“Shhh,” our guide whispers, commanding quiet as we ease up a dusty track an hour into our first game drive. My eyes dart, trying to catch whatever he’s seen on the horizon, scanning the scrub and the road ahead.
I get confirmation I’d make a terrible safari guide when, seconds later, I spot a male lion strolling down the middle of the track, only metres from our open-top Land Cruiser. At his side, a lioness locks eyes on our vehicle as it slows to a halt.
It’s a moment I’ll never forget – my first sight of the majestic big five in the wild. The feelings come all at once – calm in the presence of Africa’s greatest predator, disbelief at being so close and exhilaration that this is the beginning – one of six drives I am able to experience at Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa.
Over the next three days, I get closer than I thought was possible to extraordinary wildlife, while learning about the park’s conservation programme and retreating each night to sprawling private villas managed by the famed Dubai hotel group.
Set within 16,500 hectares of private reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, the property is home to lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo, plus hyenas, zebras, impala and more than 500 bird species. Each day promises new tracking adventures to tick more animals off the list.
Our first drive begins with our guide, Amend, and tracker, Nhlanhla, asking what we hope to see. A car full of safari novices replies with a chorus of “lions”, while elephants, giraffes, rhinos and leopards quickly follow. Smiling, Amend tempers expectations: “It’s Zululand, not Disneyland,” he says, but promises to try.
As we enter the big five reserve – separate from the lodge area – Nhlanhla suddenly signals for Amend to stop. Hopping from his perch at the front, he spots a lion’s print in the dust and follows it for more than an hour.
It’s clear we’re in expert hands. Nhlanhla has been at Thanda 14 years, Amend since the past October. They work in sync, reading the land and each other. Traditional trackers, they follow dung, footprints and broken branches, and co-ordinate with other guides to share sightings.
Animal welfare is central here. A strict rule allows only two vehicles at any sighting, giving animals space and visitors rare moments of exclusivity. At times it feels like it is just us and the wild.
Drives run morning and evening, with stops for refreshments. After our first lion sighting, we pause to debrief, still buzzing. Sunset drives become my most treasured memories. Amend agrees: “It’s all about the sunrise, the sunsets and those unforgettable moments.”
Over three days, the thrill of seeing lions never wanes. I stumble on a lone lioness mid-sprint to the lodge for a bathroom break – nothing halts urgency like a big cat in your path. On the last day, we find a male with three females, springing to life when he scents a rival nearby. It’s like watching Planet Earth, but live.
As a first-timer, my illusions are quickly quashed. I thought animals were digitally tracked and easy to find. In truth, it’s hide-and-seek, the adrenalin peaking when after hours of waiting, something finally appears. The leopard was the only big five to stay elusive.
I also assumed elephants were easy to spot. Wrong. Despite their bulk, they vanish into greenery. Our sighting comes only after veering down an overgrown track Nhlanhla had never tried before. We hear branches snap, then finally a young bull emerges, enormous and blocking the road.
My last misconception was that it’s all about the big five. In reality, our guides were just as excited by the smaller creatures – from warthogs (immortalised by The Lion King’s Pumba) to plants and dazzling birds – as they were by lions or rhinos.
One thing didn’t surprise me: the emphasis on conservation. Rhino poaching is an ever-present threat, so the hotel has a strong team working on anti-poaching efforts. Endangered species such as rhinos and cheetahs are carefully monitored by dedicated staff.
At the lodge, we stay in a vast four-bedroom villa with a living room, terrace, communal firepits and a pool.
Villas can be booked privately or by the room, with facilities shared. Two daily game drives, three meals, snacks and select drinks are all included.
Each villa is privately owned, with mirrored layouts but distinct interiors. Ours has a fresh, Hamptons feel – crisp whites, canopied beds, light and airy spaces.
We visited in June, when it is winter time in South Africa, so I skipped a dip in the pool. But after early starts, nothing beats sitting on the outdoor lounge, breathing in the fresh reserve air and gazing at the endless green views. If a giraffe or warthog wandered by, it felt like the perfect extra.
Jumeirah Thanda Safari is a three-hour drive or a 60-minute helicopter ride from Durban’s King Shaka International Airport. From the UAE, Emirates operates daily direct flights between Dubai and Durban
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Company%20Profile
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SRI LANKA SQUAD
Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella
Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna
Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay
Match info
Bournemouth 1 (King 45 1')
Arsenal 2 (Lerma 30' og, Aubameyang 67')
Man of the Match: Sead Kolasinac (Arsenal)
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
Ireland (15-1):
Ireland (15-1): Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack Conan, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony; James Ryan, Quinn Roux; Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Cian Healy
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour
Coach: Joe Schmidt (NZL)
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
RESULTS
6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko
7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara
9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Ponti
Sharlene Teo, Pan Macmillan
25-MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze
On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor
Miguel Cotto world titles:
WBO Light Welterweight champion - 2004-06
WBA Welterweight champion – 2006-08
WBO Welterweight champion – Feb 2009-Nov 2009
WBA Light Middleweight champion – 2010-12
WBC Middleweight champion – 2014-15
WBO Light Middleweight champion – Aug 2017-Dec 2017
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
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