It’s that time again: With excitement and hope we look forward to the voting period for this year’s “World Luxury Hotel Awards” (WLHA), which begins today. Rhulani Safari Lodge is again a shortlisted candidate and hopes to win first prize at the global level in the “Best Luxury Bush Lodge” category for the tenth consecutive year. Please help us, reserve 30 seconds and vote for us - right now!

Cheetahs love to rest during the day, and sometimes do so in full sun. As the two cheetah brothers are doing it here. However, they are always on guard. They are always looking around, moving their heads. The African bush always offers opportunities as well as dangers.

Did you know that male kudu use their horns to engage male rivals in a fight? Rhulani’s Assistant Manager Sean tells us more about this beautiful second largest antelope species and he tells us that the curved horns can also put the two fighting animals in a tricky situation.

At first we thought that we had accidentally found a hyena here. A “spotted hyena” to be more precise. But then there was another one, and a third one running towards us from another direction. Finally, our vehicle was practically surrounded by hyenas. Hyenas everywhere, a great experience!

Winter time, dry season, and so, high season for one of the greatest natural hazards lurking in the African bush: a bush fire. A few days ago we were once again reminded of this danger when we saw smoke and a sea of flames on the horizon. The thrill and the potentially destructive power was managed perfectly with professionalism and the South African composure for such situations and the fire was brought under control.

In the midst of the busy winter season, our spa therapist team completed a refresher course led by the trainer from Africology, our product supplier. We are pleased to welcome Evonciah as a new member to the spa team, by which we can ensure the massage and treatment offer in Rhulani with three therapists.

There is always something to see, discover and marvel at on a safari. This is also the case during the rest of the sundowner, where we find tracks of wild dogs on the road today with Ranger Dean. Let’s take a look.

Nice to see how calmly the giraffe eats the leaves high up in the tree undisturbed. The noticeably long tongue helps it to grip the branches well.

Have you ever wondered what happens out in the bush when night falls and you go to sleep? We have set up a permanent camera in front of the waterhole at Rhulani Safari Lodge where we can keep track of the night’s activity. Look what we’ve discovered in the past two weeks!

On a night drive, quite unexpectedly we spot a young Rock Python which is slowly and calmly moving forward on the side of the road. She tongues eagerly. We can tell from the somewhat bloated body that it must have eaten something recently. Great and not so common sighting!