Category: CONSUMER NEWS

Treatment in a FLASH

Milo, a 4-year-old Saint Bernard, participated in the FLASH trial. “I think that we greatly underestimate the excitement of pet owners to be involved in research and to be able to contribute to a project like this,” says Penn Vet surgeon Jennifer Huck, who is co-leading the effort with Penn Medicine’s Keith Cengel, a radiation oncologist. (Image: Courtesy of the Gordon family)

Radiation therapy to treat cancer can be grueling, requiring consecutive days of therapy over days or weeks.

Dr. Keith Cengel

\”When you talk to patients about coming in for 35 treatments, or seven weeks of daily therapy, usually their face kind of sags in disappointment or perhaps apprehension,” says

Keith Cengel

, a radiation oncologist at Penn’s

Perelman School of Medicine

.

That’s why the promise of what’s known as FLASH radiation therapy, in which a full dose of radiation is given in less than a second, is so great.

But FLASH remains in its infancy, with researchers still unsure about how the all-in-one-go approach stacks up against traditional methods. To test its effectiveness at killing cancer cells and sparing normal cells, researchers from Penn Medicine and Penn’s

School of Veterinary Medicine

are pairing their expertise in a clinical trial applying the cutting edge of human medicine in dogs.

Dr. Jennifer Huck

“From a veterinary standpoint, this is a type of radiation that is still very, very new in human medicine,” says

Jennifer Huck

, a veterinary surgeon at Penn Vet who is partnering with Cengel on the trial. “So there’s a lot of excitement in the veterinary realm about this.”

In the trial, dogs with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer that people, especially children, can also develop, receive the FLASH radiation. They then go on to receive the standard of care for osteosarcoma, which entails amputating the affected limb and, in some cases, at the owners’ and veterinarian’s discretion, following up with chemotherapy to slow the growth of microscopic disease in other areas of the body that may already be present at the time of diagnosis.

The study is not designed to confer a direct benefit to the dogs enrolled, though the clinicians aren’t ruling out that possibility. The main intent, they say, is to understand what’s happening to the cells and tissues—both cancerous and normal—that the therapy targets. In labs both at Penn Medicine and Penn Vet, researchers are studying samples from the amputated limb to assess the effects of the treatment.

“We’re looking at gene expression profiling, markers of cell death and cell division, and analyzing immune cell populations to just get a survey of what the tumor and normal tissue look like,” says Cengel.

The work is moving quickly. The project aims to enroll 20 dogs. The researchers started late in 2019 and have already treated seven. Several more await treatment or evaluation.

The FLASH trial is making use of a dedicated space for conducting research into novel uses of radiation for treating disease.

(Image: Penn Medicine)

“I think that we greatly underestimate the excitement of pet owners to be involved in research and to be able to contribute to a project like this,” says Huck. “The treatment that their pet receives is ultimately no different from any other standard of care that we would offer to any pet that comes in with osteosarcoma, whether they’re on the study or not, so I think that also gives them comfort.”

Learning from Milo

Four-year-old Milo, a leggy Saint Bernard, is one such participant. Owner Tim Gordon describes him as “perfect.”

“He’s a great dog, great with the kids, great with our other dog,” Gordon says. “He’s adjusted to everything we’ve thrown at him.”

Starting around Thanksgiving, however, the family, which includes Tim’s wife, Trista, and their 8-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter, could tell Milo was feeling out of sorts.

“We noticed he was limping around a bit and being really lethargic,” says Gordon. At first they attributed his behavior to the influx of guests they had around the holiday. Then they started to worry about hip dysplasia. But in early December, Gordon’s 8-year-old son noticed a bulge in Milo’s leg near his paw.

The family brought their pet to the veterinarian expecting to learn he had a sprain or even a broken bone, but a graver diagnosis came back: osteosarcoma. Wanting to participate in a clinical trial, the family made several trips to Penn Vet from their home near Baltimore to get him evaluated and then for the radiation, limb removal surgery, and follow up.

Not only did participating in the clinical trial help the Gordons cover some of the costs of treatment, but they also appreciated the opportunity to contribute to studies that may advance cancer treatment.

“That kept us going,” says Trista Gordon. “Even my daughter kept saying that Milo could help other dogs or even children who have this disease. That eased her sadness in a way.”

That was especially resonant since Tim Gordon lost his mother to osteosarcoma. “I knew what we went through with my mom and what she went through,” he says. “The thought definitely went through our minds that maybe we can help benefit other families by participating.”

Advancing medicine

The goal of radiation therapy, like all cancer-killing strategies, is to unleash a strong assault on tumor cells while sparing normal cells as much as possible. And while researchers have tweaked other facets of radiation, such as how it is aimed and how the dose is fractionated, or spread over days or weeks, it’s only very recently that the FLASH approach has opened the possibility of giving a full dose all at once.

Traditional radiation therapy uses the energy of photons, or X-rays, to kill cancer cells. Early work with FLASH radiation has used electrons to deliver that energy, but those can only penetrate tumors that are a few centimeters deep.

In January, Cengel and Penn Medicine colleagues including

Constantinos Koumenis

and

James Metz

reported on FLASH radiation using protons

, which can penetrate deeper than electrons to allow treatment of the vast majority of human tumors by beaming in radiation from outside the body to target tumors and to spare normal tissues.

“Our initial results are very promising that FLASH proton radiotherapy may improve outcomes significantly. However, even if this approach isn’t more effective or less toxic than what we have been doing,” says Cengel, “if we end up with exactly the same results but with a single treatment, it is still tremendously beneficial in terms of the patient experience.”

Provided the dog trial goes well, Huck and Cengel hope to continue working quickly to translate their findings to benefit more patients, both human and canine.

And while a diagnosis of cancer and subsequent treatment is never easy, the Gordon family is grateful for how well Milo is doing.

“Each day he’s surpassing our expectations, honestly,” says Trista Gordon. “He’s getting back to his playful self.”

Keith Cengel is an associate professor of radiation oncology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jennifer Huck is an assistant professor of clinical surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

CNB Hunting/Fishing MD: Winter Turkey Season Harvest Increases

Maryland Hunters Bagged Birds

in 22 Counties

Photo by Lori Bramble

Hunters reported taking 82 wild turkeys during Maryland’s 2020 winter turkey season, which was open statewide Jan. 23-25.

The

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

reports turkeys were harvested in 22 of the state’s 23 counties, with St. Mary’s and Garrett counties reporting the highest numbers.

The harvest was higher than the 73 turkeys taken last year. Adult males, or gobblers, comprised 42% of the harvest with the remainder being adult females and juveniles. Seventy-three percent were taken with a shotgun, but some hunters harvested their bird with a crossbow or vertical bow.

The winter turkey season was established in 2015 to provide hunters an additional hunting opportunity while minimizing conflicts with other hunting seasons. Turkey populations

at one time were limited in Maryland

. In the 1980s and 1990s, an extensive program to trap and relocate wild flocks successfully established populations in every county.

Tips On Saving Time/Money This Tax Season

(NAPSI)—Tax season is upon us, and you should have received all the documents needed to file your taxes and (hopefully) get a refund. To help reduce the stress that comes with filing taxes, Glinda

F

inancial expert

Glinda Bridgforth

Bridgforth, a leading financial expert who explores the emotional and cultural factors that block financial success, identifies a few ways to save time and money this tax season:

1.    Get organized.

Whether you visit a tax professional or do it yourself, gather all documents ahead of time, such as your employer W-2s and any 1099 forms you may receive for interest income, retirement plans, or gig work such as driving for Uber. Don’t forget to check your online accounts where you might need to download tax documents.

“Avoid the panic and stress that comes from disorganization,” says Bridgforth. “Also, look at last year’s return, which can serve as a good guide.”

2.    Start (and finish) early.

Don’t wait until April. Starting the process early will let you get organized, and have more time if you need it. Filing early will not only help you get your refund faster, it may also help you avoid tax-related identity theft since you will already have filed using your own Social Security number before someone else tries to. Speaking of identity theft…

3.    Watch out for scams.

Where there’s money there’s a con, and criminals have become very good at exploiting tax season. Be wary of threatening phone calls from “IRS agents” and phishing e-mails “from the IRS” seeking your personal information. Also, while all tax preparers and DIY websites aim to minimize taxes and maximize refunds, beware of promises for more than your fair share. Unscrupulous “tax preparers” entice unsuspecting taxpayers with hopes of a high refund, only for them to lose it all. The IRS just launched “Identity Theft Central” (IRS.gov/identitytheft) to help taxpayers report identity theft and learn how to protect themselves against crimes.

4.    Get all your tax breaks.

Did you get married? Have children? Change jobs? Take all the deductions you deserve.

“Even if nothing has changed in your life, you may have missed credits in the past that you’re entitled to,” notes Bridgforth. “For example, according to the IRS, one in every five eligible workers fails to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).”

If you find out you qualify for the EITC this year and didn’t claim it in the past, you can even file amended returns for 2016, 2017, or 2018. The IRS provides a wealth of this type of information online at IRS.gov/eitc.

5.    Look for tax prep discounts and promotions, then use direct deposit.

The full service tax prep companies, as well as the DIY websites, are competing for your business, so be sure to shop around and look for coupons or rebates to find the best deal. Many free options are also available to those who qualify. Just go to IRS.gov/freefile to check eligibility.

And for the fastest and most secure delivery of your tax refund, opt for direct deposit instead of a check.

“If you don’t have or don’t qualify for a traditional branch bank account, there are new digital options to consider,” says Bridgforth. “Several FDIC-insured digital bank accounts and prepaid debit cards are available to open online or on your mobile phone, such as Green Dot Bank’s Unlimited Cash Back Bank Account, or Intuit’s Turbo Card prepaid debit card for those who use TurboTax.”

In addition, if you direct deposit your federal tax refund into your Green Dot account, not only will you get it faster, you’ll be entered in the Green Dot Extreme Tax Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of fifty $1,000 prizes. Details and official rules can be found at

greendot.com/ExtremeTax

.

Tabernacle Fire Co. Receives Grant from SJ Gas

TABERNACLE, NJ (February 18, 2020)—-South Jersey Gas recently presented a $4,681 grant to Tabernacle Fire Company No. 1 as part of its First Responders Grant Program. Pictured, from left, is Lauren Hurtt, Supervisor of Government Affairs with South Jersey Gas presenting the check to Kate Holden, Al Freeman and Chief Andy Cunard of Tabernacle Fire Company No. 1.

The grant funds, awarded in late-2019, were used by the fire company to purchase a thermal imaging camera and two gas detection meters.

“Our First Responders Grant Program provides crucial financial assistance to support operations, improve safety and provide training to departments throughout the South Jersey region,” said Dave Robbins, president of South Jersey Gas. “Through this investment, South Jersey Gas can help hardworking, courageous first responders and express gratitude for the work they do each day to ensure our communities remain safe. We are proud to partner with Tabernacle Fire Company No. 1 and commend them for their efforts.”

The thermal imaging camera and gas detection meters are vital safety tools that will aid the fire company in various situations. Thermal imaging cameras greatly enhance search and rescue capabilities in zero visibility environments, and gas detection meters gauge the levels of various types of gas, alerting the crew to atmospheric hazards so they can react accordingly.

The First Responder Grant Program will be offered again in November 2020. Program information and eligibility guidelines are available at southjerseygas.com/community.

PA. Sues JUUL for Targeting PA Youth, Deceiving Consumers About Safety

HARRISBURG―Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced his office is filing a

lawsuit

against JUUL Labs for violating Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer

Protection law and jeopardizing the health of Pennsylvanians, in particular the young people JUUL targeted with their products. Attorney General Shapiro’s lawsuit calls for JUUL to cease sales in Pennsylvania of their products.

Shapiro’s suit alleges JUUL’s actions violated the law by strategically targeting young people with “kid-friendly” flavors, chemically enhancing the amounts of nicotine and its absorption rate in the products, and rushing to market before providing proof of the safety of their product. The complaint also alleges that the company is liable for not disclosing the health risks of JUUL products.

“JUUL knowingly targeted young people with tactics similar to the tobacco companies’ playbook,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “There is no proof these e-cigarettes are safe and until there is, we need to get JUUL products off shelves and out of the hands of young people.”

“JUUL manipulated data to deceive consumers about the nicotine content of its products. First JUUL estimated their products delivered substantially more nicotine than its competitors in a patent, and then doubled back to say the products were comparable to an average cigarette.

“They disregarded their growing audience of young users, taking no action, as their profit margins skyrocketed on the backs of American kids.”

The complaint alleges JUUL “deliberately and cynically” marketed its products to young people in Pennsylvania, as a result, approximately 28 percent of American high school and middle school students are e-cigarette users. The company also led consumers to believe JUUL devices helped people stop smoking, while the engineer behind its flavors stated the company was “not trying to design a cessation product at all.”

The complaint also describes the deceptive marketing tactics employed by JUUL to target Pennsylvania youth, including its “Vaporized Campaign” on social media and in convenience stores. This campaign’s focus on social media attracted the interest of young people, many of whom were under 18 at the time of JUUL’s debut in 2015.

Attorney General Shapiro is asking the Court to, among other things, take JUUL devices out of production altogether. If the Court does not agree, the Attorney General’s office is asking the Court impose restrictions on the way the JUUL product is designed, marketed, and sold, and to require the company to pay for youth-oriented prevention programs, public health research, and nicotine cessation programs to help abate the harms they’ve already caused.

# # #

What You Need to Know About IVF in South Africa

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(February 18, 2020)–Prospective parents who are having trouble conceiving a child are more common than you may think. Statistics show that 1 in 6 parents will have trouble successfully conceiving their first child within 12 months of trying.

When this happens, couples turn to fertility clinics to help them conceive. Specifically, the procedure of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is designed to help parents with fertility issues so that they can successfully conceive a baby.

What this process entails and the factors that make it a successful conception alternative are things that you should consider when wondering if IVF is right for you and your significant other.

Only after you’ve been properly educated will you know what to look for in an

IVF clinic in South Africa

, or whatever area in which you’re looking.

What is IVF?

Since the first successful IVF in 1978, in vitro fertilization has become a common assisted reproductive technology (ART). It involves a complex series of medications and procedures that hope to result in successful embryonic fertilization, development, and implantation.

The first step involves medication designed to make a woman’s eggs mature so that they can be harvested by a doctor and fertilized in a laboratory with the desired sperm. These prepared eggs are then surgically inserted directly into the woman’s uterus.

Many people require multiple tries and many months for this process to be successful, as so much can go wrong. Most commonly, the uterus simply does not accept the implanted egg and no fetus ever develops.

This is why finding an accredited IVF clinic is so important. In a procedure already fraught with financial and physical complications, you want the best chance of getting it done right the first time.

IVF clinics in South Africa

Since so much can go wrong, you want to look for a few key factors when choosing an IVF clinic in South Africa.

The first is: are they accredited? You should only visit clinics that have been registered by

The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA)

, the primary advisor on regulating and accrediting healthcare professions in South Africa.

Facilities

Next, you should ask if they have modern facilities and access to the latest fertilization technologies. Advanced laboratories like the one at Wijnland Fertility import IVF equipment from top manufacturers all over the world.

The Wijnland fertility clinic in South Africa, for instance, uses a device called an

Embryoscope

to maintain ideal conditions for eggs while they are being analyzed for quality. This is particularly useful for couples who have tried and failed many times with other fertilization methods.

Staff

You should also ask if the clinic has professional and experienced staff. Head doctors should have received specialist training in gynecology or obstetrics and have completed fellowships in fertility and related biological processes.

Do some research online to see what the embryologists and specialists at the clinic in question have done for experience, education, and additional training.

Mind and body

Finally, you want to assess whether the clinic treats patients as a whole person rather than merely as a medical procedure.

Fertilization is a trying process both physically and emotionally. Many different mental and social pressures converge on it to make it a stressful situation that your doctors need to address.

There’s the social judgment of not being able to conceive naturally, the pressure from family expectations when multiple attempts fail, and the strain on your finances. You may even have natural guarding and avoidance systems in your personality that make it really hard for you.

A clinic with staff trained in psychology or with counselors on call who are experienced in fertility counseling will be better suited to addressing all your needs as a prospective patient.

The Takeaway

In vitro fertilization is now a common process. This doesn’t mean that it’s always successful, however, as the process relies on many factors that all have a high failure rate. Variabilities such as your family history, the quality of the technology, and the inherent problems with successful fertilization mean that each attempt involves a series of stressful mental and physical trials.

This is why finding a suitable clinic to take care of all your needs is so essential. When evaluating your options for IVF treatment facilities in South Africa, look at the resumes of the resident doctors, the quality of their facilities, and the availability of mental counseling procedures to supplement the strain of going through this process.

Even though becoming a parent is difficult when you have fertility issues, it is possible in the modern age. With the right personnel and procedures, you can make the family you’ve always wanted into a reality.

How to Prevent Dog Attacks on Mail Carriers

PET PEEVES

If your dog bites a postal carrier, it could cost you thousands.

(

NAPSI)—Can you picture a member of your family attacking a mail carrier? Of course you couldn\’t, but it happened 5,714 times last year across the nation.

Dearborn, Mich., letter carrier Tameka

Toliver

recalls being pinned on a porch by a dog that bit her above her knee. \”It happened so fast, even with all my training, I barely had time to react,\”

Toliver

said last year. \”I\’m still scared when I get close to that house because I remember the attack so vividly. It takes a long time to get over the fear.\”

When a dog attacks a letter carrier, the dog owner could be held liable for all medical expenses, repayment of lost work hours, replacement of the uniform and other costs, which can run into thousands of dollars. The Postal Service places the safety of its employees as a top priority and dedicates a week each April to Dog Bite Awareness.

Here are four simple tips to prevent dog bite injuries that should be enforced year-round:

Door Delivery:

If a carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Some dogs burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to attack visitors.

Electronic Fencing:

Although the electronic fence may keep your dog from wandering, it does not protect your Postal Service carrier, who must enter your property to deliver the mail. Even homes with curbside mailboxes may have oversized packages or signature-needed items that require the carrier to approach a doorstep and cross the boundaries of the electronic fence.

Dog in Yard:

Make sure your dog is properly restrained on a leash away from where your mail carrier is delivering the mail. Mail delivery service can be interrupted at an address or neighborhood the carrier deems unsafe because of an unrestrained dog. When service is interrupted at an address or neighborhood, all parties involved will have to pick mail up at their local post office.

Tracking:

Dog owners who have access to postal notification features such as Informed Delivery (

informeddelivery.usps.com

) for letter mail and package tracking are urged to use this as a way to gauge when the carrier is on his or her way and to ensure their dog is properly restrained.

LOVE YOUR MONEY: New Jersey Residents Making $1.9 Million Annually Taxed at 9.8 %

The Center Square

The top 1 percent of earners in New Jersey are taxed at an effective rate of 9.8 percent, compared to the state’s 10.1 percent tax rate on the middle 20 percent of income earners, according to

a new 24/7 Wall St. analysis

.

CNBNews graphic files

The study, which used data from a 2018 report by the Washington-based Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), did not include federal taxes paid. New Jersey ranked 46th on the study’s list of the most tax-friendly states for the rich.

On average, the top 1 percent of earners in the state take in $1.9 million annually, according to 24/7 Wall St.

Nationwide, the top-earning 1 percent of families pay 7.4 percent of what they make toward state and local levies, the ITEP study concluded. The middle 20 percent of U.S. earners, in contrast, paid more – 9.9 percent.

States with no income tax – or a very low income tax – tended to be the most friendly to wealthy individuals, 24/7 Wall St. reported. That’s because those states tend to rely more on more regressive taxes, placing more of a burden on poorer households, the study found.

republished by Gloucestercitynews.net with permission of

The Center Square

Lessons Learned by Cape Town’s Day Zero

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(February 18, 2020)–“Day Zero” is the now infamous term used to describe an emergency plan put forth by the leadership of the city of Cape Town, South Africa during the worst recorded drought in over a century. In mid-2017, several factors contributed to Cape Town’s water supply reaching dangerously low levels.

Day Zero, if it was ever implemented, would have meant barring the water supply from public use so that it could be rationed daily. Until the city’s dams naturally replenished, Day Zero could have destroyed Cape Town’s buzzing tourist industry and its inhabitants’ way of life.

Water queues and widespread shortages were a reality that many businesses and civilians in Cape Town were very close to facing.

Knowing the causes of

Cape Town’s Day Zero

and why it never happened can teach us about the resilience and resourcefulness of the leadership and people of Cape Town. Additionally, observing their conservation efforts can help us progress in our own.

What caused Day Zero?

By 2017, Cape Town had experienced a population growth rate of almost 50%, according to its

census data

. However, the water storage capacity for the city had only increased by 15% over that same amount of time.

The widening gap between how much water was being pulled from the reserves and how much was being replenished created a situation where Cape Town’s supply was vulnerable to environmental disasters. New dams could not be built fast enough to offset the rising water usage in the city and the dearth of rainfall.

This disaster came subtly, in the form of record low rainfall in 2015, coupled with increased water usage by the people of the city owing to the population. As the reserves continued to drop, by mid-2017 Day Zero became the name of the plan that the city would have had to initiate if the water levels in the main storage dams reached below 13.5%.

Preventing Day Zero

The worst water crisis in modern history would have entailed daily water queues and rations, strict conservation of all public utilities, and reconstruction of the major waterways. No city has ever undertaken the depth of control that Day Zero would have required of Cape Town’s civilian and tourist population.

Thankfully, Cape Town reversely proved its resilience in the face of disaster by pushing Day Zero back continuously until it was postponed indefinitely in early 2018.

Thanks to water usage education initiatives distributed by the Cape Town city departments, the population got immediately on board with the effort to conserve the dangerously low water stores. The diligence and conscientiousness of the people lowered water usage by 50% by rationing showers, limiting water-based hygiene, and eliminating water usage for recreation.

Today, according to the

Cape Town website

, the city’s dams are holding at 70.3% of their reserve capacity. This makes Day Zero well out of the realm of possibility for the time being.

Effects of the Water Crisis

The businesses, tourists, industry professionals, leadership, and population of Cape Town rallied together to save their water supply. Today, the result is a much more environmentally cognizant city infrastructure. Their waterways have been refined for efficiency and their drainage and water recreation facilities have been modernized.

Not every city could reform its habits so quickly. The Cape Water Strategy is the latest progressive initiative designed to restructure the city’s water usage systems and dam storage capacity to prepare for another future disaster.

With populations growing all over the world, the conservation efforts of Cape Town are a model for any city leadership or population on how to manage a crisis and avoid disaster.

The Takeaway

The possibility of Day Zero happening in Cape Town was a result of stressed resources in a region already environmentally unstable due to population growth, a naturally dry climate, and erratic rainfall patterns. A few issues like a dry spell and a population boom culminated in what could have been the worst water disaster in any developed city in the modern world.

Instead, Cape Town rallied itself around conservation and survived the water shortage. Their concerted efforts to save themselves and their infrastructure are lessons that any city can learn from.

Now, a booming tourist destination and investment opportunity, the productive and resilient city of Cape Town is back to its former glory and then some. Before canceling a visit because of this near disaster, understand what preventing it means for the future of the city: progressively better infrastructure, cognizant people, and productive leadership.

The handling of the water crisis is proof of them all.

Why You Should Vacation to Luxury Safari Lodges in KZN

Gloucestercitynews.net (February 18, 2020)–South Africa is home to some of the most vibrant wildlife, immersive landscapes, and interesting people in the world. Zulu means “heaven” to the local people, who have named themselves the “people of heaven.” This is why the

luxury safari lodges in KZN

have become some of the most sought-after business and vacation retreats in the world.

For romance or recreation, these luxury safari lodges offer the unique opportunity to commune with the landscape of KZN in style. Their many guided tours, luxury accommodations, environmental conservation efforts, and community outreach programs guarantee any of its select guests the vacation of a lifetime.

Here are just a few of the luxury safari lodges available in KZN.

Thanda Safari

In the welcome video on its website, Thanda Safari describes itself as a “love story” between its royal guests and the wild but beautiful Zulu environment. It stands as a shining example of South Africa’s luxury lodges, where pleasure meets preservation.

Offering an array of accommodations, the Thanda Private Game Reserve is known worldwide for its luxury and hospitality. Its decadent common areas and main suites are safe for children and its private meeting areas provide secluded space for business meetings. Its self-sustaining tented camps provide exclusive access to nature unmatched by other reserves.

There’s a reason its suites were voted the World’s Leading Luxury Lodge at the 2011

World Travel Awards

.

Experienced environmental advisors and trackers conduct safari tours on the Thanda Game Reserve in order to educate its guests and give them the experience of a lifetime. Its educational programs seek to preserve the future while reconnecting with the past.

Partnering with many government organizations in a concerted effort to save the endangered rhino population, Thanda Safari embodies preservation, even as it offers its guests unmatched luxury accommodations.

Thula Thula

People visit the Thula Thula Private Game Reserve for a more personal touch. It is family-owned and operated and represents the oldest private game reserve in KZN, a treasured sanctuary for many of the endangered big game populations in South Africa, including leopard, rhino, and elephant.

Thula Thula is the former home of the famed conservationist Lawrence Anthony, whose book “The Elephant Whisperer” continues to inspire conservation efforts around the world. Thula Thula represents his integrity, his connection with nature, and his work.

Famed for its colonial decorative style and fine dining, the luxury suites are perfect for family vacations and honeymoons alike. For a more rugged experience, their tented camp situates you right in the bush with viewing decks, outdoor facilities, and authentic South African cooking.

Experienced guides will lead you on game drives and local outreach where you will be given the opportunity to experience the local people hands-on. There are luxury spa accommodations as well as cooking classes. Thula Thula is a feast of variety for those that want a connected, diverse experience in KZN.

Rhino Ridge

The Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge prides itself on connecting its guests with a true experience of the wilderness of South Africa. Its bush trails are to be experienced for those wanting a guided tour of nature’s great wonders, including one of the highest concentrations of white rhino in the world.

Though it is self-proclaimed “The Home of the Rhino,” Rhino Ridge also boasts

bird watching

that encompasses half of the entire region’s diverse species (over 400, according to its website). Its expert trackers guide guests on walks through the bush and gorges of the reserve, offering a connective experience with nature unlike any other.

Even though its natural experiences and rhino conservation are at the forefront of the mission of the Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge, its luxury accommodations are no less significant. Contemporary architecture that situates you within viewing distance of the gorgeous watering hole and game herds of the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park is sure to provide you with the luxury accommodations you seek, no matter if you’re on safari with your family or on honeymoon with your spouse.

The Takeaway

Few places in the world can boast as diverse a combination of decadent accommodations and community outreach as KZN. Its luxury lodges have something for every vacation, from world-renowned restaurants and spas to suites fit for royalty.

Its educational and community outreach programs connect guests to the surrounding Zulu people. Its guided safari tours put you within reach of some of the most breathtaking wildlife and natural vistas in the entire world.

Luxury safari lodges in KZN have something for everyone. They may represent the awe-inspiring vacation experience that you never knew you needed.