Ebony Grove, Shenton Safaris, Kaingo Camp, South Luangwa, Zambia

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Jane's Woodbridge Safari News

What Happened to May?!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Where did May go to this year?! I did take a week out camping in the Isle of Skye and kept myself fit walking every day in glorious sunshine. Memories of the Black Cuillins are fresh in my mind, as it is a most impressive range. These mountains are for the serious hill-walker: if you love walking on scree and scrambling so much the better! For someone who does not like heights, I felt a lot happier nearer to sea level in search of otters. On the last afternoon my patience was rewarded. I watched a dog otter fishing, playing with seals and grooming himself in a freshwater stream.

My part-time role is fast becoming full-time with many bookings to work on, both old and new. I really enjoying receiving feedback from clients after they have returned from holiday, and so far it all remains very positive. I also enjoyed seeing so many of you at the Suffolk Show, so thanks for coming along. I am now looking forward to the Royal Norfolk Show, where I willl not be advising on safaris but rather helping to show sheep in one or two classes. I will keep you posted as this is a first for me!

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Horses in Limpopo and Suffolk

Tuesday, April 29, 2008


Another reconnaissance trip, this time three weeks self-drive around a selection of camps and lodges in Limpopo Provide in South Africa. I confirmed a number of great destinations for both riders and non-riders, and equally importantly visited a couple which I will not be including in future itineraries! A few photographic highlights are available online.

Over the years I have enjoyed a number of self-drive safaris in both South Africa and Namibia, and I would certainly recommend that you consider this option for your future trips. On a typical itinerary you will only use the hire car for transfers of at most a few hours, and then leave it parked for a couple of days whilst enjoying the activities.

Advantages include:

  • Good quality roads with little traffic: I have yet to find the African equivalent of the M25.
  • Straightforward navigation on relatively simple road networks: we supply maps and directions.
  • In South Africa, Johannesburg airport is 20km out of town, and that is as close as you need go to the city itself.
  • Cheap, fixed-price petrol served by friendly pump attendants.
  • Plenty of space to organise your luggage: no need to repack fully at each destination.

Back down to earth, but it is enjoyable to be riding my own horse around the countryside in Spring. The Suffolk Show is only a few weeks away, and I look forward to meeting clients past, present and future on the Safari Consultants stand.

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Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Lambing Fair, Sunday 27th April

Sunday, March 23, 2008


Last week I was asked what is a "blog"? It's a weB log or diary. Simple really... but from 'Web Logging' to 'Horse Logging'

Last week Suffolk Wildlife Trust received new visitors to help them manage and conserve the Heathlands. The birch and pine trees take over if not thinned and felled to give the heather and heath vegetation a chance to re-establish. With our recent rainfall, clearing the site can become a quagmire very quickly. Using a horse to remove the logs is efficient, quiet and makes no mess despite many journeys back and forth along the same small track, too small for big machine. The horse hears the chain clank, the log held and off he trots putting his weight into the harness. See horselogging demonstrations at the Lambing Fair on Sunday 27th April at Foxburrow Farm 11am - 4pm Adults £2/Children £1. You can also meet me when I'm there helping the SWT Shepherd show the public the newly born Hebridean lambs. For further details ring 01394 380113

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Burley in Wharfedale Bed and Breakfast

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

When you discover something good you want to share it... I was recently in the Yorkshire Dales and can recommend jilly.taylor@yahoo.co.uk who can be reached on 01943 865299. Within walking distance of Burley town and railway station, the bed and breakfast offers friendly hospitality, a comfortable bed and a full Dalesman breakfast with homemade jams. Well done Jill - yours was the best breakfast by far of the whole weekend! The Yorkshire Dales is good for walking and things to do including Bolton Abbey, Fountains Abbey, Malham. The accommodation and food at Ripley Castle was just as good ever with Old Peculiar beer - always worth seeking out! Watching the horses in training on Middleham Moor was fun for me despite howling gales and horizontal snow showers. I'm sure Volter would like to have a gallop with them - he's got the racing blanket!

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In the Saddle tips with Travellers' Tree

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Fi Glover presented Traveller's Tree today on BBC Radio 4 with an emphasis on holidays "in the saddle".

Horseback Safaris sells riding safaris to Africa whilst Woodbridge Safaris caters for non-riders looking for that extra special safari. I can offer all manner of tips and advice for tailor-making your own holiday but BBC protocols forbade me from speaking on the show myself.

Fiona, a recent client of mine, was interviewed by the presenters for ten minutes and spoke of her experiences being charged by elephant, splashing through the waters of the Okavango Delta, and galloping along with zebra. Imagine her disappointment when the programme ran out of time for her Top Riding Tips.

Last week I persauded Jane Barber, the Suffolk Wildlife Trust shepherd, to appear on television. It was no mean feat! She got the rams eating out of her hand, and shots of early spring blossom and the Hebridean sheep looked great. Viewers were being aksed to Sponsor a Ram . The feature appeared briefly for a few seconds but with no sound! How disappointed we all were.

Third time lucky for another publicity feature - any volunteers?

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Happy Valentine's Day

Thursday, February 14, 2008


Your Valentine is supposed to be secret but I'm an open and honest person. If this picture was taken in Africa, it would show the three "loves" of my life. I just have to take care not to put them in any order otherwise I'm in big trouble. No. 1 is currently re-designing my website. Hope you like the new pictures!

If any fellow riders or vets know what causes an allergy in horses this time of year, please email me. For the third year in a row, my horse has developed a rash all over his shoulders, withers and body. It starts at end of January and continues for 3-4 weeks. The usual treatments suggested by vets have no effect. Alas, he no longer has a superb glossy sheen to his coat but it will return - and I still love him!