Photo of the Week - Richard Millar

You can view more of Richard Millar's photography on his website - Richard Millar Photography or join his group on Facebook

Read more about wildlife, game reserves and game lodges on The Game Lodge Index

Leopard - by Richard Millar Photography

You can view more of Richard Millar's photography on his website - Richard Millar Photography or join his group on Facebook 

Read more about wildlife, game reserves and game lodges on The Game Lodge Index

It's the holidays

Photo by Richard Millar

Getting there slowly but the holidays have arrived.
Season's Greetings! 

You can view more of Richard Millar's photography on his website - Richard Millar Photography or join his group on Facebook 

Read more about wildlife, game reserves and game lodges on The Game Lodge Index

Getting to know.....Lions

Photo by PMdT Photography

Both male and female lions roar, and that roar can be heard over five miles away!


Lions are the only social cats, living in groups called prides.

Photo by Richard Millar 

Lions are the second largest living feline species, second only to the tiger.

Photo by PMdT Photography

Lion cubs have spots at birth that disappear with age.

Photo by Richard Millar 

While lions are inactive up to 21 hours a day, in the darkest, coolest hours of early morning the "queens of beasts" hunt as a team to catch a communal meal.


Young males, known as nomads, then wander around, forming coalitions and surviving on their own until they reach enough strength and maturity to take over a pride of their own.

Photo by Richard Millar 

Although only one out of five hunting events is successful, dominant malesalways eat first, lionesses next, and cubs scramble for scraps and leftovers.

Photo by Richard Millar 

There are only 2 populations of lions in the world that climb trees. Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and Lake Manyara National Park inTanzania.

A Lions lifespan is 15 years in the wild

The lion has long been considered a symbol of power and this magnificent creature still symbolizes not only power but strength and beauty as well

Fun Facts about Impalas

Andrew Bachelor

Sometimes, Impala's are seen around every corner while on game drive. Many rangers tell of guests who enthusiastically photograph Impala's on their first drive, only to ignore them by the fourth or fifth drive as they are so abundant. 
Impala's are very graceful and here are a few interesting facts about them.


Impalas graze and browse, thereby maximising the availability of food

More reliant on vocal communication than most other antelope, the impala is capable of guttural grunts and roars that are easy to hear from a kilometre away.  

Jaime Naylor

For safety they move in herds as large as the available food will allow. They scatter in all directions if a predator should charge, leaping in strides of up to 12 meters.
Considered the "fast food" of the bush, especially with the black "M" (as in MacDonalds) on their rump.

PMdT Photography

Female Impala's do not have horns, only the males have horns. 
To attract a mate, the male impala's neck swells and a strong secretion covers head and neck. Both sexes have scent glands located above their rear hooves, marked by black tufts.

PMdT Photography

The impala is the only hoofed animal that allogrooms - mutual grooming from one animal to another - as well as grooming itself.

Richard Millar

Although its physical proportions are suggestive of a large gazelle, certain details of its anatomy and behaviour causes the impala to be classified in a group of its own. Impala’s social nature and the fact that it habituates thick bush, separate it from the gazelle.

Richard Millar

A pregnant female is capable of extending her gestation period by up to 2 weeks if the start of the summer rains are late, which will result in poor grazing value and thus poor nutritional value of her milk produced

Read more about wildlife and safaris on The Game Lodge Index

Photo of the Week - Little Elephant by Richard Millar

Photo by Richard Millar Photography

You can view more of Richard Millar's photography on his website - Richard Millar Photography or join his group on Facebook 

Read more about wildlife, game reserves and game lodges on The Game Lodge Index

Best lodges for .... an affordable Big 5 experience

Photo courtesy of Richard Millar

An African Safari conjures up images for extreme luxury or a very basic, rough experience. It is possible to stay at a game lodge where there is a good chance of seeing the Big 5 without paying a fortune. We've listed 5 lodges, all under R2500 per person per night where you can expect a big 5 bush experience.

Umzolozolo Lodge

Umzolozolo Safari Lodge

The Nambiti Conservancy is an 11 000 hectare reserve which is currently home to ten private game lodges. Nambiti is situated within 30 km of Ladysmith and is located in the heart of numerous age old battle sites which took place between the Zulus, the Boers and the English over a century ago. The reserve varies tremendously in terms of habitat and geology. The undulating terrain of the south with its open acacia-clad valleys rises up to the flat open plains in the centre (which host good concentrations of plains game) which then descend again to the riverine valleys of the north where the Sundays River cuts its path through the reserve. In addition to the Sundays River the reserve has a high concentration of earth dams providing excellent aquatic refuge for birdlife and hippos. Nambiti hosts the big five although leopards are seldom seen. Read more on The Game Lodge Index

Tembe Tented Camp

Tembe Tented Camp

Tembe Tented Camp is situated on the Tembe Elephant Reserve in the far north of Kwazulu-Natal bordering on Mozambique. The camp consists of twelve tented suites situated under a forest canopy made up of five en-suite ‘Matriarch’ tents (ideal for families sleeping four people comfortably), four smaller ‘Suni’ tents (perfect for couples) which are also en-suite and three bush camp tents with shared ablution facilities. All the tented suites are simply furnished, comfortable and privately situated. The focal point of camp is the central campfire and guests can relax on beautiful wooden decks under shady pod mahogany trees. Homely meals are offered under a thatched lapa or around the open camp fire. Read more on The Game Lodge Index

Kapama River Lodge

Kapama River Lodge

Kapama River Lodge is the largest lodge on Kapama Game Reserve and can comfortably accommodate 128 guests in 64 suites. The lodge successfully blends high capacity and luxury in a typically stunning bush surrounds. The multi level suites offer elegant minimalist accommodation overlooking an assortment of areas for guests to relax and enjoy the setting. A large rim flow pool overlooks the surrounding bush and a small watering hole. The open plan, L-shaped lounge accommodates various relaxation areas. There are a few fire places which provide consistent warmth and ambiance in the winter months. A large bar, stocked with an excellent selection of liquor, is complimented by a generous walk in wine cellar. The lower level of the main lodge offers guests a small media room and business centre, allowing guests to stay in touch with the outside world. A short meandering walk to the nearby spa offers guests the option to enjoy a more exclusive adult pool. A state of the art gym is offered to guests complete with wall to wall windows to allow guests to enjoy the views while exercising. Read more on The Game Lodge Index

Elephant Plains Game Lodge

Elephant Plains Game Lodge

Elephant Plains Game Lodge is a family-run 4 Star camp situated on the banks of the dry Manyelethi River bed in the northern sector of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The camp is primarily split into 2 sections. The more affordable accommodation type is the ‘rondavel’ huts based on the setup of the original hunting camp. There are 5 rondavels set closely around each other and these are ideal for small groups of up to 10 guests. The second accommodation type consists of 6 luxury units which are set along the river bank. These units are more spacious then the original rondavels and in addition, there is a lavishly decorated honeymoon suite for those accustomed to a higher level of comfort. Read more on The Game Lodge Index 

Djuma Galago Camp

Djuma - Galago Camp
Galago is the perfect retreat for small groups looking for an exclusive safari experience in the Sabi sand Game Reserve. As the lodge is self-catering guests are expected to bring their own food and to cook for themselves in a basic kitchen, but a chef from the other Djuma camps can be hired at an additional charge. The lodge has five spacious and en-suite bedrooms, two of which have both showers and baths while the remaining three have only a shower. There is an additional room for a guide. The lodge is an old homestead and looks up on to a small waterhole in an open area. There is a small plunge pool and ample outdoor cooking space around the camp fire. Read more on The Game Lodge Index 

Read more about the and other lodges on The Game Lodge Index

Photo of the Week - Rhino by Richard Millar

Photo by Richard Millar Photography

You can view more of Richard Millar's photography on his website - Richard Millar Photography

As the total number of rhinos poached in South Africa reaches 261, we're reminding all our blog readers to get vocal and show your support at Stop Rhino Poaching. This is where you can sign a petition to show support, get information about the rhinos in South Africa and report suspicious behaviour.

Read more about wildlife, game reserve and game lodges on The Game Lodge Index