30/10/2026
🦒🌿 Another wonderful chapter of life at Mabula!
Breakfast, as always, was five-star in my book — and there’s been plenty of adventure to work up an appetite!
Yesterday I joined the adults’ bush walk with our phenomenal guide, Mash. Exploring on foot gives you a whole different appreciation of the bush. We learned about the vegetation and how the ecology of the area fits together, before watching hippos submerged in the water. So much to discover when you slow down and look a little closer. 🌿🦛
This morning was the children’s safari for the under-16s. With just five youngsters heading out, I made a cheeky request to management… could this rather overgrown child tag along? Thankfully, they said yes! 😂
Our wonderful guide, Karla, brought the bush to life, explaining the wildlife and sharing fascinating little details along the way. And what a morning we had!
Giraffes beside the road, and even one sitting down — such a treat to see. Hippos out of the water, including one whose enormous yawn I managed to capture! Wildebeest, lots of zebra and beautiful groups of eland. 📸
I’ve enjoyed many safaris across South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Botswana, but my own eland sightings have usually been of individuals, so seeing so many together felt especially lovely.
And here’s something I learned: one way to help tell male and female plains zebras apart is to look at the black stripe beneath their tails — broader in females, narrower in males. Who knew I’d spend part of my morning studying zebra bottoms?! 🦓😂
I also asked Karla to show us a marula tree — whose fruit is used to make Amarula liqueur. We saw a male tree, but it’s the female trees that bear the fruit. Elephants enjoy stripping and eating the bark, which can leave the exposed wood vulnerable to insects and decay. Another little glimpse into how connected everything is out here.
That’s what I love about safari: however many times you go, there’s always something new to see and learn. ❤️🇿🇦
Follow Just Travel with Judy as my Newmarket Holidays adventure at Mabula Game Lodge continues!
