A series of podcasts unveiling the captivating stories that unfold beyond the gaze of our guests, revealing the hidden wonders and challenges that define the essence of the Seolo bush experience. Through these tales of mystery and resilience, we invite you to embark on a journey of discovery into the heart of our wilderness encounters.
“Some days if there are not a lot of animals around, I talk to the guests about the birds, the trees, or animal tracks. If you know how to look there is always something happening in the bush,” Johannes says, adding that when he goes home to the village where he grew up, he explains to children and others what his work entails and why wildlife conservation and tourism are important.
Scientists studying a chain of thirty free-standing mountains in southern Malawi and northern Mozambique have identified no fewer than 127 plant species, 45 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, and further 45 types of butterflies, crabs, and other invertebrates that that occur nowhere else on earth.
The voracious tigerfish is a fearsome freshwater predator in many African rivers but now at Schroda Dam in a remote part of South Africa’s Limpopo Province, not even the swallows flying over the water are safe because the fish have learnt to catch them as they fly down to drink on the wing or to plunge bathe.
A giant baobab towering over the surrounding bush, sometime with an elephant or two feeding nearby, is one of the iconic images of Africa. Despite this, recently published genetic research shows that the species of baobab which grows in Africa, (Adansonia digitata) originated in Madagascar.
Scientists investigating carbon storage and water acidity in the Namaqualand region of South Africa have discovered that some termite mounds in the area are 34 000 years old.
Elephants produce low frequency “rumbles”, some of which are at frequencies humans are unable to hear, by forcing air from the lungs over their vocal cords creating the "rumble”. The animals emit some of these rumbles through their mouths and trunks for varying durations and each has a different purpose. Some are intended for long range communication and others might be used by a mother to interact with her calf.
The are about 790 species of dung beetles found in Africa, ranging in size from a few millimetres in length to blockbusters measuring 45 mm or more. Their breeding and feeding habits vary but the most famous are those that shape the dung into balls and roll it away to be buried and used as nesting sites.
Seen a Fat mouse recently? No, not a rather small, rotund rodent but specifically a Fat mouse, which is the common name for Steatomys pratensis. This mouse, which occurs northern South Africa, Zimbabwe and many other parts of Africa is closely related to the Tiny fat mouse, Steatomys parvus which is also a really small rotund rodent. Then there is of course Kreb’s fat mouse Steatomys krebsii.
Genets are common nocturnal visitors to campsites and lodges in the African bush, moving silently through even dense vegetation as they hunt for insects, rodents, and other prey attracted by lights and food scraps.
Carmine bee-eaters are bold creatures in both temperament and colour and are not averse to perching on the backs of much larger animals like buffalo or Kori bustards, the world’s largest flying bird.
One of the most interesting aspects of the mopane tree is that they are the host of the mopane “worm” (the larvae of the Mopane emperor moth) which feed on the trees in in huge numbers in summer and are harvested by local people as food.
The dwarf mongoose, it is Africa’s smallest carnivore and weighs 350-400 grammes and reaches about 250 mm in length, is a highly social, diurnal animal which lives in packs of up to 19 animals, although the average is nine or 10.
These long, thin insects have played a significant role in human mythology and the name Mantid is derived from an ancient Greek word meaning “prophet,” most likely due their habit of holding their spikey front legs lifted in front of their bodies as though praying.
Sorta Mulhovo bustles into the office to be interviewed for this story with a broad smile on her face and a good story to tell about the start of her day. Well, two good stories.
Determination is an asset which Vusi Luphoko, a guide at Rhino Post, has turned to many times in his life. It has helped him negotiate tough times and he doesn’t intend slacking off now because he has high hopes of one day becoming the head guide at Rhino Post.
In 2019 approximately 1 million people from all over the world made a pilgrimage to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The majority of them seriously regret spending only 2 nights and will be making the journey again. They never realised how much more there is to do and see.
Two years, seven months, eighteen days and nine hours after leaving our precious lives in the Kruger National Park to try to carve out a place for ourselves in town, we found ourselves heading back.
Two years, seven months, eighteen days and nine hours after leaving our precious lives in the Kruger National Park to try to carve out a place for ourselves in town, we found ourselves heading back.
Take a trip with us to Rhino Post Safari Lodge through the experience of James Kerr. James is 11 years old and a very keen birder, photographer and wildlife enthusiast. James and his family recently spent 5 days with us documenting his journey to share with you.
Today we celebrate the inaugural World Female Ranger Day, which recognises female anti-poaching rangers throughout Africa. Today we celebrate our very own Sorta Mulhovo along with the incredible women who have dedicated their careers to conserving Africa’s wildlife.
Last time I told you about hairy experiences that I like to call 'Hairy Scary's'. Let me tell you about another 'hairy scary' evening during my guiding days. The good ol’ days, my skinny days, before I started indulging in brunch leftovers and the delectable high tea selection...
I'm sure you are all dying to hear about (me almost dying from) a close encounter with an animal! I have actually had a couple of those living in the Kruger Park, especially when I was living on-site at the Rhino Post Safari Lodge staff village.
Imagine a predator that can weigh over two kilogrammes, spends most of the year underground cocooned in layers of dry skin but emerges after heavy rain to breed, and then carefully looks after its babies when they hatch but occasionally resorts to eating the selfsame offspring?
Last night we had one of our very unique visitors to our garden. A massive male porcupine (well I assume he was a male…I wasn’t going to double-check). He is one of The Secret Seven – rare animals that enjoy their privacy – but what makes them special is that they are considered the most difficult game animals to find while on safari.
For those of you that don't know me yet, let me introduce myself. I am Marli, the General Manager of Rhino Post Safari Lodge and Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris, the best-kept secrets of the Kruger National Park
Stories of living in the beautiful Kruger National Park. Many people have asked and I am sure as many people, if not more, are curious. How’s lockdown life in the Kruger Park? I can only...
We have had so many amazing sightings and experiences at Rhino Post and Plains Camp – too many to mention but amongst all the big cat sightings, elephant encounters and Rhino views, one that was very special and quite unforgettable – almost for its simplicity – occurred in January this year when we were on a walking safari from Plains Camp with Warren and Albino.
We have asked our guests to share their stories with us in order to bring a smile to our faces while we are unable to travel. This is all part of #memorysharing and #myseolostory, Joe Kubik shared his experience with us at Rhino Post Safari Lodge and we are sure you are going to smile just as much as he and his group of friends did when they experienced their journey with us in 2018.
Day 21 of the lockdown has suddenly arrived Cyril and his wise advisors have now contrived to extend our confinement for a further time leaving home, going to work, remains a crime. It occurs to...
The last night of our honeymoon was spent at the sleep-out at Rhino Walking Safaris. We spend the last night in the wonderful sleep-out, after a bush braai in the treehouse, and it was time...
It was April 2016. My wife and I were lucky enough to travel from France to spend our honeymoon at Rhino Walking Safaris. We started walking at sunset, like everyday there. The weather was cool...
In the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, the burning questions for travellers around the world were, should I travel or not? What are the chances that I’ll get stuck or quarantined in another country? ...
Long before we got married, Greg and I had talked about going on an African treehouse vacation. We had heard about sleeping under the stars from friends who had done something similar in a jungle....
Seolo Africa proudly operates in South Africa and Zimbabwe so in the afterglow of the Springbok Rugby World Cup win it seems appropriate to showcase the mammal that our rugby team takes their name from...
Shout “pangolin” (relatively quietly) to the guide driving a game-viewing vehicle in Southern Africa and he or she will stop faster than if you had you said “pink elephant”. Pangolins, sometimes known as Scaly anteaters,...
A common sight near the shoreline of healthy water bodies in southern Africa is that of a black and white kingfisher energetically hovering about five metres above the surface before plunging head-first into the water...
In August Seolo Africa regional manager Gerrit Meyer filmed a fascinating interaction between a leopard and a porcupine on a road close to our Rhino Post Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park (KNP). The...
A male lions’ deep far-carrying roar is one of the best-known sounds of the bush. Some have heard the real thing often when visiting wild places but many of us have to be content with...
Woodpeckers are more common than many people realize but even if you have not seen one in the wild large numbers of people have childhood memories of energetic ‘cartoon woodpeckers’ furiously bashing their bills against...
For many years spotted hyena were disdainfully regarded as mere scavengers and, as late the as the 1920s were, like most predators, shot as vermin, even in National Parks. What a pity then that people...
Fake news is a popular term these days but in reality, it has been around as long as humans. It used to be known as disinformation, rumour or even simply as lies. But call it...
Porcupines are creatures of the night. Often unnoticed, they go about their lives eating fruit, tubers and plants but in the morning experts will notice their tracks, places where they have dug for food or...
It’s been an age-old debate, and argument, amongst scientists, game rangers and wildlife enthusiasts – what is the ecological purpose of a zebras’ stripes? Some have argued that that the stripes form some sort of...
Everyone loves telling stories about the elephants they have seen while on safari and naturally enough guests returning from Chundu Island will proudly tell their friends about the beautiful elephants they saw in Zimbabwe. And...
It’s not often that a mushroom scoops the ‘sighting of the month’ at Chundu Island, or at any lodge really. The honour usually goes to the ‘megafauna’ like elephants and lions or perhaps something unusual...
Seolo Africa is extremely proud to announce that South African National Parks (SANParks) has awarded our very own Rhino Walking Safaris (RWS) the prestigious 2018 Business Partner Kudu Award. The award recognises a combination of...
We invite you to discover the vibrant allure of Zimbabwe with a wealth of attractions that transcend borders. Uncover the rich history of conservation in Zimbabwe, delving into its pivotal role in preserving biodiversity and fueling regional economies. From the intricate web of transboundary conservation, linking national parks in Zimbabwe to neighboring countries like Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, emerges a tapestry that elevates the conservation status and tourism potential of these areas. Join us in exploring the captivating tapestry of Zimbabwe’s natural wonders and the interconnected story of wildlife protection that binds these diverse landscapes.
Zimbabwe is such a fascinating destination and we aim to help provide in-depth information that enhances people’s understanding of the country and the region.
The 171 km2 (66 miles2) park forms part of the Chimanimani Transfrontier Conservation Area which is shared with the Chimanimani Nature Reserve in Mozambique. Chimanimani National P
This remote 1980 km2 park sprawls from the southern lip of the steep Zambezi Escarpment across wild landscapes of deep river valleys, wetlands, and woodlands until it reaches the B
