Singita Blog
Posts Tagged ‘Safari’
October 26th, 2011
Wildlife – The News in Pictures
The Xirombe lion pride – Singita Kruger National Park
Wild dog
Buffalo bull
Xinkelengane female leopard
A remarkable week of game viewing at Singita Kruger this week. Behind the lens is Singita Guide, Marlon du Toit, who loves every minute of his day introducing the wilderness to guests at Singita Lebombo and Sweni Lodges.
October 20th, 2011
Working with Local Farms
One of the benefits of working in remote areas like Singita Sabi Sand is the abundance of local farming communities around the reserve. I was fortunate enough to have found one, Saringwa farm that is only a few kilometers down the road in the town of Belfast.
They have a wide variety of freshly picked vegetables on offer, and with such fresh produce available it’s a sin not to utilize them when they are at nature’s best.
I could not wait to get hold of the sun- ripened tomatoes that were on offer and make one of my all time favorites: tomato and chili jam with local tomatoes and chilis out of the herb garden that we started behind the Boulders’ kitchen. You’ll want to store this recipe deep in your recipe chest because it is an absolute winner – and something to pass down the generations.
Enjoy!
Peter Liese – Sous Chef, Singita Boulders Lodge
Tomato and Chili Jam
Ingredients
500g plum tomatoes
100g golden sugar
100 ml white wine vinegar
2 red chilis
4 cloves garlic
1 red onion
Making the Jam
Wash the tomatoes, chili and peel the garlic and red onion. Place in a food processor and puree until liquid. Pour into a heavy bottomed pot and add the vinegar and golden sugar. Bring to a simmer on a gentle heat and cook for about 40 to 80 minutes. Occasionally stir the pot to ensure the mixture will not burn. Place two suitably sized jars into rapidly boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes to sterilize. Fill the jars with the hot jam and seal immediately.
Pair the jam with crispy tempura vegetables, calamari or cheese for some delectable flavors.
Tips: If you would like less bite to the jam feel free to take the seeds out of the chilis first.
For more texture to the jam you may also chop a third of the tomatoes roughly and add them to the liquid when you begin to cook it.
August 25th, 2011
Finding your way to Singita Sabi Sand
We asked Andrew Temblett – Assistant Lodge Manager at Singita Boulders Lodge – to provide some helpful tips and guidance for reaching the lodges at Singita Sabi Sand – Ebony Lodge, Boulders Lodge and Castleton Camp.
(Singita Boulders Lodge – Singita Sabi Sand)
There are a few ways to arrive at Singita Sabi Sand but certainly the easiest and most efficient way is by air; and depending on your particular requirements you may fly from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nelspruit or a neighboring lodge on either a scheduled charter, private charter or even a chartered jet. Singita Sabi Sand has its own airstrip and the most common flights are taken from Johannesburg or Nelspruit. Johannesburg is roughly a 50 minute, relaxed flight to Singita Sabi Sand, and from Nelspruit the flight is approximately 20 minutes. Depending on where you will be flying from should determine the flight path that allows for greatest ease and efficiency.
One of the best parts of flying to Singita Sabi Sand is the arrival “lounge” on the airstrip where you are welcomed by your Guide and Tracker, a delectable snack and refreshing drink – a mere 5 minute drive from the lodges, it couldn’t be more efficient.
There are also self-drive options and transfer company options allowing you to drive yourself or be transferred by chauffeur, bearing in mind the drive from Johannesburg is 5 hours and the drive from Nelspruit is 2 hours.
The drives have their benefits though as they are scenic especially as you approach the White River Hazyview area. Driving also builds the excitement of beginning your safari in the bush and understanding more about where you are travelling to. Passing through the local communities on the way provides a glimpse into the world where most of our staff come from. Also as you drive to Singita, with each passing mile you will be in awe of the remoteness of our “miracle”.
(The view of the Sand River from Singita Ebony Lodge deck)
Whichever way you chose, you will arrive and be greeted by our fabulous staff, who will endeavor to have you settled into your new “home” and have you pampered from morning to night.
August 22nd, 2011
Wildlife – the News in Pictures
Again it has been an action-packed month of great game sightings at Singita Sabi Sand.
“To share these wonderful moments with people who have a similar interest in and love of nature is for me the most rewarding aspect of my job. To immerse oneself into a world that holds such majesty and evokes such wonder in an unscripted and unexpected manner is what safari is all about.” Dylan Brandt – Field Guide, Singita Sabi Sand.
The Singita Sabi Sand Guides’ Diary is compiled by James Crookes, Guide, Singita Sabi Sand. For more astounding photography and wildlife updates read the full Guides’ Diary on Singita’s website.
May 25th, 2011
The Wild Side of Singita Explore
Singita Explore (mobile tented camp set up on the plains of the Singita Grumeti Reserves), through the eyes of James Suter and Marlon du Toit (Safari Brothers), professional guides at Singita Kruger National Park. A life-changing adventure!
(Photography by James and Marlon)
Game drives in the Grumeti concession differ from those in South Africa, and Marlon and I took some time before we realised this. Every time we head out onto the plains and our guide stops, we immediately grab our binoculars and start scanning the landscape. As we start spotting animals, which one always does every time one looks around, we start calling out the names of the different species.
This is really exciting as not only are a lot of these species new to us but the abundance of life is astounding. We managed to tick off many new species of birds, Aardwolf, and saw lions climbing trees, which we are told is a very common habit of the Butamtam pride.
Once again the wealth of game including massive herds of eland, topi, zebra, giraffe and elephants blew us away. One of the most enjoyable moments for me was getting out of the vehicle and watching the sun set over the Serengeti amongst hundreds of animals.
Keep up with stunning photography on the Singita Facebook page…more to come.
To book Singita Explore, please take a look at our introductory offer available through 15 December 2011.
