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.

To celebrate the new direct 3 hour flight between Cape Town and Livingstone, this offer includes a 3 night stay at the luxurious David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa, as well as a sunset cruise on the Lady Livingstone, a tour of the Falls on the Livingstone side, return flights from Cape Town to Livingstone, and return transfers from Livingstone Airport to lodge.

All this for just R8,050 per person per night if you book with us. Valid for travel from now until the end of December 2011. Airline taxes and Park fees are excluded – rates on request.

Situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, and just 7 km from the Victoria Falls, the David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa is an exclusive property, offering world class facilities for guests enjoyment. There are 77 rooms in total, all en-suite. All rooms have a mini bar, air-conditioning, TV with satellite, and tea / coffee making facilities. Most rooms look out over the mighty Zambezi River and a leisurely sundowner can be enjoyed from your private balcony.

The Lady Livingstone is a 144 seater river cruiser comprising of 3 decks, enabling guests to experience Africa in a unique style on the Zambezi River.

The direct flights from Cape Town to Livingstone depart 8 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and coming back they depart Livingstone at 2 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

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.

Warning … not for the faint-hearted …. and especially not for python lovers ….

A remarkable wildlife ‘tug of war’ was witnessed by guests staying at Mala Mala recently.

The 2m long African rock python was caught by a female leopard in long grass, but as she dragged it along behind her (still alive and wriggling frantically by this stage trying to escape), the python was ambushed by the leopard’s son, who proceeded to try and tug it away from his mother.

Mother leopard was having none of it though, and the two leopards ended up in a bizarre tug of war match for about 30 minutes. The battle only ended when the female leopard gave up, retreating to a tree while her son tucked in to his prize.

But he only ate a morsel before deciding it was not to his taste, and he discarded the snake’s body in the long grass.

I think you will agree …. wow !! It might be a bit gruesome, but it is not a sight that you see every day on safari !!!

Elephant Pepper Camp in Kenya’s Masai Mara, when I stayed there back in March, was very eco-friendly – no permanent structures like a swimming pool, eco-friendly flush toilets, and they close the camp down regularly once a year to let the environment ‘grow’ back.

It was all very impressive, and I am pleased to hear that the camp has just been recognised ‘officially’ for all their hard work.

The camp has been awarded a Gold Eco-Rating by Ecotourism Kenya – the highest form of Eco-Rating certification – for ‘demonstrating outstanding levels of socio-economic investment, responsible resource use and environmental conservation’.

This makes the camp just one of 3 camps that have this high accolade.

Well done Elephant Pepper Camp !!!

Whale watching is one of the major attractions of the Western Capes. The peak time, when daily sightings are virtually guaranteed, is during September and October. 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.

Hermanus offers some of the best whale watching spots and trips, and can easily be combined with a stay in Cape Town.

Because the whale watching boat trips tend to leave at first tide, we always recommend staying in Hermanus at least for the night before your trip, and you can now take advantage of this new special offer :

Stay 3 nights at either the Bay Hotel or Camps Bay Retreat, and receive one free night at the Harbour House Hotel in Hermanus.

Valid: 29 July 2011 – 30 September 2011.

Book 2 nights on safari at Lion Sands River Lodge and Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, in the exclusive Sabi Sand Game Reserve; OR at Tinga Legends and Tinga Narina lodges, in Big 5 Kruger Park PLUS 2 nights at Madikwe Safari Lodge, in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve AND RECEIVE A THIRD NIGHT AT MADIKWE SAFARI LODGE FREE.

• Valid from NOW until 30 April 2013.

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 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion.

Book 3 nights on safari at the following safari lodges, and receive 2 FREE nights at either the Cape Cadogan or More Quarters, in the buzzy and beautiful city of Cape Town – the perfect way start or end your safari trip of a lifetime.

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

• Valid from 1 October 2011 – 30 April 2013.
• Free accommodation will be either in a Standard Room at Cape Cadogan or a luxury apartment at More Quarters. If 3 nights are reserved at Ivory Lodge then a luxury room will be reserved at Cape Cadogan.

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 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion.