Stories from Shumbalala - Page 3

At Shumbalala Game Lodge, located in the heart of Thornybush Nature Reserve, we’re fortunate to encounter a diverse range of wildlife. While the “Big Five” often take centre stage, there’s another group of animals that might not win beauty contests but are equally fascinating. They all play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of nature. Meet the “Ugly Five”: the warthog, hyena, vulture, wildebeest, and marabou stork. There’s an Afrikaans...

Welcome to South Africa, where warm hospitality, rich cultures, and stunning safari landscapes await you. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel the friendliness and openness that South Africans are known for, helping you feel right at home. Visiting here is all about immersing yourself in a wonderful blend of languages, traditions, and the unique experience of a safari in nature.

Nestled in the heart of Thornybush Nature Reserve within the renowned Greater Kruger, Shumbalala Game Lodge offers more than just ticking off the Big Five. It’s a place to truly immerse yourself in the African bush and experience both iconic and lesser-known species thriving in their natural habitat. While sightings are never guaranteed, the unique landscape of Thornybush Nature Reserve makes it likely that your stay at Shumbalala Game Lodge will include...

Heritage Day in South Africa is all about embracing the diverse cultures, languages, and traditions that make our nation so unique. What better way to honour this day than by indulging in a dish that’s as rich in South African history as it is in flavour? Enter the bunny chow - a classic South African meal with humble roots.

On 9 August 1956, over 20,000 women from diverse backgrounds marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, standing up for their rights. This peaceful protest was organised by the Federation of South African Women (FSAW) and led by notable activists like Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn. The women delivered petitions with over 100,000 signatures to the Prime Minister's office, standing in silence for 30 minutes and then...

Poachers beware; for these dogs, their bark isn’t nearly as bad as their bite! At Thornybush Nature Reserve, we have a formidable, expertly trained team of rangers and their dogs, known as the Tango K9 Anti-poaching Unit. Today, on World Ranger Day, we pay tribute to our K9 heroes and their handlers, who play a vital role in protecting vulnerable wildlife species in our reserve.

Welcome to winter in the Lowveld! Your daily forecast for months June through July is as follows: An icy morning chill from 5am, brisk spring freshness around 10am, glorious midday summer sunshine at 2pm, followed by a brisk autumn chill between 5 and 6pm. It’s a bit of a weather-y rollercoaster, but it’s easy to add and shed clothes as the temperatures rise and fall, and the predictability to our winter-time weather...

South Africa boasts a rich diversity of amazing animals that are well-known and universally sought after by safari-goers. Some are unique, others are rare, many are simply beautiful to behold, and all play an important role in our natural ecosystem. But if we adjust our focus and turn our eyes to some of the smaller creatures that share our environment, we find a host of lesser known (and often unloved) species that...

In April, we celebrate World Book Day - a time to reflect on the pivotal role that books continue to play in enriching our lives. We particularly value how books can ignite incredible journeys and deepen our understanding of the environments and creatures we encounter on safari. Whether you’re preparing for your next South African adventure or simply dreaming of the wild from your living room, we’ve curated a list of five...