I spent a few days this month in Cape Town, where I visited some of our supportive travel partners. While I was there, two events occurred which, once again, show the very detrimental effects of human folly.
The first was a report of baboons behaving badly at the Cape Point Nature Reserve.
About 20 years ago the baboons were rarely seen here. Some tourists had the idea, totally erroneous, that by feeding the baboons, they were doing them a great service. Nothing can be further from the truth. Over the years the baboons have lost their fear of humans and have boldly stolen food. The report I read was of a British tourist who was alighting from his parked vehicle. As he was getting out, a large male baboon charged towards him. The tourist closed the vehicle’s door, without locking it and ran away. The baboon ran to the car and deftly opened the door and entered the vehicle where it found a food hamper which was promptly consumed. So the baboons have now learned how to open car doors!
I recall some six or seven years ago having to deal with a rogue baboon at Tremisana Lodge. This particular individual had literally taken over the camp. He would wait for Delina to open the kitchen door in the morning and then appear from nowhere and force his way into the kitchen and run amok. We took his nonsense for three days and then realised that Delina’s life was at risk - the baboon turned on her viciously when he could not find any more food. Baboons have long canine teeth that can do tremendous harm. We had no option but to call the Warden to eliminate the baboon.
Feeding of animals is strictly forbidden in our Game Reserves. The problem arises when well-meaning people feel sorry for animals and think that they are assisting by offering food. Invariably their good intentions lead to the premature death of the animal.
I am aware of another even worse practice carried out at some very posh lodges. In order to satisfy the needs of their tourists to see predators such as leopards and lions, these lodges resort to what is known as “baiting”. What happens is that a prey animal such as an impala is shot and a trail of blood and entrails is left along the ground leading up to a tree where the carcass is fixed. Any leopard in the area will pick up the scent of the blood and carcass and then, in due course, will appear at the tree and feed on the carcass. Can we stoop any
lower to satisfy our tourists’ need to see a leopard?
The other event that dismayed me while in Cape Town was the deliberate lighting of a fire that destroyed vast areas around Table Mountain. As Cape Town is usually windy, any arsonist gets a hand from the wind in spreading the fire. It was sad to see the amount of pasture that was destroyed. There are a few animals, including Wildebeest and Zebra that live in an enclosed section at the foothills of Table Mountain. Their wellbeing was severely prejudiced as a result of the fire.
I cannot but wonder what demons enter the minds of people that deliberately act in ways that impact so negatively on our natural environment.
On a happier note, I am told that the veld in Kruger is drying out and that the game-viewing has improved this month as indicated in the reports of our guides below:
GAMEVIEWING NEWS
BERTUS has submitted the following report:
Balule
“The highlights of the month were definitely on our Balule experiences where we were very fortunate this last month - specifically with lion and elephant sightings that have become a daily occurrence.
First week of the month’s highlight was the two big male lions that caught a giraffe close to the road. This made for a week of no stress in my quest to find lions. This was usually at the start of our morning from where we would leave the vehicle to go on our walks. Sightings of elephant are also becoming the norm on the drives as well as the walks.
During the week of the 15th to the 22nd we saw a lioness with 4 cubs on a daily basis. The cubs are very relaxed around the vehicle coming sometimes to within 10m of the vehicle and offering us some good sightings. The two big males are also still in the area as well as a pride of four younger males.
The rhino are moving around a lot at the moment and are difficult to find, but we were very lucky to find Rhino on 2 occasions on foot where we were at one stage about 15m away without their even realising that they had visitors. There is also a single buffalo bull that we see on a regular basis.
Birding was great with painted snipe, dwarf bittern, goshawks seen on a fairly regular basis. I am also glad to report that it looks like a family of ground hornbill have settled in the Balule plains area and that we see or hear them on a daily basis.
Other highlights were a python at Chapel dam and a giant eagle owl at Dukes pan.”
Kruger
“I only spent 5 days in Kruger this month as I spent most of my time in Balule. These 5 days were also full of some good sightings.
The highlights were Cheetah that we usually find just before or after the Orpen reception area. They are seen regularly if the weather is cool. We have also been fortunate with Wild Dog that are seen in the same area late afternoons. Rhino are becoming a daily sighting although some of the sightings can be up to 600 – 700m away from the road so it only counts as a sighting to tick off on the list. The big cats have been scarce with me at the moment but we had an excellent sighting of a lioness killing a warthog at the Nsemani dam early in the month. The dust had not even settled when 2 males came out of the bush and claimed the warthog for themselves. What a great society!
My personal highlight in Kruger was a very quick sighting on the 30th at Roodewal: 3 mature ground hornbills with 3 sub-adults walking with them. I am hoping to find an explanation for this one. As soon as I have an answer I will keep you posted.”
BONGANI has emailed his report (Thank you, Astrid):
Bongani showing-off his new eppaullettes
Balule game reserve and KNP
“Game viewing in Balule and KNP is getting better, because it has not rained for a few weeks in the zone north and east of Satara so it is getting dry and the dams are attracting game. In Balule there is a lot of activity of animals like elephants, white rhinos and lions.
On 17-03-09 we found the Big Five along Orpen to Satara road. There were 14 lions eating a giraffe on the road, including two big females without teeth - their overall and body condition were not good. On the same day there were three big male lions that killed a buffalo along Nwanetsi road. Only a few metres away there were two hyenas watching the lions eating.
On 18-03-09 in Balule, two big male lions killed a giraffe along the Nkumbe north area. They were at one place for five days. Later a female lion joined the others to help them finish the meat. After a few days they moved to Caracal road where we found a female lion eating a waterbuck. She was with her four cubs. The cubs were approximately 2-3 months old. Near Bushbuck dam there were two white rhinos walking towards us and a leopard got up in front of them and the rhinos walked away. At the same time, on the other side there were eight elephants. It was my first time to see the Big Five in the Balule Reserve in less than 1 hour.
On one of the walks I found fresh tracks of a lion and we followed the track for 30 minutes. We were walking towards Impala dam, and, before we saw the lions, we heard a noise coming from the bush and we stopped. We looked around and we saw four male lions lying under the tree. Scary stuff! ”
NELLY reports that game viewing at the beginning of the month was relatively quiet. “On 3 March, we saw four big elephants crossing the road at Talamati turnoff. Further on at Hlanguleni we found a big breeding herd of elephants with young. Along the Sweni Road we found White Rhino in the mud at the waterhole. After lunch we got a herd of buffalo at Nsemane Dam and were fortunate to pick up two lionesses fast asleep close to the main tar road to Orpen.”
The 4th March was even better: “We entered at Orpen and saw only general game until we got to Timbavati Picnic Spot where we found 5 White Rhino at the waterhole. Further on we were lucky to view two cheetah chasing impala. On the Olifants road we saw a leopard up a tree and a pride of six lions at Gudzane. The lions were chasing a giraffe and almost caught it right in front of our vehicle. On the return drive via the S 100 road we saw plenty elephants and buffalos.”
Nelly had a great day on 8th March despite not seeing lions. All the other Big Five sightings of rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalo were within 50 metres of the vehicle.
Nelly reports the highlight of the month as follows: “On the 17th we had great viewing of buffalo, elephant, and rhino. As I approached Nsemane Dam we saw three lionesses chase and kill an impala. Within 30 seconds two male lions came from nowhere at full speed and chased the lionesses away from their kill. They then fought over the impala carcass making a lot of noise. This is the sort of stuff I have usually only seen on the wildlife documentary movies. “
RHULANI had a good sighting of 12 lions on a giraffe kill on 5th March.
He had a similar experience as Nelly did at Nsemane Dam on 14th: “We were at Nsemane Dam watching the animals come to drink. We saw a lioness chase and kill a warthog. She had just started to feed when two big male lions appeared from the bush and chased her away.” It looks like these chauvinist lions have got it worked out pretty well: Sleep under the trees and wait for the ladies to catch lunch and then simply appropriate the meal.
Rhulani reports that the sightings of cheetah has been really good this month with good views of a pair that operate near Orpen gate and another single female that is often seen near Satara.
Elephants having a drink of water at Nsemane Dam
THULANI started the month well on 2nd March. “On the main Orpen-Satara road between Bobbejaanskrans and NwaMatsatsa we viewed 10 lionesses and a male lion feeding on a giraffe kill at a distance of less than 1 metre. Some of my guests were absolutely paralysed with fear, but I explained that when lions are distracted by food, they are generally not a menace. We thought that we had really had our fill of lions at a kill, but no, at Sonop waterhole, again right next to the vehicle, we had a brilliant sighting of four male lions feeding on a buffalo.”
Thulani had quite a number of sightings of other kills this month: lions on a zebra on 18th March; two cheetah on an impala on 19th; a leopard with an impala up a tree on 21st; four lionesses with two cubs on a giraffe on the 30th.
Thulani accurately concludes his report as follows: “All in all it appears as if the game viewing is really improving rapidly. As long as the rains keep away, it will get better and better. ”
A male lion feeding on a giraffe kill!
NEWS AT TREMISANA GAME LODGE
We welcome ASTRID VELDWIJK, a 4th year student at Groningen University in Holland. Astrid is doing her internship for the Travel and Tourism component of her Facility Management course. I am sure she will learn a lot while at Viva Safaris.
The elephants have destroyed parts of our underground pipes that relay our water. There can be nothing more annoying than not having water in the camp. Our staff have been laying down new pipes. The presence of lions around Tremisana Dam has necessitated having an armed guard around while the workers do their job.
The Hide at Tremisana Dam is in full swing. It is the only en suite hide that I know of in this area. We reckon that having ablutions right there precludes any dangers associated with having to walk a distance to relieve oneself. Guests are dropped off at the Hide and are collected at a pre-arranged time. Reports are excellent: guests have seen elephants, giraffe and general game right up close to the Hide which overlooks the Tremisana Dam. For those who really want to go overboard, we have installed floodlights so any guest can spend the entire night watching to see the activity at the water.
The Hide and Tremisana Dam
Giraffes photographed from the Hide
NEWS AT MARC’S TREEHOUSE LODGE
Unit 12 has been completely rebuilt and units 1 and 5 have had a major uplift. The guides report that they are seeing more rhinos on the Bush Walks. Along with the buffalo herds, these animals never fail to induce an adrenalin surge when encountered on foot.
Ronald reports that the favourites are still the nyala. There are just so many around the camp. These animals are very tame and they have become accustomed to having tourists around so that they are often quite relaxed even when only a metre or two away. Ronald reports: “The number of guests that are thrilled by being in such close proximity is amazing. The ‘wow’ effect is very pleasing to observe and I am constantly complimented on the tameness of the nyala – almost as if we have personally trained them to be so calm and relaxed near the guests.”
NEWS AT THE CHEETAH INN
Margaret reports seeing a big warthog with a noose around its neck. This probably happened as a result of a failed snaring attempt. The warthog has survived and we have called the local Motlala ranger to see if we can somehow remove the snare.
All the wooden balustrades have been revarnished and the front entrance has been upgraded.
We hosted a party of 65 people associated with Nedbank who had a great boma dinner. The weather played along and a memorable party was had by all..
NEWS FOR OUR TRAVEL PARTNERS
It was pleasing to get such positive feedback about our operation from our Cape Town agents. I recall my late father telling me that “if you please 75% of the clients 75% of the time, then you are doing OK.” I think we are doing better than OK.
A number of agents queried me about our plans for bookings over the 2010 World Cup period. I can assure you that, despite being asked to allocate all our beds to a specific operator, no such thing will happen. It’s business as usual – we shall make our places available to all our valued agents on the usual first come first served basis.
In addition, we will not be party to any profiteering – our usual annual increase will be effected on 1 January 2010 and our tariffs will be valid throughout the year including the World Cup football period.
I am pleased to inform you that our newest products, the 3-day and 4-day Cheetah Inn experiences, have been very well received and we have had good support for them – thank you!
COMMENTS FROM OUR GUEST BOOKS ENTERED IN MARCH 2009:
TREMISANA
Geoff and Judy Lowe, 12 March: “The African experience of a lifetime. A great place and even greater people. Thank you, we will never forget our safari. ”
Molly Walker, 18 March: “Absolutely wonderful! Pearl is the best caretaker ever. We felt totally at home. Tremendous first experience of South Africa. We will definitely return to the ‘bush’ sometime soon. ”
Ravier Mutz and Sonja Schreyer, 27 March: “It has been a fantastic time here – friendly and lovely, nice people, excellent food and wonderful and impressive nature as well as animals. One each game walk and drive we saw at least one of the Big Five and now know how to survive in the bush ! Thank you! ”
MARC’S
Marvin Rodriguez, 7 March: “Thanks for this wonderful experience. This place is marvellous and you, Louise, are very nice! Gracias por todo. ”
Rebecca Birger, 19 March: “Really wonderful place! Very clean treehouses and friendly staff, good food and loads of animals to see right here in the camp. ”
Caroline Soucie, 19 March: “Wonderful, great treehouses! Great and knowledgeable staff! Very friendly place! I will recommend! ”
CHEETAH INN
Billy Barrett, 12 March: “Had a great time. Excellent hospitality and good food – especially the pap! Will come back for sure. Will recommend highly to friends and family! Thanks to Alice, Margaret and Patrick for making us feel so welcome. ”
Amy and Lu, 24 March; “Had a great time! The staff was extremely warm and friendly. We also had great safaris – saw three of the Big Five. Thank you. ”
Becca Megson, 31 March: “It didn’t feel like an affordable Country Hotel to us. We are used to hostels so it felt like a FIVE STAR hotel! Food was gorgeous – breakfasts and dinners absolutely great. We saw all the Big Five which was awesome!
I want a baby hippo! ”
Included below are some emails received this month:
From: Ray Hill
Sent: 12 March 2009 05:02 PM
Subject: Our Safari
Hi Piero, Brenda and I have arrived back to Canada with some very fond memories of Southern Africa. We started at Marc's and ended in Zimbabwe and Botswana. We had such a fantastic time at Marc's and Kruger, it was a great way to start the adventure. We were sorry we did not get a chance to meet you, but you have some very capable managers with Ronald and Pearl. Our guides Bertus and Rhulani, who I understand is new were great. I could not believe how much they knew, especially Bertus about birds. The treehouses were great, although my wife thought it was about as rough as she ever wanted to go, with the morning visitors inside. I thought it added tremendously to the African adventure. What can I say about the food, I thought we would have a chance to diet there, boy was I wrong. I would say my favorite was the soups especially the pumpkin. Your man Trevor does a great job behind the scenes as we were always looked after and never forgotten, people do notice these things. It is easy to see why it was so busy there. I really appreciated all you did before we arrived with the prompt and friendly e-mails, I just knew we were going to have a great time.
I finally had some time to sit at the computer and put a nice review on tripadvisor. I would not change a thing Piero it was perfect, Brenda and I could not have had a better time, South Africa is full of beautiful people and places. Thanks again.
From: Volkan HIZAL
Sent: 11 March 2009 08:53 PM
Subject: thank you!!
Dear Piero, and his wonderful team,
I wanted to thank you so much for this lovely trip to Kruger National Park, at Marc's Tree Houses...
I'm so ashamed to say that I've forgotten the name of the lady who runs Marc's Tree Houses..
She was extremely nice, helpful, calm, and friendly.. Everyone has agreed that she does her job so well.. so good..
And all the other people who did their best to make us feel comfortable, I want to thank them all..
For the nice ride in Kruger.. For the nice meals.. and everything...
And for the surprise birthday cake she organized, you made me feel so happy and so good.. (on 4th of march)
I want to thank you over and over again..
Especially to that nice lady, "I'm really sorry that I can't remember her name now"
I will definitely come back again, but this time, I'm planning to bring my friends and family to show them how nice it was..
Thanks again,
And a huge hug from Turkey
Thank you Volkan I have passed this on to LOUISE
Volkan and Louise with his group
Regards and best wishes,
Piero
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