February 2020
When we first bought Tremisana Lodge over 25 years ago, the sale included a piece of land across the R 40 road. This piece was about 140 hectares in extent.
We conducted bush walks and game drives there. We introduced some special species such as Eland and Nyala.
The highlights of our Sunset Drives were always sightings of Aardvark. Notwithstanding its prominent position alphabetically, the Aardvark is rarely seen.
We had a very healthy population. Even at Tremisana we enjoyed regular sightings. Although most of our guests were not particularly impressed (they were, in the main, after Big Five sightings) the Aardvark provided a welcome opportunity to view a very particular species.
The Aardvark is a peculiar animal
The Aardvark is generally a solitary animal and is mainly nocturnal although we have seen them in the late evenings. They have poor eyesight and take their time when leaving their burrow in search of termites.
I once saw an Aardvark take about 10 minutes to cautiously ascertain that it was safe to leave. It stood motionless at the burrow entrance and then did a sort of hop forwards and then remained motionless.
It then repeated the procedure a few times until it was satisfied that there was no danger and it proceeded to trot off in an ungainly and slow manner.
Aardvarks use their powerful claws to dig open termite mounds to feed on the termites. They may use such a dugout mound to sleep during the day, leaving only a small opening at the top so that any passing predator is unlikely to attack them. At night these burrows are used by various animals such as warthog and may be used by day by hyenas and porcupines.
At Tremisana Lodge, once we dropped the fences and opened our private reserve to Kruger Park and the lions moved in, it took a very short time for the Aardvark population to be drastically reduced. In fact, the last Aardvark sighting by our Viva guides on Olifants West Reserve occurred in September 2019.
It is a very fortunate tourist indeed that sees an Aardvark on safari.
GAME-VIEWING REPORTS FROM OUR GUIDES
VICTOR Reports
13th February 2020 : From Orpen boom gate to reception we had great sightings of zebras and wildebeest. On the S106 we saw a leopard up a Marula tree. Back on the H7 we saw a big herd of elephants crossing the road. On the S100 we saw four old buffalo bulls at Xibotwana waterhole.
Big Tusker near Satara
After lunch we took the H1-4 north of Satara camp and saw two white rhinos about 100 metres from the road. Near Ngirivana waterhole we saw three cheetahs lying down under a tree. On the way out near Orpen, we saw a male and female lion lying down very close to the road – we saw big five in one day !
PATRICK Reports
2nd : Wild Dogs on h7 road before Kingfisherspruit, elephants Timbavati river bed, s100 leopard before Ngwenya Kaya, buffaloes at Xibotwana . General game on s100 and h7.
Leopard near Ngwenya Kaya
7th : General game around Orpen, hyenas near Kingfisherspruit, elephants Nsemani dam, lions s100, buffaloes at Xibotwana, general game on Sweni road and h7.
13th: Elephants at Orpen, leopard near Timfeneni, lions at Kumana dam, buffaloes s12, cheetahs crossing s36.
Excellent shot of Cheetah
19th: Leopard crossing before Kingfisherspruit, elephants near Bobejaankrans, Buffalos Timbavati river bed, lions s125 road, hyenas on h7, white rhino near Nkaya, elephants Sweni bridge.
23rd: Lions s125, general game Kumana dam, hyenas on h1-3, buffaloes s125 and more elephants on h7.
24th: Elephants and buffalos Nsemani dam, hyenas Nwanetsi bridge, lions with a kill h6, elephants s41, cheetahs t junction s36 and s39.
CHARL Reports
It has been a busy month for me doing lots of drives. One that stands out the most was an Afternoon Drive at Balule after a huge rain. I started off by advising the guests that our chance for animal sightings may be slim after the rain we had just had. On Campfire we saw a lone bull elephant very agitated about something. Near to the Campfire Dam I saw some impalas running in the distance. Thinking this was strange, I went closer and we saw a lone African Wild Dog chasing the impala. We were all very excited and we rushed around trying to relocate him. When we found him, he was heading back to meet up with the rest of his pack – we followed them for our full two and half hour game drive. We were rewarded by an unforgettable spectacle : watching the Wild Dogs pull down a male impala and finish him off right near to our open vehicle !!! Wow !!!!
Wild Dogs feeding on Impala
ELIAS Reports
On a Sunset Drive we saw lots of elephants – they have returned to feast on the Marula fruit.
We saw one White Rhinos further down the Olifants road.
We drove down to Oxford and we saw Wild Dogs – my clients went crazy.
Then I drove down to the river and we saw 26 hippos.
On a Bush Walk with Victor we saw hippos, crocodiles and elephants drinking at the Olifants river.
Later we saw a pride of lions on Marula road. Remarkably two climbed a tree.
Unusual shot of lions in a tree
REX Reports
Bush Walks yielded sightings of waterbuck, giraffes, kudu, baboons, bushbuck and hippos along the Olifants river. On Sundowner Drives, we saw buffalo, black rhino and elephants on Oxford.
Kruger Park drives have been impressive : regular sightings of lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo. We also saw a pack of Wild Dogs around Orpen.
Lions quenching their thirst
FORTUNE Reports
My best sightings for this month :
Kruger Park : Near Orpen gate we found two beautiful male and female lions. Giraffes on H7 walking along the road after seeing the lions in thick bush…they walked, looked behind and start to run in the Bush…
Lions close to vehicle
Motlala : Three black rhinos – the guests were very excited because it was their first time to see a black rhino and they were very close.
JANNEMAN Reports
February was a short month for me because I was privileged enough to go on annual leave.
But for the short time I took guests on drives, we were extremely lucky to see Wild Dogs right in front of the Tremisana Lapa one morning before we left for the morning drive. They were moving quite fast, but what a sighting !
The next day on sundowner drive we came across a pride of lions, plenty buffalos and elephants.
Big lion near Tremisana
Two black rhinos and a leopard crossed our path on one afternoon drive as well as two female giraffes with their young. At Big Dam we saw 2 male lions and we followed the tracks of a White Rhino and were lucky enough to spot it wallowing in the mud.
JORDAN Reports
All in all a good month at Marcs camp and Masango camp. Guests are thoroughly enjoying the rhino sightings and the lush bush that comes with the summer rains.
Spotting leopard has been a bit more difficult because of the long grass but their presence is always known to us by the tracks they leave behind even in the camp.
Guests have thoroughly enjoyed Masango camp. Sitting and dining under the stars seems to have a special effect on Masango guests and lulls them into a good night’s sleep.
Guests have been enjoying the bush walks. Lots of fruits to taste and flowers to talk about.
The fruit that guests can enjoy at this time is the simple spined num num. Besides being full of nutrients and anti-oxidants, it is a natural de-wormer in humans and cattle.
Fruit of Spined Num Num
BERNARD Reports
Buffalo sightings on Oxford have been good – there are four dagga boys as well as a big breeding herd of 60 buffalo. Now that the elephants are back it is exciting. I am also regularly finding a black rhino cow with calf that come very close.
I have been doing a lot of bush walks with Rex and he always answers my questions and teaches me a lot.
I spent a few days at Masango Camp. One day Jordan accompanied me and sat on the tracker seat. We found 3 black rhino and 2 white rhino very close. While positioning the vehicle for best pictures the black rhino cow showed interest and approached very close. She charged at Jordan. He responded very fast and off the rhinos went. Luckily nothing serious but gave me and the guest a good laugh. Well done Jord !!!
Black Rhino near vehicle
RAYMOND Reports
6th: Kruger : On S41 we found pride of Lions with four little cubs less than a month old. On S100 we found big herd of over 200 buffalo.
9th: Kruger : We found two female and one male Lion with a young zebra kill. About fifteen hyenas came and took over the meat and the lions walked away into the bush.
10th: Balule : At Campfire Dam we saw a Leopard killing an Impala less than two metres from the road. WOW !! A half hour later we saw a pride of Lions walking on the road. We got white rhino nearby. On the way to Boma we found a big bull elephant in musth.
Great study of elephant at Sunset
23rd: Balule : Leopard with an Impala kill less than two hundred metres from Tremisana Lodge. Within an hour about five hyenas arrived and took over the meat. Great close viewing.
27th: Kruger : We found a mating pair of lions on H7 about two km from reception. We saw a herd of buffalo crossing the road at Nsemana dam. On S100 we found a Leopard.
NEWS FROM OUR LODGES
Katekani
Our star chef Tiger has been at it again ensuring all guests feel welcome especially on their birthdays baking some lovely cakes to surprise our guests at night with, but I can’t forget about the lovely ladies and their singing and dancing to make the days even more memorable for our guests what better way to spend your birthday than in the bush surrounded by the beautiful wilderness.
Marc’s Treehouse
The treehouse camp has been blessed with some very good rain and the river has picked up substantially I personally haven’t seen the river running this well for a very long time – vegetation in the bush has improved with lots of good grass for the buffalo – they are often seen in and around the camp.
Nyala at Marc’s Camp swimming pool
Tremisana
The month was so exciting – we had plenty rain and grazing animals like rhino and buffaloes were seen passing by the lodge and gave our guests a nice view while having lunch at the Lapa.
One morning the guests saw wild dogs while they were having morning tea/coffee before the bushwalk.
On 27 February we had lions that stayed at the gate for more than an hour giving our guests the best view. As always the warthog and monkeys were playing in a small dam in front of the breakfast area . The elephants were also our regular visitors making the month very special.
Elephant outside chalet 8 at Tremisana
Masango
Once again, our little camp broke the record. We had guests almost every night.
Nyala, impala, buffalo and giraffe are seen regularly.
Nyala bulls outside chalet at Masango Camp
We have spent a lot of time improving our garden and hope the nyala do not undo our efforts!
NEWS FOR OUR TRAVEL PARTNERS
With the further expansion of Corona Virus, we encourage all tourists to take out travel insurance.
To date we have had minimal cancellations but we are bracing ourselves…………
A couple of our supportive agents have given us fewer bookings than in the past but overall February 2020 was as good as February 2019 in terms of tourist numbers.
We have bought a new Toyota Quantum – new shape. Thabo, senior driver at Viva Safaris, is very happy as he says there will be greater leg space. I am personally not too impressed with the fact that the only windows that open are those of the driver and front seat passenger.
We shall have to keep a spare air conditioner fuse on the vehicle.
I include the following reviews posted on TripAdvisor during February 2020:
KATEKANI
“A Holiday to Remember!”
– Lollyj72, York United Kingdom
What a fabulous holiday we have just experienced with Viva Safaris at Katekani Lodge. The safaris were well organised, informative and the animals we saw in the wild were experiences never to forget. Herds of elephants bathing in a watering hole, a lion pride relaxing in the sunshine, white and black rhinos surprising us by appearing out of nowhere, giraffes ambling through the landscape, up close and personal with cheetahs and the list goes on and on. Katekani Lodge was well run, the accommodation was spacious and comfortable with amazing service from Nomsa and fabulous food from Tiger and all the other staff. We would absolutely recommend this trip to others!
TREMISANA
“AMAZING STAFF”
– Hailey S
I just want to say Viva Safari is the BEST. I stayed here at the Tremisana Lodge for 1 night and I wish I spent my entire Safari stay there. I wanted to try one night here and 2 at the luxury Lodge. But I come to terms that I loved everything about Tremisana Lodge. Rex and his partner made the Bush walk one to remember. The General Manager was so nice we had a great time at your dinner in the middle of the bush. The hospitality was flawless. Next time I visit I will only stay at Termisana Lodge. I loved everything about this place.
MARCS
“Wonderful bush accommodation with friendly staff!”
– Sharyn
Loved our 2 night stay here. The food was delicious, the company great and the huts were great as long as you don’t mind sharing them with a few bugs! But that’s to be expected in the Jungle! A well run accommodation with lots of extras – the animals were amazing and the staff great. Thanks for a memorable stay!
VIVA SAFARIS
“What an Adventure”
– Doug P, Texas USA
Spent six glorious days with these folks, it was amazing. top notch operation all around, they have this down to a science. they structured the trip with a perfect mix of available stops, all with amazing animals and scenery. the guides are the best, very knowledgeable, with the ability to know where to go to see game. remember this is not a zoo, animals are in their natural settings, sometimes you see them ,sometimes you don’t, but if this outfit can’t find them, no one can. Saw the big five, giraffes,zebras, monkeys, hyenas, etc, had an elephant outside my room one night destroying a tree, maybe six feet from me. the facilities are excellent, great pool, very safe all around. the food is the best, if you leave hungry, it’s your own fault. the folks that work there are the creme of the crop, very friendly, professional, and always looking out for you. my only complaint is the time went by too quickly, a trip I will remember forever.
EZULWINI
Viva Safaris had guests who stayed at Ezulwini and posted:
“The most amazing trip”
– Lindsay73, Dundee United Kingdom
My husband and I had the most amazing stay at Billy’s Lodge. The lodge itself is luxurious, the staff so friendly and welcoming and the game drives superb. We had the most exciting game drives going off road seeing a leopard hunt, lions and elephant to name but a few. I couldn’t recommend this place enough!!
Read more reviews for:
Viva Safaris, Marcs Treehouse Lodge, Tremisana Lodge and Katekani Tented Lodge on TripAdvisor.
Until next month…
With kind regards,
Piero
General Manager
Viva Safaris
