, boil the slices in water, allow to cool and use the resulting "tea" to bathe the bites repeatedly. It reduces the irritation and redness and kills the itching making it the perfect natural remedy for guests afflicted by mozi and other insect bites.

Kigelia cream is also used in the treatment of excema, skin cancer and psoriasis. It's also used in several mainstream beauty treatments and is widely regarded as a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-aging remedy.

The fruits and parts of the tree itself are used to treat a variety of maladies from malaria, headaches and rheumatism to ulcers and gastro-intestinal issues. Unsurprisingly, given the shape of its fruit, the tree is sacred to many different tribes and cultures across Africa and is used in traditional rituals and medicinal remedies to improve manhood and sexual performance!

The wood from the sausage tree is exceptionally useful, because it's water resistant and does not break or crack easily, making it perfect for use as a dug-out canoe and oars.

Finally, the sausage tree after which our little camp is named stands guard over our property on the Balule Private Nature Reserve and is an ambassador for both its species and trees in general, educating our guests on the amazing value they bring to our lives and the importance of protecting them.

Cute lion cub action with the Takazile pride

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 10:49:08 GMT

There's very little that can outstrip the antics of 14 lion cubs

Sausage Tree Safari Camp's lion encounters are invariably entertaining at the moment, thanks to the Takazile pride's energetic cubs who frequently put on a fabulous show for our guests.

The Takazile pride is made up of 24 lions - three large males, seven females and no less than 14 cubs of various ages, the youngest of which are just a couple of months old. It's our resident pride and often seen in the camp's traversing area that gave them their name, having arrived in the region just two short years ago from the Timbavati Private Game Reserve.

It's led by the impressive Machaton males - originally a coalition of four males, all of whom are most likely related, one of which died shortly after their relocation to the Balule. The three remaining males are now in the region of nine years old and are exceptional in terms of their size and the way they look after their pride, which is good news as in their youth, the Machaton males had a reputation as lion killers and pride busters - taking out pride males, killing cubs and even females before moving on.

The seven females in the pride also have impressive lineage, being descendants of a legendary local male named Big Boy, who survived well into his teens, reaching 15 years of age before succumbing to old age. They've become extraordinarily successful as both hunters and mothers, cementing the stability of the pride and its place in this area.

As with all lion prides, the size of the pride and its success are related more to the space it controls than the number of females under the protection of the males. Generally speaking, the more males in a coalition means a the bigger the territory they control, keeping all other males out and securing the future of their cubs in the process. So the Machaton males have achieved considerable success in looking after the Takazile pride's "turf" - allowing the pride's numbers to swell, raising a good number of healthy, well protected cubs in the process.

Sadly, at nine years old, they're now getting to the stage in their lives where their ability to fend off other interested males will start to deteriorate as old age creeps in, making them slower, less able to recover from fights and quicker to succumb to wounds. But we hope that they are able to protect the pride for some time still to come, looking after the cubs currently under their protection.

It's this level of protection that allows the cubs to be adventurous and curious and relaxed in their environment, all of which makes viewing them an absolute pleasure as we get to watch their interactions with one another and the rest of the pride members without negatively affecting their behaviour.

As our collection of videos and images shows, watching the Takazile pride is far from boring as the cubs are always up to something, pouncing on one another, testing their stalking skills and generally finding ways to keep themselves amused, often to the chagrin of other members of the pride!

It's always good to see a successful, stable pride because the challenges facing our wild lion populations are enormous, with numbers across the continent plummeting as a result of habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and poaching (lion bones and body parts are highly prized in Chinese traditional medicine). We need to be doing all we can to ensure that these incredible, iconic big cats are protected for generations to come so that lion cub encounters like these shown in our videos do not become consigned to history.

Buffalo making a comeback on the Balule

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 13:39:34 GMT

There's no doubt that the drought that ended in November last year hit buffalo numbers extremely hard here at Sausage Tree Camp on the Balule Private Nature Reserve. The drought accounted for a drop of some 50% in the Kruger National Park's buffalo numbers so it's easy to understand how numbers in the surrounding Greater Kruger reserves were also devastated.

We were certainly battling to see any buffalo at all on game drives, and the animals that survived were inevitably weakened and often diseased, meaning that predation - primarily by lions - increased exponentially. So it's good to know that since the life-giving rains that finally broke the drought arrived, buffalo numbers have bounced back.

We now regularly see a herd of some 70 or 80 animals on our game drives, and there have been a huge number of calves born during the rainy season so that number is steadily increasing.

Buffaloes perform a critical role in an ecosystem in alleviating the pressure of ticks from other mammals. They carry a huge infestations of these parasites, providing much-needed sustenance to the red-billed and yellow-billed oxpeckers that are always seen hanging on to their hides, keeping these disease-bearing biters at bay. Without the buffalo, tick populations explode, negatively impacting the other animals they feed on to the point of killing them - literally bleeding them dry. We saw several incidences of tick infested impala who had died as a result of anemia caused by the ticks literally taking too much blood out of their system to allow them to recover the red blood cells and associated oxygen levels needed to survive.

Another important thing buffalo do is fertilise soil through their droppings. Yes, buffalo pooh, though smelly, is extremely good for the earth, helping to restore much needed nutrients and nitrogen levels that in turn are needed to help seeds germinate and plants grow. So fewer buffalo means less fertile soil, which in turn compounds the effects of the drought. Thankfully, the surfeit of buffalo manure since the rains came has made this latest green season one to remember!

Of course, the buffalo is also a vital food source for our predators - lions, hyena and leopard - so the increase in numbers is good news for buffalo eaters, putting healthy red meat firmly back on the menu!

Lions like those from our resident Takazile pride use strength of numbers to overcome full grown buffalo, usually attacking from the rear in an attempt to get them off balance and bring them down. Hyena use similar methods, usually singling out smaller, weaker-looking animals as their targets. Leopard, on the other hand, opt for a more patient and stealthy approach, attacking calves and then waiting for them to weaken and fall behind before closing in to finish them off.

Hunting buffalo is far from easy, though, as they are famous for their defence of one another and will retaliate readily, chasing and charging down predators. Their horns are lethal, as are their hooves, and many an unwary lion has been fatally wounded in the resulting skirmishes.

This blog was also published by Africa Geographic

Building up an appetite for African adventure

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 13:44:22 GMT

Sometimes, the best safari experience begins in a kitchen... Somewhere deep in the bush, surrounded by wild animals and facing challenges no ordinary kitchen normally faces.

From baboons and monkeys to snakes and spiders, from honey badgers and hyenas to ants and scorpions - the average safari camp kitchen has to deal with far more than preparing the perfect meal.

Before our guests' early morning wake-up call, and while they are out enjoying the amazing sights and sounds of the African bush, our kitchen staff are hard at work making magic happen and contributing to one of the most under-rated ingredients of the safari experience... food!

You've heard all of the campfire tales of derring do and incredible sightings, and you've witnessed first-hand the majesty of an iconic animal, but each day starts and ends with a master plan of how to keep you fuelled for your safari adventure, coming up with amazing ways to "wow" you on a plate by dishing up amazing dishes served up with a side order of African hospitality and flair!

You'll not see many pictures of safari "bush tucker" dished up on Facebook or Instagram, but you most assuredly will appreciate the skills of a great chef at the end of a long, tiring day in the bush. And most safari reviews include lots of details about how good, or bad, the food is! Which is why chef Orlando Mathebula and his assistant and sidekick Pitso Makutu are the unsung heroes of Sausage Tree Safari Camp, because they manage to create an incredible array of mouthwatering dishes that act as the icing on our safari cake, far from the normal resources most of us take for granted.

Granted, Sausage Tree Safari Camp's kitchen is modern and well equipped, but it's in the heart of the Balule Private Nature Reserve, almost an hour's drive to the nearest supermarket, dodging elephants, lions, and the usual suspects along the way. So if you forget a vital ingredient it's not as if you can just pop out and get it!

For Orlando and Pitso, though, that's part of the fun of what they do and where they work.

"I love being in the bush," says Orlando. "I can't imagine working in a kitchen anywhere else." Orlando (41) has been exposed to more bush than the average person, given his amazing life story. Born in Shokwe, Mozambique, at the height of that country's civil war, in 1986 his family fled to escape the violence, taking 9-year-old Orlando and walking through the Kruger National Park to safety in South Africa.

"That was a terrifying experience," he recalls. "It took us five nights of walking, only at night, trying to avoid predators and other dangerous animals. Finally we ended up in Welverdiend (a small community on the edge of the KNP) where we stayed for a week to recover before joining family in nearby Hluvukani. Accepted as refugees, Orlando's mum found a job and he went to school, eventually completing his matriculation exams and starting work at a catering college, where he worked for tuition. "I learned everything I know now at the catering college," he says. "I started working eventually at a nearby game reserve before moving to Sausage Tree Safari Camp in 2013," he says.

For Pitso (32), the route to kitchen hero has been a little different. "I began as a maintenance man here in 2009. In those days Sausage Tree Safari Camp was a self-catering lodge, but when it became fully catered I moved into the kitchen, where I now help Orlando with the daily preparation of meals, laying out tables for each meal and organising our snacks for our afternoon game drives," he says. Along the way Pitso has learned a lot about herbs and spices and what the right ingredients mean to a fabulous meal. "Orlando has taught me to cook and I love it when he is away on leave and I can prepare the meals," he says. "I wouldn't want to work anywhere else. I love it here."

All of the meals at Sausage Tree Safari Camp are made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and the menus are designed ad hoc, to take advantage of what is available and in season. "This gets away from the standard menu rotation and means that I can be creative with what I serve to our guests," says Orlando. That creativity shines through the delicious meals that are served to eager, hungry guests, who inevitably rave about not just the incredible game viewing but hearty, home-cooked meals that Sausage Tree Safari Camp serves up in its own, unique style.

* This blog was also published by Africa Geographic

Meet Ezulwini, our gentlest giant

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 13:27:44 GMT

Since first being spotted in the Timbavati way back at the start of the millennium, the huge tusker known as Ezulwini has become legendary, and very much part of the landscape here at Sausage Tree Safari Camp on the Balule Private Nature Reserve.

We've had regular sightings of this magnificent elephant bull over the years, and some extraordinary close encounters, the most recent of which was captured on video by guide Matthew Sussens and is shared below.

Simply put, Ezulwini lives up to his name, which means "from heaven" in the Zulu vernacular. He's a true gentle giant and seems somehow drawn to people, almost taking pleasure from being with them.

As with all elephant bulls, Ezulwini has an enormous home range and is prone to wandering, most often alone, but sometimes in the company of younger bulls or shadowing breeding herds. This movement can cover hundreds of kilometres and some have even been tracked on journeys of thousands of kilometres lasting years. This tendency to explore highlights the importance of the Greater Kruger initiative and the removing of fences between the Kruger National Park and neighbouring reserves like Balule, expanding the home range of our incredible elephant population and creating space for this natural movement and roaming.

What sets Ezulwini apart from other elephant bulls in the area, apart from his impressive ivory, is his extraordinarily gentle demeanor which apparently persists even when he is in musth.

Musth is a state of heightened sexual activity characterised by often highly aggressive behaviour, the streaking of temporin from the temporal glands and a constant dribble of urine that often stains the hind legs a pale green and smells, well, "musthy"!

During musth testosterone levels in elephant bulls can be up to six times greater than normal, so the accepted rule is to avoid musth bulls at all costs. Except that Ezulwini has evidently not read this memo and somehow manages to stay exceptionally chilled and relaxed in spite of the hormones raging through him during this time.

Indeed, Ezulwini is the epitome of Zen, making him an absolute delight to come across on game drives and even on walks.When he is in our area and we find him and position ourselves at a respectful distance, he very often chooses to approach the game viewer and pass by alongside, often with millimeters to spare!

Being so at ease in the company of humans is a double-edged sword for elephants like Ezulwini, as they obviously make easy targets for poachers. Africa is currently losing up to 100 elephants a day - that's one every 15 minutes - to ivory poaching and our big tuskers are under enormous threat as a result. Luckily, with his huge home range across most of the Greater Kruger area combined with the size of the Balule Private Nature Reserve (around 400km sq) and the constant presence of humans in this area, the threat to Ezulwini is minimised.

It's sad that demand for ivory has created such a crisis for these magnificent animals. Elephant tusks are actually a single pair of upper incisors that continue to grow throughout an elephant's life. In Africa's elephants, both bulls and cows grow tusks, whereas in the Asian species only males have tusks. While they never stop growing, the growth rate of tusks slows as elephants get older, meaning that the great tuskers are also among the oldest of their kind.

Ezulwini is in his prime and is estimated to be around 45 to 50 years old. Elephants live to as old as 70 so with luck we'll continue to see and interact with this magnificent bull for some years to come!

* This blog was also published in Africa Geographic

The best seat in the house!

Tue, 28 May 2019 10:24:38 GMT

Life at the front of an open game drive vehicle on the Balule Nature Reserve is far from boring. Just ask Themba Zwane, tracker extraordinaire at Sausage Tree safari camp and local boy made good. He occupies what's arguably the best seat in the house for any safari, strapped into a tiny seat precariously perched on the front bumper of a game viewer and it's his job to find evidence of what animal has moved where and when. If you've ever wondered if tracking is a tough task, try looking at the average dirt road on any game reserve and see what you can distinguish - you'll soon redefine the meaning of impossible!

But the tracker's seat has its bonuses - you're always the first to see what lies ahead and occupy prime position when it comes to spotting animals from the biggest to the smallest, and everything in between.

Themba's been tracking at Sausage Tree for eight years now and joined the camp straight from finishing school in Somerset village in nearby Bushbuckridge, where he grew up.

"I started as a gardener and worked my way up from there," he says with a grin. "I soon learned that no two game drives are ever the same, and even though I've been doing this a long time now, I still get up in the mornings excited at what I might see," he says.

Themba gets up at 5am to get the early morning pre-drive tea and coffee prepared for guests, greeting them as they gather before heading out on their dawn safari. "I love meeting people from all over the world," he says. "It's fantastic to be able to find out about places I have only ever read about and to introduce guests to the African bush, teaching them all I have learned along the way."

This father of three (with a fourth on the way!) takes his responsibilities as a teacher very seriously. "I guess I'm like an ambassador for Africa," he says. "It's my job to help people to find amazing things on their safari and to help interpret what they see. So it's important that even when the animals are being shy and the tracks are leading nowhere that I discover the little things that help to make a safari interesting and share the knowledge I have acquired."

Themba's ambition is to become a guide and vacate the seat he's been occupying for so long. "Then I could help to train a new 'Themba' and take my role to a new, exciting level," he says. "But I would definitely miss the best seat in the house!"

* This blog was also published in Africa Geographic

The Black Mambas - Balule's very own Girl Power

Tue, 28 May 2019 10:19:39 GMT

The Balule Private Nature Reserve is home to one of the most high-profile anti poaching units in Africa - the all-women Black Mambas. Since their inception in 2013, these lovely ladies have become icons of the battle to save South Africa's rhinos and amazing role models for girls everywhere who want to make a difference in the conservation of our incredible wildlife.

Recruited through joint efforts by the Balule management and local tribal authorities - a process that created community buy-in to the Black Mamba programme at the highest level - the initial team of six women has now grown to a fully equipped and highly trained team of 36 who are deployed each day with a single purpose - to gather information on poacher activities and the poaching landscape within the Balule and beyond.

The Black Mambas are quite literally the "bobbies on the beat" of Balule's dusty pavements, using their eyes and ears to develop institutional knowledge of the area in which they work, noting who drives what vehicle, who goes to which school, who works where... Covering large areas, the Mambas look smart, speak well and command respect. It's a proud and dignified role for the ladies who make up the group and goes to the very DNA of the Black Mamba "brand". It's a brand that does not forget that these women are young mothers and wives, with families to care for who live in the same communities as the poachers themselves, so efforts are maximised to protect them at every level, both physically and emotionally.

The Black Mambas are not armed with guns, only pepper-spray. They're not deployed in ambushes or other tactical situations that could result in casualties. They are rather the public face of anti-poaching and perform a critical role in outreach programmes throughout the Greater Kruger region, and even internationally - a group of Black Mambas has recently returned home from a visit to Australia where they were hosted by the Irwin family.

The Mambas are also tracked in real time when they are out on their patrols and operate their own command and control centre, allowing them to respond rapidly to any crisis situation and maintain high levels of strategic planning and assessment of the patrol regime.

So, what's it like being a Black Mamba? Well, a typical day would consist of boundary patrols to look for evidence of poacher activity; routine road-blocks to search people and vehicles entering and leaving the reserve; searching for and destroying snares; visiting the homes of people living on the old farms and building sites to inspect premises and question locals; carry out listening posts at night in areas where poachers are known to often traverse and patrolling boundaries in vehicles at night. They also visit schools every day and take part in community functions in their official capacity, staging parades and giving speeches.

They really are the pride of the Balule!

*This blog was also published in Africa Geographic

Olifants River

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 06:24:56 GMT

The Balule conservancy is halved by the Olifants River running through it. The Balule conservancy takes its name from this river which was also known as the Obalaule River . Obalule translation is “long, stretched out one”.

This perennial river has its source near Bethal, some 155 kms East of the outskirts of Johannesburg and passes through the the Witbank and then the Loskop Dam and flows East across the Lowveld joined by the Blyde River ,West of Hoedspruit and then across Balule Conservancy into the Kruger National Park where it is joined by the Letaba River. Thereafter it crosses into Gaza Province , Mozambique slicing through the Lebombo Mountains by way of the Olifants Gorge becoming the Rio Dos Olifants and eventually flowing into the mighty Limpopo River 40 kms before entering the Indian Ocean at the port of Xai-Xai , North of Maputo.

The Olifants River has a 55,000km2 catchment area with a length of 560 kms and about 60 % of the water taken from the river is for irrigation, about 20% to generate power, about 20% for towns, industries and mines. It’s water powers Eskom’s dozen coal fired power stations in the Highveld , then irrigates the huge citrus farms the Lowveld side of the Drakensberg Mountains before bringing life to the Greater Kruger National Park.

In the recent drought years in the KNP the river slowed to a trickle and then dried up for three months causing fish and hippo populations to crash. This appears not to be just drought related but stemmed from past practice of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry issuing so many licenses to farmers,miners,industrialists and other sectors that more water can be taken out of the river each year than consistently flows along its length. The recent development of the richest seam of platinum in the world in the Burgersfort has resulted in a proliferation of licensed mines and illegal mines . Politically connected mine owners are alleged to have enjoyed little oversight of the amount of water used or of the quality of the water released back with elevated levels of heavy metals now being found in tested fish.

Thabo Mohlala , a biomonitor technician at the NGO Award based in Hoedspruit has stated that mines and waste water treatment works are the two biggest problems > the latter being relatively easy to fix given resource and will, as it is a maintenance problem. Mines is a tougher one and Mohlala was very instrumental in the successful prosecution of Bosveld Phosphates, a processing plant outside nearby Phalaborwa , pay a R2.55 million fine for polluting the Ga-Selati River in 2014 . This spill resulted in the deaths of hundreds of crocodiles in the main KNP. The fatty tissue in the tails of the affected crocodile turned an orange colour and and stiffened preventing them from swimming. This stemmed from the polluted fish these crocodile were feeding upon , fish in general average approximately 90% of a crocodile’s diet.

There is now a thorough analysis being undertaken of the overall situation which may well lead to cutting water allocations based on considerations of the needs of the environment as well as economic and social issues. Hopefully numbers and quality of monitoring staff and application of existing regulations will improve.

In the meantime ,part of our traversing takes us along 5kms along the southern bank of the Olifants from West of the Olifants River Bridge still has impressive populations of crocodile , hippo and bird life in abundance. Saddle billed stork, yellow billed stork and Goliath heron are frequent sightings and many other riverine dwellers with the occasional treat of a Pels Fishing Owl, trumpeter hornbill and open bills.

Enjoying a sundowner whilst watching elephant wallow in the river they gave their name to is one of the highlights for our guests and for a short time we can all forget these real issues that are threatening the integrity of this important river which must be protected at all costs.

We are Sausage Tree Safari Camp, a small, intimate, family run luxury tented camp consistently rated No.1 in Balule by TripAdvisor. Check us out at www.sausagetree.co.za

Best views of the Lowveld in Balule?

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 06:19:36 GMT

Scenery is not necessarily the first thing safari goers consider but it should not be underestimated as one of the key factors that underscore and shape their overall satisfaction and experience.

These ancient volcanic formations , locally referred to as koppies are estimated to have been first formed over 2000 million years ago ,igneous granite rocks weathered into unlikely shapes give a Jurassic park feel to the area. Part of the Phalaborwa Complex they are satellite intrusions to the main volcanic pipe which is replete with copper and vermiculite deposits as well as foskorite and is mined extensively. You can drive through the Phalaborwa Mine and drive up the man made mountain of ore removed for open cast mining to make the third largest man made hole on the planet. Pretty it is not but impressive nevertheless and if you drive to the very top you can take in probably the best 360 degree view of the Lowveld.

The mountains in the background are part of the Drakensberg Range which afford a dramatic backdrop to the Lowveld bush

On Olifants West Nature Reserve traversing to the Olifants river depending on the route chosen involves being driven in 4 x 4 style over a succession of switchbacks , the summits of which provide awesome panoramic views towards Phalaborwa to the North and Tzaneen to the North West.

First time safari guests are often taken aback to find elephants, black rhino, buffalo, giraffe and zebra amongst other mammals in this often steep ,hilly terrain. So often their expectations formed from TV natural history documentaries are that these species are only to be found in relatively flat and open plains. On Balule we are blessed with both types of terrain as well as Big 5 and the kind of diversity of species you would expect to find in the the Greater Kruger National Park. There is a huge range of tree and bush species as Olifants West Nature Reserve is South of the Olifants River which appears to be the demarcation of the Mopani dominant vegetation to be found North of the Olifants River.

Check us out on Africa Geographic:

https://africageographic.com/blog/impressive-views-take-front-seat-balule-game-drives/