Mabula Private Game Reserve in the Waterberg has introduced two male cheetah, transported from Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Western Cape. This is the first time cheetah have been introduced to the reserve.

Upon arrival in the reserve, the two animals spent a few weeks in a boma where they were carefully monitored by Reserve Manager,Ryno Erasmus, as well as Dr Yolanda Pretorius from the reserve research division, and her team. “Time in the boma is very important as it allows animals to become familiar with their surroundings and curbs their instinct to run away, in an attempt to return to where they came from,” says Erasmus.

The two-and-a-half-year-old cats are completely independent from their mother and have been hunting on their own for at least six months.

Following heavy rains, South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued an urgent warning about flooding in the Kruger National Park.

A number of entrance gates have been closed including Crocodile Bridge, and the road between Letaba and Olifants is not accessible…Letaba camp is without electricity, and a number of smaller bush camps are currently closed.

The Tinga Private Lodge has been evacuated, and it seems likely that more private lodges both in Kruger and the neighbouring private reserves will evacuate over the next few hours.

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, were recently hosted by &Beyond and Phinda Private Game Reserve, during their recent South African tour. The Royal couple paid an afternoon visit to Phinda as part of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) initiative showcasing conservation projects in KwaZulu-Natal.

After an interpretive game drive, Prince Charles and his team then went on to visit the nearby Mduku community. They were greeted by 100 community members dressed in traditional Zulu attire, who sang to them as they were escorted to the community centre and the Mduku Clinic. Isaac Tembe, the Africa Foundation Development Officer, gave an inspirational speech about the wonderful work the Foundation is doing with the communities.

Before the Royal couple visited Phinda, they met with King Goodwill Zwelithini and Premier Zweli Mkize in Ulundi. This is the first time a member of the Royal family has visited the area and met with the Zulu King since the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879.

Prince Charles commended the success of the Foundation and applauded the community projects for not only making a meaningful difference in people’s lives, but also for being an inspiration to people around the world.

Stay for 4 nights at any Phinda lodge and get a complimentary rhino tracking adventure on foot, accompanied by a dedicated rhino monitoring team. Maximum of 8 guests per day. Rhino tracking adventure can only be booked on arrival at your Phinda lodge. Participants in the rhino tracking adventure must be 16 years or older.

This year has seen the wildebeest and zebra in their thousands take on the turbulent waters and hungry crocodiles of both the Mara and Talek rivers.

Picture courtesy of Kicheche Camps.

For people wanting to combine Vic Falls with a Kruger safari, there is a service run by SAA that operates directly from Kruger Mpumalanga / Nelspruit (airport code MQP) to Livingstone, which currently operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It has just been announced, however, that a new flight is being planned for Saturdays (commencing March 10 2012) and eventually on Tuesdays (from August 7 2012).

These direct flights avoid any need for safari goers to stay overnight or connect in Johannesburg prior to flying to Livingstone. The opportunity is then for travellers to enjoy a game drive and breakfast at their bush lodge before travelling to Livingstone and enjoying, on the same day, an evening sunset cruise on the Zambezi. For people travelling from Livingstone to Kruger, they can enjoy a walk to the Falls in the morning, then breakfast and mid-morning activities before travelling to Kruger to enjoy dinner and the first night in the bush.

The SAA flights depart Nelspruit Kruger at just before midday, and takes just over 2 hours to arrive at Livingstone. The return flight will depart Livingstone at early afternoon, arriving in Nelspruit Kruger just before 5 pm. Please note these times are subject to change.

Following unnecessary confusion throughout the tourism industry The South African Department of Health have finally informed the South African Society of Travel Medicine (www.sastm.org) as of October 1, all travellers from Zambia will be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination (unless in possession of a valid waiver certificate).

Travellers transiting airports in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission will also be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination, regardless of the amount of time spent at the airport.

All travellers from yellow fever risk countries who are unable to produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at the port of entry will either be refused entry or quarantined until their certificate becomes valid, or for a period of not more than six days.

Those with an exemption certificate due to medical reasons will be allowed entry and required to report any fever or other symptoms to the health authorities and be placed under surveillance.

One of the main attractions of the Eastern Cape is the opportunity to visit a wildlife park and see the Big 5 in a malaria-free environment.

Right in the heart of the Eastern Cape’s game viewing region you will find Pumba Private Game Reserve, situated a mere 105 km from Port Elizabeth.

The reserve stretches over an area of 6,000 hectares. Home to the Big 5, the Reserve offers visitors the chance to experience the wonders of Africa – from the graceful giraffe to the seldom seen leopard. There are also 22 species of antelope and other small game.

Pumba is also home to the near extinct white lion and for bird lovers the 200 + species will delight.

There are just 2 lodges on the entire reserve. The stunning Pumba Water Lodge is, as its name suggests, situated overlooking Lake Kariega and offers magnificent views from its terraced deck. The 12 air-conditioned suites lead off meandering footpaths and are set along the lake’s edge. Each suite has a unique view of the lake and opens onto a private deck with outside shower and plunge pool.

Pumba Bush Lodge overlooking a small watering hole on a flood plain. There are just 11 thatched, glass enclosed chalets here, each in it’s own private bush setting – giving the ultimate feeling and experience of an African bush safari. Each chalet is air-conditioned, and has a spacious en-suite bathroom. Outside your chalet is your own private game viewing deck and plunge pool, plus an outdoor shower.

From NOW until the end of April 2013, Travel Butlers are delighted to offer a Stay for 3 Nights, Only Pay for 2 for any stays here (the exceptions being stays over the Xmas and New Year periods), which, coupled with attractive rates that only Travel Butlers can offer, really does make this a fabulous safari experience.

As an example … for 2 people staying at Pumba Water Lodge for 3 nights in May 2012, the total for all 3 nights would be just R13,320 / £1,210 (based on current exchange rates) – and this rates includes all meals, local beers, ciders, soft drinks and house wines, and morning / afternoon guided game drives.

AND if that isn’t enough … for any bookings between the 27th November to the 20th December THIS YEAR if you confirm with a deposit before the 30th September, we will offer you a further 10% reduction from our rates for this period. This would make our rate just R3,816 / £340 per person per night – and the Stay 3 / Pay 2 would STILL apply !!!

And finally, children of ANY age are welcome – Water Lodge has family rooms – children rates on request.

We look forward to hearing from you and booking your stay in this incredibly special game reserve.

Courtesy of Kicheche Camps – 2 hour old lion cubs with their siblings who are only 2 weeks themselves.

The 5* Tuningi Safari Lodge is set in a valley on the western side of the malaria-free Big 5 Madikwe Game Reserve, situated just 5 hours from Johannesburg.

Daily game drives in open 4×4 vehicles allow guests to sense the excitement of the African bush. Lion, elephant, buffalo, white and black rhino, leopard and the rare and endangered wild dog are only some of the sightings that can be experienced during your stay.

The lodge has 4 luxury suites and a further 2 family cottages, each consisting of 2 bedrooms with an adjoining lounge.

Little Tuningi is part of the main lodge but can be booked as ‘stand alone’ accommodation. It has a double room and a family unit as well as a private pool and boma for outdoor meals around the fire.

The rate in a luxury suite from now until the end of September 2011 if you book with Travel Butlers is just R3,795 per person per night, and from 1st October 2011 until 30th September 2012 is just R4,510 per person per night. For stays of 3+ nights over selected periods from October, too, the rate quoted will INCLUDE return air flights from Johannesburg to Madikwe.