Alexa Safaris

02/08/2025

One of our favourite parts of travelling and visiting establishments, is when we find an unexpected gem. While Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal is not a common holiday destination for a lot of people, it holds a space that is worth visiting especially for travellers that have been to South Africa on numerous occasions and are looking for somewhere new. It is also of course, much loved by many Natalians who live there.

Our unexpected find here is Tandweni Villa, right up in the Pongola Nature Reserve on the Jozini dam. Tandweni is an exclusive-use villa, with 5 en-suite bedroom and an extra room with twin beds leading off the main bedroom. It is perfect for a multi-generational gathering, or two or three families holidaying together. The villa is self-catering but once you have done the shopping, sit back and relax as the on-site chef will take care of your meals. No peeling potatoes on this holiday! There are also two housekeepers, so you don’t even have to make your bed or think about laundry. Tandweni is a place that invites you in, to lie at the pool with the view of the dam, to challenge your family to board games, to snuggle around the fire in the boma and to make the most of special times with family and friends.

For those who want activity, there is an array of activities available with the on-site activities guide. From game drives in the Pongola Reserve (Big Four, just no lions) to tiger fishing on the dam, a walk up into the hills, an early morning bird-watching or a lazy sunset cruise - there are enough activities to keep everyone happy and busy.

Tandweni Villa is a luxurious retreat away from the real world, a refined space with personal attention to detail. The staff take care of everything you could possibly need, and there is a spa therapist on call who will give you the best massage in the comfort of your room. And if the thought of shopping is just all too much, catered options are available on request.

Tandweni Villa far exceeded our expectations, our only disappointment - we were not here for long enough. Next time you are thinking of a week away with family or friends, Tandweni Villa calls.

07/06/2025

It’s been a very busy time in our Alexa Safaris “office” this month, with four weeks of travelling through Kwa-Zulu Natal. Our primary reason for going - the annual Indaba Africa Travel Trade show. 36 meetings in 2 and a half days, time to reconnect with existing partners in the industry, and the opportunity to meet with many new ones.

And from there began three weeks of site visits, taking time to visit lodges and reserves on the north coast, then inland to the Natal Midlands, Nambiti Game Reserve and the Drakensberg before finally turning for home. We have slept in 19 different bedrooms over our 32 nights away, covering 5000kms. And why do we do this, so that we know what we are talking about when we recommend places for you, our clients, to experience. So that we are confident in our recommendations, and so that we match each client to the right lodge, hotel or guesthouse. Each traveller enjoys a different experience, from the opulent luxury of the Rovos Rail to the pared-back basics of a Karoo cottage, from a quiet, reflective walk in the mountains to a cold beer at a vibey beach bar, from a personal bird guide to finding the Big Five and sundowners at a 5 star bush lodge or the calm of late afternoon fishing, from an African sunrise in the chilly autumn air to a fun-filled river cruise, a cool forest boardwalk and autumn scenery. Our visits include a wide range of establishments and activities - it’s personal research that is invaluable to ensure that each of our guests has a trip designed for YOU, that takes to account what YOU like, and what YOU want to experience.

Alexa Safaris - tailor-made travel in Africa.

30/04/2025

Happy birthday to you, James, one half of the adventuring, exploring, Alexa Safaris team!

16/04/2025

16/04/2025

Halfway between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route, is one of our Sanparks lesser-known reserves.
Located on the outskirts of the historic and picturesque town of Swellendam, Bontebok National Park falls within the renowned Cape Floristic Region, one of the world’s richest plant kingdoms.
The reserve offers a variety of outdoor activities, including scenic hiking trails and nature walks, mountain bike trails and swimming in the Breede river. Birdwatchers enjoy a diverse range of bird species, while wildlife enthusiasts can add to their list with the park’s namesake, the bontebok.
Close enough to Swellendam that you can pop into town for groceries or dinner at La Sosta, Bontebok National Park offers well-equipped self-catering units as well as campsites. Stop for the night on your way along the Garden Route, or relax for a couple of days and take time to appreciate this peaceful, beautiful landscape.

21/12/2024

It’s one final game drive, and a truly African start to the day as a herd of elephant make their way across the sunrise. Erick has one trick up his sleeve, and tells us we are off to paradise. It turns out to be the Paradise pride, and while the other vehicles sit watching the big male, Erick heads around the hill and there in the grass is what he wants to show us - the little one month old cub, and his slightly older cousin. Playing in the grass, the little one lies on his cousins back and watches us. From behind us, Mum gives out a low grunt calling him, and off he goes. It’s a special ending to what can only be described as an unbelievable 72 hours in the Masai Mara. Having only been here in peak migration time before, we wanted to see what the park offers out of season. Few vehicles, unbelievable sightings and the green expansive plains for which the park is known, the Mara lives up to its name as one of the iconic parks in Africa.

And so our time in Rwanda and Kenya comes to an end. One final flight with Governors Aviation back to Wilson Airport, a final overnight at Sarova PanAfric and two more site inspections, a short transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International, and our journey home begins. We have been away for just over two weeks, visited two countries, stayed at and visited 23 different hotels, lodges and guesthouses. It remains our quest to personally visit as many places as possible, to ensure that we best match you, our clients, to each establishment, and makes your next adventure so special.

19/12/2024

It’s time to change camps this morning, and after our farewells to Benson and Mike, we are met back at the airstrip by Erick, from Governors Camp. As we walk through the tents at Governors and at Il Moran, it’s hard to imagine that just five months ago, guests were evacuated from their tents on the banks of the Mara river as flood levels rose. Today the water is well below us, hippos staking their claim at every bend. After lunch, it’s Erick’s turn to see what magic he can find in the park. We explain that we are very happy birding, enjoying what is around us and that we don’t need to go driving around finding anything specific. In the distance, Erick spots the Marsh pride, so well-known in the Mara that they have their own page! They are looking around, hungry, but there is not much in sight. We sit, and watch, they are not up to much with nothing visible to hunt. James and Erick exchange friendly banter identifying a raptor at a distance. As we look up, the pride are on the move, walking towards us. We move slightly so as not to be in the way of the game path they are using, and they cross the road ahead and behind us. As we turn and follow them, they start walking towards the river bank. Down on the sand, there are two buffalo bulls settling in for the night. The sun is starting to set as we watch the pride spread out. One lioness sneaks down the steep bank under cover of the bushes. The others have gone into stalk mode at the top. We watch as the bottom lioness gets closer to the buffalo. They have sensed her, and too soon she shows herself. The buffalo don’t hesitate, they throw themselves into the river and there is a mighty amount of splashing as they bolt as fast as possible through the water. The other lions have all run down but swimming is not on their agenda this evening, and all they can do is line up on the bank and watch their supper disappear on the far side. We leave them contemplating what next, it’s time to head back to camp.

19/12/2024

We make our way slowly back to camp. Speke’s Camp offers an authentic old-style safari experience. With just seven tents, it’s all about each individual traveller. The tents are well appointed with hot bucket showers available any time. The communal mess area is under canvas, with carefully thought out relaxation and dining areas, a library tucked behind old Zanzibarian doors and a well-stocked bar that has seen many a tale recounted after a day in the Mara. For us this evening, it’s a chance to chat to the other guests, to hear the stories of their day, to enjoy a quiet dinner under the stars, and to climb into bed reliving our incredible day.

18/12/2024

The zebra are still coming. But having dodged the lunges of the hippos, escaped the jaws of the crocodiles, and made it across the river, they face a new threat. From out of the bushes of the koppie, 7 lions are headed right in our direction. It’s a sight to make your blood run cold. Suddenly the front lioness runs at the melee of zebra scrambling out of the water. There is even more noise, dust flying, snorting and barking, and squealing, as in the chaos and panic, the lioness grabs a baby zebra. It’s a matter of seconds, and it’s over. The lioness holds on, the zebra have bolted. So much for no lions that we could see!!!

18/12/2024

Now there is real panic - there are zebra in the water still crossing, crocs, hippo and now on the exit side, 7 lions. Suddenly the largest hippo launches himself at the zebra as they enter the water on the far bank. The line stops, the zebra scramble back up the opposite bank and away from the water’s edge. Unknowingly, the hippo has saved the lives of some of those zebra. No more will cross the river today.

The lions tuck in to their prize, their lunch is served. Benson scans the koppie. There are 13 lions in this pride so somewhere in the bushes, another 6 lions are waiting to ambush the zebra that have moved away in the wrong direction. We watch the lions as they make short work of the baby zebra. Their faces are bloody, and suddenly there is snarling as the carcass is ripped apart. One makes off with a leg, another with the head. The hooded vultures have already arrived, but by the time the lions move away, there is no trace that a zebra was ever there. The vultures will have to find another meal today, there are not even scraps. Lunch over, the lions head back to the koppie - a baby zebra is not enough food for this big pride, there will be more victims today. It has been almost two hours of noise and commotion, but as we scan around us, there is nothing. No zebra to be seen, no lions to be seen, only one vulture still perched in the tree - no signs remain of what we have just witnessed. We too are silent, overawed by this totally unexpected sighting. Benson drives a little way off to the tree, and it’s a stiff gin before we finally have our somewhat belated lunch.

17/12/2024

And so follows what seems to be a never-ending line of zebra… The territorial hippo swim closer, lunging periodically at a passing zebra. The crocs are swimming in from both sides. As the herds start clambering up the bank on our side, the noise builds as they bray and call for their babies and families from whom they have been separated. There is noise, and dust, and splashing, and then the crocs move in. I can’t watch as one baby is taken. And now some of the zebra this side that can’t find their families plunge back into the water, and cross back again. On both sides of the river, the noise is frantic and desperate. We watch one baby make it out of the river, he has escaped the crocodile but with big gashes down his side. His prospects are not good. Those that are across shake themselves, regroup and head off up the hill. To the brave, the prize - fresh green grass. There are two lines of zebra coming across now, the crocs take their own prizes to the bank and go back for more. One heads off downstream, two zebra legs held aloft. And in complete contrast to our previous visits here in peak wildebeest migration season, we watch this incredible spectacle unfold in the company of just two other vehicles. There is no jostling for position, no vehicles blocking the animals’ path, no badly-behaved drivers or noisy spectators. There is just us, and centuries-old instinctive behaviour happening around us.

17/12/2024

What happens next can only be described as a David Attenborough movie scene…

It’s hot now, so we chat to Benson and he suggests lunch under a tree on the riverbank, and a cold gin and tonic. We make our way across the park and as we come over the rise, there on the opposite bank is a gathering of zebra. But not just any gathering, Benson and Mike estimate around 800 zebra!! They, like the wildebeest during the migration, want to cross the river to greener grass. Benson says he saw a crossing a few days ago but the group was only about 20 in size, so this is quite something to behold and not something we even knew happened at this time of year. “Let’s just check the koppie for lions first” says Benson, “they like to wait here for the zebra”. So we skirt slowly around the koppie, all of us searching, but no lions to be seen.

There is one other vehicle sitting, waiting. Our guideline is always, if there is something going on, just sit. So we pull up next to them and watch. The first zebra walk cautiously to the water - but the crocodiles are there waiting and the zebra retreat. Clearly some of the animals have been here for a while and with no action, the herds at the back turn away and start to head back across the hill. We sit and we watch and we wait. Again, the next brave individuals venture down, but the crocs are impatient and they break cover too soon. The zebra retreat. Suddenly from further to the left, one zebra walks determinedly forward, into the water, keeps walking and then plunges in.