With 200 B&amp;R trips in the books, calling this South Africa native "impressive" is a criminal understatement. Just one of her claims to fame? Spontaneously conspiring with Nepali locals to surprise her American B&amp;R travellers with Thanksgiving turkey—at an altitude of 9,000 feet.

Of Africa and Adventure

Region Director

Recognizing the impact the pandemic has had on conservation funding across Africa, which has historically relied heavily on tourism, B&amp;R has partnered with African Parks, pledging US$50,000 per year to specific parks across Africa for the following three years, commencing 2022.

<a href="https://www.africanparks.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">African Parks</a>&nbsp;is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on direct responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks was founded in 2000 in response to the crisis facing Africa's protected areas. Their vision is to effectively manage Africa's protected areas and national parks on behalf of governments to benefit wildlife and local communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Their business model created a new paradigm for conservation, playing a major role across the continent in helping African governments turn their failing parks into ecological, socio-political, and economic strongholds for their countries. It's a solution to one of Africa's most pressing challenges. In 20 years, they've built the largest and most ecologically diverse portfolio of parks of any one organization in Africa. With 19 parks in 11 countries spanning more than 36 million acres, their footprint is the equivalent of half of the land in the US National Parks system.&nbsp;&nbsp;Akagera National ParkOur nominated park for 2022 is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.africanparks.org/the-parks/akagera" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">Akagera National Park</a>, Rwanda. Akagera is Central Africa's largest protected wetland and Rwanda's last remaining savannah ecosystem. It is, therefore, the only protected area in Rwanda suitable and prepared to sustain black rhino and lion populations. 20 years ago, it was on the verge of being lost forever. Following the 1994 genocide, Akagera was a depleted landscape overrun by more than 30,000 cattle. In 2010, African Parks assumed management of Akagera in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, shifting the park's trajectory. In just five years, poaching was mostly eliminated, and over two decades experienced a dramatic transformation and remarkable revival. Wildlife populations have increased by 48% since 2010, among them 43 lions and 28 black rhinos.&nbsp;&nbsp;The park also offers a secure and healthy ecosystem that can one day be a stronghold for black rhinos and contribute to the conservation of the species on a regional level as a source of individuals and genetics for rewilding and reinforcing populations in other areas. Before the pandemic, when the park took a hard hit on its tourism revenues, Akagera was well on its way to becoming African Parks' first financially self-sustainable park. The park remains an inspiring conservation story that will enthral us for years to come with every re-introduction.&nbsp;&nbsp;Akagera National Park is often included as an extension when planning a&nbsp;<a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/rwanda-bespoke" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">Rwanda Bespoke</a>&nbsp;trip. Sighting lion, rhino or any of the endangered species here is an emotional experience when one understands the remarkable journey of transformation the region has undergone in twenty years.&nbsp;

Photography credit: Akagera National Park, Rwanda © Scott Ramsay / Giraffe in Akagera National Park, Rwanda © Marcus Westberg

The Slow Fund: Conserving Africa's Iconic Species & Landscapes With African Parks

Safari guiding across Africa is predominantly a male-dominated space. In Botswana over 90% of safari guides are men. Women in the region do not have access to the same career paths that tourism offers to their male counterparts. To date, there has been little active or ongoing investment, training and skills development in female guides that would empower them to pursue their dreams, open new career choices and provide for their families. The notable exception is Chobe Game Lodge with an all-female guide team, the Chobe Angels.

In November 2021, the African Bush Camps Foundation launched a female safari guide project that is targeted at creating job opportunities for local women. The project aims to develop female safari guides through skills training, mentorship, job shadowing and rotations at African Bush Camps lodges. The response was overwhelming with 350 applicants but only 5 positions available for the first intake. The training is a two-year program that will provide theory, practical and on-the-job training at ABC camps as a safari guide.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This program will allow the new recruits to gain significant professional experience in travel and tourism, as well as hospitality. Once the training is complete the female guides will be experts in wildlife, conservation, safe practices, photography, natural history, tracking, communication, and patience! The female guides will join the renowned team of professional guides at African Bush Camps, who are an integral part of the safari experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Slow Fund is proud to invest in the female guide training program through a partnership with The African Bush Camps Foundation. B&amp;R has committed to sponsoring two female guides per year for three years, commencing with the 2nd cohort intake in mid-2022. Sponsorship costs are US$3,500 per guide.&nbsp;&nbsp;You can meet the trainee female guides during a stay at African Bush Camps Linyanti or Khwai properties, which we love to include when planning a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/botswana-bespoke" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">Bespoke Botswana trip</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;About African Bush Camps Foundation<a href="https://www.africanbushcampsfoundation.org/focus-area/projects/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 178, 196);">The African Bush Camps Foundation</a>&nbsp;is a registered non-profit organization that has been in operation since 2006. The Foundation’s mission is to partner with communities that are located near our camps to improve quality of life and achieve long-term conservation through programs focusing on Education, Community Empowerment, and Conversation.&nbsp;They have projects running in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana that focus on addressing challenges that include unemployment, food scarcity, poor education and health care infrastructure, low school attendance and dropouts due to financial constraints, wildlife poaching, and preserving natural resources.&nbsp;

The Slow FundWe established the Slow Fund to support innovative projects that are reflective of the regions that inspire them.Whether through educational, cultural, or conservation and preservation initiatives, the Fund helps protect various forms of heritage and promotes the health of vibrant living cultures and the ecosystems that support them. To learn more about the Slow Fund and the projects we support, <a href="https://butterfield.com/who-we-are/sustainability/the-slow-fund" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>.

The Slow Fund: Supporting Gender Equality In The Safari Industry With African Bush Camps Foundation 

Hotels

See + Do

The Slow Road

Safari

Africa and Middle East

Madagascar Travel Expert (and born-and-raised South African)

<h2>Continue your travels in Africa</h2>
A retreat at Miavana works well as an add-on to either an East Africa or Southern Africa safari experience. Take a look at <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/experts/michele-harvey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">my trip portfolio</a> for inspiration: I&#8217;d be delighted to speak with you about any of these destinations, too!<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44974 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/poolside-miavana.jpg" alt="Madagascar Miavana Luxury Resort" width="380" height="253" />
Miavana also works wonderfully as a stand-alone destination lodge. My suggestion is a 5 to a 7-night stay.
With its ample activities and serene setting, you can create your own adventure here that&#8217;s at once exhilarating and effortless.

<h2>Madagascar&#8217;s Unparalleled Biodiversity</h2>
From the world’s tiniest chameleon to the Crowned Lemur conservation efforts and the many turtles in between, Miavana’s raison d’etre is clear, making this more than your average beach destination. During my visit, I gained a real appreciation of how special the environment and wildlife here is. 
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44978 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/madagascar-lemur.jpg" alt="" width="380" height="253" />
Of course, Madagascar&#8217;s unofficial mascot, the lemur, is a crucial part of any visit. Nosy Ankao is known for the endangered Crowned Lemur, which you can spot on a stroll through the island&#8217;s forests. For more lemur adventure, they offer treks on the mainland via a helicopter excursion.
I also had a brief swim with dolphins. They were hunting, but we got to be with them for a short while before they charged off. During whale season, whales can be seen breaching in front of the lodge, and you can catch whale sharks at various times throughout the year, too.
<h2>The Activities at Miavana</h2>
Kite-surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling and scuba – the well-rounded activities at Miavana cover water, underwater, land and air.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44983 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/snorkelling-miavana.jpg" alt="Madagascar Miavana Luxury Resort" width="380" height="253" />You can set sail on fabulous boat excursions to other islands in the archipelago and snorkel at different sites, and anglers can cast their reels for some ocean fishing.
No matter what you choose, the lodge&#8217;s guides are passionate and engaging. The calibre of the staff here is truly beyond compare: they would probably go to the ends of the archipelago to please every guest. Plus, the naturalist guides are like walking encyclopedias!

<h2>The Accommodations</h2>
Villas with one, two or three bedrooms come with a lounge area, butler service, a stocked kitchenette and a private, sea-side pool. These guest sanctuaries are spacious, with the smallest coming in at a generous 450 square metres (4,843 square feet).<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44989 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Room-miavana.jpg" alt="" width="380" height="242" />
The decor is reflective of the beachy vibes that permeate the throughout the island: bright and fresh, with crisp whites, pops of blue and ocean views at nearly every turn.
For families and large groups, each villa has an additional bathroom along with a study which can be flipped into a kids room. Guests can navigate the resort and explore the island using the property&#8217;s complimentary bicycles or electric buggies.
<h2>Getting to Madagascar&#8217;s Miavana Luxury Resort</h2>
There are two &#8216;launching&#8217; points from the mainland to Nosy Ankao. I flew from Johannesburg to Nosy Be, but the other option is to head to Diego Suarez from Antananarivo, Madagascar&#8217;s capital.
From Diego Suarez or Nosy Be, the Miavana&#8217;s helicopters whisk you away. The helicopter ride was an unexpected highlight for me; I saw more of Madagascar’s diversity during the 1-hour flight from Nosy Be to Nosy Ankao than I did during my entire 15-day research trip last year!<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44987 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/helicopter-miavana-1.jpg" alt="" width="380" height="253" />
The pilots give brilliant commentary as you swoop past points of interest. You gain a tremendous understanding of the country&#8217;s biodiversity as you fly over so many different landscapes – from sea to tsingy (karst mountain formations) to agriculture to seaweed farms, forest and mangroves.
The helicopter flights give you great insight to the northern region and the complexities of the island’s biodiversity, history and social-economic challenges.

Miavana: Madagascar's Luxury Island Escape

South Africa

<h3 style="text-align: left;">The Experience</h3>
The multitude of natural habitats within Kruger National Park’s 19,485 square kilometres (7,523 square miles) give way to the various wildlife who call the land home: elephants, white and black rhinos, cheetahs and herds of buffalo, to name a few. 
The star performer, however, is none other than the king of the jungle: lions reign supreme in this corner of South Africa, and spotting one of the ‘Mountain Prides’ tops the list of heart-racing moments at the Lebombo Lodge.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-43159 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/High-Res-bush-stop_800x532.jpg" alt="Singita Lebombo Lodge" width="800" height="532" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/High-Res-bush-stop_800x532.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/High-Res-bush-stop_800x532-451x300.jpg 451w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/High-Res-bush-stop_800x532-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
Twice daily game drives in open Land Rovers are included in your stay. To keep the experiences intimate and safe, a maximum of six guests are allowed per vehicle. Thrill-seekers may choose to embark on a walking safari, and traverse the pan by foot for a closer look at the plant life and to track down smaller game. 
You’ll want to catch these incredible moments on film, but if your heavy-duty camera didn’t make it into your suitcase, the lodge carries specialized kits catered to wildlife photography that are available for rent. 
If you’re visiting with your young ones in tow, the Mini Rangers’ Course is a kids’ club where they can learn the ins and outs of tracking, bush survival techniques and bird-watching, and earn a certificate at the end of their ‘studies.’ Note that child participation on the game drives will be at your guide’s discretion.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-43162 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lebombo-2-1800x1200_800x533.jpg" alt="Singita Lebombo Lodge" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lebombo-2-1800x1200_800x533.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lebombo-2-1800x1200_800x533-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lebombo-2-1800x1200_800x533-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
Like the rest of the Singita collection, conservation and community efforts are vital here. One of these endeavours comes in the form of a culinary school, offered by the Lebombo Lodge to students from the local communities. 
Guests can learn alongside these budding chefs by participating in a hands-on cooking lesson, where you’ll whip up some of the lodge’s specialty dishes.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-43160 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Singita-School-of-Cooking-40_800x533.jpg" alt="Singita Lebombo Lodge" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Singita-School-of-Cooking-40_800x533.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Singita-School-of-Cooking-40_800x533-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Singita-School-of-Cooking-40_800x533-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
And as for the cuisine, it too is just as innovative as the property. Headed under chef Liam Tomlin, who also runs a popular Cape Town eatery called Chefs Warehouse, flavourful meals are prepared using fresh ingredients and local produce. 
Cooking techniques like sous-vide and smoking reflect the lodge’s contemporary edge, while meats cooked on a spit and over an open fire assert its African heritage. 
Items like homemade muesli and Norwegian salmon grace the table at breakfast, lunch sees artfully plated tapas and tasting dishes, and dinner is a three-course affair paired with delightful South African wines. 
<h3 style="text-align: left;">The Rooms</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-43157 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lebombo-4_378x252.jpg" alt="Singita Lebombo Lodge" width="378" height="252" />Light spills into each of the glass-walled suites, decked out in safari-chic decor: think muted tones, netted beds, unstained wood and sisal carpets. 
A sliding door opens to a private game-viewing deck, seemingly suspended over the river, complete with a daybed and bistro set. 
Other in-room perks include Wi-Fi, a Nespresso machine, air conditioning, fireplaces and solar-powered plugs. 
The suite’s luxurious en-suite bathrooms feature deep, window-side bathtubs and separate indoor/outdoor showers.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-43158 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Singita-Lebombo-Lodge-Suite-1800x1200_800x533.jpg" alt="Singita Lebombo Lodge" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Singita-Lebombo-Lodge-Suite-1800x1200_800x533.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Singita-Lebombo-Lodge-Suite-1800x1200_800x533-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Singita-Lebombo-Lodge-Suite-1800x1200_800x533-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
If your group outnumbers what one unit can offer, there are two suites found lower on the hill that connect to become a villa, married by a private pool. 
The villa comes with a full staff, a kitchen and it’s own boma area for dining al fresco. 
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Before and After Your Visit</h3>
If you’re looking to check off more bucket list items on your visit to Africa, wedge the Lebombo Lodge between two other spectacular stays. You can begin your trip with a visit to the <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/stays/singita-ebony-lodge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Singita Ebony Lodge</a>, the brand’s flagship property in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. 
With its old-world vibe and distinct game watching, it offers a different experience where you can catch sight of the elusive leopard and dine among monkeys.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-43166 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Sundowner-Singita-Kruger-National-Park-1200px-at-72dpi-6_800x533.jpg" alt="Singita Lebombo Lodge" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Sundowner-Singita-Kruger-National-Park-1200px-at-72dpi-6_800x533.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Sundowner-Singita-Kruger-National-Park-1200px-at-72dpi-6_800x533-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Sundowner-Singita-Kruger-National-Park-1200px-at-72dpi-6_800x533-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
Another Singita option in the Sabi Sand is their Boulders Lodge. Here, nature is infused into every element—from the stone walls to the tree trunk support beams to the encompassing sprawl of tangled trees and free-flowing rivers. 
After a few nights at the Lebombo Lodge, catch a flight to the Livingstone International Airport for a sojourn at the Royal Chundu to revel in the rush of Victoria Falls. 
This vibrant camp on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia is just 30 km (18 mi.) upstream from the mighty cascades. It offers riverside suites with private balconies and activities include helicopter tours, canoeing, fishing and nature walks.

Spectacular Stays: Singita Lebombo Lodge

Zimbabwe

<h3 style="text-align: left;">The Experience</h3>
Hwange National Park offers one of the highest concentrations of animals in Southern Africa; it’s home to no less than 107 mammal species and 450 bird species. 
With such a diverse habitat, the variety of wildlife within your range of vision is immense, and the Somalisa Camp places you in the heart of the action.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-42980 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/somalisa3_800x531.jpg" alt="Somalisa Camp" width="800" height="531" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/somalisa3_800x531.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/somalisa3_800x531-452x300.jpg 452w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/somalisa3_800x531-768x510.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
Rise and shine early for breakfast on the desk, watching the sun rise while the morning mist lifts from the plain. After fuelling up on slow-cooked oatmeal, fresh fruit and made-to-order eggs, it’s time to set out on the first game drive of the day.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-42979 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/somalisa_460small_800x532.jpg" alt="Somalisa Camp" width="800" height="532" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/somalisa_460small_800x532.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/somalisa_460small_800x532-451x300.jpg 451w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/somalisa_460small_800x532-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
Game drives are aboard open 4x4s with the camp’s expert guides and trackers. Elephant, sable antelope, zebra, giraffe, lion, leopard, hyena, wildebeest and the rare and endangered roan antelope are but a few of the creatures you’re likely to encounter.
You could choose to shake up your routine with the Somalisa’s other offerings, such as bird watching (Hwange boasts some of the best birding in these parts of Africa, with opportunities to catch rare creatures like the magnificent Martial eagle) or cultural visits to gain further insight into the local communities.  
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-42982 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/sbm_5616_800x534.jpg" alt="Somalisa Camp" width="800" height="534" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/sbm_5616_800x534.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/sbm_5616_800x534-449x300.jpg 449w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/sbm_5616_800x534-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
After your morning exploration, retire to the camp for brunch—a heartier meal consisting of warming dishes in the cooler months and light, fresh fare in the summer. 
Afterwards, you can either venture on another afternoon game drive or balance out the adventure with some pool time and an afternoon nap before sundowners on the deck. 
As for dinner, a three-course meal consisting of African and international cuisine and paired with South African wine is served outdoors, allowing the game-watching action to continue while you dine. 
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">The Rooms</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-42976 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Somalisa-2-1800x1200_378x252.jpg" alt="Somalisa Camp" width="378" height="252" />Seven wood-framed, stretch sail canvas tents are scattered throughout a grove Acacia trees, loosely forming a horseshoe around the communal lodge. 
Each suite is finished with hardwood floors and brimming with old-world charms like antique furnishings, Colonial-era artifacts and locally made handicrafts.
Vintage-style bathrooms bask in natural light and feature deep copper tubs, a separate shower area and flushable toilets. 
A glass-wood fireplace and the option to roll down the canvas sides keeps the tent cozy and warm during Hwange’s chilly nights.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-42974 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Somalisa-1800x1200_800x440.jpg" alt="Somalisa Camp" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Somalisa-1800x1200_800x440.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Somalisa-1800x1200_800x440-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Somalisa-1800x1200_800x440-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
Wood-framed beds draped in plush bedding neighbour a seating area with a sofa and chairs that are dressed in vibrant Kudhinda textiles. 
Large glass walls showcase the cluster of trees and bush outdoors, and slide open to a private deck with an outdoor shower, a hammock and a seating area.
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Before and After Your Visit</h3>
Before settling in at the Somalisa Camp, why not spend a few nights at the Camp Amalinda, Located in the mysterious Matapo Hills—approximately 400 km ( 250 mi.) southeast of Somalisa—this area is best known for its granite wilderness and native black and white rhinos. 
Stay in one of nine hillside retreats carved out of natural stone with thatched roofs and panoramic views.  
With the Victoria Falls nearby, it seems only logical to follow up your visit to the Somalisa Camp with a stay at the Victoria Falls River Lodge. Seated along the edge of the Zambezi river, this tented luxury lodge is so close to the grand cascade that it even catches a view its spray off in the distance. 
Kick back on your private deck with views over the river, while hippos wallowing in the water keep you entertained.

Spectacular Stays: Somalisa Camp

<h3 style="text-align: left;">The Experience</h3>
Skilled trackers and drivers from the local Shangaan community lead you on game drives to scope out the area’s residents: a list that includes elephants, buffalo, rhinoceros and lions. Leopards are especially known to strut around unperturbed in these corners, and you may even spot one catnapping on the lodge’s deck.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-43133 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dulini_bush_dinner_02_VL_800x533.jpg" alt="dulini lodge" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dulini_bush_dinner_02_VL_800x533.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dulini_bush_dinner_02_VL_800x533-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dulini_bush_dinner_02_VL_800x533-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
The Dulini’s open-roof Land Rovers—equipped with binoculars and fleece-lined ponchos—can carry a maximum of six guests at a time and offer the perfect vehicle to navigate the terrain and get up-close to the animals. 
Game drives happen twice daily: once in the early morning and the second later in the afternoon. These later ones stretch into the evening after the sun has set for a look at the nocturnal creatures, like the white-tailed mongoose and spotted hyena.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-43128 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dulini_vehicle_800x529.jpg" alt="Dulini Lodge" width="800" height="529" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dulini_vehicle_800x529.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dulini_vehicle_800x529-454x300.jpg 454w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/dulini_vehicle_800x529-768x508.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
An absence of fences between this corner of the Sabi Sand and the Kruger National Park means the wildlife are free to roam at their will. The nearby Sand River is a favourite haunt for hippos and crocodiles that come to bask in its water, while the dense reed beds host multiple bird species (over 300, to be precise). 
Lovers of birding should take advantage of the Dulini’s interpretive safari walks that venture into the bush by foot.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-43146 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_boma_800x533.jpg" alt="Dulini Lodge" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_boma_800x533.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_boma_800x533-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_boma_800x533-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
Mealtime comes in many guises, from candlelit dinners to outdoor festivities. A leafy Jackalberry tree canopies the outdoor eating area, where guests dine on Pan-African creations by Dulini’s talented chefs. 
If you’re looking for some alone time with your loved one, you can inquire about booking a private dinner in the wine cellar—well-stocked with the finest South African wines.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-43130 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_dining_deck_800x533.jpg" alt="Dulini Lodge" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_dining_deck_800x533.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_dining_deck_800x533-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_dining_deck_800x533-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
Torches and lanterns, a fire pit and linen-draped tables come together beneath a circle of trees to make a boma. Every few nights, guests gather here with members of the community to sing, dance and celebrate during a traditional African cookout beneath the night sky.
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">The Rooms</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-43136 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Dulini-Suite-1800x1200_378x252.jpg" alt="dulini lodge" width="378" height="252" />All of the spacious suites (though, given their size, are more comparable to cottages) are located just a stone’s throw from the river’s edge. 
Hardwood flooring, a four-post netted bed and Colonial-era furnishings come together beneath an exposed thatched roof, giving way to an effortless blend of rustic and romantic. 
Keep warm on chilly nights with the fireplace, while air-conditioning offers relief during the height of summer.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-43137 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_suite_21_800x533.jpg" alt="dulini lodge" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_suite_21_800x533.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_suite_21_800x533-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_suite_21_800x533-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
Large windows fill the rooms in natural light and keep you in constant connection with the surrounding environment. Admire the views from the four-clawed bathtub of your ensuite bathroom, or while soaking in the heated plunge pool of your private deck. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-43138 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_suite_sundowners1_800x533.jpg" alt="Dulini Lodge" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_suite_sundowners1_800x533.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_suite_sundowners1_800x533-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/river_lodge_suite_sundowners1_800x533-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
Add to this the option to have a masseuse pay you a visit and in-room dining, and you could find yourself luxuriating in your suite all day long.
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Before and After Your Visit</h3>
Get the most out of your journey to South Africa and round-out your travels with other must-see places. Your point of arrival into the country will likely be Cape Town, a stunning city that merges sea to sky landscapes and a buzzing metropolis. 
Hunker down here for a few nights and rest up at More Quarters, a boutique property comprised of apartments and located within walking distance of shops, restaurants and bars. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-43148 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Dulini-Lodge-9-1800x1200_800x533-1.jpg" alt="Dulini Lodge" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Dulini-Lodge-9-1800x1200_800x533-1.jpg 800w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Dulini-Lodge-9-1800x1200_800x533-1-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Dulini-Lodge-9-1800x1200_800x533-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
En route to the Dulini Lodge, you can make a stop in South Africa’s wine country and stay at Le Quartier Français, a five-star property found in the heart of Franschhoek.
If the wild continues to call following your visit to Dulini, you can carry on to the Thorntree River Lodge in Zambia, an eco-conscious retreat in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, seated just up the river from the remarkable Victoria Falls.

Spectacular Stays: Dulini Lodge

Features &amp; Stories

B&amp;R’s intrepid co-founders George and Martha found themselves face to face with rhinos last year when they took their entire family – their son David and his wife Juliette, their daughter Nathalie and her husband Niall, and all eight of their grandchildren – on a trip to southern Africa, where they could not only be together, but share an adventure that would leave the typical “family vacation” in its dust.
Revelling in the rhinos’ imposing presence in Matobos National Park, they kept a respectful distance as they marvelled at the majestic creatures. Well, most of them kept their distance.
“We’re standing there in awe, and little Ellie wants to run up and pat the rhino!” George says with a smile as he recalls the reaction of his fearless 7-year-old granddaughter. “And we’re restraining her and telling her, ‘This is a wild animal, you must stay away!’”
“She wasn’t scared at all. She was thrilled!”
***
Juggling everyone’s schedules, preferences and interests can make family vacations tricky to plan, even for a family of three – and especially for a family that spans three generations. 
But with open minds and a little creativity, the format can easily be turned into an adventure that thrills family members of all&#8230;
<hr />
Want to read more? Email Michele to get the full story: <a href="mailto:michele@theslowroad.com">michele@theslowroad.com</a>

<h2>The Food</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41400 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/food-450-small-plate.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="338" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/food-450-small-plate.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/food-450-small-plate-399x300.jpg 399w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" />The morning and afternoon meals are reminiscent of home-cooked fare; unfussy, yet delicious and satisfying. Each day begins with à la carte breakfast options such as granola and fresh fruit and eggs benedict, along with a selection of smoothies and fresh-pressed juices. 
While there is an indoor dining room for iffy weather, meals are best enjoyed on the large outdoor deck that faces the river. (Though keep an eye out for cheeky monkeys that want to steal your bagel—I speak from experience!) You could also order room service and enjoy your meal seated at the marble and iron table of your private deck. 
Lunch and dinner are dishes typical of the area: lamb is the meat of choice, and you’ll likely find in the form of a flavourful curry—a nod to South Africa’s Indian population. Plating is contemporary and elegant. Meals are paired with a selection of vintage wines, which are included in your stay. The dining staff shared with me that serving farm-to-table fare is paramount for them, and specified that they use only local farmers to supply their meats and produce, translating to you always getting a meal that is fresh and in season.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41401 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/table-732.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="489" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/table-732.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/table-732-449x300.jpg 449w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
About every third night, the lodge hosts a traditional boma dinner. During this camp-style cookout, guests and staff gather around a fire pit beneath the night sky and feast on a spread of barbecued meats and veggies, while members of the Shangaan community serenade with song and dance. 
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41402" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Boma-table-night-960.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="641" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Boma-table-night-960.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Boma-table-night-960-449x300.jpg 449w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Boma-table-night-960-768x513.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Boma-table-night-960-899x600.jpg 899w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h2>The Rooms</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41408 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Singita-small-room-450.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="300" />There are a total of twelve (totally dreamy) stand-alone suites built in a safari-tent style, elevated with modern flourishes like glass walls and an ensuite bathroom with a four-claw bathtub and separate shower area. A large four-post bed anchors the room, while a spattering of vintage lacquered furnishings from the family&#8217;s private collection, glamorous animal prints, artwork from the local tribes and sepia-toned photographs fill the surrounding space. 
My favourite part of my suite was the private game-viewing deck that watched over the river, complete with a heated plunge pool. From here I’d look on in wonder as—each day at the same time—a giant herd of elephants would cruise past, pausing along their route for the babies to frolic in the water or to snack on some trees. 
Individual suites are best-suited for couples and solo travellers. There are two family suites, which offer an en-suite master bedroom and en-suite twin bedroom, plus a dining area, a lounge area, and a private deck with a plunge pool. Larger groups can opt for the villa, which is comprised of two family suites in addition to a lounge, a swimming pool, a personal guide and vehicle, a chef, wait staff and a private entrance. For families with teenage children, your best option is to book the Lewis suites, which are located next to each other and close to the main lodge.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41409 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Singitaroom-960.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Singitaroom-960.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Singitaroom-960-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Singitaroom-960-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Singitaroom-960-900x600.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h2>How to Get Here</h2>
A multi-season destination, you can come home to the Singita Ebony Lodge year-round. There are daily direct flights to and from the Singita Private Game Reserve from Johannesburg, South Africa, and scheduled commercial flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) in Nelspruit, which is about an hour from the lodge. There’s also a private airstrip on the lodge grounds so that private planes can be flown in.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41411 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/singita-sunset-960.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/singita-sunset-960.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/singita-sunset-960-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/singita-sunset-960-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/singita-sunset-960-900x600.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

A South African Original: Singita Ebony Lodge

Portfolio

Wine

<a href="http://www.kenforresterwines.com/Wine.aspx?WINEID=41794&amp;CLIENTID=3155" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eben Sadie Columella 2014</a>
Since releasing his first wine in 2000, <a href="http://www.kenforresterwines.com/Wine.aspx?WINEID=41794&amp;CLIENTID=3155" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eben Sadie</a> has built a reputation as an innovative and inspired winemaker, at once modern and traditional. His signature wine is this Columella, a multi-grape blend led by Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39640 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/babylonstoren-white-table-food-350px.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="259" /><a href="http://www.kleinconstantia.com/our-wines/estate/methode-cap-classique-brut/2014" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Klein Constantia MCC Brut 2014</a>
Famed for its sweet dessert wine, Vin de Constance, of which Napoleon was an avid fan, much of the vineyards fell into neglect but have since been replanted. This sparkling wine is made in the traditional Champagne method from 100% Chardonnay.
<a href="http://www.kleinconstantia.com/our-wines/estate/methode-cap-classique-brut/2014">Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block 2015</a>
From the Franschhoek Valley, <a href="http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo/product/the-chocolate-block-2015/129353#.WwxVUlMvwfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boekenhoutskloof’s “classic” blend</a> is made of Syrah (71%) and small amounts of Grenache Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Viognier. Winemaker Mark Kent also makes highly regarded white wine from Sémillon, as well as a range of entry-level wines under the names Porcupine Ridge and The Wolftrap.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39641 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/panorama-wine-732px.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="549" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/panorama-wine-732px.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/panorama-wine-732px-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />

7 Best Wines from South Africa

<h3>Mana Pools National Park</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-39303 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/leopard-singita-350px.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="376" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/leopard-singita-350px.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/leopard-singita-350px-199x300.jpg 199w" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mana Pools spans 219,600 hectares of land along the lower Zambezi River, a land of transition from floodplain into rainy-season lakes. As the cycle of summer returns, these lakes gradually dry up once more, as the ebb and flow of nature continues its eternal cycle. During the rainy season, the park attracts a wide range of animals who congregate where the waters gather, and is one of the continent’s richest game-viewing hotspots. The largest concentration of hippos and crocodiles in the country is found here; in the dry season, you can expect to find massive herds of zebra, elephant and Cape buffalo. Other species to be found here include the lion, cheetah, Cape wild dog, brown hyena and leopard.
There are four large permanent pools formed by the middle Zambezi River, spanning 2,500 square kilometres (965 square miles) filled with islands, riverbanks, pools and sandbanks. The vegetation is rich in wild figs, mahogany, ebony trees and baobab trees.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-39334 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/johns-camp-mana-pools.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="487" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/johns-camp-mana-pools.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/johns-camp-mana-pools-451x300.jpg 451w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h3>Matusadona National Park</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-39319 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/kudu-kariba-350px.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="227" />This national park sits on the southern shore of Lake Kariba (the world’s largest man-made reservoir), in the north end of the country. The national park’s name has been taken from the nearby Matuzviadonha Hills. First proclaimed a non-hunting area in 1958, a game reserve in 1963, then a national park in 1975, it is comprised of 1,400 square kilometres (540 square miles) of plains and mountains.
Since 2019, Matusadona has been under the management of <a href="https://www.africanparks.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">African Parks</a> who&#8217;s goal is to revitalize and reestablish the park as stronghold for black rhino and elephant. With increased programs to monitor and mitigate human-wildlife conflict, reintroduction of key species and a long term vision for the region, this park is undergoing an exciting transformation and set to become one of the country&#8217;s prime wildlife havens once again.
From grasslands to woodlands as well as rugged escarpment, this remote park is one where few tourists visit. It is best accessed by boat or small aircraft, but it is worth the visit!
The park is also notable for a fascinating wildlife rescue operation that has largely gone forgotten. When the Kariba Dam was constructed in the late 1950s, flooding the Zambezi Valley, a wildlife rescue operation took place to relocate more than 6,000 animals to new homes over five years, from elephants, antelopes to the smallest animals like birds and snakes. Without the technology they had today, conservationists and volunteers were literally catching animals, transporting them on rowboats(!) and taking them to higher, drier land, now the national park.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-39321 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ellie-behind-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="639" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ellie-behind-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ellie-behind-960px-451x300.jpg 451w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ellie-behind-960px-768x511.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ellie-behind-960px-901x600.jpg 901w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h3>Where to Stay in Zimbabwe</h3>
<a href="https://africanbushcamps.com/camps/bumi-hills-safari-lodge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bumi Hills Safari Lodge</a>
Blended among the stunning Zambezi escarpment and resting on a hillside overlooking Lake Kariba, this African Bush Camps property boasts one of the continent&#8217;s finest wilderness locations. The lodge’s proximity to Matusadona allows animals to roam freely between the national park and Bumi Hills’ private concession, creating endless game-viewing opportunities.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-51525 size-large" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Bumi-Hills-Safari-Lodge_Lake-Kariba_Zimbabwe_Luxury-Safari-Lodge_-Infinity-Pool-Area_-Sunset_-African-Bush-Camps-21-1200x750-1-960x600.jpeg" alt="Bumi Hills Safari Lodge Zimbabwe" width="960" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Bumi-Hills-Safari-Lodge_Lake-Kariba_Zimbabwe_Luxury-Safari-Lodge_-Infinity-Pool-Area_-Sunset_-African-Bush-Camps-21-1200x750-1-960x600.jpeg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Bumi-Hills-Safari-Lodge_Lake-Kariba_Zimbabwe_Luxury-Safari-Lodge_-Infinity-Pool-Area_-Sunset_-African-Bush-Camps-21-1200x750-1-480x300.jpeg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Bumi-Hills-Safari-Lodge_Lake-Kariba_Zimbabwe_Luxury-Safari-Lodge_-Infinity-Pool-Area_-Sunset_-African-Bush-Camps-21-1200x750-1-250x156.jpeg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Bumi-Hills-Safari-Lodge_Lake-Kariba_Zimbabwe_Luxury-Safari-Lodge_-Infinity-Pool-Area_-Sunset_-African-Bush-Camps-21-1200x750-1-768x480.jpeg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Bumi-Hills-Safari-Lodge_Lake-Kariba_Zimbabwe_Luxury-Safari-Lodge_-Infinity-Pool-Area_-Sunset_-African-Bush-Camps-21-1200x750-1.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/stays/somalisa-camp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Somalisa Camp</a>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-39309 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/somalisa-elephant-350px.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />Pitched along the edge of an ancient seasonal floodplain, Somalisa Camp, in the heart of Hwange National Park, bears witness to one of few remaining great elephant sanctuaries in Africa. Lucky for you, in this authentic bush camp elephants brazenly sidle up to the “Elephant Hole” at the edge of the camp’s wooden deck and take their fill. A natural watering hole just a few metres beyond allows for larger crowds to congregate (again, of the elephant variety). Don’t worry, plunge pool, open-deck homestyle dining and tented residences that are infused with old-world charm all mean that those of the human variety also get to have some fun.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-39308 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/somalisa-deck-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="641" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/somalisa-deck-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/somalisa-deck-960px-449x300.jpg 449w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/somalisa-deck-960px-768x513.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/somalisa-deck-960px-899x600.jpg 899w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

Our Favourite Safari Spot Right Now: Zimbabwe

Essentials &amp; Advice

Botswana

<h3>Desert Dreaming in the Kalahari</h3>
More and more people are being drawn to the deeply spiritual feeling that deserts often invoke. It seems to have something to do with a sense of space and self. It has to do with vast horizons, the huge inverted bowl of the sky, the uninterrupted sweep of the simple landscape beneath it—as featureless as a saucer, with you at its centre. Somehow, it is both humbling and centring. You realize how puny you are, and at the same time, that you are all there is. As American poet E.E. Cummings put it, &#8220;when skies are hanged and oceans drowned, the single secret will still be [humanity]&#8221;.
Humans have been present around these pans from time immemorial. Indications of a bushman village date the earliest occupation back to 500 BCE. There are bushman hunting shelters probably built and used in the 20th century, made of calcrete boulders that contain fossilized antelope bones and embedded Stone Age tools. The shorelines of Makgadikgadi, for it was more than once a vast inland sea, are littered with the archaeological relics of continuous but scattered human presence. Even when the waters finally receded two million years ago and left these shallow depressions of saline clay and silt to catch the sparse summer rain, the rich herds of wildlife—zebra, wildebeest, eland, gemsbok, springbok, hartebeest—would wander across the plains in ceaseless pursuit of water and grazing. Their presence inevitably drew their following of carnivores—lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, and hyena—which of course attracted their own following—the early hunters.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39167 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/23Hyena-Pan-Starlings-350px.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />During the dry season, today&#8217;s diminished herds of game tend to concentrate in the west, in the vicinity of the Boteti River. With the onset of the rains, they usually disperse to the east and the north, to Nxai Pan and beyond. It is not uncommon to see game far out on the pans eating the mineral-rich silt, as if up to their knees in water as the heat shimmers a mirage across the surface of the pans.
The birdlife is a specialist&#8217;s dream: white-backed and lappet-faced vultures, bateleur, ostrich, kori bustard, black korhaan and bronze-winged courser, four species of sandgrouse and a startling variety of larks. In the wet season flamingos, pelicans, avocet and a huge range of ducks move into the area. Sowa Pan, near the town of Nata, is a birdwatcher&#8217;s paradise when in water.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39166 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/sunset-desert-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/sunset-desert-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/sunset-desert-960px-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/sunset-desert-960px-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/sunset-desert-960px-900x600.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

In Botswana, the Ultimate Safari Awaits

<h4><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37786 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Game-Drive-Sun-350px-compressed.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="262" />The Experience </h4>
A typical morning at Jamala Madikwe usually begins at the crack of dawn, but you may hear the animals long before then. Rodney mentions that just the other night, guests heard the roar of lions at 3 a.m. This being the middle of a game reserve, you may encounter the myriad calls of zebras, monkeys, or birds, depending on the day and the time of year. With no other sounds of motors or ‘city sounds’ around you, urban folk may find it serene and quiet, although, you will soon find your ear attuned to the sounds of nature.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37805 alignleft" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/wild-dogs-350.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />Hop into a 4&#215;4 for a sunrise game drive with the lodge’s exceptional rangers and guides. There’s nothing quite like the heightened excitement and anticipation as you head out into the bush: activating all your senses, the smells, sounds, and sights are like no other.
What will you see? It really depends on the day. It’s a bit of a reverse hunt, as rangers review reports from the previous day’s sightings and will use their knowledge of the bush, tracking prints and going on the prowl, as it were: but even if the animals elude you, you will still have a fantastic time being out, roaming the reserve and taking in the landscape and terrain. And, as I like to say, you are not in a zoo; this is untamed nature, and these are wild animals, so absolutely anything can happen. From the largest animals to even the small and ‘insignificant’ (let’s say, a dung beetle sighting, or tracking glow-in-the-dark scorpions at night), everything will inspire a sense of awe in you, especially if you are travelling with kids or teenagers.
Even when you return to the lodge, you never lose that connection to the land and to the animals, since the property is situated right in front of a major waterhole. “The animals will come up right to the edge of the lodge. There are no barriers. It’s an amazing feeling to see our guests’ reactions, especially when they realize how close they get to the animals and the range of emotions they go through. It’s such a rush [for them] when an animal approaches.”
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37793 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jamala-Madikwe-Wide-Angle-Pool-w-Elephants-960px-compressed.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="665" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jamala-Madikwe-Wide-Angle-Pool-w-Elephants-960px-compressed.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jamala-Madikwe-Wide-Angle-Pool-w-Elephants-960px-compressed-433x300.jpg 433w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jamala-Madikwe-Wide-Angle-Pool-w-Elephants-960px-compressed-768x532.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jamala-Madikwe-Wide-Angle-Pool-w-Elephants-960px-compressed-866x600.jpg 866w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
And so, at any given moment, whether you’re taking in a leisurely ‘sofa safari’ at the deck, drink in hand; reading a book in the lounge, working out at the gym, or enjoying a ‘pool safari’ while doing laps in the new pool, keep your eyes peeled: anything can happen as you look out at the nature and wildlife that surrounds (and approaches!) you. Don’t miss sundowners on the deck (or perhaps a private wine tasting at sunset in the middle of the bush?) with an opportunity to soak in the vivid colours of the sunset, as a cloak of brilliant stars appear once nighttime approaches.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37798 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Sofa-Elephant-Safari-732px-cmopressed.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="450" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Sofa-Elephant-Safari-732px-cmopressed.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Sofa-Elephant-Safari-732px-cmopressed-480x295.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37783 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/yellow-weaver-bird-stock-350px-cmpressed.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="263" />As we speak on the phone, I hear a brilliant profusion of birdsong burst through the line, and Rodney casually mentions that about forty or fifty weaver birds—three species in all—are beginning to build their nests right alongside the deck. And that’s precisely the charm of Jamala Madikwe: you’re truly in the middle of it all. (That could mean seeing sixteen giraffes and a herd of sixty playful elephants, as I saw on a recent visit).
<h4>After Your Visit</h4>
Your visit to Jamala Madikwe is easily combinable with other spots on the continent for the ultimate Africa trip. With its proximity to the closest airport in Johannesburg, travellers will be able to make flight connections to continue their journey home or further afield, such as to nearby Botswana and the Okavango Delta, or even Sabi Sands.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37812 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jamala-Madikwe-Lodge-Aerial-w-Elephants-960px-compressed.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="539" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jamala-Madikwe-Lodge-Aerial-w-Elephants-960px-compressed.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jamala-Madikwe-Lodge-Aerial-w-Elephants-960px-compressed-480x270.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Jamala-Madikwe-Lodge-Aerial-w-Elephants-960px-compressed-768x431.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
&nbsp;

The Epitome of South African Luxury: Jamala Madikwe

Asoka: Festive and Local 
Light up the night amidst the golden glow of Asoka, located on lively Kloof Street. An extensive signature (and classic) cocktail list will delight, as does the courtyard atmosphere with a 150-year-old olive tree adorned with a string of twinkling lights. Live jazz and DJ nights complement the settings, along with shared plates for all.
Harrington’s Cocktail Lounge: Posh and Opulent
In Cape Town&#8217;s East City, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/harringtonsct/">Harrington&#8217;s Cocktail Lounge</a> piles on the drama and the glamour, with velvet curtains and booths that invite you to sink right in. Stylish, opulent, and inviting, a mixture of live jazz, disco, hip-hop and house form the sonic backdrop for your evening. Where will your night take you?
The Stack: Members-Only, But You Can Sit With Us
Located in an 1850s Victorian home, Leinster Hall,  is where you&#8217;ll find the elegant townhouse vibe of <a href="http://thestack.co.za/">The Stack</a>. Also part of a private member&#8217;s club, feel like you&#8217;re in the know as you sample brasserie food, light bites, or spend your time on the lovely veranda, along with the city&#8217;s creative class who congregate here.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37193 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/The-Stack-Lounge.png" alt="" width="732" height="447" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/The-Stack-Lounge.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/The-Stack-Lounge-480x293.png 480w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
Seta at Villa 47: Italian-Fusion Aperitivi 
An intriguing find, <a href="http://www.villa47.co.za/about/seta/">Seta</a> is housed in historic Villa 47, a complex housing three Italian-inspired restaurants and bars. Here, expect creative cocktails, aperitivos, and shared plates, all infused with touches that call to mind Italy&#8230;and Asia.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37192 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Seta-at-Villa-47.png" alt="" width="732" height="486" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Seta-at-Villa-47.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Seta-at-Villa-47-452x300.png 452w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />

Cape Town's Coolest Bars

Experts + Insiders

Zambia

<h4>Tongabezi—eclectic and fun</h4>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-36798 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Tongabezi-SunlightCanopy-350px-compressed.png" alt="" width="350" height="231" />This quirky and fun property is also set right on the river, with a selection of houses and cottages for accommodation. Sleep riverside, or choose a lofty lodging in a treehouse suite amongst the branches of an ebony tree. With a netted canopy bed and claw-footed tub, you’ll stay in your ‘room’ yet be able to experience the outdoors from your private perch. Another series of suites we love, perfect for families, is elevated, where separate ‘rooms’ are connected via walkway.
During high water season, the Zambezi flows underneath! If you’re brave, one of the excursions includes a visit to Livingstone Island, from where the missionary (and where Queen Victoria herself) first glimpsed the falls; as well as swimming in Devil’s Pool, right on the very edge of the Falls itself!
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-36780 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/TONGABEZI-RiverCottages45-082_2-Zambia-1600x1000-1.png" alt="" width="1600" height="1000" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/TONGABEZI-RiverCottages45-082_2-Zambia-1600x1000-1.png 1600w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/TONGABEZI-RiverCottages45-082_2-Zambia-1600x1000-1-250x156.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/TONGABEZI-RiverCottages45-082_2-Zambia-1600x1000-1-480x300.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/TONGABEZI-RiverCottages45-082_2-Zambia-1600x1000-1-768x480.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/TONGABEZI-RiverCottages45-082_2-Zambia-1600x1000-1-960x600.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" />
<h4>Royal Chundu—secluded and exclusive</h4>
The five-star Royal Chundu is Zambia’s only Relais &amp; Chateaux property in a wonderfully secluded area (yet just 30 km or 18 miles from Victoria Falls). In my opinion, the best way to arrive is directly from the airport—by private helicopter. This way, you will get a proper bird’s-eye view of the Falls on your way in, and be awed from the get-go.
Once you’ve landed in this remote region, simply focus on enjoying the varied lodge activities for the rest of your stay, such as fishing, a birding safari, visiting a local community, or partaking in a sunset cruise watching crocodiles and hippos in the water, cocktail in hand. There are two types of lodges: one on an island, and another secluded series of private lodges along the riverbanks.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-36781 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/RoyalChundu-Canopy-960px-compressed-1.png" alt="" width="960" height="573" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/RoyalChundu-Canopy-960px-compressed-1.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/RoyalChundu-Canopy-960px-compressed-1-480x287.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/RoyalChundu-Canopy-960px-compressed-1-768x458.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

Best Luxury Hotels in Livingstone, Zambia

<h3>Dinner</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-36420 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/beauconstantia-732px-compressed.png" alt="" width="732" height="490" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/beauconstantia-732px-compressed.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/beauconstantia-732px-compressed-448x300.png 448w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<a href="http://www.beauconstantia.com/eat/">Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia</a> 
Behold the most spectacular view of Cape Town’s Constantia Valley sprawled beneath you, while you share ‘tapas for two’ over a three-course meal. The owner-chef Liam Tomlin also has another location, but I prefer this one, for the view and for the fact that you can book reservations here. (The Bree Street location doesn’t accept bookings).
<a href="https://www.ashrestaurant.co.za/">ASH</a>  
A young chef to watch is Ash Heeger, who, at the tender age of 27, teamed up with ethical butcher <a href="http://www.ffmm.co.za/">Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants</a>  and <a href="https://publik.co.za/publik-wine-bar/">Publik Wine Bar</a> to open her own restaurant. Chef Ash focuses on charcoal cooking and taps into nose-to-tail eating with a South African flair.
<a href="http://theshortmarketclub.co.za">Shortmarket Club</a> 
Always popular and a local institution, Luke Dale-Roberts proposes his unique take on upscale South African cuisine, with exotic barbequed meats (we call BBQ &#8216;braai&#8217; here), and uniquely South African flavour combos. Good luck getting in!
<h3>Shopping</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-36421 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/chandlerhouse-732px-compres.png" alt="" width="732" height="613" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/chandlerhouse-732px-compres.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/chandlerhouse-732px-compres-358x300.png 358w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/chandlerhouse-732px-compres-716x600.png 716w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<a href="http://www.chandlerhouse.co.za/">Chandler House</a> is a small shop and gallery situated in an 18th century Cape Georgian house. Their shelves are stocked with beautiful antiques, locally-made homeware, exotic textiles and unusual finds. Chandler House is also home to The Voorkamer Gallery, which has regular exhibitions of high-quality artwork by respected South African artists.
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MissibabaSA/">Missibaba</a> is a luxury accessory label established by leather devotee Chloe Townsend in 2005. Passionate about South Africa and supporting local industry, a team of eight dynamic women are the leather workers pouring their love and energy into each and every handbag and leather accessory.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-36412 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Capetown-free-stock-960px-compressed.png" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Capetown-free-stock-960px-compressed.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Capetown-free-stock-960px-compressed-450x300.png 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Capetown-free-stock-960px-compressed-768x512.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Capetown-free-stock-960px-compressed-900x600.png 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Up-and-Coming Neighbourhood to Watch 
The hip East City Precinct in Cape Town is quickly finding its own, unique voice, rivalling always-trendy mainstay, Bree Street, with hipster hangouts and cool spots and restaurants sprouting up.

<h3>Nature’s Landscapers</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35427 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/hippo-stock-350c.png" alt="" width="250" height="305" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/hippo-stock-350c.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/hippo-stock-350c-246x300.png 246w" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />Big animals such as elephant, rhino, and buffalo consume so much food that they dramatically modify the landscape. Elephants thin out densely wooded areas by pushing down trees and digging for water, making habitats more suitable for animals such as wildebeest and zebra. White rhino create their own “grazing lawns,” which suit animals like the impala. A large herd of buffalo can trample down tall grassland so that the visibility improves. The grassland then becomes suitable for zebra, wildebeest, and impala. Hippos change the river habitat by eating the surrounding grasses. They also transfer nutrients from adjacent land back into the river, which feeds fish and invertebrates.
<h3><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35431 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/elephantbaby-brad-732c.png" alt="" width="732" height="488" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/elephantbaby-brad-732c.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/elephantbaby-brad-732c-450x300.png 450w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" /></h3>
<h3>Carnivores—The Weeders</h3>
These large hunters have always fascinated humans because in many cases, we used to be their prey! Carnivores are at the top of the food chain. They are well-adapted for hunting, with excellent vision and hearing, sharp teeth, and bodies designed for speed and/or power. Scavengers, such as the hyena, have an acute sense of smell to help them locate dead carcasses. Many carnivores and scavengers also have powerful teeth and jaws for tearing flesh and grinding bones.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35430 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/cheetah-freestock-960c.png" alt="" width="960" height="543" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/cheetah-freestock-960c.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/cheetah-freestock-960c-480x272.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/cheetah-freestock-960c-768x434.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
All predators are opportunistic and will not turn down a chance to catch prey. Even if a lion’s belly is full, they will take down another animal if they are able to. The predator’s role in the food chain is to weed out the old, sick and weak animals, and in doing so ensure that the strongest survive. Thus they contribute to strong, healthy herbivore populations.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35426 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/brad-lion-960c.png" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/brad-lion-960c.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/brad-lion-960c-450x300.png 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/brad-lion-960c-768x512.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/brad-lion-960c-900x600.png 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h3>Herbivore Grazers – The Lawnmowers</h3>
Animals that prefer open grassy areas are usually grazers and they tend to hang out in large groups. For them, visibility is their best defence—the farther away they can spot predators (e.g., lions and cheetahs), the more likely they are to escape. The other incredible thing about grazing animals is that they are able to share the land with one another because different species are specialized to eat different grasses or parts of the plants. This means that there is more food to go around and less competition. Some herbivore species even enjoy symbiotic relationships with one another. For example, zebra and wildebeest graze together, thus giving them more eyes and ears to detect stalking predators.
<h3><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35415 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/impala-freestock-960c.png" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/impala-freestock-960c.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/impala-freestock-960c-450x300.png 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/impala-freestock-960c-768x512.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/impala-freestock-960c-900x600.png 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /> 
Herbivore Browsers – The Hedge-Trimmers</h3>
Trees provide shelter and food for many species—especially the browsers (leaf-eaters). They have narrow muzzles, used to pick the fine, nutritious leaves off otherwise thorny acacia trees. Like grazers, browsers eat different parts of the vegetation, making more food available to a variety of animals. Giraffe feed in the upper parts of the canopy, kudu in the middle, and smaller antelopes—steenbok and duiker—on small bushes. Elephants eat at every level, and often consume bark, pods and fruit.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35434 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/kudu-732-bradc.png" alt="" width="732" height="453" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/kudu-732-bradc.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/kudu-732-bradc-250x156.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/kudu-732-bradc-480x297.png 480w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h3>Omnivores—Everything Goes</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35425 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/baboon-350c.png" alt="" width="350" height="230" />Omnivores eat both plants and animals. Besides human beings, examples of other omnivores include the baboon, the vervet monkey, and many species of mongoose. These animals often live in cooperation with other species, including herbivores. The chacma baboon and the impala are often found in the same areas, with the impalas keeping a keen eye and ear at ground level for predators, while baboons always have a sentinel keeping watch from a tree. Both species warn the other when danger approaches.
<h3></h3>

Namibia

<h2>Windhoek: Namibia’s Capital</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35244 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/windhoek-732c.png" alt="" width="732" height="411" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/windhoek-732c.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/windhoek-732c-480x270.png 480w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35243 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/windhoek-250c.png" alt="" width="250" height="379" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/windhoek-250c.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/windhoek-250c-198x300.png 198w" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" />In precolonial times, this area was known to the Khoisan people for its hot springs, which are still a feature of the town. Jonker Afrikaaner established the first settlement in the Klein Windhoek valley in 1840. Two missionaries were invited to the flourishing settlement in 1842, and reported back that a church big enough to seat 500 people had been built here, as well as established gardens and irrigated fields. For the next 20 years, the community prospered as the centre of commerce between the Herero and the Oorlam/Nama. After Jonker Afrikaner’s death, his followers dispersed and the settlement was abandoned.
In 1890, the Germans were being given the runaround by another powerful Nama leader, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hendrik_Witbooi_(Namaqua_chief)">Hendrik Witbooi</a>, whose face adorns the country’s banknotes. The Germans serendipitously retreated to Windhoek, an area that was under no particular rule at the time due to the death of the ruling Herero leader. By the time the next Herero chief had been anointed and the clan returned to the region, the Germans had already half-completed a fort. The settlement went from strength to strength and, with the completion of the railway line from Swakopmund to Windhoek in 1902, things were figuratively and literally “full steam ahead” for the Germans to expand and make Windhoek the commercial and cultural centre of the colony.
In the 1960s, the capital was further developed to pursue the apartheid policies of South Africa, who saw Namibia as their fifth province. Forced removals were instigated and the Katatura (“the place we do not like to live”) and Khomasdal townships were created with black and coloured townships respectively. Today, these divisions are still largely in place, albeit solely along economic lines.
<h2>Things to Do in Windhoek</h2>
<h3><a href="http://namibiacraftcentre.com/"> 
The Namibia Craft Centre</a></h3>
<h3><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35240 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/san-art-350c.png" alt="" width="350" height="233" /></h3>
You can literally spend half a day here! The quality of the craftsmanship is outstanding and one will definitely do some shopping as they have some beautiful and unusual things. From handmade Himba perfumes to prints that replicate <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_rock_art">San rock art</a>, to contemporary artwork, baskets, weaving and textiles, beading—you name it, and you are likely to find whatever craft at one of the stalls! If you have only one day in Windhoek, this is where you should go.
<h3><a href="http://www.museums.com.na/museums/windhoek/earth-sciences">National Earth Sciences Museum</a></h3>
This museum will be of interest to anyone remotely fascinated in geology &amp; palaeontology, featuring rocks, fossils, minerals and even meteorites. Even better, admission is free!
<h3><a href="http://www.museums.com.na/museums/windhoek/independence-museum">Independence Memorial Museum</a></h3>
Worth visiting to get a handle on the more recent history of the country—from the anti-colonial struggle to its independence.
<h2>Where to eat in Windhoek</h2>
<h3><a href="http://www.theolive-namibia.com/"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-35238 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/olivehotel-250c.png" alt="" width="242" height="277" />Olive Exclusive</a></h3>
Our favourite place to stay in Windhoek, this hotel features a great in-house restaurant featuring seasonal ingredients in a well-appointed, yet informal setting.
<a href="http://www.nice.com.na/">NICE</a>  
Also home to the Namibian Institute of Culinary Education (NICE), you will  find a great restaurant and bar here, a popular choice in town.
<a href="http://www.thestellenboschwinebar.com/">The Stellenbosch Wine Bar &amp; Bistro</a>
With lovely piazza-style setting, complete with a central courtyard fountain. With excellent food and a tremendous diversity of wines (mostly South African). This is another popular local spot to frequent!
<h2></h2>

In Deep: Namibia & Windhoek

family

<h2>By sea: Explore the Cape coastline</h2>
Wedged between two seas at the southwesterly tip of the African continent, Cape Town is an ideal spot for aquatic adventures. You might master stand-up paddleboarding in a sheltered tidal sea-pool before striking out into the ocean, beachcomb for shells on the Atlantic coast or snorkel the coves of False Bay.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-33855 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/beach_caves_960_compressed.png" alt="" width="960" height="436" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/beach_caves_960_compressed.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/beach_caves_960_compressed-480x218.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/beach_caves_960_compressed-768x349.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h2><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-33848 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/capecanopytour_c.png" alt="" width="350" height="260" />By air: Go ziplining!</h2>
Just an hour or so out of Cape Town in the fertile Elgin Valley, kit up in harnesses and helmets for an aerial discovery of dramatic gorges, canyons and the Cape countryside.
This jagged landscape is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and it’s no wonder that it has attained World Heritage status. The thrill of ziplining, suspended over the fynbos-rich Riviersonderend Gorge, allows you to glide like an eagle above this spectacular, once-inaccessible, landscape hundreds of meters at a time.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-33852 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/westerncape_fynbos_sara_joachim_752_c.png" alt="" width="752" height="459" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/westerncape_fynbos_sara_joachim_752_c.png 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/westerncape_fynbos_sara_joachim_752_c-480x293.png 480w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
<h2>By day: Go on safari in search of big game</h2>
There’s nothing more awe-inspiring than heading out in search of the ‘Big Five’ (lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and the Cape buffalo) and a whole animal menagerie on safari. Train with your field guide on a game drive, covering a range of nature-focused topics from animal behaviour, tracking, and identifying creepy-crawlies like spiders and scorpions.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-33845 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/giraffesSA_richardevea_960_c.png" alt="" width="960" height="541" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/giraffesSA_richardevea_960_c.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/giraffesSA_richardevea_960_c-480x271.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/giraffesSA_richardevea_960_c-768x433.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h2>By night: A turtle conservation adventure</h2>
Learn about these threatened gentle giants of the ocean on a night walk along the Elephant Coast of South Africa. Between November and February every year, the leatherback and loggerhead turtles come ashore to nest and lay their eggs on the pristine beaches of Kwazulu-Natal. Follow the flipper tracks of the world’s second-largest reptile after the crocodile, the giant leatherback turtle.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-33842 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/leatherback_looye_752_c.png" alt="" width="752" height="389" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/leatherback_looye_752_c.png 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/leatherback_looye_752_c-480x248.png 480w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />

Top 5 Family Adventures in South Africa

Safari Lodges

<h3><a href="http://www.grootbos.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Grootbos Garden Lodge</a></h3>
<h5>Grootbos Nature Reserve</h5>
Situated on the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in the Gansbaai area, this award-winning reserve is home to the largest Milkwood Forests in the world. The lodge is set within the fynbos and forest-clad hills which overlook the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay. A perfect place for a family safari, where you can take in the ocean&#8217;s Big 5.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-31327 size-large" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Grootbos-900x600.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Grootbos-900x600.jpg 900w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Grootbos-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Grootbos-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Grootbos.jpg 950w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
<hr />
<h3><a href="http://www.kwandwe.com/ecca-lodge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kwandwe Ecca Lodge</a></h3>
<h5>Kwandwe Private Game Reserve</h5>
The Lodge is set into the gently sloping aloe-studded hillside banks of the Great Fish River and is an unusual construction of stone-and-mesh gabion walls, sliding glass doors and corrugated iron roofing. Fresh farm cuisine is prepared in the interactive, open-plan kitchen, while the spacious lounge, dining and bar areas are airy and open, with almost invisible separations between indoors and the intriguing African bushveld.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-31329 size-large" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Kwandwe-900x600.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Kwandwe-900x600.jpg 900w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Kwandwe-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Kwandwe-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Kwandwe.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
<hr />
<h3><a href="http://www.dulini.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dulini Lodge</a></h3>
<h5>Sabi Sand Reserve</h5>
An intimate luxury safari lodge, Dulini is located in the western sector of the Sabi Sand Reserve, which borders the Kruger National Park. A quiet retreat, Dulini rests under a leafy canopy of ebony trees on the banks of the dry Mabrak River and boasts views across the riverbed and bushveld.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-31331 size-large" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Dulini-900x600.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Dulini-900x600.jpg 900w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Dulini-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Dulini-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Dulini.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
<hr />
<h3><a href="http://jamalamadikwe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge </a></h3>
<h5>Madikwe Game Reserve</h5>
Set amidst 75,000 hectares of the pristine Madikwe Game Reserve, Jamala Madikwe provides a quintessential safari experience. The lodge successfully brings opposites together, complementing its colonial style with African eccentricity. At Jamal they&#8217;ve perfected the &#8220;sofa safari,&#8221; with an amazing waterhole right in front of the lodge so you can watch all the animals come to drink while Rodney serves you gin and tonics.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-31333 size-large" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Jamala-900x600.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Jamala-900x600.jpg 900w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Jamala-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Jamala-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Jamala.jpg 1125w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
<hr />
<h3><a href="http://www.marataba.co.za/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marataba Mountain Lodge</a></h3>
<h5>Marataba Private Reserve</h5>
This 23,000-hectare private concession within the Marakele National Park (Limpopo, South Africa) offers a sanctuary where people can connect with South Africa&#8217;s stunning natural habitat. It offers breathtaking views of the dramatic Waterberg mountains, vast plains, rich animal diversity and winding rivers that cut through the landscape. It&#8217;s also one of the few lodges that truly allows you to get out and be active.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-31362 size-large" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Marataba2-899x600.jpg" alt="Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Marataba2" width="899" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Marataba2-899x600.jpg 899w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Marataba2-449x300.jpg 449w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Marataba2-768x513.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Best-Luxury-Safari-Lodges-Marataba2.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 899px) 100vw, 899px" />

The 7 Best Luxury Safari Lodges in South Africa

<figure id="attachment_29026" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29026" style="width: 451px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-29026 size-medium" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/africa-21787_640-451x300.jpg" alt="There may only be as few as 20,000 free-roaming, wild lions left on the continent today." width="451" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/africa-21787_640-451x300.jpg 451w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/africa-21787_640.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29026" class="wp-caption-text">There may only be as few as 20,000 free-roaming, wild lions left on the continent today</figcaption></figure>
Finding the right balance between helping human beings solve their very serious problems and helping the environment (and the non-human creatures within it) flourish continues to be an ongoing struggle.
As an African, the reality that the free-roaming rhino, the great elephants and lions (to name just three species) may be wiped off the continent in my lifetime is a future I’m not prepared to accept, which is why I&#8217;m so passionate about the work I do as a B&amp;R Trip Designer.
I’ve experienced firsthand how the survival of wilderness can be positively impacted through tourism—our safari choices truly do make a difference in sustaining wilderness areas and supporting local communities.
<h3>Success and Sustainability</h3>
<figure id="attachment_29027" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29027" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-29027 size-medium" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/gorilla-718275_640-1-400x300.jpg" alt="mountain gorilla hiding in bushes" width="400" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/gorilla-718275_640-1-400x300.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/gorilla-718275_640-1.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29027" class="wp-caption-text">Mountain gorilla population is increasing.</figcaption></figure>
Take, for example, the success Rwanda has had with the mountain gorilla.
In one of Africa’s most densely populated countries, with 2.6% population growth, Rwanda has dedicated 10% of its land to conservation and follows a low impact, high revenue ecotourism model in the protection of its remaining fragile ecosystems.
Mountain gorilla population is increasing and the daily revenue generated by the gorilla population ranks them as some of Africa’s highest wage earners! Permits that allow tourists to see the gorillas earn a revenue of $60,000 per day during the peak season.
The community serves as a partner in this, poaching levels have dropped considerably, and Rwandans are proud of their commitment and contribution to preserving this iconic species.
<h3>Dependent on Species Diversity</h3>
<figure id="attachment_29030" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29030" style="width: 480px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-29030 size-medium" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Tourism-480x300.jpg" alt="The tourism industry in Africa depends on these iconic species." width="480" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Tourism-480x300.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Tourism-250x156.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Tourism.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29030" class="wp-caption-text">The tourism industry in Africa depends on these iconic species</figcaption></figure>
In the long run, it may be the responsible tourism partnerships between communities, operators and government that will make all the difference to the survival of the world’s greatest wildlife heritage.
Ultimately the tourism industry in Africa depends on these iconic species and the cultural experiences the continent offers, and I&#8217;m awed that some of our partners have committed to conserving key areas that are vital to the conservation of entire ecosystems.
Other partners work to link conservation islands and migration corridors in order to expand migration routes, while others recognize the need for a buffer zone around a national park to counter poaching. In South Africa, industry partners have joined forces to relocate 100 rhinos in an effort to secure genetic diversity and a future for the species in the face of the poaching crisis. That is a phenomenal commitment! Tourism revenue contributes directly to these efforts, and further contributes indirectly by creating awareness for visitors to the continent.
<h3>Steep Challenges, Rewarding Work</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-29034 size-medium" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Sustainable-Partners-inset-151x300.jpg" alt="" width="151" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Sustainable-Partners-inset-151x300.jpg 151w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Sustainable-Partners-inset-301x600.jpg 301w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Sustainable-Partners-inset.jpg 314w" sizes="(max-width: 151px) 100vw, 151px" />This is where our work in trip planning becomes so rewarding—when we have the opportunity to partner with true eco-warriors.
B&amp;R prides itself on forming deep, lasting relationships with local friends. Our partners in Africa are a great example, where an ethos of conservation and giving back is what unites our partnerships.
We look for sustainable operators and lodges who are most often in partnership with local communities and governments. This is where the exciting stories of contemporary Africa emerge, <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2016/05/03/conservation-community-effort-tanzania/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">of people and organizations effecting positive change across the continent</a>, supported by the tourism industry.
As a Trip Designer, I’m personally vested in selecting the right partners who are ethical in their operations, are as green as possible, work at improving the lives of communities and, in a nutshell, whose safari activities exist to protect wilderness areas and benefit the communities around them.
It’s simply an ethical choice that informs our trip planning here in Africa, and I believe these choices secure a better future for all of us—human and non-human alike.

Dependent on Diversity: How Tourism Helps Secure Africa's Future

Our Friends

Singita

Tanzania

Let’s talk about the EEC itself. What is its primary mission? What are some of the ways it accomplishes that mission? 
The EEC&#8217;s primary mission is to enable secondary school students age 13 to 18 to have a good understanding of basic ecological principles and sustainable use of natural resources, and then to demonstrate that knowledge through post-training activities and projects.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29006" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Laurian-inset2.jpg" alt="Laurian-inset2" width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Laurian-inset2.jpg 1200w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Laurian-inset2-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Laurian-inset2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Laurian-inset2-900x600.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
The EEC organizes a residential five-day course each week to the 24 best-performing students selected from 12 secondary schools close to the reserve boundary. During the course the students are exposed to the basic understanding of ecological and geographical principles that govern the Serengeti ecosystem and learn to identify threats to the sustainability of the ecosystem such as man-made and/or -induced environmental deterioration. After identifying the characteristics and magnitudes of the identified threats, the students identify what actions can be taken to alleviate these threats, which are then put into action by conservation clubs, known as Malihai, at their respective schools. Later, they extend the knowledge even further when they report their findings back to their families.
Each month, a trainer from the EEC follows up to realize what the students are doing and provide technical support and sometimes material support to ensure they are moving forward with their plans.
Can you tell us about some of the problems or challenges the communities face in their rural environment? How have the youth contributed to finding solutions? 
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-29007" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Laurian-inset-3-450x300.jpg" alt="Laurian-inset-3" width="450" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Laurian-inset-3-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Laurian-inset-3.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" />Nobody is free of the challenges; the communities face different challenges but to give you a sense of just one of the big the environmental challenges and what we are doing, I will talk about deforestation.
In most of the areas along the concession, wood and charcoal are the main sources of energy, and the native trees are heavily harvested without being replanted. The future of the communities and general ecosystem will negatively be affected if there are no measures undertaken. Through Singita Grumeti Fund&#8217;s community outreach program, we have already started creating awareness about the use of liquid petroleum gas and energy-efficient (wood-saving) stoves as a way to address the challenge. EEC students are engaging in addressing the deforestation challenge through a greening program. A numbers of tree seedlings have been have been planted to cover the area within their school, and some seeds have been issued to their families as well.
Tell us about some EEC success stories. Are there students who’ve come through the EEC and were inspired to follow a career in conservation or find positions in the ecotourism industry? 
It&#8217;s always very rewarding when students report back to us that they are going on with their careers in conservation-related fields. For example, Gideon was a student at EEC in 2010 and now he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in tourism management. Dinah Omoso, another EEC grad, is in her third year studying law. She has approached Singita for her research on wildlife in the Serengeti in relation to legal issues.
What’s next for the EEC? What other projects would you like to see it implement in the future? 
Environmental education is still a need in the community, so to reach more youths in schools the EEC has a plan to increase the number of teachers who will serve as educators. The teachers will also take over more support duties from the project monitoring officer. Having teachers more involved will strengthen the project and allow us to reach more people.
We are also focused on ensuring that community leaders increase their awareness, so we are thinking of ways to reach decision makers and help  leaders to make a right decision on the natural resources utilization.

In Tanzania, Making Conservation a Community Effort

Need to Know

<h4><a href="http://www.butterfield.com/trip/namibia-family-private/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">3. Namibia</a></h4>
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-27947" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Namibia-Family-Trip-900x600.png" alt="Namibia-Family-Trip" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Namibia-Family-Trip-900x600.png 900w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Namibia-Family-Trip-450x300.png 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Namibia-Family-Trip.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> Wedged between the Kalahari and the South Atlantic, Namibia&#8217;s potential is as vast as its varied landscapes: wild seascapes, rugged mountains, lonely deserts, stunning wildlife, colonial cities and nearly unlimited elbow room.
<hr />
<h4><a href="http://www.butterfield.com/trip/morocco-family-private/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">4. Morocco</a></h4>
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-27951" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Morocco-Family-Trip-900x600.png" alt="Morocco-Family-Trip" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Morocco-Family-Trip-900x600.png 900w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Morocco-Family-Trip-450x300.png 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Morocco-Family-Trip.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> We&#8217;ve waxed poetic about <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/10/22/morocco-family/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Morocco&#8217;s family vacation potential </a>before, and with good reason. The delights of magical Marrakech, Berber villages, <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2015/11/04/in-the-markets-of-marrakech-a-master-class-in-moroccan-cuisine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">incredible culinary culture</a> and stunning oases will please mom and dad, while camel and donkey rides, kid-friendly kite surfing, and a ropes course will keep the kids smiling all the way to the souk.
<hr />
<h4><a href="http://www.butterfield.com/trip/tanzania-family-private/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">5. Tanzania</a></h4>
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-27949" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Tanzania-Family-Trip-900x600.png" alt="Tanzania-Family-Trip" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Tanzania-Family-Trip-900x600.png 900w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Tanzania-Family-Trip-450x300.png 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Tanzania-Family-Trip.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> Home to some of the world&#8217;s <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2015/09/29/6-of-tanzanias-coolest-if-lesser-known-exotic-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">coolest exotic animals</a>, (not to mention this little thing called the Serengeti), Tanzania is perfect for families with an adventurous spirit and desire to engage in their environment. The natural diversity here presents a truly breathtaking spectacle, from rolling hills, open plains and ground water forest, to massive volcanoes, and the Serengeti Migration.

In Deep

Rwanda

<h2>Reconciliation and Reconstruction</h2>
Since that dark year, the reconciliation and reconstruction in Rwanda have been nothing short of remarkable. In the capital, broad, newly paved roads are lined with flowerbeds. The streets are spotlessly clean. There is not a speck of litter to be seen. Yet Kigali remains a quintessentially African city, with its colourful costumes, music, vibrant markets and busy storefronts everywhere.
Rwanda’s remarkable turnaround is also evident elsewhere in the country. Villages are similarly immaculate, and lush fields abound. Verdant tea plantations drape over the hilly countryside. Everything is green and growing. Spurred by intelligent conservation planning, eco-tourism is on the rise. And in the industrial and technological domain, Rwanda is asserting itself as a major information hub. State-of-the-art fibre-optic cable is being laid everywhere, part of the country’s master plan to become the service centre for central and east Africa.
Nonetheless, evidence of Rwanda’s turbulent past remains, such as the gacacas, village-level trials for crimes from the genocides. The events of 1994 are not to be forgotten. Still, Rwanda has proven itself a nation with its eyes firmly fixed on the future. As one of the few countries in Africa not crippled by corruption, Rwanda’s economic growth has been impressive.
It is indeed a place poised for great things.
Read more Rwanda facts <a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/facts-about-rwanda" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

In Deep: A Brief Introduction to Rwanda

Animals

Q&amp;A

You’ve quite deliberately tried to keep your camps more authentic than some of the other, larger outfits that have sprung up since the safari business started to take off. How does the experience you provide at your camps differ from other safaris?
<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-17117 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Pool-320x212.jpg" alt="Ralph Bousfield" width="320" height="212" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Pool-320x212.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Pool-124x82.jpg 124w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Pool.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" />The environment defines how we have built our camps and how the experience unfolds. The camps are also an extension of my home and family history and therefore are authentic and not merely some Hollywood movie set. The experience unfolds as the environment permits, with the rhythm of the desert from wet seasons to dry season, from night to day. We have not felt compelled to go on a game drive in the morning and a game drive in the afternoon but rather to roll with life in the desert.
In your father’s day, safaris would last three months, but nowadays you have one or two weeks tops to give somebody a similar experience. How do you go about presenting a true safari experience in just a few weeks?
Our attitude towards the safari is that each trip is absolutely individual and is an experience in its own right. Your guide’s range and ability is paramount to the experience. We run our safaris the same way as they were run in the old days and try to achieve an understanding of the big picture and the rhythm of the environment at that time and moment of the year. In that way we give our guests a true and emotional experience in just a few weeks.
What knowledge, impression or feeling do you want people to leave with after an experience at your camp?
I want people to feel moved. To get it.  To have an understanding and a sense of belonging of where we come from and ultimately where we are heading. And to have a bloody good time!

Q&A with Ralph Bousfield

Must Sees

Travel Tips

<h2><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-25571 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Chimps-new-blog.jpg" alt="Chimps-new-blog" width="1280" height="800" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Chimps-new-blog.jpg 1280w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Chimps-new-blog-250x156.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Chimps-new-blog-480x300.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Chimps-new-blog-960x600.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /> Chimpanzees</h2>
Our closest cousin in the animal kingdom, chimps share many traits with their human counterparts, from sophisticated hunting strategies that require cooperation, to a concern for their social status within a community. (Unlike us, however, chimps spend little-to-no time pretending they totally don&#8217;t care what other chimps think of them).
<hr />
<h2><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-25572 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Leopards-new-blog.jpg" alt="Leopards-new-blog" width="1280" height="800" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Leopards-new-blog.jpg 1280w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Leopards-new-blog-250x156.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Leopards-new-blog-480x300.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Leopards-new-blog-960x600.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /> Leopards</h2>
Not to be confused with their doppleganger cousins the cheetah and the jaguar, leopards are the smallest of the four &#8220;big cats&#8221; (the others being tigers, lions and <del>bears, oh my!</del> jaguars). A ferocious hunter known for its stealth and speed, we may marvel at a leopard&#8217;s spots (known as rosettes), but chances are its prey never saw it coming.
<hr />
<h2><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-25573 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Lion-new-blog.jpg" alt="Lion-new-blog" width="1280" height="800" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Lion-new-blog.jpg 1280w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Lion-new-blog-250x156.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Lion-new-blog-480x300.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Lion-new-blog-960x600.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /> Lions</h2>
The undisputed king of the jungle, the lion can often be found resting on his throne: lions rest for upwards of 20 hours per day (and not just on the weekends). The most social of &#8220;big cats,&#8221; every lion in a pride has a role to play. Smaller, swifter and more agile, female lions (lionesses) do most of the hunting, while the males protect the pride from outsiders—and in the process protect their own status within the pride.

Call of the Wild: Our 6 Favourite African Animals

Cape Town

Cities

<h4>The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve</h4>
In 1580, Sir Francis Drake sailed around the Cape in The Golden Hind, and the ruggedness and breathtaking beauty of the peninsula led him to write: “This Cape is a most stately thing, and the fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the earth.” Cape Point marks the confluence of two great currents: one from the equator (Agulhas Current, the strongest north-south current in the southern hemisphere) and the other from the Antarctic (Benguela Current), causing turbulent seas and monstrous waves.

<img loading="lazy" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27350" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Flowers-450x300.jpg" alt="Flowers" width="450" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Flowers-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Flowers.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" />This harsh, wind-swept area became a nature reserve in 1936 when the land was donated to the state after it was discovered that farming was impossible here due to the high acidity of the soil and lack of grazing opportunities for domesticated animals. Eventually 7,700 hectares were made into parkland, an area that contains more flower varieties than the whole of Great Britain. One thing you will notice is the lack of trees in the reserve; this is due to high winds and infertile soils. The area is also home to the notorious chacma baboons, eland and bontebok (two species of antelope), and the rare mountain zebra. A large variety of birds are also regular visitors to the park, including sunbirds, black eagles, ostrich, and ocean-going species such as albatross and cormorant.
One thing you might notice is that the Cape Point lighthouse is curiously low on the headland; this is so it can be seen below the usual ceiling of mist. The first lighthouse was erected in 1857 on the summit of the Cape, and whenever the mists or fogs rolled in it would be obscured. As a result several ships were shipwrecked as they attempted to round the Cape of Good Hope.
<h4>The Flying Dutchman</h4>
Legend has it that there is a phantom sailing ship with tattered sails and storm-swept decks, and it has been sighted periodically off the Cape of Good Hope. Supposedly the ship of a 17thC Dutch captain, Hendrick van der Decken, was crippled by the “Cape Doctor,” and he vowed to round the “Cape of Storms” even if it took him until the Judgement Day. It has been over 30 years since the ship was last sighted!
<h4>Diverse Restaurants</h4>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-6921 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Roundhouse2-320x212.jpg" alt="Roundhouse, Cape Town Restaurant " width="320" height="212" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Roundhouse2-320x212.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Roundhouse2-124x82.jpg 124w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Roundhouse2.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" />Cape Town has a restaurant to suit every mood, every budget, every craving. The city&#8217;s restored narrow streets, art galleries and parliament buildings provide South Africa‘s legislative capital with a bustling hub worthy of the continent’s most culturally diverse population. And for evidence of its diversity, look no further than Cape Town’s restaurant scene, where foodies can find just about any cuisine their heart desires.

In Deep: What You Need to Know About Cape Town

Culture &amp; Lifestyle

Eat &amp; Drink

Vines &amp; Wines

Vines 101

Wine Regions

<figure id="attachment_10009" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10009" style="width: 117px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-10009 " src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/VergelegenWhite_2011-117x320.jpg" alt="South Africa Wine " width="117" height="320" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10009" class="wp-caption-text">The Vergelegen White, named &#8220;Wine of the Year&#8221; by John Platter.</figcaption></figure>
<a title="Stellenbosch" href="http://www.wineroute.co.za/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Stellenbosch</a> South Africa’s second-oldest European settlement, Stellenbosch, boasts a plethora of historic buildings, including excellent examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture. It is also known as Die Eikestand (the “Oak City”) for its 300-year-old tree-lined avenues. Additionally, it is home to the well-regarded Afrikaans-language University of Stellenbosch. In fact, of the town’s 60,000+ inhabitants, about 20,000 are students. Established in 1918, the university has long been influential in Afrikaans politics and culture. However, the town is best known internationally for its world-class wines. According to the guru of South Africa wine, <a title="John Platter" href="http://www.wineonaplatter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">John Platter</a>, the secrets to the region’s success with the grape are its cool mountain slopes, varied soil types and moderating breezes off False Bay.
Among the surrounding wine estates are Rust en Vrede and Verglegen. The latter is architecturally impressive, having been constructed by then-governor Willem Addriaan van der Stel in the early 1700s with the use of Dutch East India Company slaves. The ensuing scandal led to van der Stel’s firing and the ordered destruction of the estate. It isn’t entirely clear how much was destroyed and rebuilt—and how much was left untouched. Either way, it remains a beautiful estate, and it hosted the Queen during her 1995 visit. Incidentally, John Platter has awarded the Verglegen White “Wine of the Year.&#8221;
<a title="Middelvlei" href="http://www.middelvlei.co.za" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Middelvlei</a> 
Located on the outskirts of Stellenbosch is a wine estate managed by the charming Momberg family. This old Stellenbosch family have been wine farming in the area for generations, and their cellar produces several award-winning gold label wines. Plantings include chardonnay, pinotage, shiraz, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon.

Blog posts by Michele Harvey