Verity and Dean Cherry had an African dream in 1999 and started Nhongo Safaris® to eliminate the logistical challenges of international visitors on safari. We provide a once in a lifetime experience for wildlife enthusiast that demand quality overnight safaris in South Africa and most particularly the Kruger National Park. We want to enrich our visitors’ experience by providing Luxury Safari Packages or African Safari Holidays and maintain our position as leader in Kruger Park Safaris.
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Some of Nhongo Safaris Fleet of Open Safari Vehicles
The photo shows some of our fleet of Open Safari Vehicles used while on safari in the Kruger National and Hwange National Parks. These ve...
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Kruger Park Safari with the Challenge Group of Australia from the 21st - 24th July 2011
The Challenge group was picked up by our transfer buses at Baptist House on the western side of Johannesburg and transferred through Nelspruit and onto the Numbi Gate of the Kruger National Park. After arriving at the Numbi gate and after check in procedures and a safety talk as well as an introduction to the rangers that were taking part in the safari had been completed, we were off on route to the camp of Pretoriuskop for a lunch break, before continuing on to the camp of Skukuza which would be home for the next three nights. After the group had enjoyed a lunch break we were back on the road and making our way towards skukuza on the napi road when a radio message was received about a possible sighting of lions on the Marula Loop. Benno decided to go for these lions and would keep elcana and myself informed as to what was going on. We carried on making our way down the napi road getting good sightings of rhino and elephant as well as buffalo. We got closer to the camp of Skukuza andsoon found ourselves on the way towards Marula Loop. It was not long before Benno let us know that he had the lions in front of him and that we should hurry as they were being chased by a breeding herd of elephants. The pace increased slightly in order to get there a little bit quicker. It was not long before we parked at the sighting with the large pride of lions sound asleep as they had used a large amount of energy trying to get away from the elephants. A great sighting was enjoyed and after being there about 20 minutes, we decided to move out to give other people chance to see the lions. We made our way back to the tar road and as Benno anf myself came onto the Mutlemuvie Bridge, we saw a young leopard female standing right next to the bridge. This was a fantastic sighting, and as we watched we managed to raise Elcana on the radio and get the message through to him about the leopard.
He moved away from the lion sighting and it was not long before he had arrived at the sighting and also managed to get a good sighting of her as well.
We finally began our trip back to the camp of Skukuza in high spirits as the group had only just arrived 4 hours ago and they had already seen the Big 5. This was awesome stuff.
The next morning, it was up early and after the group had enjoyed tea and coffee it was onto the open safari vehicles for a three hour game drive before breakfast. We made our way in the direction of Tshokwane and after benno had checked the marula loop to see if the previous days lions were still not there we decided to push on to the Manlimahle Dam, as Elcana and myself were pulling into the dam, we got a message from Benno that he had lion just of the bridge befor Olifant's Drinkgat. We turned around and made our way in that direction. As we were not to far behind we reached the area in about five minutes and were met by a sighting of one female and two cubs playing in the grass next to the bridge. While on this sighting, we received another message this time from one of the parks officials that there were eight lions busy hunting about 10 km's up the Tshokwane tar road. We decided to go for the. After a bit of an intensive drive to get there, we got there as the eight female lions were lining up on some impala close by. However the impala saw them before the female lions could get any closer. Another good sighting was enjoyed as the females made there way back to the dam walking right past our open safari vehicles. We decided to turn around and make our way back to the camp in order that the group could enjoy breakfast. On route back we came across a good rhino bull making his way to the road as well as a good herd of elephants. We got back to the camp of Skukuza at about 09h00 were the group enjoyed breakfast, before leaving again at 10h30 for another game drive. We made our way out of the camp of Skukuza and planned to take a southerly direction as all we were looking for now was wild dog and cheetah. Some of us took the S114 and others went down the H3, and it was not long before one of the other open safari vehicles let us know of a wild dog sighting on the Randspruit road. We decided to make our way in that direction. Benno was the first to arrive on the sighting and let us know that they were two meters off the road and lying down sleeping. It was about another ten minutes before we arrived on the scene and managed to get some good photos as they were now sitting up as the vehicles were close by. After this good sighting we made our way to the picnic spot called "Afsaal"for lunch. After lunch we took a drive back to Skukuza getting many good sightings of elephant and rhino as well as buffalo on route.
The next morning, it was time for tea and coffee and then it was out on the road. We decided tp take a run up the Napi Road and then down watergat and back to skukuza on the Doispane and Paul Kruger Gate main road before breakfast. The morning drive started quitely with little other than rhino and elephant seen all the way down the "Watergat Road". As we turned onto the Doispane road with Benno being a little in front of us, elcana managed to spot a leopard sitting at the base of the tree. We called Benno back and as he was making his way back the leopard started walking towards the road. We tried everything in our power to stop her from moving over the road before Benno got there, but we were unable to. As she ran across the road in front of us we could hear Benno's vehicle coming behind us. We decided to stay in the area to try and find her for Benno's guests. As it was to be, we did not have to wait long before this wonderful little female leopard climbed into a marula tree and lay there for all to see her. After this wonderful sighting, we made our way back to camp for breakfast. After a good bush breakfast and hearing on the radio that our leopard was still lying in the tree, we decided to make our way in a South Easterly direction on to the camp of Lower Sabie. We took a good drive down coming across a number of breeding elephant herds some great rhino sightings as well as buffalo crocodile and hippo's. We also came across another pride of lions that had just killed an Impala eating next to the road. about one km further on we came across another leopard sighting with it too eating an impala in the sausage tree. We finally arrived and stopped off at Lower Sabie and after a good break for lunch started our run back to the camp. We managed to pass the large numbers of vehicles that had started to back up when we saw the lions and the leopard and continued in the direction of Skukuza. Not long after passing by the high water bridge, we came upon a large number of cars in what looked like a traffic jam, upon closer inspection we found more lions lying in the river bed on the rocks enjoying the late afternoon sun shine. After enjoying this good sighting, we carried on in the direction of Skukuza. As we got past the entrance to the Bravo loop, something moved in the grass on top of the sand bank in the middle of the river, and after turning towards it to see what it was, we found more lions lying looking at us from the sand bank. This brought the total of lions in the two and a half days on safari to thirty six. Everybody was happy to get back to camp and have some rest time, but all were very happy how the safari had turned out this year. After a good dinner, it was off to bed so that everybody could have a good nights rest before another early start the following morning before breakfast and then the long journey home to Johannesburg.
The following morning after the groups final game drive, the group enjoyed breakfast at the Pretoriuskop camp restaurant and then it was out of the park on route to Johannesburg.
Feedback from the group was that they had a wonderful time, saw loads of animals and look forward to coming back to us for the eleventh time next year in July to find some new things that they have not yet seen.
He moved away from the lion sighting and it was not long before he had arrived at the sighting and also managed to get a good sighting of her as well.
We finally began our trip back to the camp of Skukuza in high spirits as the group had only just arrived 4 hours ago and they had already seen the Big 5. This was awesome stuff.
The next morning, it was up early and after the group had enjoyed tea and coffee it was onto the open safari vehicles for a three hour game drive before breakfast. We made our way in the direction of Tshokwane and after benno had checked the marula loop to see if the previous days lions were still not there we decided to push on to the Manlimahle Dam, as Elcana and myself were pulling into the dam, we got a message from Benno that he had lion just of the bridge befor Olifant's Drinkgat. We turned around and made our way in that direction. As we were not to far behind we reached the area in about five minutes and were met by a sighting of one female and two cubs playing in the grass next to the bridge. While on this sighting, we received another message this time from one of the parks officials that there were eight lions busy hunting about 10 km's up the Tshokwane tar road. We decided to go for the. After a bit of an intensive drive to get there, we got there as the eight female lions were lining up on some impala close by. However the impala saw them before the female lions could get any closer. Another good sighting was enjoyed as the females made there way back to the dam walking right past our open safari vehicles. We decided to turn around and make our way back to the camp in order that the group could enjoy breakfast. On route back we came across a good rhino bull making his way to the road as well as a good herd of elephants. We got back to the camp of Skukuza at about 09h00 were the group enjoyed breakfast, before leaving again at 10h30 for another game drive. We made our way out of the camp of Skukuza and planned to take a southerly direction as all we were looking for now was wild dog and cheetah. Some of us took the S114 and others went down the H3, and it was not long before one of the other open safari vehicles let us know of a wild dog sighting on the Randspruit road. We decided to make our way in that direction. Benno was the first to arrive on the sighting and let us know that they were two meters off the road and lying down sleeping. It was about another ten minutes before we arrived on the scene and managed to get some good photos as they were now sitting up as the vehicles were close by. After this good sighting we made our way to the picnic spot called "Afsaal"for lunch. After lunch we took a drive back to Skukuza getting many good sightings of elephant and rhino as well as buffalo on route.
The next morning, it was time for tea and coffee and then it was out on the road. We decided tp take a run up the Napi Road and then down watergat and back to skukuza on the Doispane and Paul Kruger Gate main road before breakfast. The morning drive started quitely with little other than rhino and elephant seen all the way down the "Watergat Road". As we turned onto the Doispane road with Benno being a little in front of us, elcana managed to spot a leopard sitting at the base of the tree. We called Benno back and as he was making his way back the leopard started walking towards the road. We tried everything in our power to stop her from moving over the road before Benno got there, but we were unable to. As she ran across the road in front of us we could hear Benno's vehicle coming behind us. We decided to stay in the area to try and find her for Benno's guests. As it was to be, we did not have to wait long before this wonderful little female leopard climbed into a marula tree and lay there for all to see her. After this wonderful sighting, we made our way back to camp for breakfast. After a good bush breakfast and hearing on the radio that our leopard was still lying in the tree, we decided to make our way in a South Easterly direction on to the camp of Lower Sabie. We took a good drive down coming across a number of breeding elephant herds some great rhino sightings as well as buffalo crocodile and hippo's. We also came across another pride of lions that had just killed an Impala eating next to the road. about one km further on we came across another leopard sighting with it too eating an impala in the sausage tree. We finally arrived and stopped off at Lower Sabie and after a good break for lunch started our run back to the camp. We managed to pass the large numbers of vehicles that had started to back up when we saw the lions and the leopard and continued in the direction of Skukuza. Not long after passing by the high water bridge, we came upon a large number of cars in what looked like a traffic jam, upon closer inspection we found more lions lying in the river bed on the rocks enjoying the late afternoon sun shine. After enjoying this good sighting, we carried on in the direction of Skukuza. As we got past the entrance to the Bravo loop, something moved in the grass on top of the sand bank in the middle of the river, and after turning towards it to see what it was, we found more lions lying looking at us from the sand bank. This brought the total of lions in the two and a half days on safari to thirty six. Everybody was happy to get back to camp and have some rest time, but all were very happy how the safari had turned out this year. After a good dinner, it was off to bed so that everybody could have a good nights rest before another early start the following morning before breakfast and then the long journey home to Johannesburg.
The following morning after the groups final game drive, the group enjoyed breakfast at the Pretoriuskop camp restaurant and then it was out of the park on route to Johannesburg.
Feedback from the group was that they had a wonderful time, saw loads of animals and look forward to coming back to us for the eleventh time next year in July to find some new things that they have not yet seen.
Friday, 12 August 2011
Some Photos taken with Jenna Sapir and Sam Stein while on safari with Nhongo Safaris
These photos were taken while on safari with Jenna Sapir and Sam Stein from the United States. To See how there safari went, please read the previous post on the feedback from there safari.
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Kruger Park Safari with Sam Stien and Jenna Sapir from the 20th to the 24th July 2011
Sam and Jenna were picked up in Johannesburg and transfered to the Kruger Park's Numbi Gate by one of our transfer vehicles. We picked up sam and Jenna and took them down to the camp of Pretoriuskop were they would spend there first night, before we moved onto the camp of Skukuza. After a break and time to enjoy lunch, we left the camp at 15h30 on an afternoons game drive and made our way in the direction of the lions. Upon arriving at the place were we had seen the lions earlier in the day, however there was no sighn of the lions, only tell tale sighns that they had been there. We decided to make our way up the road to see if we could find more rhino and would return there later.
We found some rhino about 10km's up the road, and after a good sighting we dedcided to reurn to see if the lions had maybe come out onto the road. as we came around the corner in the road where the lions had been we saw them coming out of the thick bush towards the road, at this stage we were the only vehicle and as the lions were walking in the opposite direction, we turned the vehicle around and followed them. After a good sighting they slowly made there way off the road and into the bush, but as they were not far from a road, we made our way down there to see if we could cut them off to get even better visuals of them. We went a short way down the road and due to the time decided it was a good thing to turn back as it was still quite a distance from the camp. We made our way back up the road and to our surprise we found the lions lying on top of the rocks not too far off the road. After we had enjoyed a good sighting, it was off back to Pretoriuskop camp arriving about 10 minutes after gate closing time. Everybody was in high spirits due to the good lion sighting and after a good dinner, it was off to bed for a good nights sleep.
The next morning it was up early again and after packing the bags as we were moving camp to Skukuza, after enjoying tea and coffee, we left camp for the final full day game drive. The morning started off slowly with good sightings of rhino, elephant and buffalo. We took a drive through to the picnic spot "Tshokwane" were we enjoyed breakfast and even had a vervet monkey steal some jam off the plate. Afterwards we left and took a drive down the H10 getting good sightings of rhino, elephant with also large herds of Zebra and Wildebeest being seen as well. We stopped off at the camp of Lower Sabie for a break and then took a drive to "Sunset Dam" were we stopped off to watch large numbers of crocodiles and hippos. Some good bird species were also seen at the dam. We left "Sunset Dam" and drove back in the direction of Skukuza coming past "Millenium Dam", we got a good sighting of giraffe drinking and a white rhino wallowing in the mud. Some great photos were got by everybody. All the way back to Skukuza. Guests had a good break for the rest of the afternoon, as Juliet was going on her night drive that left at 20h00 and returned at 22h00. We enjoyed dinner at the restaurant prior to Juliet going on the night drive, and once she had left everybody went off to have a good nights sleep, before the early start the following day.
The following morning, it was up early and after packing everything and enjoying tea and coffee, we left the camp and made our way down to the river and onto Nkhulu picnic spot for breakfast. Between Skukuza and breakfast, numerous numbers of elephant, buffalo and impala were seen. After enjoying breakfast down at the river, we slowly made our way back in the direction of Skukuza and then onto the camp of Pretoriuskop were a short stop was made, before making our way to the gate for Juliets transfer. After Juliet had left and all goodbyes had been said, it was off to Pretoriuskop for a break before going on an afternoons game drive. We checked into Pretoriuskop and had a chance to get some lunch. We left camp at 15h30 and took a drive down the Napi Road. Good sightings of elephant, rhino and buffalo were seen before making our way into the camp just in time before the gates closed for the night.
The following morning, it was up early and after enjoying tea and coffee it was out of camp to see what we could find. The day was spent driving around the park seeing as many good sightings as possible. great sightings of lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo and the ever present impala were found. Also got to see some elephant herds really close up as they made there way down to the Sabie river to drink water. We got back to camp late in the afternoon before the gates of the camp closed for the night. Guests enjoyed a good dinner and then it was off to bed to get a good night sleep.
The following day, it was out early and as guests were going out on there night drive, we decided to get back to the camp early in order for them to have a good rest prior to going out on there night safari at 19h00. A good day was spent game viewing in the park and we returned at lunch time in order that they could enjoy lunch. The afternoon was spent walking around the camp and looking at some of the birds with Sam trying to catch every skink he could lay his eyes on. The guests enjoyed an early dinner in order for them to go out on there night safari. The guests left at 19h00 and found rhino, elephant and buffalo as well as white tailed mongoose and a number of Giant Spotted Eagle Owls and Scrub Hares.
The following morning, it was up early and as it was the guests last day we packed the vehicle and moved out of camp for the final drive. We made our way to the Nkhulu Picnic Spot for breakfast and after enjoying there final bush breakfast and watching baboons terrorize people who were trying to cook there breakfast, we made our way in the direction of the Numbi Gate for Sam and Jenna to catch there transfer back to johannesburg. We arrived back at the gat at around 13h00, just in time to meet there shuttle back to Johannesburg.
Guests were very reluctant to leave the Kruger National Park as they said they really had a good time, and are wanting to come back and have another safari in the near future. We at Nhongo Safaris would like to wish Sam and Jenna all the best in there studies at University and we look forward to you guys coming back to see and visit us again.
The following morning, it was up early and after enjoying tea and coffee it was out of camp to see what we could find. The day was spent driving around the park seeing as many good sightings as possible. great sightings of lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo and the ever present impala were found. Also got to see some elephant herds really close up as they made there way down to the Sabie river to drink water. We got back to camp late in the afternoon before the gates of the camp closed for the night. Guests enjoyed a good dinner and then it was off to bed to get a good night sleep.
The following day, it was out early and as guests were going out on there night drive, we decided to get back to the camp early in order for them to have a good rest prior to going out on there night safari at 19h00. A good day was spent game viewing in the park and we returned at lunch time in order that they could enjoy lunch. The afternoon was spent walking around the camp and looking at some of the birds with Sam trying to catch every skink he could lay his eyes on. The guests enjoyed an early dinner in order for them to go out on there night safari. The guests left at 19h00 and found rhino, elephant and buffalo as well as white tailed mongoose and a number of Giant Spotted Eagle Owls and Scrub Hares.
The following morning, it was up early and as it was the guests last day we packed the vehicle and moved out of camp for the final drive. We made our way to the Nkhulu Picnic Spot for breakfast and after enjoying there final bush breakfast and watching baboons terrorize people who were trying to cook there breakfast, we made our way in the direction of the Numbi Gate for Sam and Jenna to catch there transfer back to johannesburg. We arrived back at the gat at around 13h00, just in time to meet there shuttle back to Johannesburg.
Guests were very reluctant to leave the Kruger National Park as they said they really had a good time, and are wanting to come back and have another safari in the near future. We at Nhongo Safaris would like to wish Sam and Jenna all the best in there studies at University and we look forward to you guys coming back to see and visit us again.
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