2005 has started with a bang ! We have been extremely busy and the guides and drivers have been working very hard. Perhaps the increase in tourists was a result of the large number of English cricket supporters in South Africa . January is traditionally a good month for visiting Kruger Park insofar as a large number of animals have their youngsters on show : we have been enthralled by the antics of the young wildebeest , born in mid- December. They are playful and inquisitive at this age and spend many happy hours chasing one another around. The impala lambs are already forming "same sex " groups. The young males are at the age when their horns are just starting to show on the top of their heads - not more than 2 or 3 centimetres , but nevertheless enough to identify them as males. Zebras are different to impalas and wildebeest insofar as they do not have a definite calving time. They tend to give birth to their young all year round with a small increase over the summer months. The waterbuck are much the same and calves are found all year round.
On the staff front, Ziggi has moved on to a freelance basis with Viva Safaris and will be tourguiding in Kruger and facilitating at the Adventure Camp. We thank him for the many years of good service he gave in a fulltime capacity. Brett has moved from Marc's Camp to Tremisana, where he will be joining Marcel as a resident tourguide.
January is also an excellent time for birdwatching. The majority of species have already raised their first brood . There have been generally good rains - the Balule Game Reserve especially is very green and birdlife is at its best .
NEWS AT TREMISANA
In keeping with the general trend in South Africa to encourage local black staff development and advancement , we have promoted Delina Mnisi to supervisor at Tremisana. Delina has been with us for 8 years and has endeared herself to our tourists not only with her special soups but also with her concern for their wellbeing.
We have had above-average rainfall for January and Tremisana Dam is 100% full. This has resulted in an influx of game and our tourists are amazed at the number of animals seen so close to camp. We regularly see giraffe, wildebeest , zebra and waterbuck literally within 100 metres of the fence. The night drives have been excellent - lions and elephant are seen regularly. In fact, for the last week of January, we had better luck with lions in Balule than we had in Kruger ! The open grassy plain at the airfield 3 km from Tremisana attracts a big herd of wildebeest and we have had good sightings of lion in the vicinity of the airfield. Piero , our general manager , was able to find 3 ( lion, elephant and buffalo ) of the Big Five twice in a row on recent night drives .
NEWS AT MARC'S CAMP
We did it ! The camp and staff successfully not only survived but made a great impression on 182 grade 8 ( around 14 yeaers old ) learners and their staff from Bergvlam High School. Despite the lousy weather on Saturday, the groups had great fun and really enjoyed their initiation/ bonding experience. The animals at Marc's Camp did their bit as well - the nyala and buffalo did not emigrate as we thought they might at the sight of 182 pupils. Instead they were quite happy to show themselves . Below are photographs of a buffalo and an impala investigating the obstacle course :
Drakensig Primary had a successful leadership tour for their Prefect body . A highlight was finding ( and not disturbing ) a newly born nyala calf that had been hidden in a thicket . The mother returned later that day and no doubt was pleased to find her calf safe . The pair are seen regularly near the front gate .
Photo from the Drakensig Primary leadership tour.
All the treehouses along the river have had fans installed. We are presently fitting wooden security bars to all the treehouse windows - not because of human intruders, but as a reaction to the antics of our very inquisitive baboon troop. They made their way into treehouse 2 ( " Hawk " ) and not only made a great mess while they were partying, but successfully removed a pillow. The pillow was found on the other side of the Klaserie river ! Luckily the treehouse was not occupied at the time.
Recent rains have filled the Breakfast Dam.
NEWS AT CHEETAH INN
We had a successful conference for the SAPS ( South African Police Services ). We believe that the potential of the conference centre has not been fully realised and have decided to upgrade the room. We shall repaint the room and replace the carpet with tiles.
Mural at Cheetah Inn
The Cheetah Inn Bar
The bar area is in the process of being upgraded and the swimming pool pump will be replaced with a more powerful version. There has been less rain at the Cheetah Inn than at Tremisana and the gardens need to be watered daily. A Valentine's dinner-dance has been planned for 12 February . Another new plan is to have a regular Sunday buffet lunch, starting on 20 February. All of this is going to improve the image of the Cheetah Inn.
The Cheetah Inn played a big part in hosting the successful Bergvlam School visit and we thank the staff for their hard work.
Learners from Bergvlam listen attentively prior to a bushwalk
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