Swallow Tours & Safaris in Southern Africa

04/10/2021

The beautiful and gracious Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus), is the 2nd of ‘The Big Five’ animals (see previous post) we are highlighting. Here are a few interesting facts about leopards:

• They occur over large parts of sub-Saharan Africa and most of South Africa, excluding the Greater Karoo basin.
• Leopards are astoundingly strong. They are pound for pound the strongest of the big cats. They are able to climb trees, even when carrying heavy prey, and often choose to rest on tree branches during the day. One reason why leopards sometimes take their prey up in the trees is to ensure lions or hyenas can’t steal them.
• Leopards are renowned for their agility. They run up to 58km/h and can leap 6m horizontally and 3m vertically. They are also very strong swimmers.
• During the National Geographic programme ‘Eye of the Leopard’, a wild leopard killed a baboon in order to feed herself. However upon noticing an infant baboon clinging to the dead baboon, the leopard amazingly carried the infant up to the safety of the tree to guard her from hyenas. She groomed and cuddled the baby throughout the night, caring for him/her as she would her own cub.
• As they are nocturnal, they are mostly active at night and the easiest time to see them is at dusk or very early in the morning – they can therefore be one of the hardest of the Big Five to see.

Information Source: World Wildlife / Wikipedia

Pictures:
Picture 1: by unknown.
Picture 2: from Kirkman’s Kamp, Sabi Sand
Pictures 3 & 4: from KwaMbili Safari Lodge, Thornybush Game Reserve
Picture 4: by Kobus Saayman

30/08/2021

The ‘Big Five” from the African Animal Kingdom.

The term “Big Five” originally referred to the difficulty in hunting the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and Cape buffalo. These five African mammal species were known to be dangerous and it was considered a feat by trophy hunters to bring them home.

Nowadays, however, the expression takes on a gentler form, referring to seeing the Big five – not shooting them – during safaris in Africa.

Today let’s look at one of the ‘Big Five” the magnificent and dangerous Cape buffalo - a few interesting facts:

• Cape buffaloes kill more hunters that any other species… Why??
• Here’s the why… When wounded, they become aggressive and angry. They would seek revenge on the hunter and even remember the encounter the following day. If wounded they would circle around their enemy and counter-attack instead of fleeing….
• Also, old and grumpy bulls that have left the herd tend to more aggressive and tend to charge unrepentantly and for no apparent reason.
• The Cape buffalo’s primary predator is the lion. Buffalo will try to rescue another member who has been caught. The have been observed killing a lion after is has killed a member of the group.
• Cape buffaloes weigh 425 to 870kg (937 to 1,918lb).
• Cape buffaloes have 4 times the strength of an Ox.
• Unlike the water buffalo, which they are not related to, the dangerous Cape buffalo has never been domesticated.

Information Source: World Wildlife / Wikipedia

Pictures:
📸 Cape Buffalo Pic 1 by Animal Facts Encyclopedia
📸 Cape Buffalo Pic 2 by Senalala Game Lodge
📸 Herd pic in Kruger Park unknown
📸 Herd pic at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge by Mariana van Rensburg

27/08/2021

Family time!!

A few familiar and well-loved families from South African, Botswana and Zimbabwean national parks and private game parks!!

They are just beautiful and very special!!

Tell us which animals do you love the most?

📸 Lions picture by Keenan Street, rest of pictures authors unknown.

26/08/2021

Surprise at the waterhole!!

Beautiful young Leopard surprised at end of his drink by a hippo darting out of the water, at Inyati Private Game Lodge in the Sabi Sand, South Africa. 🦛

📸 Diff Marimane / Inyati Private Game Lodge

23/08/2021

It’s a ‘Yes Honey story… !!

What’s honey bees got to do with Honeymoons??

Fermented honey, known as Mead, is the most ancient fermented beverage. The term “honey moon” originated with the Norse practice of consuming large quantities of Mead during the first month of a marriage.

Fact Source: American Bee Journal https://americanbeejournal.com/tiposlinks/fun-facts/

Check out our Honeymoon Blog: https://swallowtours.co.za/2021/07/05/honeymoons-in-southern-africa/

18/08/2021

Answers to the Quiz from the weekend:

Q: Which mammal is known to have the most powerful bite in the world?
A: Hippopotamus

The bite force of a hippo is 2,000 pounds per square inch. In Comparison, a lion or a tiger has a bite force of 1000 pounds per square inch... For farther comparison, an adult human has a bite force of 200 pounds per square inch.

Q: Which bird is unable to move their eyes?
A: Owls

Unlike many other birds, an owl has eyes at the front of its head instead of on the sides. Owls can't move their eyeballs, because owls don't have eyeballs at all. Instead, their eyes are shaped like tubes, held rigidly in place by bones called sclerotic rings. Because owls can't roll their eyes around the way we do, they have to move their entire head to get a good look around. They can turn their heads almost 270 degrees, without breaking blood vessels or tearing tendons.

Hippo pic - iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Photo Credit: Romina Facchi
Pearl-spotted owlet pic - Chobe National Park, Botswana, Photo Credit: Charles J. Sharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography

13/08/2021

Quiz time… !!

Some Animal Trivia on a lazy Friday afternoon, be on the lookout for the answers and some interesting facts tomorrow morning…

Which mammal is known to have the most powerful bite in the world?
1. Giraffe
2. Lion
3. Hippopotamus

Which bird is unable to move their eyes?
1. Ostrich
2. Swallow
3. Owl

Lion family pic by Keenan Street
Swallow pic Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE
Rest of pics by Unknown

11/08/2021

We celebrated Mother’s Day a few days ago, not forgetting that there are some wonderful Mothers to be found in the wild!!

Mothers and baby elllies are frequent sights during safari game drives, such as this mommy elephant, shielding her calf under the protection of her trunk, recently seen on a game drive at the Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge.

The little calf is learning the ways of her wise mother. She’s still too young to forage so she potters along at her mom’s feet, stumbling often but staying unharmed under the umbrella of protection.

For more information about a wonderful safari at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge, please see https://swallowtours.co.za/safari-at-mohlabetsi-safari-lodge-balule-3-days/

Pictures by: Tony Williamson - Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge

04/08/2021

Great Bushcamp Spring special - valid to end Sept 2021!! 🦏🐆🐘

Experience the unspoilt magic of Timbavati Nature Reserve with this special offer at Umlani Bush Camp, a wonderful, lovely and intimate small lodge.

R2,800.00 per person sharing per night (enquire about children u/12 rates).

Accommodation ranging from Double Huts, Eco Huts and Family Huts.

Includes: Accommodation, all meals and game drives/activities.
Excludes: Drinks and Conservation levy of R100.00 per person per night.

For more information: https://swallowtours.co.za/umlani-bushcamp-special/

03/08/2021

A Walking Safari at Bateleur Safari Camp offers a combination of guided bush walks and game drives.

All wildlife walking safaris are led by professional, experienced safari guides who are armed.

3-Days/2-Nights or 4-Days/3-Nights (or even longer if you want to…). All meals and game/walk activities are included. The camp offers very spacious, comfortable safari tented units with a unique design

For more information https://swallowtours.co.za/walking-safari-at-bateleur-safari-camp-3-days/

17/07/2021

46% Discount!! South African and SADC Special!!

Check out this fantastic offer, you can have a fantastic safari and sweet dreams in a tent like this!!

https://swallowtours.co.za/kwambili-game-lodge-special/

15/07/2021

It’s a Steamy story…!!

“Our life is a constant journey, from birth to death. The landscape changes, the people change, our needs change, but the train keeps moving. Life is the train, not the station.”
Paulo Coelho

When we think about luxury train travel, Rovos Rail, Pride of Africa, immediately comes to mind!! It has since its establishment in 1989 earned an international reputation for offering truly world-class bespoke luxury train journeys – it is now one of the Top 10 Most Luxurious Trains in the World!!

Here are some interesting facts about the Rovos Rail

• It has the most spacious suites in the world.
• Over the years vintage coaches have been added to the Rovos fleet, to make it now one of the biggest private collections in the world.
• Meals are served the charming Victorian atmosphere of the dining cars.
• One of the carriages of Rovos Rail was constructed in 1911 and then shipped to South Africa from Europe.
• For days on the train dress is smart casual. Evening attire is more formal – for the gentlemen a jacket and tie is a minimum requirement, while for ladies wear cocktail/evening dresses or suits.

For more information on Rovos Rail https://swallowtours.co.za/rovos-rail/

Next week more about luxury trains & boats…

12/07/2021

It’s a smelly story… !!

African Skunk or African Polecat

• The African polecat or African Skunk / Stinkmuishond are also called ‘zorilla’, which comes from the Spanish word ‘zorro’ – ‘fox’.
• African polecats can become aggressive when they are trying to defend their territories, they use a**l spray so as to aggravate and blind any predator or outsider who breaches their territorial grounds.
• They can climb trees since they have sharp claws.
• The weight of a baby striped polecat is around 0.42 oz. (12 g)
• They have small stomachs and so have to eat often. Their clawed paws help them dig the earth for their next meal.
• They are nocturnal little ones as they hunt for food at night.
• Their faces have a unique face mask colouring, and includes 3 distinct white spots their head and white ears. The colouring is a warning to predators and anything else that threatens them.
• Striped polecats scream in a high pitch to communicate with each other, as well as to scare predators. They use a high to low pitched scream to surrender to their enemies.

Pic taken near Windhoek in Namibia by Natalia Cara.

Read more about these intriguing little skunkies... https://swallowtours.co.za/2021/07/12/skunk-african-polecat-or-african-skunk/

02/07/2021

It’s an old African story… !!

…” I had a farm in Africa…”

Who remembers this beautiful movie from 1985, 35 years ago?

Starring Robert Redford as Denys Finch Hatton and the ever beautiful Meryl Streep as Baroness Karen von Blixen (née Dinesen). It swept the boards at the 1986 Oscars with 11 nominations and 7 wins: Best Picture, Cinematography, Sound, Music (Original Score), Writing, Art Direction and, of course, Directing.

We all love this great Kenyan story, part of which was filmed on Angama Mara’s property – the lodge’s remarkable setting overlooks what many safari travellers deem the finest game reserve on the continent, Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Angama Mara’s tented suites stretch out over two kopjes on the edge of the escarpment. The third kopje is immediately recognisable as the site where many of the most memorable scenes from Out of Africa were filmed.

01/07/2021

It’s a ‘quilly’ situation… !!

• Cape porcupines (Porcupine or Cape Porcupine [Hystrix africaeaustralis] are the largest rodents in Africa and also the world's largest porcupines
• The porcupine has thousands, like around 30,000 of quills on its back to provide protection from predators.
• Porcupines can NOT throw or shoot their quills, but the quills do detach easily when touched.
• When cornered, these porcupines can be aggressive, running sideways or backwards to embed their sharp quills in an attacker.
• Another defensive behaviour is to hide in their holes facing in and erect their spines so that they cannot be dislodged.
• So many animals come away from a porcupine encounter with quills protruding from their own snouts or bodies.

https://swallowtours.co.za/

📸 J. SNEESBY/B. WILKINS/GETTY IMAGES

11/06/2021

It’s an endangered story… !!

Fondly referred to as “painted wolf”, “painted hunting dog” and “cape hunting dog”, the African wild dog is one of the world’s most endangered mammals. The largest populations remain in southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa (especially Tanzania and northern Mozambique). The WWF is working to change the wild dogs’ reputation among local communities, by preserving wildlife corridors between reserves and reducing conflicts with locals.

But, they remain one of Africa’s most fascinating animals; here are some reasons why:

• Unlike domestic dogs, wild dogs have long legs, four toes on their front feet and large, rounded ears.
• Though both species descended from wolves, they are unable to interbreed, and wild dogs can’t be domesticated.
• Wild dogs are classified as highly endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are killed by farmers, die from diseases passed on from domestic dogs and get caught in illegal snares set by poachers meant to catch other game. Habitat loss and larger predators also contribute to depleted numbers.
• Wild dogs live in tightly knit social groups and gather in packs of around 10 individuals, but some packs number more than 40. They are strongly bonded. They’ll even look after injured dogs, bringing them food until they recover.
• The average wild dog litter consists of 10 pups, the highest number of any canid. Typically, only the dominant male and female breed and other adults help rear the pups.
• The wild dogs’ coloration acts much like a fingerprint; no two have the same markings, making it easier for scientists to identify individuals.
• A wild dog’s vocalizations go well beyond that of a domestic dog. They greet each other with twittering and whining sounds, and when one dog has lost the group, it will make an owl-like “hoo” call to find the pack.
• Wild dogs can run more than 44 miles per hour and roam across large areas of more than 770 square miles. They stick closer to their dens when caring for a litter of pups.
📷 Will Burrard - Lucas/Barcroft

31/05/2021

It’s a poetic story…!!

Here are some of the most poetic, romantic, motivational, and inspiring quotes about the sunset that have ever been written…some so applicable to the situation some of us find ourselves in today, due to the Covid-1 pandemic…

If you are in a beautiful place where you can enjoy sunrise and sunset, then you are living like a lord.
Nathan Phillips

When your world moves too fast, and you lose yourself in the chaos, introduce yourself to each colour of the sunset.
Christy Ann Martine

I climb mountains, so I can see where the sun sleeps.
Unknown Author

It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream.
Bernard Williams

There is never one sunrise the same or one sunset the same.
Carlos Santana

Don't forget - beautiful sunsets need cloudy skies.
Paulo Coelho

Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of heaven.
John Lubbock

Get outside. Watch the sunrise. Watch the sunset. How does that make you feel? Does it make you feel big or tiny? Because there's something good about feeling both.
Amy Grant

Find more beautiful quotes at https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/the-best-sunset-quotes-of-all-time

Explore the most beautiful and inspiring quotes, thoughts, and sayings about the day's magical golden moment - the sunset.

28/05/2021

It’s a Tiny Story…!!

• There are more than 12,000 species of ants all over the world.
• An ant can lift 20 times its own body weight. ... If a second grader was as strong as an ant, he/she would be able to pick up a car!
• Ants don't have ears. ... Ants "hear" by feeling vibrations in the ground through their feet.
• Some queen ants can live for many years and have millions of babies!
• Queen ants have wings, which they shed when they start a new nest.
• When the queen of the colony dies, the colony can only survive a few months. Queens are rarely replaced and the workers are not able to reproduce.
• When ants fight, it is usually to the death!

📷 Russian photographer Andrey Pavlov

25/05/2021

GAME LODGE SPECIAL!

KwaMbili Game Lodge, located in the wonderful Thornybush Game Reserve, is offering a special rate of R2 405.00 per person per sharing, per day, for SADC/local residents and it applies until 30 September 2021.

Choose between the thatched chalets or the large Meru style safari tents, both subject to availability.

This rate includes: Accommodation, all meals, tea, coffee, as well as two game drives per day in the Thornybush Nature Reserve.

It excludes: Extras such as beverages from the bar and R160.00 per person per day conservation fee, payable at the lodge.

Always heartening to think that, Corona or no Corona, life in the bush carries on regardless. Game viewing has been excellent at KwaMbili Game Lodge and two of the lionesses from the northern pride have had cubs. The hyenas too have cubs at their den. Then there’s the resident female leopard with a litter of very young cubs still hidden from the staff. And the alpha female of the bigger wild dog pack is evidently very pregnant. It just keeps getting better and better!

https://swallowtours.co.za/contact-us/

20/05/2021

It’s a Gem of a Story…!!

Cape Town Museums – A few Hidden gems!

• The Heart of Cape Town Museum ♥
The Heart of Cape Town Museum is dedicated to the world’s first successful heart transplant by Dr. Christiaan Barnard in 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital, and honours everyone who played a major role in a surgical feat. Let’s not forget the patient Louis Washkansky, who lived only 18 days post operation due to the onset of pneumonia, and the donor Denise Darvall. Daily tours are on offer.

• Bo-Kaap Museum 💚
This well-known area of the city is a historic area that became home to many Muslims and freed slaves after the abolition of slavery dating back to 1768. Still standing in its original form, the building was declared a National Monument in 1965 and restored in the 1970s. The old house museum documents the history of the Cape Malay people and their contribution of skilled craftsmen and scholars to the Cape, and photographs and pictures depicting the lifestyle of this community are exhibited along with other items of interest, such as the Cape fish-vendor’s horn.

• Cape Town Diamond Museum 🧡
Dedicated to creating a new appreciation of diamonds, the Cape Town Diamond Museum was donated by acclaimed jeweller Yair Shimansky to pay tribute to the world’s most precious gem, the diamond. South Africa became one of the world’s top diamond producing countries, and its wealthy contribution changed the world diamond industry forever. Learn about the diamond industry, the history of diamonds, South African diamonds, and the history of the South African diamond rush. See preserved mining gear, historical artefacts, and famous diamond replicas like The Cullinan, The Hope, and The Taylor-Burton diamonds.

14/05/2021

GAME LODGE SPECIAL!!

Fabulous offer for SA Residents only until end July 2021!!

Becks Safari Lodge OR Karongwe River Lodge, part of the Karongwe Portfolio lodges, located in the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, west of the town of Hoedspruit.

Rate: R2,600.00 per person per night for SA Residents only, lodge subject to availability

INCLUDED: All meals and 2 game drives per night stay.
EXCLUDED: Drinks, Reserve Fees and any other extras will be for guest’s own account.

* Reserve Fees for 2021 = R180 per person per night.

Standard Terms & Conditions Apply

Contact Swallow Tours & Safaris and mention Karongwe Special
[email protected]
www.swallowtours.co.za/

11/05/2021

It's a baboon story... !!!

• Chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) or Cape Baboon, are found in
much of Southern Africa, including South Africa, Angola, Zambia,
Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
• The Chacma Baboon is the largest of the five monkey species and can be up to 120cm (47in) and can weigh up to 40kg (88lb) or even more.
• Baboons are social primates who tend to live in groups of around 50/100 individuals (groups can be up to 300 though!). They will be routinely seen participating in social behaviours such as grooming and food sharing, are primarily vegetarian, however, they will eat insects, and occasionally fish, birds and small mammals.
• Baboons are very strong, aggressive and vicious animals and have sharp canine teeth, which at a length of 5cm (2in), are longer than those of a lion. They will however try to avoid fighting by using intimidating vocalisations and gestures.
• Baboons’ daily routine is somewhat similar to our own. They tend to wake up around 7.30am. They spend the daylight hours foraging, eating, resting and grooming, before heading back to their sleeping areas at night.
• Females tend to give birth every other year. They usually have one infant and their gestation period is 6 months.
• The species walks on all fours, and can reach a top running speed of 56km per hour, with a gallop similar to that of a horse.
Photo credit: Lisl Moolman.

03/05/2021

It’s a Stripy Story...!!

• Zebras are wild animals that cannot be domesticated…
• A group of zebras is called a 'dazzle’…
• Zebras are black animals with white stripes…
• Zebras can travel long distances. ... They’ll travel thousands of km's in search of green pastures where they can fill their bellies and quench their thirst!...
• Our planet is home to three different species of zebra, the plains zebra, grevy’s zebra and mountain zebra, all three species are native to Africa…

26/04/2021

Room with a View!!

https://swallowtours.co.za/zambezi-queen-collection/

21/04/2021

It’s a Round Story…!!

• Hippos can’t swim or float! They walk or stand on surfaces below the water like sandbanks.
• They spend most of the day, up to 16 hrs, in water to protect their sensitive skin from the sun.
• They secrete an oily red substance that acts as a moisturiser, sunblock and protects them from germs, this makes them look like they are sweating blood.
• Although hippos can hold their breath for about 7 minutes, most adult hippos resurface every 3 to 5 minutes to breathe – it’s an automatic process, even sleeping hippos surface to breathe without waking.
• Hippos can close their nostrils and ears to prevent water from entering. This is why hippo calves can suckle on land or underwater.
Pic credit to storyteller.travel

20/04/2021

It's a Tall Story… !!

• Giraffes are the world’s tallest living land animals – adult males can grow to around 5.5m.
• A giraffe's neck has the same amount of vertebrae (seven) as the human neck, just with each one being up to 25cm long.
• Giraffes can survive for 2-3 days without drinking water because they get their water from their food and dew on the plants.
• Giraffes can reach a speed of 60km/hour at gallop over a short distance, and 50km/hour over a longer distance.
• Giraffe are highly social animals and live in herds of 15-20 female giraffe and some young males.
• Giraffe females have a gestation period of 15 months – at birth, calves endure an incredible drop of 1.5m to the ground!
• Giraffe can live to about 25 years old in the wild

24/03/2021

VICTORIA FALLS!

Victoria Falls are enjoying the additional water flowing through this year and the falls are currently flowing at its highest in Decades.

The water levels going over Victoria Falls keep rising, and quicker than we think. With around 3,600m3/s compared to this time last year’s 1,700m3/s – the falls are over double the volumes!

The water falling has also increased by 1,600m3/s in the last two weeks, a most spectacular sight!
Have a look-see at our Victoria Falls Tours as

https://swallowtours.co.za/tours-and-safaris/

16/03/2021

PRIVATE GAME LODGE SPECIAL - VALID TILL END JUNE 2021!

The Bush is calling & Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge, located in the wonderful Balule Nature Reserve, near the town of Hoedspruit, is ready to welcome you on a safari holiday you will never forget!

Expert Rangers, spectacular Big 5 sightings & a wilderness wonderland await you. Families welcome!

Pay for 2 Nights & stay for 3 Nights!
Children under 12 sharing with parents pay ½ price!
Valid till 30 June 2021.

RATE - RONDAWELS/FAMILY UNITS:

R4,950.00 per person per night for 2 nights = R9,900.00 per person sharing for 3 NIGHTS!!

Included: Lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast, as well as two safari activities per day.
Excluded: Transport to and from the lodge; any flights, drinks, curios and any other personal expenses.

RATE – LUXURY SUITE:
R7,200.00 per person per night for 2 nights = R14,400.00 per person sharing for 3 nights!!

Included: Luxury accommodation with its own private plunge pool, 2 safari activities per day, for a 2 night stay, there would be 1 private breakfast, 1 private dinner & 2 private lunches, front row on one of the game viewers, sparkling wine in the room upon arrival & 1 couple’s massage.
Excluded: Transport to and from the lodge; any flights, drinks, curios and any other personal expenses, reserve entrance fee for self-drives R 200 per vehicle.

To get to Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge:
You can self-drive to Mohlabetsi, it’s a 5 -6hr drive from Johannesburg / Pretoria or we can arrange return shuttle road transfers from the O.R. Tambo Airport to the lodge - another alternative is to fly to Hoedspruit with Airlink of Cemair, just 1hr or 2.30hr comfortable flight, from either Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Contact Swallow Tours & Safaris now to book this wonderful special visit to a special game lodge for you! We can arrange the transport to/from the lodge as well, just contact us on 082 925 2553 or email us at [email protected]