The end of the winter season in the bushveld is heralded by some very colourful floral profusions. In Namaqualand I am told that this year's show of wild flowers is spectacular. In Kruger Park, there are three trees that put on a lovely display of orange and red flowers. Apart from being visually pleasing, the sweetness in the air attracts numerous nectar-seeking birds, none more attractive than the colourful sunbirds.
The Flame Creeper, Combretum Apiculatum , is a twining creeper which reaches to the tops of tall trees along river courses. It is inconspicuous for 10 months of the year, but makes its presence noticed in August and September when masses of clusters of tiny scarlet flowers adorn its stems.
The Coral Tree, Erythrina Lysistemon , is medium-sized and has low branches. While leafless in August, it puts on a very spectacular display of clusters of scarlet flowers. This tree later produces beaded pods which contain scarlet seeds, commonly called " lucky beans ".
The Mountain Aloe, Aloe Marlothii , is a tall single-stemmed succulent. From the beginning of July, it produces branched stems with orange leaves.
The Elephant Numbers Management issue is yet again in the spotlight. I understand that certain anti-culling lobbyists are threatening to organize boycotts of incoming tourists if culling takes place. This highly emotive issue must be seen in a cold and clinical way. Simply put, the continued growth of elephant numbers in Kruger will necessarily lead to a threat to the sustainability of the environment. This very environment is precisely what sustains the elephants themselves. One can see other examples in southern Africa when once-verdant environments like Chobe and Hwange are now relatively barren as a result of elephant overpopulation. The unabated growth in elephant numbers will necessarily reduce the elephants' own food sources and ultimately threaten their survival. We need to consider the plight of all the other animals in Kruger as well. They also have to be conserved for posterity. The experience of Chobe and other parks must provide a learning experience for the Kruger authorities. Numbers of other species there have been drastically reduced as a result of elephant destruction of their habitat. In some cases, animals no longer exist. Kruger prides itself on the wide DIVERSITY of animals. Do we want to lose some of these species because of our inordinate dispensation to avoid culling ? The Kruger authorities have stated that culling is a last resort for elephant management, but in my opinion, it is the only practical one.
Another management issue that becomes emotive amongst our tourists is the grass-burning practices in Kruger. In August sections of the veld along the Orpen to Satara road were burned, Of course, it is unpleasant to the eye to see vast tracts of scorched black ground for kilometres on end. Regular fires are a necessary feature of Kruger's grassland vegetation. Fires play an important role in maintaining the balance between grasses and trees. This allows Kruger to support the diversity of species I mentioned above. Both grazers and browsers can co-exist. Research conducted in Kruger shows that in areas where no fires have occurred in the last 50 years, a dominance by trees over grasses has led to bush encroachment. There is a total absence of zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, white rhino and other grazers that rely on grasses for food. The selection of areas to be burnt is not random - the Kruger scientists monitor rainfall patterns carefully and rotate the areas burnt.
GAME-VIEWING IN KRUGER
I trust that the website www.sanparks.org has given you some good animal sightings and recalled the fun you had on safari with us. The Orpen webcam in particular has provided some spectacular viewing of large herds of animals that come to drink at the waterhole. The Satara webcam viewing is also good, but there does not seem to be the same volume of animal traffic as at Orpen. This is probably because there is other water near Satara camp.
Gameviewing in Kruger has hit all-year highs. It is very uncommon to return from a safari in Kruger during August without having seen some really good game.
BONGANI reports that his tourists saw lions on a zebra kill on 2nd August. Two male lions had pulled it down a mere 500m from the Nwanedzi - Sweni junction. On the 12th August, his group had two different leopard sightings. The one sighting, along the Satara to Olifants road was really exciting as the leopard had crept undetected to within 30 m of an impala herd which was unwittingly moving towards the leopard. A troop of baboons arrived on the scene from a different direction and, all of a sudden, must have detected the leopard. The raucous din that ensued resulted in the impala herd scattering and a disappointed feline walking away disconsolately. Nsemani Dam provided another kill - this time a crocodile took an impala on the 15th . On the 22nd three male lions pulled down a buffalo on the Nwanedzi road and remained with the kill for three days.
CHARLES highlights are as follows : On 17th August, he came across a group of seven lionesses surrounding a lone buffalo at Nsemane Dam. The buffalo was extremely aggressive and, being fairly young, was energetic enough to charge the lionesses whenever they came too close. His experience allowed him to keep his rump clear of any lioness and he swung around aggressively every time a lioness approached. Eventually the lionesses gave up the attack. Another highlight and a personal first for Charles was the viewing of two mating white rhino between Girivane and Timbavati. The month ended on a high : on the 30th Charles and his group were fortunate to see a herd of seven Sable Antelope near Gudzane. Sightings of Sable are very uncommon.
JONAS has had 100% success with elephant, buffalo and rhino on every safari he took this month. On the 20th August, three lions pulled down a giraffe not more than 30 m from the front gate of Balule. Jonas heard the commotion from his room at Tremisana at about 05h00 that morning and he called the gate guard who confirmed the kill. Our lucky tourists went at 05h30 and saw the lions from a distance of only 2 m - an unforgettable ( and perhaps a litlle gory ) experience. These three lions seem to have developed a skill at hunting giraffe as I personally saw them on another giraffe kill further in on Balule on the 10th August.
NELLY also had his share of excitement. On 6th August, his clients witnessed an unsuccessful attempt by two male lions to kill a zebra at Talamati pan. On the 14th his group had a close up of a leopard attempting, also unsuccessfully, to catch an impala at Rabelais pan. It is these adrenalin-filled experiences that make Kruger the most amazing game reserve that our tourists will never forget.
NEWS AT TREMISANA
The veld is very dry and there has been a marked decrease of game around the Tremisana dam which is just about dry. We still hear the lions calling at night and, as mentioned earlier, they killed a giraffe right at the front gate. The leaves on the trees are beginning to sprout, so browsers such as kudu and giraffe are still abundant.
The irrigated gardens are in stark contrast to the dry veld on the other side of the fence. Our first weaver birds have arrived and the Marico sunbirds are in full colour.
The monkey troop is now permanently in camp - they don't venture very far. They have become quite bold as their hunger increases and we have to keep the kitchen door closed at all times. They even attempted to grab the breakfast cereals less than 2 m from Delina.
NEWS AT MARC'S CAMP
Apart from the monkey troop and the nyala herd around the camp, Marc's has been adopted as home by a very large group of banded mongoose. They number well in excess of some 40 individuals and are seen scurrying around looking for food from the kitchen. For their den, they have selected a termite mound in a dense thicket about 30 m from the back door of the lodge. At times they mingle freely with the monkeys and nyala, all literally within a stone's throw of the lodge.
The buffalo herd is also feeling the brunt of lack of food. They are eating all the grass around the pool and have now started on the aloes.
Ziggi and Anthony successfully hosted a group of grade 5 pupils from Kingfisher School in Phalaborwa. This time the buffalo herd was better behaved. Although they still drank water from the swimming pool, there was no repeat of last month's debacle when one young buffalo charged Ziggi. Personally I think he was wearing less attractive clothing this time........
NEWS AT CHEETAH INN
We are ready for our AA inspection in the first week of September. We hope that the improvements made will allow us to equal or improve our " recommended " status.
Impala and Nyala have been ordered and should be released at the beginning of September. A watering point has been created for them within view of the outside rondawels. We have been advised to delay the introduction of zebra as the veld is very dry at the moment.
The bushpig sounder has increased to four and a family of warthogs is seen near the back of the property. We also have a pair of duiker that appear every evening in front of the manager's section. Hyena tracks are found regularly and we believe that there is at least one hyena living on the property.
NEWS FOR OUR TRAVEL PARTNERS
Our commission structure for all safaris is being reviewed and details will be posted to you as soon as this is finalized. We are sure you will be pleased with what we shall be offering you.
Our rates for 2008 are also just about finalized and we shall communicate these to you soon.
The Lapa area at Tremisana, intended for the enjoyment and relaxation of future guests who will be experiencing our new product, the Balule Plains Safari, is well on target for completion 1 November. We have been advised to buy some hammocks, as this form of relaxation seems to be the "in" thing at the moment. We have enquired about a heavy duty hammock, just in case Ziggi decides to take a break at Tremisana.
Please look at the websites of all three establishments for further info. The addresses are :
http://www.tremisana.com
http://www.marcscamp.com
http://www.cheetahinn.com
In addition, our main website , www.vivasafaris.com should be able to give all information that you may require.
If ever we needed proof that Marc's Treehouse Lodge is THE romantic place, here it is : Congratulations to Rebecca and Grainger, who met each other at Marc's. Here is her e-mail received earlier this month :
" The night in Kruger in front of the boma fire with wine, hyenas and crickets was the most perfect evening ever. Except for the night we got engaged under the stars in the middle of the jungle in Sri Lanka, exactly a year after Kruger Park.
After South Africa I went back to Sweden and Grainger went back to Singapore. We kept in touch by phone and email and after a couple of months he asked me to come and live with him in Singapore. I said yes and gave up my job, my apartment, family and friends.
Rebecca & Grainger
Now I've been in Singapore for a year and we're having the best time of our lives. In 6 months we're getting married on a beach in Bali and we're looking forward to what the future holds for us.
Me from Sweden and Grainger from New Zealand, from each corner of the world. I wonder how that happened? Haha!
I wish you all the best Anthony. Some day we'll come back to celebrate our anniversary at the tree houses.
=)
Take care
Hugs /Rebecca "
Wasn't that just great ?!!!
Kind regards
Piero
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