MARCH 2017 NEWS FROM TORTILIS FAMILY...AS THE BOOKING SEASON MARCHES ON
Alex Johnston
MUCHENJE SAFARI LODGE, CHOBE RESERVE
Welcome to Toff and Kidd - Muchenje's new management team
Toff & Kiddy - The new Management Team
“We are excited and very pleased to join Muchenje Safari Lodge, giving us the opportunity to grow with this beautiful lodge as we improve the services and facilities for our guests and the whole team that is the Muchenje Family”, said Toff & Kiddy. “Keen to develop Muchenje together with the growth in tourism in our country and in particular, the Chobe region and to involve our local communities. We are certain that Muchenje will continue to be the flagship of the Western side of the Chobe.”
With their experience and enthusiasm for Botswana, Chobe and the wilderness in general we look forward to seeing Muchenje flourish under their care.
LEOPARD MOUNTAIN, Zululand RSA - Manyoni Game Reserve
It is with great excitement that Leopard Mountain moves into 2018 contracting season. With enviable occupancies for several consistent years, the Vivier team have decided to move the lodge into a new era. The new 2018 rates of R3995 pppns still offer outstanding value considering the game experience at the Manyoni Game Reserve (previously known as Zululand Rhino Reserve) – with lions, cheetah and wild dogs as regular sightings. In conjunction with the rate rise – Leopard Mountain will be making significant changes to the outside of the chalets – with a new deck and outside shower & living space, and most significantly reducing the number of chalets to 8.
HATARI, ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK & SHU'MATA, NR KILIMANJARO
MEET THE FAMILY
Welcome to our first Meet the Family section in our blog – Each of our lodges in the Tortilis Portfolio are family owned and I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce you to the faces behind the lodges.
Marlies, Joerg and their son Donyo are the driving force of Hatari & Shu’mata. Donyo who is 13 years old is an avid scientist and exceptional birder – his passion for all things wild is legendary around Hatari. So, when the latest Albino Baboon was spotted in Arusha National Park, we thought we would pick his brains about this interesting sighting.
Q: Have you seen the Albino Baboon?
Yes I’ve seen more than one albino baboon in our Arusha National Park. I’ve seen various ages of the albino baboon family but mostly young ones.
Q: Does it behave differently from other baby baboons?
The male albino baboon was alone which isn't normal. I’ve witness that the mothers of albinos protect the little ones far more than ordinary baboon babies.
Q: Do the other troop members play with it differently?
The babies were very protected and didn't play.
Q: Has this happened before in Arusha National Park?
Yes _ there are Albino baboons in Arusha National Park. We see them regularly.
Q: Why do you think it happens?
Must be the same reason humans become albino
Q: Do they survive to become adults?
Yes – I’ve seen a male adult
Q: Is it in the Park or have you seen it close to Hatari?
It was on the Hatari meadow. The babies we keep seeing more around the Momella Lakes.
Q: What is your most memorable wildlife experience at Hatari or Shu’mata?
Oh that was when I was 8 years old - on the 1st of May 2012 - on my way to school. The Leopard was so close that I could see every single detail of his face. We were both surprised. After I calmed down we then passed a herd of elephants. What a day. I couldn't wait to get back home and share this amazing news with my mum. (Wow!! What a trip to school……)
Q: If you had a whole day free to do whatever you wanted – what would you do?
Walk around and explore
Albino Baboons near Hatari Lodge
ANVIL BAY, MAPUTO SPECIAL RESERVE, MOZAMBIQUE
The beach is somewhere everyone dreams of going at some point each year – whether we are kids, teenagers, newlyweds or maybe just in dire need of some R&R….. Anvil Bay has all you need whatever your age! As someone said this week – it is the place where people come together.
Family Specials, Honeymoon Specials or Long stay specials are all available for our guests (and our friends in the trade) – contact us for these special's commissionable rates.
TULI SAFARI LODGE, BOTSWANA
If anyone asks me what my favourite animals are….. Bat Eared foxes always win hands down…. And Tuli have them a plenty! Here is some feisty action from a recent guest on game drive… the young family of cheetah cubs are fascinated by this fella.
Acacia Tortilis - or Umbrella Tree - is an iconic sight on the African Landscape, and so our lodges provide authentic experiences in unique destinations in Southern and East Africa.
Tortilis Marketing is a portfolio of Owner Run Independent Safari Lodges collaborating under a marketing umbrella.