Safety hints while you stay at a game lodge:

Nguni Lodge - Addo Elephant National Park

Safety hints while you stay at a game lodge:

If this is your first visit to a game lodge, or if you’re traveled to a few places, it’s important to understand that there are a few minor safety precautions to consider. In this unfamiliar environment, no matter how comfortable your surroundings are, it is important to remember that you are surrounded by wild animals. Remember to obey the number one rule, to “respect mother nature”. The staff members at all lodges have your health and safety as their top priority and a bush trip is for the most part a safe and wonderful experience. Trust and listen to the trained professionals who spend their lives in the bush and know it in most cases intimately as they will take good care of you.

Bukela Lodge - Amakala Game Reserve

The perimeter of the lodge – fenced or unfenced

The area surrounding the rooms and the camp are generally safe, even without a fence around, but there are always exceptions. Different lodges take a different approach to the perimeter of the camp. A fence around the camp may mean a small single strand fence to keep out certain large animals such as elephants or it may mean a large fence to keep out all wild animals. If there is no fencing around the lodge, bear in mind that animals can and do move through the camp during the day or at night.

Mkuze Falls

   Walking around the lodge

It is advised to always stay on the designated walkways while staying at a game lodge and if you are staying at a lodge where you are permitted to walk around, always watch where you step. At night, take additional precautions and if you feel you would like assistance, ask a member of staff. If there is no fence around the lodge, for your own safety, one of the staff will escort you to your room. If the terrain is uneven, it is recommended to wear comfortable closed shoes.

Impodimo Lodge - Madikwe Game Reserve

Animals around the lodge

Regardless of fences, elephants are notorious for visiting lodges and drinking from swimming pools and snacking on garden plants. These lovely animals may seem docile and friendly but they are not tame and should never be approached. The animals are still wild and it not safe for you (or the animal) to attempt to interact with each other. You may encounter antelope grazing close to the lodge that will move off as you approach. Baboons and monkeys are infamous for their visits too and you should always keep your bedroom windows closed when you are out. The rule with encountering any wild animals is to stand still and allow them to move off. Do not attempt to touch them. Once it is safe, or when you have an opportunity, report the incident to a senior member of staff.

Dinner at Makakatana Bay Lodge - St Lucia

     At night

When the camp is surrounded by darkness, there are generally more animals around than during the day. Take care when moving around at night. It is usually safe to sit outside on a deck and enjoy the night sounds but remember to always sleep with your doors, windows or mesh shutters closed.

Medical

Ensure you have a sufficient supply of the medicine you require as doctors, hospitals and pharmacies are often a fair distance away from the lodges and camps. Certain areas do have a malaria risk and it is recommended to do obtain further information about the area you intend to visit and take the necessary precautions such as taking Malaria prophylactics. If you have medical concerns, speak to your local doctor.

Chitwa Chitwa

Special requirements

Before you arrive at a lodge, contact them directly to ensure that they are aware of any special requirements you may have to ensure your health during your stay. If you have a major allergy, be certain to tell your host, manager and / or guide and if you have medication with you let your travel companion know where it is. Pregnant guests may still go on the game drives and enjoy the bush experience, but let the camp and your guide know about your condition in advance and consult your intention to travel with your doctor. Your health will always be the top priority of the staff.

Listen to the professionals

The staff members at game lodges have received training on looking after the health and safety of guests staying the lodge they work at. Listen to any briefing they give you and obey the rules whatever activity you are taking part in. Be certain to read any literature that is available at the place you choose to stay and make sure you are aware of the procedures in the event of an emergency. While you are on game drive, listen to your guide and obey his instructions. Your guide knows the animals and their behavior and has your best interests at heart and if you do not feel safe or feel uncomfortable let the guide know.

Leopard - by Kerry de Bruyn

Leopard by Kerry de Bruyn

Lodge of the Week - Jaci's Tree Lodge

A Modern Tree House

Jaci’s Tree Lodge offers eight rooms set on stilts, amongst the trees of a riverine forest along the banks of the Groot Marico River. Built from natural materials and glass, the rooms feel open and incorporated into the surrounding bush. A sense of fun is created in each room with bold colours, over-sized bean bags and unusual African crafts. The rooms are equally split between bedroom and bathroom, offering generous space around the large free standing bath tub - separated with a subtle curtain. The only shower option is the jungle style outdoor shower, however, it is well sheltered from the elements and can be utilised throughout the year, regardless of the weather. Raised walkways link the rooms to the main lodge and secluded gravel paths guide guests to the swimming pool and ‘sala’ (relaxation/lazing area). The main lodge has trees growing through the wooden decks, highlighted by bright colours incorporated into the décor and the open-sided fireplace acts as a divide between the common areas. The large wooden table sets the scene for communal meals and allows guests to take a peak through the large windows into the open kitchen. The food is bush inspired, African-style cuisine and is prepared by chefs eager to share their cooking styles with guests. Guests staying at Jaci’s Tree lodge can access facilities at Jaci’s Safari Lodge using a well marked path through the forest, along the river bank. Certain sections of this walkway allow for a safe, eye-level view of the river where elephants, hippo and various birds meander, a great alternative to the wetlands in front of the lodge.

Madikwe Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s premier game reserves and covering 75 000 hectares, is the fourth largest in the country and a malaria-free zone. The reserve is famed for its wild dogs and sightings of these endangered carnivores are frequent. Visitors are likely to encounter the big 5 and large grazing herds on the plains. Much of Madikwe is reclaimed farm land and Jaci’s is located in a part of the reserve where previous man-made structures can be seen, but the rangers do try to avoid these routes when possible. Madikwe has various conservation initiatives that focus on sustainable ecosystems and habitats - your guide will be more than happy to inform you of these environmental management policies. The bird life is impressive and will not disappoint bird enthusiasts especially in the summer months.

Jaci’s Tree Lodge offers a relaxed experience where the staff will quickly befriend guests. The camp is suited to couples, small groups or families who are looking for a quality wildlife experience and an informal, comfortable safari excursion.

Photo courtesy of Jaci's Lodges

RATINGS BREAKDOWN
Core Ratings:	Sun Rays
Lodge and Camp	7.2
Safari Experience	7.4
Service	7.9
Facilities	5.7
Unique Rating	6.4
Conservation	7.7
Social involvement	4.2
OVERALL RATING:	8.2

Read more about the Sun and Sun Ray rating system here

Read more about  Madikwe and other unique properties on The Game Lodge Index

Bush babies - Our nocturnal friends

This is a guest post by Neil Steedman and Claudine Swart. The original post appeared here

Our nocturnal friends

by Neil Steedman and Claudine Swart – 14 October 2010

When we first started at Jaci’s, we would often wake up in the middle of the night with strange noises in our roof. We never really thought too much of them as one becomes accustomed to these kind noises in the bush, and in fact, when in the city, the lack of them can actually keep you awake at night.

It was only a few months into our stay that we finally figured out what they were. Bush babies.

Now for those who are unfamiliar with them, these creatures are Southern Africa’s smallest primates. They are usually between 10-15cm tall, with big, brown eyes, which are fixed in their sockets. They live in groups of up to 10, and just at dusk, they all go and forage for food independently. Food for them comes in the form of sap from trees (the sticky gum-like substance exuded on the trunks), which makes up about 40% of their diet, and the rest comprises insects, which they catch with their hands in mid-jump.

However, our Jaci’s bush babies have a sweet tooth for something else. Bananas! When Deon and Kym de Villiers, Jaci's Lodges' managing couple, used to live in what is now our house, they figured out that if they put bananas out, they would get to see these little creatures on a regular basis. This legacy followed through to when we moved in, and the bush babies have not let us forget it.

You see, when we had a little time off in the evening, we would hear someone knocking on the door, but for the life of us, certainly couldn’t see anybody there. Perhaps the place was haunted? It wasn’t until we sat and watched the door that we found our furry friends. They would actually jump up against the glass on the door, and then jump back onto our outside fridge! This, we realised, was their way of telling us they were hungry!

We got the hint, and so every evening that we are off, we remember to put out the bananas that these little creatures so love, and we get to watch them for hours on end!

Read more about  Madikwe and other unique properties on The Game Lodge Index

Reviewer Diaries: Part 4: Covane Community Lodge, Jakes new name & the vuvuzela and the hippo

Read earlier entries - Reviewer Diaries  Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3

Covane Community Lodge

After saying goodbye to Chris, Patrick and our Swedish friends (who had been thoroughly entertaining) we set off for Covane Community Lodge. Covane Community Lodge is a community owned lodge on the edge of Massingir Dam. They focus on boat trips, self-drive house boats and community activities and tours. We were greeted by Ronalda, Tinus and Solemo. Tinus immediately remarked on my legs which now resembled those of a crab which had been in a boiling pot for too long. It wasn’t long and we were on our first activity, a visit to the community to meet the Nduna (chief) and see the local village school. However upon arriving we became aware that the village was an important meeting. Apparently a woman had been accused of trying to poison her husband’s three other wives and she was pleading her case.

Jake’s new name…

There was one member of the village who was not present at the meeting. This was because he had been asked to leave as he was extremely inebriated. Dragging his old military jacket through the dirt he stumbled over to where we were. Out of the blue he started staring at Jake and yelling “Danny”. Jake did a classic check over the shoulder but to no avail as we were literally the only two pale skinned white people in the area. He continued to slur “Danny” at Jake who regrettably told him that he was in fact not Danny. This didn’t seem to go down well I suspect Patrick thought that Jake was having him on. Anyways after Solemo explained to him who we were he seemed to calm down. His name was Patrick and he was extremely drunk. He took a liking to Jake and kissed his hand a few times then he was off. Funnily enough on our way out of the park a few days later we encountered a much cleaner and sober Patrick in the village. He had no recollection of the previous meeting and again called Jake “Danny”. He was astounded that we knew his name.

Tinus and Ronalda took great care of us at Covane given the fact that they were knee deep in fixing up the camp and building new rooms and facilities. Tinus took us on a boat trip to the gorge which runs alongside PNL and the Kruger National Park. Here we were fortunate to see a herd of elephant, loads of hippo and a number of large crocodile. The day was extremely hot and we estimate that it must have been about 46’C in the shade and 50’C or more in the sun. Later on we went a medicinal plants tour with the village medicinal healer and chief, Carlos Zita. The tour was extremely informative and interesting with the main focus being on the plants and the history of the area.

The vuvuzela and the hippo…

That night we heard the blasting of vuvuzelas in the distance and immediately felt like we were back in the Fifa Soccer World Cup which was rather unusual in that there was no football stadium for hundreds of kilometers. After enquiring with the staff the next morning we were informed that the vuvuzelas are actually an excellent anti hippo device and were being blasted to scare hippo off from feeding on the locals’ crops.

Our trip to Mozambique was very different to any other review that we had been on or experienced to date. Actually they weren’t even close. PNL provides one with a view into the lives of the locals, the wildlife and the relationship between them. This combination of people and wildlife makes for a very different but fascinating experience. Thanks to Machampane and Covane for their hospitality in particular Chris, Jonty, Jose Luis, Patrick (not Danny’s friend), Tinus, Ronalda and Solemo. This area has plenty of potential and will definitely become a great safari and tourism region in the near future.

Hippos - by Kerry de Bruyn

Photo by Kerry de Bruyn

Photo by Kerry de Bruyn