FANJOVE PRIVATE ISLAND

News from a natural wonder.

Lucky were the few of you who witnessed the end of the humpback migration on their way back south.
Although there have been very few sightings this season, experts are still assessing the data until final report is released, so more update on this later.
Dolphin excursions are giving us great satisfaction and a contagious joy at every sighting!
Dolphins video – Dolphin video II

On the other end, the first flock of migrating waders has landed on Fanjove just days ago, with numbers of plovers and sandpipers estimated at 500 plus.
By the end of February the number will cross a few thousands.

The wind is at its transitional period, what the locals here call “Matilai”, gently blowing from southeast and settling east.
It is a great time of the year to go out in the ocean and be part of the many activities the island offers: dolphin excursions, whale watching, snorkeling and diving.

Playing on the shore and watching the dhows on the horizon is no less amusing.
Plenty of fresh seafood, fruits, coconuts, cocktails and romantic dinners at the lighthouse for honeymooners, cute couples, families and friends will complement your island experience.

Remember to book for a long stay at Fanjove Island because time flies when you are having fun.

Hassan, Hakim and all Fanjove Team.

LAKE MANZE CAMP

News from Selous Game Reserve

Hearing the roar of a majestic male lion echo across the camp early in the morning enhances the fact that we are settled deep in the African bush. Seeing the Lions from the dining room you know that you are in the unspoilt area of the Selous Game Reserve.

What an amazing experience to see Manze pride on the move on the outskirts of camp close to the lake with guests that are gobbling their breakfast down just to get out there to get the shot that creates the memories. Twice in one month. Fantastic! The two young males from the Manze pride that left last season came for a quick visit one evening to the delight of all our guests. Their roar was heard later that evening as they were calling each other

It seems that a warthog has moved into Lake Manze camp area as he has been hanging around camp for the last four odd weeks with not a care in the world chomping away on his knees.

Laygos has been around a lot and can be seen having a staff meeting one morning. It is very special to have the big puppy around so frequently.
This month we capture on videos different behaviours of Lake Manze’s Elephants, enjoy:
Baby ellie have some milk  –  Catching a scratch  –  The Laygos shake  –  Playing around   –  Tug of war

Thanks to guest Josephine Heyde for sharing with us her beautiful pictures this month.

See you all soon

Safe travels.

By Shaun, Milinda and all Manze Team.

MDONYA OLD RIVER CAMP

News from the wild side

What an incredible action packed month this has been, September is arguably Ruaha at its very best! Sightings of carnivores have been plentiful and to our delight the Mdonya pride of lions have returned the area surrounding the camp, roaring loudly at night and providing us with excellent sightings and entertainment as we have watched the cubs playing with their older siblings. The two male lions protecting the Mdonya pride are looking in very good condition and have continued to impress our guests with their good looks.

A particular highlight this month was the spectacular sighting of the ‘Njaa pride’ of lions taking down a full grown male giraffe in plain sight right in front of our lucky guests. Our experienced guide Jumanne was quick to start taking pictures of the action and got this great sequence of images.

On another day our guests had a very warm welcome to Ruaha with sightings of a leopard and a cheetah on the drive from the airstrip to camp, setting the bar high for the rest of their safari in Ruaha and they were not left disappointed.

In camp we have continued to have the elephant bulls wondering through on a daily basis and Sikio Mbovu (our resident bull) has been up to his usual tricks of playing with our water pipes. Also our troop of vervet monkeys have started to have new babies undoubtedly another generation of mischief makers on the way!

Thank you to David and Olga O’Hara for sharing some of their images with us.

By Rebecca, Andrea and all Mdonya Team.