FANJOVE PRIVATE ISLAND

News from a natural wonder.

Every year when the rain comes, Fanjove gets greener and hosts seasonal “friends”: birds and butterflies whose colors, even just for few months, settle the score with the polychromatic underwater life.

Nevertheless we continued our water activities like our “night snorkeling”: when the right tide happens at the right moment of the evening, geared with goggles, fins and torches, guests can explore the shallow waters and be surprised by a variety of forms of life that takes the night shift and are rare to be spotted during the day.

We are possibly the only one in Tanzania to offer it, right before dinner!

March moves towards its last days and with it this fantastic season is ending too.

Fanjove directors together with managers, senior and junior staff had the great honor and pleasure to host you all. You came from every continent to see, hear, feel, taste and live Fanjove Island’s experience. We thank you to have helped us to spread the love for this island and all its habitants.

We are now preparing to close the lodge and staff is going to a well-deserved rest. We are loyal to our mission of keeping the island as you have found it and you can be reassured that our strength will go to its conservation next season too.
Fanjove is described widely as a paradise: here you find relax, beauty and a connection with the natural world. We will be glad to welcome you again from June 2017!

Hassan, Hakim and the Fanjove Private Island team.

LAKE MANZE CAMP

News from Selous Game Reserve

Unfortunately the safari season in the Selous comes to a close again during the month of March.

Sightings throughout the season of all animals have been prolific and we can with certainty say that our numerous guests have enjoyed their stay with us at Lake Manze camp immensely. Memories have been created and shared with friends and family and hopefully fuelled the spark that will send them all back into the wilderness of Africa to visit us.

We envy all the newbie’s who have not been to Africa before as they have so much to look forward to and experience in this expanse of nature.

Some good rain has fallen and left us with this wealth of green and sustenance for our entire family of animals, bird and other friends to enjoy. You only appreciate this growth after the fall of the life saving rain. You could literally see the many animals put the pounds on as they gorge themselves on the plentiful and rich grass and foliage around. Watch the video I of elephants in camp and Video II.

We look forward to welcoming all our guests in the new season when we will be given the opportunity to show case the rich diversity of the Selous and Lake Manze Camp.

We thank our staff that has gone out of their way to create the ambiance that our many guests this season have enjoyed and appreciated. Their commitment to making it work is the driving force behind it all. Thanks guys, you deserve the rest.

Safe travels,

By Shaun, Milinda and all Manze Team.

MDONYA OLD RIVER CAMP

News from the wild side

With increasing showers of rain and grass growing so rapidly that we can now only see the top of the impala’s ears and horns as they walk through the woodland in front of camp, we are reminded that the time for closing camp for the low season is upon us. With the daily adventures of living in the African bush time takes on a new meaning as days of the week seemingly merge without the common structures of weekends and working days. Instead time becomes defined by unique moments experience in the bush such as close encounters with the wildlife, marvelling at landscape or letting the peaceful sounds of nature enthral you.

This past season has been filled with such moments with highlights being spotting wild dogs running through camp during breakfast, having over 20 bull elephants in camp throughout a single day, watching young lion cubs playing in the sand river, an uncommon sighting of a big porcupine, two separate sighting of a clawless otter and having a big male leopard confidently walk along the riverbed in front of us during pre-dinner drinks around the fire as well as during a private dinner on the riverbed we have been delighted to have 4 young and curious lions observing us few meters away.

Thank you very much to all the guests who have stayed with us throughout the past 10 months, for sharing with us your experiences and excitement. We hope to see many of you again next season!
Finally, a shout out to the Mdonya staff who have done an exceptional job working together to provide a great safari service, showing passion for the wildlife and going beyond what was required to help others.

Safe Travel,

By Rebecca, Andrea and all Mdonya Team.