Aloha from Mala Mala!
#1
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Aloha from Mala Mala!
Aloha everyone. The self-drive through Kruger was great fun!!!! Saw just about all there was to see-rhino, elephants, lions, giraffe and many hyenas, my new favorite animal. No misadventures, just a lot of good times!
Got to Mala Mala yesterday, on the first game drive we followed the 22 dogs for over an hour(which is good that we saw them then as it was reported today that they had crossed over into Kruger), saw 2 rhinos, a leopard and spent some time with the Roller Coaster male, who has an injury to his back leg. This morning we followed a beautiful leopard for some time, came across another rhino and a huge herd of buffalo, then watched the three lionesses with their 9 cubs.
Just waiting for lunch...
Having a great time!
Aloha,
Dennis
Got to Mala Mala yesterday, on the first game drive we followed the 22 dogs for over an hour(which is good that we saw them then as it was reported today that they had crossed over into Kruger), saw 2 rhinos, a leopard and spent some time with the Roller Coaster male, who has an injury to his back leg. This morning we followed a beautiful leopard for some time, came across another rhino and a huge herd of buffalo, then watched the three lionesses with their 9 cubs.
Just waiting for lunch...
Having a great time!
Aloha,
Dennis
#3
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Hi Dennis
Aloha yourself! I also really like hyenas, though we are in a minority. Surely you are kidding yourself thinking that you saw all there was to see??? Remember, a reason to return! Hope the injury to the Rollercoaster Male is not too serious.
Always remember, what goes around comes around. So I am green with envy now, but later on it may well be yourself!! I would love to be seeing those 9 cubs!
Kind regards
Kaye
Aloha yourself! I also really like hyenas, though we are in a minority. Surely you are kidding yourself thinking that you saw all there was to see??? Remember, a reason to return! Hope the injury to the Rollercoaster Male is not too serious.
Always remember, what goes around comes around. So I am green with envy now, but later on it may well be yourself!! I would love to be seeing those 9 cubs!
Kind regards
Kaye
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Dennis, sounds like a great trip -- 22 dogs in one pack must be a rarity now in Africa (when I was in Karen Blixen's house in Nairobi I read an account of how she once watched a group of several hundred run past her home -- a sight likely never to be witnessed again).
Looking forward to some more detailed info, especially on Kruger (I may try to get to the northern part of that park on my next visit to South Africa).
Michael
Looking forward to some more detailed info, especially on Kruger (I may try to get to the northern part of that park on my next visit to South Africa).
Michael
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Dennis, I agree about Kruger, you will likely see more grazers and browsers there than in Mala.
Tanky, what happened, or didn't, at MM?
The Roller Coaster male is still limping like it was two weeks ago? Bad news for the Eyrefield pride.
regards - tom
Tanky, what happened, or didn't, at MM?
The Roller Coaster male is still limping like it was two weeks ago? Bad news for the Eyrefield pride.
regards - tom
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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Hey Dennis, remember our many discussions about why MM charges for soft drinks? You probably have noticed that your mini-bar is empty, it does not have any alcohol NOR Cokes in it. At lunch or dinner ask your ranger why such are not in there waiting for you. (Like at every other camp I've been to). That is the key to the real truth behind the reason of their charging for soft drinks and alcohol.
regards - tom
regards - tom
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Ok, thought you'd never ask.
My reasoning goes like this. Fact - MM does not put alcoholic drinks nor drinks with stimulants in the rooms. (Main Camp and Sable, for Rattrays?) No, not even in the room. Why not one would ask, why can't they even be in the mini-bar? Answer from MM management - because certain cultures/religions are not permitted to be even in the same room with such. So, it follows that the same cultures/religions would object to having the room rate include payment for such. Does it not?
This discussion came up over dinner this September. It was initiated (not by me) by another couple who had just come from three safari camps in Botswana. Those camps rates were inclusive for soft drinks, beer, wine. They simply asked what the deal was with MM whose room rates were even more expensive. The MM manager gave his song and dance about drunkeness liability for guests, private pilots, etc. But it still did not convince anyone at the table. We remained puzzled. It was not until a few days later that I put it all together.
My reasoning goes like this. Fact - MM does not put alcoholic drinks nor drinks with stimulants in the rooms. (Main Camp and Sable, for Rattrays?) No, not even in the room. Why not one would ask, why can't they even be in the mini-bar? Answer from MM management - because certain cultures/religions are not permitted to be even in the same room with such. So, it follows that the same cultures/religions would object to having the room rate include payment for such. Does it not?
This discussion came up over dinner this September. It was initiated (not by me) by another couple who had just come from three safari camps in Botswana. Those camps rates were inclusive for soft drinks, beer, wine. They simply asked what the deal was with MM whose room rates were even more expensive. The MM manager gave his song and dance about drunkeness liability for guests, private pilots, etc. But it still did not convince anyone at the table. We remained puzzled. It was not until a few days later that I put it all together.