We have decided to seriously enter the Backpacker market. After 18 months of experience with Backpackers , we have come to realise that there is an element in this market that does not enjoy camping, but still wants an affordable experience with a touch of adventure thrown in. We have the solution : Marc's Treehouse Camp.
We have designed a 6 day safari , KRUGER PARK - THE TREEHOUSE EXPERIENCE that includes a new component : a bushwalk in the Kruger Park conducted by Kruger rangers. For further particulars on this safari, please see our website : www.vivasafaris.com
One of the problems we encountered with our open vehicles was the cold on the morning drives from Tremisana to Orpen in the winter season ( May to August) . We are pleased to report that the Kruger Park authorities have granted us permission to park 2 open vehicles at Orpen Gate. We are especially grateful to Ms Natalia Ndaba-Mafumo, head of the Central Section of Kruger Park , for her generous gesture. We shall be taking up this option as of 1st April 2005. So , in future, our guests will be transferred by Microbuses ( which have heating ) to Orpen Gate where they will transfer to the open vehicles for the safari. They then will return to Tremisana by Microbus.
Our bookings this year continue to surpass our expectations. What is especially pleasing to the travel agents who support us is the alacrity with which bookings are handled. Since we own our accommodation and have no need to rely on any other operator for day or night drives , we can make an authorative decision at the moment we are called by the travel agent. Gone are the days that we had to first confirm accommodation and night drives etc. with other operators - and this situation clearly is reaping benefits.
Of course there will always be one or two guests that are unhappy about one or other item. Nevertheless we believe that our safaris are still the very best value-for-money tours on offer. If one considers that the whole 4 day safari ( inclusive of home pickup, transfer via Blyde Canyon, Night Drive , 2 full days in Kruger on open vehicles, bush walk, dinners and breakfasts) costs less than 1 night's accommodation at the upmarket luxury Private Lodges nearby, then it puts it all into perspective.
NEWS AT TREMISANA LODGE
The good rains have resulted in a decent grass cover around Tremisana Lodge. This results in a seasonal influx of antelope, giraffe and zebra that lasts until the end of March. We tend to have our best gameviewing between the time of the first big rains (usually November) until March. This period coincides with our main tourist season and we are fortunate to have the main lion prides of Balule Game Reserve around Tremisana over this period. From April onwards, the game is more scattered and congregates around Tremisana only as a result of the permanent waterhole we keep filled.
A pack of wild dogs is at present acclimatising in Balule. We understand that they will be released from their holding Boma at the end of March. We hope that they will remain on Balule - this will depend on available prey. As wild dogs are nomadic, it is possible that the pack may move off to an adjoining reserve. With a bit of luck, they will follow the example set by the introduced hyena. The hyena that were introduced 8 years ago are still around - we saw one at Tremisana on a recent night drive.
We have had an elephant bull cause a few problems during February. He is a very large individual and has no serious rival when it comes to mating with the resident females. As a result, it would appear that he is in a prolonged state of musth - a period of heightened hormonal activity. This sometimes leads to bouts of anger. This particular individual knocked over one of the wendyhouses of the Warden's staff . The result was an immediate erection of an electric fence around the Warden's staff accommodation !
So far he has kept a respectable distance from Tremisana - venturing only up to the waterhole and to Tremisana dam for his evening drink. We often see him on our night drives, and, although sometimes clearly agitated, he has not made any serious attempt at charging our vehicles.
We have added shampoos to our complimentary soaps and have upgraded the bush breakfast glasses and crockery.
On the gameviewing front, February has been a good month. We have not missed elephant once and our lion sightings have been good. An excellent 10 minute sighting of a large male leopard was had near Phalaborwa gate. A huge buffalo hers ( about 700 strong) has been frequenting the Nwanetzi river road and has been seen four times. It is very unusual to have such a large herd at this time of the year.
NEWS AT MARC'S CAMP
With the decision to develop Marc's Treehouse Camp as a major backpacker venue, we have upgraded all the units. All the treehouses now have fans, mosquito nets and outside wooden decks. Ronald , our fulltime carpenter, has been securing all treehouses and improving the built-in wardrobes. We plan to introduce some benches for those guests who wish to sit quietly along the river bank taking in some of our African bushveld magic.
We had some late rains towards the end of February and the grass is green again. The animals are in good condition and the young bushbuck, nyala and impala seem to have survived the attentions of our resident hyenas and leopards . The buffalo herd is moving around the whole Motlala property and we are seeing only the 5 "old men" regularly. They move in an arc from the Obstacle Course dam to the river in front of treehouse 6 and we often find them in the reeds during the heat of the day. They decided to confront the herd bull in the breeding pen of Motlala and successfully caused a huge amount of damage to both the fence and the ego of the herd bull. The warden has now reinforced the fence and has added what look like long ribbons of material that move in the wind . We remain unconvinced that this will keep the old boys away and hope that there are no further injuries and damage.
The main dining lapa thatch roof has been recemented as the monkeys were intent on providing open-roofed dining for our guests by removing all the thatch grass.
NEWS AT CHEETAH INN
Pearl Dickson has been appointed as Manageress. She has had many years of experience with tourists as she ran her own ostrich farm for many years. She is an excellent cook as well and her previous experience in giving confectionery lessons explains why the locals rave about her home-made bread.
We have altered the bar by introducing a sliding door. This enables the air conditioner to function optimally and at the same time allows for fresh air to be introduced when required.
The conference room's upgrades, especially the new tiles, were noted and appreciated by the Dept of Agriculture delegates who had a 4-day conference with us.
The pool is looking a lot better with the new pump and motor. Aaron is pleased that the pump is strong enough to run a creepy crawly and thus allow him more time to focus on the gardens. The recent rains have spruced things up and the gardens are looking good.
The epaulletted fruit bats that hang out under the thatch of the main entrance have increased to a record 21. All the tourists that come for lunch simply cannot resist taking a photo of these bats.
We also have a family of tree squirrels that entertain staff and guests alike. They are very tame and also appear to enjoy being photographed.
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