Tag: Iconic Africa

Low Light Photography

Posted on by James

This is probably one of the trickiest areas of wildlife photography to get right.
Photography is all about light, and the less there is, the harder it is to take a sharp photograph. After sunset or before sunrise, cloudy days, or even shooting with a spotlight; all present their challenges, some of which can be overcome and others not so much. But with a couple of trips and tricks, you should be able to get some very memorable photos even when conditions are poor.

1. Know Your Equipment

A good workman never blames his tools, so they say, but the simple reality here is that some camera equipment is significantly better than others. Certain lenses let in more light, some bodies can cope with almost complete darkness, and having this more advanced (but unfortunately more expensive) equipment will go a long way towards getting better photos when the light is poor.
The two things to look for are lens that has a wide aperture (f2.8 or below) and a camera body with high ISO capability (ISO is a measure of the camera’s sensitivity to light). If you have those two you can probably keep snapping away for awhile when the sun has gone down.

If on the other hand you don’t have the advanced gear that the serious amateurs or professional photographers will make use of, it is important to recognise when you are barking up the wrong tree. You will probably hear a very slow shutter speed coming into play (your ranger will identify it for you), resulting in blurry photos.

Simply put your camera down, forget about taking photos, and enjoy watching whatever’s in front of you.

2. Try Something Different

Low light can be an excellent time to experiment.
If a leopard isn’t bathed in golden light but is instead moving slowly along  on a cold grey morning, it’s time to think outside the box.
Your camera will detect that there isn’t enough light around and use a slow shutter speed to compensate, but you can use this to your advantage.

By panning along with your subject, be it elephant, lion or leopard, and using a slow shutter speed, the background should blur out a bit whilst the animal (hopefully) stays sharp. This panning effect implies motion, and is a very effective way of conveying story, which is ultimately what wildlife photography is all about.

Understand Metering and Exposure

You are smarter than your camera. At least hopefully. Whilst you can clearly see that the world in front of you is veiled in darkness and the leopard illuminated in the spotlight is the only thing to concentrate on, and clearly the subject of your desired photo, your camera doesn’t know better. It will just see the darkness and try to compensate for it. It will open the shutter for longer to let more light in, thus massively overexposing the leopard and probably blurring it as well.

In a case like this, you need to tell the camera to keep things dark. You do this by adjusting the exposure. Have a read of a previous post of ours here to understand the concept a bit better.

Knowing how your camera reacts to different levels of light is crucial. The more advanced your photography becomes, the more control you will likely take away from it and put into your own hands (ie. you will be deciding all the settings for yourself).

 

Know What Your Subject Is

Is it the scene or is it the animal?

Do you want to accentuate the clouds or do you want detail in the wildlife?

A lot of the time in wildlife photography, you have to compromise. Make sacrifices. It’s like a relationship. Know what you have to give up on one side to gain something on the other.
Take a look at the photograph below, of wildebeest in the Maasai Mara.
Had the shot been exposed for the wildebeest, the dramatic colours in the evening sky would have been lost (the shutter would have necessarily been slower). Instead, the sky’s colours were prioritised and the wildebeest and lone tree were left as mere silhouettes. Which in turn tells its own story.
It would be very difficult (without the use of a flash or spotlight) to capture detail in both the sky and the wildebeest.

Ultimately, understanding exactly what shot you’re after, what settings you need to capture it, and what the limits of your equipment actually are, all combine to define how you can photograph in low light. But it’s certainly not a case of putting your camera away when the light fades.
Quite the contrary.

Feel free to drop any questions down below about all things wildlife photography related.

Mala Mala Winter Madness

Posted on by James

Winter is almost upon the South African Lowveld, which encompasses the Kruger National Park and its adjacent private reserves like the Timbavati, the Sabi Sands, and more relevant to this particular post, Mala Mala.

One of the original photographic safari lodges in the country, Mala Mala has had its doors open to wildlife aficionados since the late 60s, and although the camps have been upgraded since then, the menu has been refined and the experience developed somewhat, the thing that has remained unchanged over all those years is what makes the place part of the epicentre of Big 5 viewing in the region; the wildlife.

Attracted by the perennial Sand River (along which Mala Mala enjoys 20km of frontage), the wildlife flocks in in droves during the winter months – the dry season in this region – when surface water is scarce but the river remains constant.
Lions lounge on the high banks, waiting for the buffalo herds to descend down the dead-end sandy culverts. Leopards slink through the Phragmites reeds, sneaking up on unsuspecting bushbuck, and the ever-present elephant herds march between their feeding grounds and the steady trickle of water that sustains life throughout these cold harsh months of the middle of the year.

And above it all, ever-present and inviting, lies Mala Mala Camp (formerly known as Main Camp).
A haven of understated luxury, combining warm comfort and superb service with unrivalled views of the Sand River and surrounding bushveld, it is truly a place of legends, where rare photographs, old maps and extraordinary mementos rub shoulders with the works of renowned contemporary wildlife artists.The camp is an unfenced oasis in the middle of the bush.

Ten luxury suites, eight luxury rooms and one luxury single suite comprise this unique slice of Africa that is sure to fill up your memory cards faster than the

The spacious and unbelievably comfortable rooms all feature the following:

  • Private decks or verandah with a view over the Sand River or a waterhole
  • En-suite bathroom with private toilet – the suites have both a bath and a shower whilst the luxury rooms only have a shower
  • 24-hour temperature control – air-conditioning, heating and overhead fan
  • Direct dial telephones
  • A mini-bar
  • Tea and coffee making facilities
  • A mini-safe
  • Bathroom amenities, insect repellent and hairdryers

It’a good all year, but winter is the time when Mala Mala truly comes alive.

Thankfully there are a number of different accommodation options available, as competition is fierce to get a booking during the peak of the game viewing months. Rattray’s and Sable Camps offer just as – if not more – luxurious stays, whilst still providing access to just as incredible game viewing experiences.

Get in touch NOW (info@iconicafrica.com) to start planning your Mala Mala safari. This is one you don’t want to miss…

Cheetah Plains: Eco-Excellence

Posted on by James

Home of the exclusive-use luxury safari experience in South Africa’s most celebrated wildlife area, the Sabi Sand Reserve, Cheetah Plains is the epitome of a sophisticated, innovative eco-luxury safari experience for the modern age, indulging you in a refined, personalised and private sustainable safari experience of a lifetime.

Set in the north-east corner of the reserve, close to the border of the enormous Kruger National Park (there are no fences to restrict the free flow of wildlife), Cheetah plains enjoys access to the densest leopard population yet recorded in Africa. Numbering up to 12 animals per 100 square kilometres, this is literally the best place on earth to view these magnificent cats.

Each exquisitely appointed Cheetah Plains villa accommodates up to eight guests and boasts a formal lounge, living and dining room areas, expansive swimming pool deck, entertainment lounge, wine gallery, curated art collection, chef’s kitchen and four sumptuous private guest bush suites.

A complete hospitality team consisting of an accomplished host, culinary team, spa therapist as well as expert field guide and tracker team are dedicated to your villa for the duration of your stay. Together, this talented group of professionals deliver a luxury safari experience of the highest standard, tailored to your individual preferences.

 

For the most immersive safari experience, guests are invited to embark on guided, interpretive bush walks. Accompanied by certified and experienced walking-trails field guide, the opportunity to explore certain parts of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve on foot is one not to be missed.

The duration of walks are easily customised to your requirements, taking number of guests, fitness levels, ages, weather conditions and your preferred game drive schedules into account. There is no more tangible way than this to surround yourself with nature.

Cheetah Plains welcomes families and children of all ages. Their highly qualified field guides and trackers are eager to share their bush lore with young, inquisitive minds. Bush bumbles (game drives of age-appropriate duration) and interpretive walks in their indigenous gardens facilitate a child’s connection with Africa’s wilderness and love of nature.

Cheetah Plains are one of the front runners in an industry that is constantly refining the most eco-friendly practices possible. With their increasing use of electric vehicles to conduct game drives, a shift to solar and a focus on reducing their footprint across all lodge operations, Cheetah Plains are set to remain on the cutting edge of what it means to be a world-class, non-impactful lodge…

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more and to start planning your safari…

 

Qorokwe: Wildlife on Tap

Posted on by James

The richness of this exquisite safari camp lies in the vibrance of its different landscapes. Rivers that reflect brooding, dramatic skies. Lush, green profusions of wildflowers. Rippling grasslands peppered with wildlife. Spend sunny days exploring the channels by mokoro. Scan and listen for wildlife; a herd of red lechwe, mud-encrusted buffalo bulls, elephants and giraffes, and the predators that this concession abounds with.

You know you’re in excellent hands at this eco-chic luxury safari camp in Botswana, with its commitment to local community empowerment.
Qorokwe Camp has eight rooms with tented suites and indoor and outdoor showers. In addition, its extra-spacious family unit has its own splash pool. The wonderful open dining and lounge area and bar are set on a raised deck, connected to the suites by walkways.

Sundowners are generally a highlight on safari, and those at Qorokwe are no exception. Guides take special care to scout a good sundown spot while on the afternoon game drive, at which drinks will be served and guests can bask in the magnificence of an Okavango sunset.

Botswana has a unique and effective eco-tourism model: low volume, high expenditure per head. Game viewing is simply out of this world. You’ll likely spot the Big Five, which is unusual in many other parts of Africa these days. Due to the low volume of travelers, you won’t have to share that moment of spotting a pride of lions with five-plus jeeps around you. Chances are you’ll come back to camp after each drive with stories to tell that go way beyond just having spotted a herd of elephants or a baby giraffe. The views here are consistently quality, so to see predators on the hunt or multi-species interactions is not out of the question…

Qorokwe is beautiful, comfortable, and incredibly well-staffed. The price point can be around three times less than other high-end camps in Botswana, but with no sacrifice to the quality of viewing or service. Also, it is on a private concession inside the Okavango, meaning you can off-road and do night drives, unlike other parts of the Delta.

Because the Okavango is such an enormous open ecosystem, wildlife viewing has the potential to ebb and flow between years and seasons. With the incredible sightings that Qorokwe guests are experiencing on a regular basis, it’s safe to say that its season is well and truly in full bloom!

Contact us through info@iconicafrica.com for more information, and let’s start planning your safari…

Serengeti River Lodge: Ultimate Migration Exclusivity

Posted on by James

Perfectly situated on the banks of a tributary of the Grumeti River, in the secluded western parts of the Serengeti National Park, &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge shares breathtaking views and unparalleled sightings, especially in April and May when the great migration is moving through the area.. 

The lodge enjoys prime position in one of the most beautiful regions of this world-famous wildlife area. Expect a wonderfully intimate, private Serengeti safari experience complete with resident hippo pods and remarkable lion prides.

Due to its far-flung location, there are very few lodges in this pristine section of the park, allowing for far quieter safari experience than in some of the concessions that feature more camps. Twice-daily game drives from the lodge regularly encounter large lion prides and hyena clans. Extensive herds of resident plains game area feature of this area, as well as the special black-and-white colobus monkeys, found nowhere else in the Serengeti.  

Using the natural bow shape of the river, and paying homage to the circular forms of a traditional Maasai manyatta (traditional home), the lodge unfolds to reveal an understated sense of luxury. Adorned with Kitenge fabrics and accentuated with stone walls, the lodge also features the vibrant colours of the fishing communities surrounding Lake Victoria (found just to the west) and the grey tones representative of hippo hide that have been beautifully woven into deeply comfortable furnishings and bespoke, hand-made fittings. 

Walking into the guest area upon arrival, one is blown away by the striking beauty of the lodge. Wide open decks are perfect for enjoying sundowners overlooking the river and the lodge’s sparkling rim-flow swimming pool provides a view of the seasonal hippo pods below, whose honking and snorting creates a wonderful background ambience during your stay. The proximity of water draws a profusion of wildlife throughout the day and night. 

Touching the earth lightly and seemingly floating across the landscape, 10 nostalgically elegant and very spacious guest suites offer natural light, an enormous bed, bath, an indoor shower (with a spectacular view), and a private plunge pool. A Family Suite, with the addition of a smaller children’s bedroom, offers adventurous families the unique opportunity to explore the African bush together. 

Celebrating the local culture and cuisine, become immersed in lodge’s exquisite meals, from breakfast to dinner. Much-loved and well-known breakfast trays, complete with freshly-squeezed juices and house-baked bread, are absolutely not to be missed, while the interactive kitchen creates a space for guests to work alongside chefs and plan their menus for the day. The traditional boma, a hero of night-time dining, serves a selection of artisanal pizzas, and salt-crusted, whole baked fish, which pays homage to the region’s great lakes, among many other delicious meals. Enjoy convivial afternoons and evenings around the central circular bar; a masterpiece of woven fabrics and dramatic glass ball light installations.  

The western sector of the Serengeti is one of its most beautiful and Serengeti River Lodge one of our favourite camps in the greater ecosystem. Although most visitors to this part of the world time their visit to coincide with the wildebeest migration, the reality is that the whole year offers spectacular game viewing.

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more, and let’s start planning your safari…

 

 

Jao: Awestruck in the Okavango

Posted on by James

In the heart of the Okavango, on a remote island, Jao invites you to discover one of the richest experiences Botswana has to offer.

Where Earth meets river meets wetland, lies Jao. Surrounded by riverine forests and open floodplains teeming with game, Jao is the archetypal Okavango Delta camp, and a lush haven for wildlife. Boat in when the waters rise or travel by game drive vehicle when summer warms the land. At Jao, the endlessly dynamic waters provide a continuous element of surprise and all manner of experiences to explore this Botswana paradise.

Jao is a sculptural marvel of natural and recycled materials, of steel, wood, and glass, of towering, spacious interiors that embrace the light, the bush. Feel your senses come alive at this quintessentially Delta safari camp.

Striking design elements impress at every turn. Marvel at the gallery and museum, relax in the library, or simply just be in Jao’s elaborate main area, surrounded by the trees and bird song of the Delta. Choose between five expansive safari suites or two sublime villas with private plunge pools and their own private butlers, chefs, guides, and vehicles. The perfect Okavango hideaway.

The food experience at Jao is a journey in itself. To reduce their foodprint, strengthen their ties with the community, and create a healthier, more harmonious environment for all of us, the camp uses locally grown ingredients in traditional recipes. Feel indulged as you discover Botswana at its best through touch, smell, and taste.

At Jao you are invited into a world where nature and architecture merge seamlessly. Built into the tall trees, the unique bird’s nest-styled pool gazebo on the edge of the water provides the perfect place to rest. The extravagant wine cellar calls for a pre-dinner drink, while the award-winning spa with gym alongside, beckons you to experience the highest standards of safari luxury.

Keep your ears open for a hundred different bird calls. Spy a tiny painted reed frog, or elephants padding silently past camp. Follow lions across the floodplains. You’ll soon discover why the staff work tirelessly to protect the unique ecosystem of the Okavango Delta. Jao is a place dedicated to the conservation of the waters and the dry land, and the plants, birds, and wildlife that call Botswana home.

If this sounds like paradise to you, or you would like to know about more options within the amazing Okavango ecosystem, mail us on info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start planning your safari…

Little Vumbura: Island in a Sea of Green

Posted on by James

The Okavango is one of the world’s – not just Africa’s – premiere destinations.

An utterly unique oasis on the edge of a desert, this 16000 square kilometre ecosystem is the world’s largest inland delta, and it provides one of the finest wildlife experiences on the planet.
Elephants wade across waterways, lion prides make use of the winding channels to hunt buffalo, and the elusive leopards are never far away, slinking through the undergrowth as they stealthily stalk the resident antelope species.

Little Vumbura camp, situated in the north of the Okavango, is one of the finest camps there is. Set on a small island close to its sister camp – Vumbura Plains – Little Vumbura offers a more water-based option from which to explore one of the most productive concessions in this corner of Botswana.

Little Vumbura is an airy, six-roomed tented camp shaded by the canopy of an ancient forest. Each well-appointed room, hued in soft neutrals with touches of indigo, has en-suite facilities and a deck with sweeping vistas. A plunge pool and reading area overlook the floodplains, and a Star Deck, (across a bridge from the dining area), offers superb stargazing.

Surrounded as it is by water and lying close to large channels, aquatic creatures like hippopotamus are easily found, but general wildlife viewing is consistently good all year round, with lion, leopard, elephant, sable and buffalo along with extensive plains game. Little Vumbura is situated in a concession leased from remote rural communities organised under the Okavango Community Trust and aims to help bring the benefits of ecotourism to local people.

Having access to some of the main water channels in the area means water activities form a major part of the Little Vumbura offering (although water levels are seasonal, so make sure to enquire before you book).
Take a sedate paddle in a mokoro along pristine waterways, marvelling at the myriad bird species, watching fish swimming about in the crystal clear water.
Or cover a bit more ground in a motor launch, exploring more remote reaches while you search for the fabled Pel’s Fishing owl, which is recorded regularly here.

Little Vumbura is regularly used as an exclusive use camp. Featuring only six rooms it is perfect for larger families or a travelling group of friends to book out, ensuring intimacy in one of the most majestic of African safari destinations.

Get in touch with us through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about Little Vumbura and other incredible Okavango Lodges, and let’s start planning your safari…

Hoanib Skeleton Coast: the Desert Elephants

Posted on by James

It is truly astounding to see the world’s biggest land animal trundling its sedate way across a seemingly endless gravel plain, not a drop of water in sight, and with only the haze of rocky mountains rising up in the distance.
There is almost nowhere in the world where you can witness such a seemingly incongruous presence of wildlife.

Yet the desert elephants of north Namibia have become specialised denizens of this harsh yet spectacular environment. They know where the hidden springs in the mountains are. They eat only sparingly from the big trees that occur in the ephemeral riverbeds, never pushing one over (they know that should they do, that tree will not be able tor provide food next year), and this wisdom is passed down from generation to generation.

The Kaokaveld – the name given to this north-west corner of one of earth’s most sparsely inhabited countries – is at first glance barren and lifeless, but look a little closer and you will discover a myriad of inhabitants, all of which have evolved over millenia to make this rocky desert their home.
It is truly one of the most fascinating ecosystems in the world, and the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is one of the best places from which to experience it.

Set alongside the Hoanib river, which forms the boundary of the Kaokaveld to the north and Damaraland to the south, the lodge is perfectly positioned to enjoy the best of both ecosystems.

Eight pale olive, generously appointed, tented suites peak like whitecaps on an ocean of sand. Totally solar-powered, their open design and colour palette reflect the surrounding desert, keeping the interiors startlingly cool. A unique experience beckons for the intrepid traveller seeking chic luxury in a startlingly rugged and isolated, ancient landscape.

Yet this remote part of the world is by no means just about the desert elephants, even though they are the star attraction.

Giraffes wander between the hills, obtaining moisture from the few leaves they eat off the scrubby vegetation. Brown Hyenas – cousins of the more well-known spotted variety – scavenge for delicacies like ostrich eggs, or prey on seals down on the skeleton coast, and even lions are seen, walking many many miles each day in search of prey like the stately oryx or the springboks which come and go, following the sparse grazing.

This a place where space and isolation are the true magic ingredients. Seldom will you have ever felt a silence more profound, or felt as awed by a landscape so vast and ancient. It seems paradoxical yet there is a friendliness to the desert here that makes you feel at home in the harshest of environments.

The Kaokaveld is not about the volume of wildlife you will see; that is for elsewhere. Instead it is about a deep dive into a fascinating ecosystem, to which some of Africa’s most iconic fauna have managed to adapt despite the odds.

It is about space, and time, and stillness. It’s about starlight.
And of course it’s about the elephants.

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about this remarkable corner of our planet, and let’s start planning your safari…

Bisate Gorilla Trekking

Posted on by James

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again; coming face to face with one of the great apes is one of the most surreal, life-changing experiences one can have.

To look into the eyes of a wild animal and recognise in it a fellow sentient being. To know unequivocally that the creature is examining you just as readily as you are examining it, will totally realign your concepts of your own humanity and indeed our place as a species on this planet.

The mountain gorillas of East and Central Africa are right up at the top of many ardent safari goers’ bucket lists, and so they should be. Until not too long ago however they were hard to reach, with only a few rudimentary lodges and fly-by-night trekking operations allowing access to the thick equatorial forests in which they make their homes.
Yet the last couple of decades have seen a number of superb lodges being built in prime positions along the mountain ranges the gorillas occur in.

Bisate Lodge in Rwanda, part of the Wilderness Safaris portfolio, is one of our favourites in the region; the six forest villas perched like birds nests in the Volcanoes National Park are simply breath-taking. And arguably the finest base in Africa from which to trek to see the famous mountain gorillas of the Virungas Mountains.

Since opening in 2017, Bisate has racked up 34 awards and continues to inspire; a wine cellar, library, spa, restaurant, and tree nursery, woven through with warm hospitality complete this natural wonder and make the place feel as though it is simply an extension of the environment.
Bisate’s eco-friendly approach ensures minimal impact on its surroundings, places a heavy emphasis on community upliftment, and contributes significantly to the safe-guarding of the local gorilla population and their environment.

For the rest of 2023, Rwanda is offering a massive reduction in the price of gorilla trekking permits for African residents, so if you want to experience something that will truly touch your soul, the time is now.

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to enquire about availability, and let’s start planning your safari…

Summer vs Winter: the Difference in Safari

Posted on by James

Knowing what to expect when you touch down in Africa for your safari is paramount in maximising your enjoyment of the experience. You don’t want to pack for tropical conditions only to realise that night time temperatures are close to freezing and you didn’t bring a jacket.
There are significant changes between the heights of summer and winter in the main safari areas, and it’s important that you understand one or two things about these seasonal shifts in order to pack correctly and get the most out of your trip.

We’ll be looking primarily at Southern Africa here (south of the Zambezi River), as conditions change slightly as one shifts further north and east up to east Africa and the great plains of the Serengeti and Maasai Mara ecosystems.

Temperature/Weather

Summer gets warm. Although temperatures around the 30 degrees Celcius mark (high 80s in Farenheit) are the norm during high summer, this can even spike up to the mid 40s (about 113 F). Light layers are going to be just fine in the wardrobe department.
Having said this, summer is also the southern African rainy season, so temperatures may well get offset by cloudy conditions and the occasional thunderstorm. Things can get chilly after a couple of days of precipitation and no sun. A good rain jacket should be enough to both keep you dry and keep you warm. Most lodges will provide ponchos on drive to keep out most of the moisture should the clouds open.
A common day-time cycle is a hot, clear morning, a cloud build-up in mid-afternoon followed by a brief thunderstorm, and then things clear again into evening. It can be pretty spectacular watching the lightning bursts as evening sets in.

Winter on the other hand is the consistent season.
It is cold at night (sometimes very cold; temperatures just below freezing can be recorded, particularly in the interior of the sub-continent) but with the sunrise the temperature starts rising and the daytime will likely be cloudless, with temperatures in the mid-20s Celcius (mid-70s Farenheit). Shorts and a t-shirt are just fine.
Night skies are clear, and the southern stars are utterly spectacular.

Make sure you have a good jacket and long pants for the night and early morning drives.

Safari Conditions

With the rain of summer comes a beautiful flush of green; trees that lay dormant in winter come into leaf, and the bush becomes a verdant sea of foliage. Grasses that were previously nothing more than shoots now rocket up, in some places growing higher than the vehicle. Summer is spectacular in terms of the prevalence of life, but thicker vegetation can make wildlife harder to spot.
Having said that, excess foliage tends to push the animals onto the more open paths and roads, so finding the big cats in particular can be a bit more predictable.
Leopards are more likely to be up in trees; out of the itchy grass and with better visibility to look for prey species.

Winter is the open season. Leaves fall off the trees and the grass wilts away until next summer, so visibility increases tremendously. It becomes easier to spot things in the distance (make sure to pack your binoculars).
Since it’s also the dry season, access to water becomes all-important. Waterholes become hotbeds for animal activity and the wildlife tends to congregate near them, whereas in summer things tend to spread out more as there are ephemeral pans all over the place thanks to the rain.

For photographic purposes, the beautiful golden hour tends to last a bit longer in winter, although the surroundings are a bit more drab than they are in summer.

Wildlife

Summer and Winter offer very different wildlife experiences.
During winter, things tend to be active far more during the daylight hours, particularly the big cats. It’s not as hot, so they don’t lose energy as quickly by moving around. The safari focus during this time of year is generally on the bigger game due to heightened activity levels.
The focus on waterholes also plays a part as many of the resident big cats are well aware of the buffet that is likely to come parading past during the day.

Summer on the other hand is about pure variety. The rain has brought all the smaller creatures out from their winter hiding; there are birds everywhere as the migrants have come south to take advantage of the invertebrate boom, animals are giving birth (impalas, wildebeest and warthogs in particular all give birth at a similar time), and life is everywhere you look.
Elephants and rhinos are mud-bathing to keep cool, and the bush is full of a hustle-and-bustle which is an absolute delight to watch.

Big cats tend to go a bit quieter during the day however; the warmer temperature pushes them into the shade, and they will often reserve their hunting for nighttime when it may be cloudy as well, creating pitch black conditions that are perfect for stalking in.

The bottom line is there is no such thing as a “best” season for safari; the wildlife will be there, doing different things at different times.
Weather changes, and can be a bit of a gamble anyway.
It will always be good, so just know what to pack (we can advise you), and understand what it will be like when you get there, and you will have the trip of a lifetime!

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about the different safari seasons, and let’s start planning your adventure…

North Island Okavango: in the Heart of the Delta

Posted on by James

With only three spacious tents in camp, each resting on a raised wooden deck under the shady boughs of wild ebony trees, exclusivity is the name of the game at North Island, the latest amazing camp in the Natural Selections Portfolio.
Set in one of the most wildlife-rich concessions in the world heritage site that is the Okavango Delta, this is truly an African Paradise.

Each tent offers stunning views of the lagoon in front of it and a private plunge pool with a sunken sundeck for cooling off, for you to enjoy while watching the ever-present wildlife that comes into view.
After dark the local frog chorus dominates the soundscape whilst fireflies twinkle at you from the reedbeds, their reflections on the still water doubling the light display.
During the hotter summer nights, each bed comes with its very own ‘over-the-bed’ cooling system, and during the winter when cold nights are the norm, there is a cosy fireplace to relax in front of, making each tent a romantic safari experience.

 

Tents all come with sleeper couches that can accommodate children should you be travelling with the family.
En suite bathrooms are fitted with both indoor and outdoor showers, which means you can wash while being fully surrounded by nature. WiFi is available in the rooms but not in the communal areas; guests are encouraged to fully immerse themselves in the experience and their surroundings, so checking social media can be left for after hours!

Delicious dinners are served in separate dining areas overlooking a hippo-filled pool; these parts of camp are connected by a wooden deck that extends outwards for stargazing around a crackling firepit one the sun has gone down. Tucked discreetly to one side lies a small, comfortable library for resting and reading and an outdoor gym for those who wish to stay fit while on safari.

North Island looks set to reinvent what the words “luxury” and “exclusive” truly mean on safari.

If you’ re interested in this spectacular destination, get hold of us on info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start planning your safari…

Lemala Ndutu & Mara: Migration Madness

Posted on by James

If there was one reason to safari in East Africa, it’s the great migration. Well north of a million wildebeest and zebra follow the rains as they move between the great grassland ecosystems of the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti on a continuous loop.

Since the migration is seasonal and highly concentrated at different times of the year, knowing when and where to go is crucial if you are to fully appreciate one of the natural world’s great wildlife shows.

One authentic mobile tented camp, but in two locations, Lemala Ndutu & Lemala Mara moves north and south with the seasons to ensure guests enjoy ringside seats to the spectacle of the magnificent wildebeest migration year-round. Both camps are set up in sublime locations offering a high-quality safari experience with excellent guiding.

Lemala Ndutu Tented Camp is in the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area near the border of the Southern Serengeti.
This area is classic savannah, characterized by flat grassy plains, and the camp is in one of the finest locations in Ndutu to see the migration between December and March. Tens of thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle usually arrive in December to graze on the newly-watered, highly nutritious short grass plains, and then by February, the main calving season takes place. Predators – especially the big cats – are highly concentrated in the Ndutu area in these months, and take full advantage of the birthing season to snap up easy meals among the newborn wildebeest.
With nine tents, Lemala Ndutu is perched on the edge of a permanent marsh and acts as the ultimate amphitheatre to capture the boundless drama that accompanies the migration.

The twelve tents of Lemala Mara Tented Camp travel north between June and October to set up under large Euclea trees in one of the best game viewing areas of the Northern Serengeti. The exact location varies from year to year. Sometimes the camp set up camp close to the Mara River, but are always far enough away to remain discreet and not interrupt wildlife behaviour as the wildebeest mass along the steep banks during their frantic crossings on their way north to the Maasai Mara.
Here, in this immense remote wilderness, guests can enjoy fabulous landscapes and terrific game viewing with almost no crowds. Resident wildlife numbers are always high, but nothing compared to the dramatic scenes during the migration as tens of thousands of animals gather to then plunge into the crocodile-infested river.

Lemala Mara & Ndutu is a mobile tented camp offering an authentic bush experience, but the tents are spacious and each is furnished with two queen-size beds and all the little luxuries and amenities that make them wonderfully comfortable. After an evening game drive, your tent attendant ensures your safari shower is filled with hot water to wash away the dust of the African savannah.
Delicious meals are prepared fresh, and for those who want to go on extended full-day game drives, great picnic breakfasts and lunches are available. The communal areas have separate lounge and dining areas and are beautifully decorated with leather sofas, chandeliers, side cabinets, rugs, chests and a bar. In the evening, guests can gather around the campfire to enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapes and share their safari stories of the day.

Lemala Ndutu & Mara is a superb option for those who want to be in awae of the great migration, and want the feel of an old school authentic safari.
The canvas tents of the camp make you feel so much more a part of the ecosystem, rather than removed from it when you return from your game drive.

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about the great migration and the best way to experience it…

The Best Places to View Elephants in Africa

Posted on by James

Although Elephants are prevalent in many of the more famous game reserves across Africa, they are seldom the reason to visit a specific park or area. The spotlight is generally reserved for the big cats or some other nuanced factor like a rare species or specific behaviour that occurs there.
A lot of the time, as spectacular as they are, the presence of elephants can almost get taken for granted by visitors to Africa, and the viewing of them seen as a guaranteed byproduct of a safari.
Yet there is a tremendous amount of variability in elephant populations across the continent. In some areas they are scarce and nervous of vehicles, in others they are massively overpopulated, sometimes their presence is seasonal, and they are hardly to be found during certain months of the year…

If it is elephants that you want to see, it is imperative that you know where the best places are, and what to expect once you are there.

Here a few of our favourite places to view elephants in Africa…

MANA POOLS

As unique an elephant experience as you’ll get, if you visit between June and October. The local elephant population congregates along the Zambezi River to take advantage of the availability of water at the height of the dry season, and to feed on the pods of the Ana Trees that fall to the ground during this time of year.

The true magic of Mana Pools lies in the freedom guests have to go on foot whenever they wish (although the uninitiated should only do so when accompanied by a professional guide). Mana Pools is the only National Park that allows its visitors to alight from their vehicles and approach wildlife whilst walking.

As a result, the local animals have grown used to seeing humans on foot, and as long as respectful distances are maintained, accept people’s presence. 

Being 40 metres from a large African Elephant bull when on foot is just as if not more exciting than having one brush right past your safari vehicle.

With amazing accommodation options on some of the more exclusive concessions on the east and west sides of the park, as well as a couple right in the heart of it, Mana Pools is there to explore…

AMBOSELI, KENYA

The true Giants of Africa live here. Famous super tuskers like Craig and Tim – old bulls carrying some of the biggest ivory in Africa – call this ecosystem their home, and what could be more iconic than an enormous elephant bull with a backdrop of Africa’s tallest mountain, Kilimanjaro?

There are few images that are as quintessentially Africa as this.

Photo Credit: Jeff Wendorff

Between the Amboseli and neighbouring Tsavo ecosystems there are a number of super tuskers (elephants classified as carrying tusks of over 100 pounds) with even more so-called emerging tuskers – younger individuals who are on track to carry enormous ivory – so one’s chances of seeing a truly spectacular elephant are high.

Alongside the rest of the resident wildlife like lions, cheetahs and a whole assortment of the weird and wonderful, the Amboseli and Tsavo regions provide some of the best elephant viewing on the continent.

SABI SAND, SOUTH AFRICA

Plenty of relaxed elephants, plenty of lodge options.. The Sabi Sands is one of Africa’s best places to view wildlife. Known particularly for its leopards – the reserve boasts the densest population yet recorded in Africa – this is one place where elephants almost are a by-product of looking for big cats.
Non-impactful viewing practices over the last fifty years have resulted in local wildlife populations that are completely relaxed in the presence of a vehicle, and close-up sightings of elephants are commonplace. Being completely surrounded by a herd is not at all unlikely, and an experience like this will quite simply take your breath away.

With a wide variety of accommodation options catering for a range of budgets and needs, the Sabi Sands is an excellent place in which to get cloe to elephants, and at the same time enjoy some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing on the planet…

NAMIBIA

Namibia is one of the most unique places you can see elephants, and one small population in particular.

In the far north-western corner of Namibia lie the Kaokaveld and Damaraland regions, which are home to the fabled desert elephants. These animals have adapted to survive in the harshest environment, sometimes walking round trips of 70km in their search for water.

The lunar landscape is the last place one would normally expect to view elephants, and it is the setting itself that makes sightings that much more spectacular.
There are a few isolated yet luxurious camps tucked discreetly away in this desert wilderness, the guides of which know exactly where to find the herds at different times of year, so despite the elephants being few in number and the wilderness so vast, encountering them is still a likelihood.

Ultimately, elephant viewing in Africa is as diverse as the continent itself, and our feeling is that it almost doesn’t count as a safari unless elephants are part of it. Almost…

Get hold of our safari consultants through info@iconicafrica.com to start planning your elephant safari…

Happy Valentines Day!

Posted on by James

Happy Valentine’s Day from Iconic Africa!

For this special holiday, Iconic Africa would like to invite you to express the five love languages on the continent they adore. Here’s how to experience your love language in Africa:

1. Roaring lions speak words of affirmation.

2. The bold African sun envelops you with warmth and promise for physical touch.

3. Spend time together sitting in the wilderness surrounded by the sounds of the savannah.

4. Perform acts of service through your travel contributing to community upliftment through Iconic Africa Foundation.


5. Give the gift of travel, securing stunning memories and paying it forward with every trip.

They say you’ll fall in love three times in your life, but, for me, Africa has always been the love of my life.

With the help of Ironic Africa, I’d like to share my love with you this Valentine’s Day…

Come and hear the lions who roam just out of view, as you gaze into the eyes of your loved ones who are reflected in the light of the campfire. There is such connection to be found here; whether is to those with you, to yourself, or to a nostalgia for a long-forgotten time in our ancestral past when we were all seated round the campfire…

Wake up to the vivid rays of the African sun creeping over the horizon, the dawn chorus of birds enriching the crisp chill of the dawn air. There is no greater place to start the day than in the African bush, and nowhere will you feel more connected to that glowing orb in the huge open sky.
Hold hands as you walk together across the savannah through grasses and across landscapes overflowing with wildlife. The memories you make as you give the gift of the trip of a lifetime will remain in your hearts and minds for years to come.

And, your gift will in turn give back to Africa through the Iconic Africa Foundation, which will contribute a portion of your travel to preservation and conservation efforts, sustaining the continent that you, too, will come to love.

Experience Africa. Experience love. Come and travel with us…

Bushmans Kloof: Peace in the Mountains

Posted on by James

Drive north for a couple of hours from Cape Town, passing winelands and then up and over the Piekenierskloof Pass, twisting and turning down towards the town of Citrusdal alongside the Olifants River, you enter the Cederberg foothills. The mountains loom over you to the east, providing an unbroken chain from north to south, presenting a barrier to the country’s interior.
For centuries this mountain fastness was the stronghold of numerous Koi and San tribes – the oldest culture on earth – and to this day, their artwork and dreamscapes adorn caves across the whole range of mountains. One can almost hear their whispers on the wind, reminding us of a forgotten time in our own ancestry.

Cradled by these same mountains, Bushmans Kloof offers a unique wilderness escape in South Africa. This family-owned lodge and ecological oasis is set within a 7500-hectare private reserve, and offers five-star luxury accommodation and inspired South African cuisine. The grandeur of nature is all around you here, and unforgettable days can be spent discovering the wide-open plains, the specialised mountain wildlife and the pristine mountain landscapes. Bushmans Kloof has access to more than 130 ancient rock art sites, some dating back as far as 10,000 years, and visitors can enjoy the unique opportunity of discovering the region’s ancient San culture in the company of experienced local guides.

Bushmans Kloof boasts 16 rooms & suites, plus two fully catered private villas, and during the hot summer months, four separate swimming pools will ensure you main cool and refreshed on even the warmest of days.
Each of the suites and private villas have been individually decorated to offer a one-of-a-kind luxury experience in the Cederberg wilderness. In each room, and throughout the communal lodge spaces, the bespoke collection of art, décor, antiques and heritage furniture pieces has been handpicked to celebrate the history and culture of the region. The beauty doesn’t end when you step in from the wilderness.

Bushmans Kloof is easily accessible from Cape Town, and offers an ideal way to relax at the end or beginning of a safari trip to Africa. Spend some time in the bush, then in the Mother City of Cape Town, and then just over the mountains is the gorgeous paradise of Bushmans Kloof, waiting for you.

You won’t want to leave.

Trust us…