Essential Destinations Plastic Reduction

Essential Destinations’ logistics department has converted the packaging of goods and items encompassing the idea of plastic reduction and consumption.
All our mail bags have been converted to fabric and supplies sent to the camps in cardboard boxes are sealed with paper tape.
We only purchase cleaning sponges made from vegetable cellulose and we select toilet paper that is produced with recycled paper. No toilet paper is purchased that is individually wrapped in plastic.
We decided not to advertise and campaign our efforts with the slogan “plastic free “as it would be hypocritical. We can honestly say that our efforts are concentrated towards a strong reduction in plastic usage and the continued effort to recycle all the plastic that still must be purchased.
Our efforts, although small, is our contribution towards the eradication of plastic products that pollute the heritage we will leave behind.

LAKE MANZE CAMP

News from Selous Game Reserve

What makes the Selous and Lake Manze Camp special? Everything.

Game drives here are the epitome of the bush. Finding the wild dogs while out puts the cherry on the cake. The pack has been around doing what dogs do, coupled with prides of lions that have been parading in the area to the delight of our many guests.

One of our esteemed guests asked the question if we had any beetles around. Fortunately, we could show him some live specimens in camp. The chef decided that with this question he could surprise the guest with his own creation of a Rhino beetle cake for his birthday.

With the rains we had in October the Selous has turned into a green paradise. Bird life has been prolific and many fat herbivores are lazing about digesting their abundance and variety of foods.

Our newly constructed water tower that gives access to guests to get to top deck has been a hit. The view is astounding as you stare across the bush area towards the mountains. Sunsets are unobstructed as you take in the majestic colors of the fingerprint of the sky.

We look forward to welcoming our future guests to this paradise and wait for our past guests to return one day.

See you soon.

Safe travels.
By Shaun, Milinda and all Manze Team.

MDONYA OLD RIVER CAMP

News from the wild side

The camp was busy this month, with all sorts of wildlife coming around. From the elephants to giraffes, without forgetting a cheetah, the new vervet monkeys and the resident bushbucks to name but a few.

Sikio Mbovu showed off his good skills while the others were patiently waiting.
Olivia the bushbuck who was highly pregnant, hasn’t been seen for a while and we are all curious to see when she will present her new born to us.
The clan of hyenas have been around too, making sure to be heard throughout the night with their giggles.

On safaris, cheetahs and wild dogs were spotted this month, which was well celebrated.
The pack of dogs had pups while the cheetahs were spotted on their own.
Sable antelopes and roans were seen just outside our camp!
The buffalos have come back, in big herds. Averaging six hundred while the largest herd was approximated to be around two thousands heads.

Lions, elephants, bat ear foxes, leopards and honey badgers were also seen more than occasionally.
A memorable sighting was a female leopard on a impala kill, eating it at one in the afternoon, in the heat of the day.
Lions were also seen eating different preys such as giraffes, zebras and buffalos. Two new young male lions were also spotted in the Mdonya Juu pride territory. Are they part of it or not? Only time will tell us.

This month was full of memories: thanks to guest Gèrard Desroches to have filled this newsletter with his incredibly beautiful pitctures.

In the hope to see you soon,

Iris, Kingsley and all Mdonya Team.

GUEST COMMENTS NOVEMBER 2019

“What an experience Thank you for a wonderful few days ! Truly an experience of a lifetime ! The food, the hospitatily, wildlife and setting couldn’t have been better ! We will be back one day ! we wouldn’t have spent our honeymoon anywhere else!”
Ayesha and Jac in Mdonya in November 2019

“Dear Team, thank you so much for this incredible experience. We had a great guide, delicious food, and learned so much about the nature and wildlife of Africa. Keep up this wonderful work and showing hoz sustainability should be exercised. We will tell all of Germany about this place”
Laria and Pau, in Mdonya in November 2019

“Our first ever visit to Africa and it has not disappointed. Everything has exceeded our expectation. Our hosts, guide and driver have been fantastic. Our four days has flown by. We will have great memories of Lake Manze Camp. Shaun and Milli. Shaun and Milli many thanks and hopefully when we return, we will see you again”
Ant and Karin, in Manze in November 2019

“Our third visit – the first in company of friends from the UK. Lake Manze just keeps getting better and better every visit. Great game viewing, really good experience with our guide and driver and great food. Keep up the good work Shaun and Milli. We will be back to check on you.”
Pete and Hillary Bacon, in Manze in November 2019

< go back to Newsletter Archive