Most of my previous newsletters have had rainfall figures as one of the main issues. The issue of water availability in Kruger has always been problematic. This is so because all of the rivers flowing through Kruger do so from West to East. Prior to entering the Kruger Park, the water supply is used for other activities including irrigation of crops, various industries and human needs.
In response to this problem, the Kruger authorities, over the years, erected boreholes to supply water for the animals. Although generally successful, there have been a number of serious setbacks as a result of the artificial watering points. One of the biggest setbacks was the reduction, almost near extermination, of Roan Antelope. The majority of this buck species were found in the extreme north of the Park. Once boreholes were introduced there, to provide water for large herds of zebra, a significant increase in lion numbers was unwittingly effected. These lions clearly preyed not only on the Zebra, but also took a number of Roan, thereby causing the problem we have today. I am told that there are fewer than 50 Roan Antelope in Kruger today, down from around 350 twenty years ago. Roan are susceptible to anthrax and are immunized annually.
Forestry also has a negative effect on water supply to Kruger. The amount of rain that is absorbed by forests significantly affects the run-off that would normally enter rivers. In fact, very pleasing news is that the big plantations near Klaserie, only six km from Marc's will be removed by 2010. This will have a positive effect on rivers such as the Klaserie river which is a tributary of the Olifants river. The Olifants river was historically a perennial river. In the recent past, it has stopped flowing in the dry season.
The Minister of Tourism has an unenviable task in negotiating with other departments such as forestry and mining to secure water for Kruger. We are told that Tourism is the fastest growing sector in the South African economy, so I think it is reasonable to allow Kruger's animals to get their fair share of God's bounty
Good news is that the end of March saw the mini-drought break. We had 45 mm of rain at Tremisana and 63 mm at Marc's and Cheetah Inn. This should be sufficient to allow the water in dams to last until June. More importantly there may be a new growth of vegetation. The rains have continued in April and we hope to bring you good news in this respect in the April 07 Newsletter.
GAME- VIEWING IN KRUGER
There has been a slight improvement this month on February gameviewing. As the maximum temperatures drop, so the animals move around a little more and are thus more visible to our guests.
Bongani reports a very average month's viewing with only the 31st of March giving his tourists the Big Five in one day. He also reports seeing a lion on our neighbour's property on the way to Kruger. Very often we see many animals while we are driving to and from the entrance gates. He reports that lions killed a buffalo near Rabelais Dam. With the shortage of water, the viewing on game walks around Tremisana has improved and Bongani reports that on one such walk, his group encountered eight giraffe, twelve zebra and two buffalo all drinking at Tremisana Dam at the same time.
Charles reports 100% buffalo and elephant sightings for all drives, including Sunset Drives. His highlight of the month happened on 15th March. He drove to Nkaya Pan, south of Satara where his clients were very fortunate indeed. A pride of 10 lions attempted to kill a lone buffalo bull. The buffalo ran into the water and remained there for only enough time to confuse the lions and then very quickly exited from the other side and galloped off. An unusual sighting on 17th March was of two lionesses eating an impala in front of a pack of wild dogs on the Nwanetsi road. I assume that the wild dogs must have killed the impala and that the lionesses then appropriated the spoils for themselves.
Elvis reports that Nsemani Dam has been " cooking ". On the 9th March, his tourists simultaneously saw elephants, lions and buffalos drinking at this dam. His highlight of the month was reported as follows : " On the 30th March, we came across 10 lions eating a buffalo near Rabelais. Just 3 km further on, we saw an impala that had been killed by two cheetah. At Mudzanzeni we saw two mating leopards. When we returned to the cheetah kill in the late afternoon, we found a leopard busy eating the leftovers of the impala. Three leopards in one day ! "
Nelly had a quiet month and complained that most of the cats his groups saw, which included lions, leopards and cheetahs, were resting in the shade of trees. I suppose seeing a head being lifted every now and again or a swish of a tail doesn't really make Nelly very excited. Having said that, I am sure that the tourists were pleased that a positive ID was made, albeit in the shade !
NEWS AT TREMISANA GAME LODGE
The Tremisana Dam has been busy. Daily visits from elephants and buffalos as well as a lot of general game bear testimony to the acute shortage of water in the veld. Herds of up to 20 zebra, 25 impala and 17 wildebeest were seen. The results on the veld are clear and there is evidence of serious overgrazing around the dam. The rains at the end of March will alleviate some pressure, although Delina reports that the level of water at the dam has not increased very appreciably.
The elephants have returned and, as is customary in the dry season, take their toll on the Marula trees. This is one of the main reasons that our neighbour refuses to drop his fences - he really enjoys seeing big trees and is likely to be very disillusioned if elephants destroy them. It happens very quickly. On a recent visit to Tremisana, I personally witnessed a large bull elephant destroy a Marula tree that was 2 metres from the Guest House. In fewer than five minutes, the once thriving tree was reduced to a stump. Of course the tree will regenerate leaves and branches, but from being a tree well over 8 metres high, it is now only 1 metre in height.
NEWS AT MARC'S TREEHOUSE LODGE
Apart from the usual destruction of thatch roofs by monkeys, we have buffalos that are also adding their bit to our woes. At the end of March, a buffalo herd of about thirty strong moved into the Lodge area and not only knocked over furniture and aloe trees, but successfully knocked over the tank stand behind treehouse # 10. I shall soon establish whether our insurance policy covers such bovine boorishness ! Fortunately we were able to move the affected tourists to another vacant treehouse.
Apart from excellent buffalo sightings, more herds of zebra and wildebeest are being seen around the camp. The usual kudu, waterbuck and nyala are seen on a daily basis.
News from Jonathan Beretta, warden of Motlala Reserve, of which Marc's is a part, is that there has been a moratorium on movement of lions in the country. You will recall that in a previous newsletter, I discussed the possible introduction of lions into Motlala to curb the ever-increasing impala numbers. With the hullabaloo concerning canned lion hunts, the Minister has ordered a proper national inventory of all lions and especially lion breeding projects. As a result, Jonathan has not yet been granted permission to introduce the two lions he wanted. While I cautiously welcome this situation, it is a reality that the impala numbers are very high : over 900 at the last count ( Oct 06). If it does happen that lions are present on Marc's Treehouse Lodge property, we may have to introduce very painful regulations like no late partying at the bar and armed guard accompaniment to the outside ablutions !
NEWS AT THE CHEETAH INN
Anthony and Marcelle are doing well and the number of locals frequenting the Cheetah Inn has increased - a commendation on their friendliness and hospitality. We also use Anthony and Marcelle as occasional game guides in Kruger, an interlude which I know they enjoy.
We are almost finished with the last two rooms and also have to complete the game grid at the front gate. This consists of metal poles on the ground which are spaced in such a way that animals are prevented from passing while vehicles may do so.
The last building to be completed will be an aviary for local finches. We are at present negotiating permits for these birds. In guides' parlance, they are referred to as LBJ's ( mainly in winter when the males lose their colourful identifiable plumage ). LBJ stands for " Little Brown Job ", an unkind description for small birds that flit away before the guide has a chance to make a positive ID. At least with the aviary, there will be no excuse for misidentification !
NEWS FOR OUR TRAVEL PARTNERS
We are busy with new websites for each of our three establishments as well as one for Anthony's Place, the company guest apartment.
The site for Marc's Treehouse Lodge is almost complete. You may find details on : www.marcscamp.com. One of the features is a full description, including photos, of each treehouse. If possible, we can then book a specific treehouse for your clients, if it is available.
Anthony's Place was developed to assist those of our tourists who cannot get to Johannesburg airport early enough to be collected and go on safari. It is run by Anthony, who also drives, guides and assists Trevor with marketing. It has two rooms and is very well located within walking distance of Bambury Centre , which has numerous restaurants and entertainment places. E-mail Anthony tours@vivasafaris.co.za for more info on Anthony's Place.
We thank you for your support . We are pleased to advise that, for the very first time, all available accommodation at both Tremisana and at Marc's is fully booked over the Easter weekend. We could not have achieved this without your support, so, again, a big Thank You .
With kind regards
Piero
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