Ending off the year on a high note

At Shumbalala Game Lodge, some mornings come with coffee and a view. Others come with coffee and elephants. You never quite know which — and that’s part of the magic. The birds are calling, the air is crisp, and the day begins slowly, just as it should in the bush. Then, through the thickets, the unmistakable sound of movement. A soft crackle of leaves, the low rustle of branches — and then,...

Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere is one of the most rewarding times to experience Shumbalala Game Lodge in the Thornybush Nature Reserve. Within just a few weeks, the landscape begins to shift - what was once lush and dense after the summer rains softens into warm golden hues. April and May offer the perfect balance: the last gentle showers of the season keep the bush vibrant, while the cooler temperatures and thinning...

Sometimes, in the rush of daily life, we forget to look up. Our attention is drawn to screens and schedules, keeping our focus on what’s directly in front of us. But the night sky has always been a source of wonder. For centuries, civilisations have used the stars to navigate, tell stories, and mark the passing of time. Out here, in the African wilderness, the sky at night is as enchanting as...