Mushara News Archive 2006

May 06

Great rains & great wildlife. With the Etosha National Park literally staggering under the weight of this seasons newborn prey species, everyone is expecting a classic game viewing winter. Very good times are predicted for the local predator population and both Mushara’s guides and guests have already been fortunate to see some remarkable wildlife interaction. Top of my list so far is the adult leopard we watched stalking an Oryx in the open in broad daylight, the fact that he was happy to waste energy on a futile hunt indicates he isn’t worrying too much about his next meal, or he thinks he’s a cheetah.

Mushara is an ideal base for exploring the national park, set around lush green lawns which you may occasionally share with passing wildlife. Marc and Mariza are excellent hosts and they have created a lodge that provides the highest levels of service, cuisine and accommodation at very reasonable rates. For those wanting the ultimate in luxury accommodation or just an excuse to spoil themselves, the Villas at Mushara are unbeatable in Etosha. A stay at the Villas is enhanced by your own private guide and Land Rover.

What's cooking? Mariza Pampe and her 3 chefs have created some exciting new dishes for the winter season menu, here is a sample of what guests are enjoying after a day in Etosha. A warm carrot and coriander soup, Chef Naiman says it’s spicy but not too hot. Springbok loin wrapped in a chicken fillet, served with a brandy & port sauce on a bed of sweet potato mash, chef Maria admits this is absolutely perfect. Finally, a new salad of poached pears in a red wine sauce on a bed of mixed lettuce with blue cheese, chef Samuel points out that this is a stunning combination!

Marc reports that the Autumn colours are looking fantastic, there is still a lot of water in the pan and the game sightings continue to be outstanding. The good news is that the elephants are now coming back to the waterholes.

Finally, a couple of comments from the lodge visitors book.

A brief but perfect stay - Marc & his team are the model hosts & looked after us impeccably! Thank you so much! Fleur Whitlock, Surrey, UK.

We are 12 days into our trip and heading towards home, amazing trip, just wished we had discovered this place earlier! Everything we look for is here, comfort, great food and wine and all in a stylish package. Thank you very much. Simon Clark & Caroline Barton, London, UK

February 06

Regardless of the good rains, the game viewing has been excellent. A pride of 12 lions were seen close to Fischer’s Pan yesterday. There have been regular sightings of a 35 strong elephant herd. Perhaps most interesting to watch has been the interaction between two of the parks smaller inhabitants. The Black-backed Jackal’s have been wading through the flooded pans to steal Plovers eggs, this naturally provokes an immediate and noisy response from the agitated adult plovers.

January 06

Leopard 2 - Impala 0. The rains continue to fall over Etosha and Fischer’s pan is holding more water than the staff at Mushara can remember, we hope this will get the flamingos breeding. As usual the seasonal rains see the departure of the elephants and the arrival of the newborn zebra, wildebeest and springbok. The park is literally overflowing with life and the game sightings reflect this time of abundance. Yesterday, guests staying at the villas for ten days were rewarded with a unique chain of events. Abraham, their guide, found a leopard on a fresh male impala kill close to the road. The leopard left the kill to cross the road and head into thicker bush, only to re-appear moments later to bring down a female impala who had chosen a very bad time to wander into the area, all right in front of the vehicle. That was a life first for both Abraham and the leopard.