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 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.

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.

Book your safari for the month of August for ONLY R2995 per person per night.

All meals, daily bush walk and morning / afternoon game drives are included. Excludes drinks.

Cannot be combined with any other offer at Shamwari Lodges.

The Shamwari Game Reserve is 25,000 hectres of malaria-free, private game reserve situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The combination of luxury safari lodges and the outstanding work that the reserve does with the Born Free Foundation has earned them numerous travel industry and conservation awards over the years.

The reserve boasts 5 eco-systems, and supports many forms of plant, animal and bird life, including the Big 5 as well as wild dog, cheetah, hyena, giraffe, hippo, zebra and numerous antelope species.

Accommodation ranges from luxury tents to an Edwardian mansion in the heart of the bush.

STAY 4 NIGHTS AND ONLY PAY FOR 3

• Valid from 1 October 2011 – 30 April 2013.
• Valid for all room categories at the following properties :

Lion Sands River Lodge and Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, in the exclusive Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Tinga Legends and Tinga Narina lodges, in Big 5 Kruger Park

Madikwe Safari Lodge, in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve

and Cape Cadogan and More Quarters, in the buzzy and beautiful city of Cape Town.

Restrictions of Offer: May NOT be booked over the peak periods of 23 December 2011 – 3 January 2012 and 23 December 2012 – 3 January 2013.

Whale watching is one of the major attractions of the Western Cape, and Hermanus and Gansbaai are the 2 main areas for whale watching, either boat-based or land-based.

The first Southern Right whale has been spotted in Walker Bay at Hermanus, so this is now officially the start of the whale watching season !

Having been whale watching myself at Hermanus, I would definately recommend including this in your itinerary if you are in this area. I would also recommend actually staying in Hermanus for at least one or 2 nights if time permits, especially if you want to go out on a boat. The boats tend to leave early in the morning, as they go out with first tides, so this would mean a VERY early start from Cape Town (around the 5.30 am time) to ensure you arrive in time – and let’s be honest, unless you are on safari do you really want to get up that early ??

You can read more about whale watching in Hermanus, and check out the hotels and guest houses that we recommend by clicking here.

We also recommend Dyer Island Cruises or Southern Right Charters if you are looking for an operator to go out with.

If it is, then don’t worry, take advantage of one or more of these Stay for 3 Nights, Only Pay for 2 at the following Hollow Hotels properties, valid from 1st June until the end of September :

Hippo Hollow Country Estate or Perry’s Bridge Hollow, both in Hazyview – perfect either to explore the Kruger Park from or as a place to stay before / after a safari here

Knysna Hollow Country Estate – great for a stay along the beautiful Garden Route (not valid however during the famous Knysna Oyster Festival at the beginning of July)

Cape Town Hollow or Hollow in the Square – and we really don’t need to sell the highlights or a reason to stay in Cape Town !!

Whale watching is one of the major attractions of the Western Cape. Humpbacks and Bryde’s whales are mostly spotted offshore from boats, but by far the most commonly sighted species, either from land or from boat, is the Southern Right whale.

These majestic giants migrate to the South African waters from the Antarctic Ocean to calf from June, and begin the long journey back again at the end of November or beginning of December.

For families thinking of coming to South Africa from now until the end of September, and who want to see these wonderful creatures first hand, why not take advantage of this special offer that we are currently running at Milkwood Lodge in Hermanus :

Children stay Free

My first ever trip to the famous Masai Mara. To say I was excited was a bit of an understatement.

From Nairobi, I caught the Safarilink flight to the Mara. Upon landing, I was approached my guide from Porini Lion Camp, who was dressed in traditional Masai garb – and welcomed warmly to the Mara.

We set off in the open Land Rover, and within 5 minutes we came across 2 lions snoozing under a tree. We left them, continued on our way … and saw a leopard running fast through the bush, hotly pursued by a lioness. So within 10 minutes, the tally was already 3 lion and one leopard. We followed the leopard for a bit, then went back to find out why he was running away – and realised that he had been chased off his fresh kill (of an impala), and there was the original lioness and her 3 sisters, tussling with the carcass as they each tried to take it for their own. Lion count now 6. And 15 minutes into my first Mara game drive. To say I was impressed was another understatement.

And it just got better and better. Wildlife everywhere – more lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, topis (a form of antelope), impala … the list really did go on and on.

Porini Lion Camp is located just outside the Masai Mara Reserve, in the 20,000 acre Olare Orok Conservancy. I arrived at Porini Lion Camp, and settled into my tent – extremely spacious, a comfortable double and single bed, an en-suite bathroom with flushing WC and a bucket shower. Everyone at the camp was extremely friendly, and I was already starting to wish I had longer here than just one night (the downside of a business trip !).

The food was extremely good, no complaints there at all.

My 2 guides were great – Jackson and Steve – and I learnt a lot from them in my game drives, including how to age a lion (by the colour of its nose apparently).

All in all, yes, I would highly recommend Porini Lion Camp.