Phinda – Rocktail Bay, South Africa

The classic South African Bush & Beach links the world renowned & Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve with Wilderness Safaris’ Rocktail Bay just a short hop to the north of it on the idyllic Maputaland Coast. This region is without a doubt the most biodiverse in the country, combining a range of different habitats with accommodation and activities to match! Here there is simply too much to absorb; from all the big game to the diminutive Suni antelope as well as hundreds of species of trees, birds and butterflies. It is also the place to relax in peace and let the wildlife come to you. After the big adventure of game drives and walks, the adventure of exploring the pristine coast and underwater delights begins…

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Singita Lebombo turns it on…

I had a brilliant week at Singita Lebombo – far from the madding crowds as they say and with lots to see. On the first afternoon we had a Honey Badger approach us on a bush walk as we headed to a rocky view point. The following evening it was lions, leopard, African Civet and serval. The birding was superb with loads of cuckoos, nest-building weavers, Burnt-necked Eremomelas at a nest (look that up!) and the arrival of the Amur Falcons all the way from their journey across the Indian Ocean and down the east side of Africa. We also got see the gradual demolition of a giraffe carcass from the lions to hyenas to vultures and beetles. It had been some time since I last really sat watching and hearing hippos for extended periods of time and this was probably the highlight of the trip. The diversity of this landscape and the chance to really explore makes this one of my favourite destinations. (Alastair)

There are superb hippo viewing opportunities by vehicle and on foot along the Nwanetsi River

There are superb hippo viewing opportunities by vehicle and on foot along the Nwanetsi River

This is an elephant's way of saying "I am watching you!"

This is an elephant’s way of saying “I am watching you!”

We sat for ages watching the hyenas devour the giraffe bone by bone - the vultures just waited for marrow to shoot out as they fed.

We sat for ages watching the hyenas devour the giraffe bone by bone – the vultures just waited for marrow to shoot out as they fed.

I simply could not get decent photos of these fish as they fled the hunting crocodile.

I simply could not get decent photos of these fish as they fled the hunting crocodile.

We had photographed a good number down at the river, but this Globe Skimmer was hovering around the Land Rover as if we were an elephant flushing insects!

We had photographed a good number down at the river, but this Globe Skimmer was hovering around the Land Rover as if we were an elephant flushing insects!

The fantastic geology in this part of the world is complemented by an array of attractive lizards like this Flat Lizard species.

The fantastic geology in this part of the world is complemented by an array of attractive lizards like this Flat Lizard species.

We found a rather lean-looking pride of lions on the Mozambique boundary. Here the cubs were fighting over sinew and a chance to lick the ground...desperate times indeed.

We found a rather lean-looking pride of lions on the Mozambique boundary. Here the cubs were fighting over sinew and a chance to lick the ground…desperate times indeed.

I saw this elephant bull and wondered just how large he might be when he really grows up one day!

I saw this elephant bull and wondered just how large he might be when he really grows up one day!