A PLANE RIDE AND LITTLE KULALA CAMP
Our plane ride here was quite an adventure. We boarded a ten-seater Cessna with two propellers with a warning to fasten our seat belts tightly as it was going to be turbulent. The pilot wasn't kidding. It reminded Norma and I of the rib boat ride we took in Norway on very rough seas. I was hanging on for dear life and had to restrain myself from screaming: "WHEEEE". We landed safely and met our driver Ulricht, who also loves birds so we lucked out. It was a short drive to Little Kulala, a private reserve especially for Wilderness Safari Guests.
On the plane I was wondering if anything could live in this desolate but beautiful landscape and so wasn't expecting a lot of bird and wildlife. This isn't the case - as we pulled up to Little Kulala Camp, we were treated by the sight of twenty social weavers as well as some ubiquitous English Sparrows. Ulricht mentioned that he would be picking us up for a 'Sundowner". I asked what it was. We were going to a lookout point to watch the sunset while enjoying a glass of wine or a gin and tonic plus some snacks. We were shown around the rustic but luxurious main lodge complete with pool, library, wine cellar, a huge veranda overlooking the magnificent landscape and a waterhole. This is where we eat delicious meals complete with all the wine we can handle. The whole setting fits in with the landscape and uses native trees as part of the structure. Both the social weavers and the sparrows fly freely in and out of the main building looking for crumbs. Social weavers build huge nests either in trees or on pylons. The nests can weigh up to two tons and get to be heavy enough to knock down the pylons. I will include a picture of the small one in a tree near the veranda.
Our room is equally lovely. We have a huge outdoor deck with lounge chairs, sofa, and plunge pool. Upstairs and outside is a bed that can be made up so that you can fall asleep under the stars. I am going to try it tonight. Inside, we have a living room, a bedroom area, and a bathroom with both an indoor and an outdoor shower.
We met at 4 and proceeded to the lookout point. The sunset was stunning and the changing colours of the landscape were breath-taking. We saw an oryx, one of the most beautiful antelopes, and three ostriches.
Then it was back to the lodge for dinner and lots of laughs and wine! We decided not to sleep outside when we returned to our room as the temperature was cooling rapidly.
Our plane ride here was quite an adventure. We boarded a ten-seater Cessna with two propellers with a warning to fasten our seat belts tightly as it was going to be turbulent. The pilot wasn't kidding. It reminded Norma and I of the rib boat ride we took in Norway on very rough seas. I was hanging on for dear life and had to restrain myself from screaming: "WHEEEE". We landed safely and met our driver Ulricht, who also loves birds so we lucked out. It was a short drive to Little Kulala, a private reserve especially for Wilderness Safari Guests.
On the plane I was wondering if anything could live in this desolate but beautiful landscape and so wasn't expecting a lot of bird and wildlife. This isn't the case - as we pulled up to Little Kulala Camp, we were treated by the sight of twenty social weavers as well as some ubiquitous English Sparrows. Ulricht mentioned that he would be picking us up for a 'Sundowner". I asked what it was. We were going to a lookout point to watch the sunset while enjoying a glass of wine or a gin and tonic plus some snacks. We were shown around the rustic but luxurious main lodge complete with pool, library, wine cellar, a huge veranda overlooking the magnificent landscape and a waterhole. This is where we eat delicious meals complete with all the wine we can handle. The whole setting fits in with the landscape and uses native trees as part of the structure. Both the social weavers and the sparrows fly freely in and out of the main building looking for crumbs. Social weavers build huge nests either in trees or on pylons. The nests can weigh up to two tons and get to be heavy enough to knock down the pylons. I will include a picture of the small one in a tree near the veranda.
Our room is equally lovely. We have a huge outdoor deck with lounge chairs, sofa, and plunge pool. Upstairs and outside is a bed that can be made up so that you can fall asleep under the stars. I am going to try it tonight. Inside, we have a living room, a bedroom area, and a bathroom with both an indoor and an outdoor shower.
We met at 4 and proceeded to the lookout point. The sunset was stunning and the changing colours of the landscape were breath-taking. We saw an oryx, one of the most beautiful antelopes, and three ostriches.
Then it was back to the lodge for dinner and lots of laughs and wine! We decided not to sleep outside when we returned to our room as the temperature was cooling rapidly.
A social Weaver is a bird that can weigh up to two tons, and it can still fly? Would hate for one of those to hit my windshield. Sounds like you two are having a fantastic time. Enjoying the blog.
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