This month’s news is being sent somewhat earlier than usual. Sandy and I are due to leave on 31 May on a pilgrimage. We shall be visiting the major Marian shrines of Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal.
As I write, the IPL (Indian Premier League) cricket series has just been concluded. As a result of security concerns related to the parliamentary elections in India, it was decided to move the IPL to South Africa this year. It was a resounding success. The cricket series was a wonderful bonus for South African tourism, not only in terms of the immediate benefits, but also for the massive international exposure it provided.
The success with which the authorities in SA handled the series, with very short notice, is a great shot in the arm for all our sporting bodies. With the Confederations Soccer Cup next month and the 2010 World Cup next year, it is good to see how well the cricket event was pulled together and it is a great credit to the organisational abilities here. This efficient performance should allay any fears about South Africa’s ability to stage a successful 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The Tourism Indaba in Durban was held from 9 to 12 May. It was good to once again meet the many friends and supporters that have played such a critical role in the growth of Viva Safaris. Trevor, our marketing director, must be congratulated for the success we experienced. In his inimitable way, he has forged some really strong links with a number of serious players in the tourism world. Thanks also to Anthony and Ronald who helped man the stand as well as Sidney who assisted with the late night driving.
 
Ronald at the Viva Safaris stand INDABA 2009
GAMEVIEWING NEWS
There were two unseasonal showers in Kruger Park in May. The effect of these was to reduce the gameviewing success. What happens in Kruger is that, as the veld dries out, the animals move towards the watering points in the dry season. Gameviewing is always better in the drier seasons because of the greater concentrations of animals around the waterholes and along the rivers. The unexpected widespread rains had the effect of diluting the concentrations of game around the watering points.
Nevertheless there have been some interesting sightings as indicated in the guides’ reports:
BERTUS emailed the following report:
Report May 09
Balule
We had some good walks and drives in Balule this month. The quality of the sightings is improving all the time as it is getting drier.
One of the highlights of this month was a sighting of a female cheetah and 3 cubs one evening at the end of an already great drive after a sighting of two male lions. The ultimate sighting of the month was of two lionesses that we saw on Nonwane with a Zebra kill. With them were 10 cubs. I estimate five of these to be about 3-4 months old and the other five about 2 months old. We had them at about 3m from the vehicle and it was really one of the best sightings of my career.
I am also happy to report that we are seeing more hyena activity on the reserve and even starting to get audio from them early in the morning. Also we are pleased to report the arrival of a black rhino that was part of a group of two that have arrived in Klaserie. Hopefully he will decide that our part of the APNR is the best area to stay.
Hyena photo by Bertus
White Rhino and calf
Kruger
Kruger was eventful as well. There were times that were really frustrating with long periods of driving with seeing nothing at all. Then all of a sudden everything happens at once. A good example of it was at the Shimangweni Dam close to Mudzanzeni. We arrived at the dam and a cheetah appeared out of the grass and walked straight past us. He then continued to walk over the dam wall. He was not gone 30 seconds and he came flying out back over the wall. We found it a bit strange and decided to wait a while. It was not too long that three lionesses came strolling over the wall and went to lie down in the sun not 20 meters from a male giraffe that was busy drinking water. He had a good look at them and then continued to drink water if he didn’t have a care in the world.
We had a few days where we had sightings of the Big 5 in one day, so the sightings are there - one just has to be patient. On a sad note, a leopard that we had spotted often next to the road between Satara and Ngotso dam has died. I found his carcass next to the road close to the drainage pipe were he lived. The rangers reckon he might have died of exposure because of the wet cold climate we had this past week or two.
Above is a previous photo taken of the leopard
BONGANI emailed his report as follows:
On 05/05/09 we had heavy rains in the Kruger. The Park authorities had previously started to burn certain areas .In a way it makes our job easy because we can see the animals better.
The effect of the rains on the burnt areas is to have new growth of grass that has attracted large herds of herbivores, especially zebras.
My highlights were as follows:
“On 06/05 I did a walk and found fresh elephant tracks which we followed for 2-3 km. We heard the elephants breaking the trees. My clients were anxious, so we returned to the Landcruiser. We then drove to Impala Dam where we found a massive herd of 65 elephants. We spent one hour watching them. Later that afternoon, we again found them – this time at Rhino dam. In Duikerspan we found a female Cheetah. She had killed an impala and had hidden it in the bush. A Hyena came along and tried to take the Impala. There was not much left and the Cheetah meekly gave up its kill to the Hyena.
On 19/05 there where 8 lion cubs and 2 lions eating a Zebra near the cement dam on Nonwane. There were another 4 cubs about 2 to 3 months old that were in that area for 3 days.
The following 4 days we went to the park and were informed that 2 male lions had killed a Giraffe at 5:30 am in the morning right on the road. When we got to the sighting we found 2 male lions eating. The Vultures were looking hungrily at the lions while they were eating, waiting for the leftovers. After the lion sighting, we spotted a Leopard lying on the branch of a tree. We managed to see the Big Five in less than four hours.
The tracks led us to find a massive Elephant!
NELLY, before going on extended leave, submitted the following:
“The beginning of May was relatively quiet. Lions, Elephants and Buffalo were seen regularly, but Leopard and Rhino were more difficult to find. On 10th May, we managed to see the Big Five as well as Cheetah.”
Nelly reports that the sightings were all excellent, with the leopard crossing the road in front of the vehicle. Even more exciting was the sighting of a lioness that seemed to be walking directly towards the vehicle and did cause a flutter in the hearts of some of the tourists. She crossed literally two metres in front of the vehicle!
Nelly completed a fantastic day of gameviewing by coming across a pack of 12 Wild Dogs also on the road.
RHULANI lists his highlights as follows:
“On 5th May, we came across a pride of 11 lions that had killed a buffalo. There were severe gashes on the male lion’s flanks indicating that the buffalo had not gone to his death without a fight. On the 17th May we came across a pride of three lionesses with three cubs at Girivana waterhole. The cubs were playing near the water’s edge, completely unaware of the presence of a three metre crocodile. Later that day, on the S 100, we were charged by a bull elephant. Everybody was scared.
On the 21st May we had a great sighting of a leopard stalking a waterbuck herd near Mudzanzene. The waterbuck bull positioned himself between the cows and the calves, making sure that his family was protected. It was a great example for any family man…”
THULANI, before going on long leave, submitted his report as follows:
“On 4 May, we had a great day. We kicked off with a leopard up a dead Leadwood tree near Orpen. On the S 100, we came across two lionesses with five cubs. At the Gudzani dam, we were very fortunate to see a pride of 11 lions on a buffalo kill. Not more than four km on, we saw a breeding herd of elephants at the water. On the return drive towards Satara, we came across a huge herd of buffalo, at least 400 in number. ”
Thulani has had some good sightings at Nsemani waterhole this month. Lions, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo are seen regularly here.
On the 12th May Thulani had a great sighting of Wild Dogs stalking and chasing impala near Orpen. Thulani successfully saw the Big Five on 13th May. He travelled the S 39 road towards Mudzanzene and was rewarded with a leopard up an Apple Leaf Tree, nine lions lying on the road, rhino and buffalo near the Sweni waterhole and a large breeding herd of elephants at Nsemani – a great day’s viewing !
WAYNE reports an exciting sunset drive. He came across what looked like a pair of jackals near Peter’s Rock on Balule Plains. Upon closer inspection the furry items seen in the diminishing light actually had spots. Wayne and his fortunate guests had come across a coalition of five cheetah! Wow! How’s that for beginner’s luck?
NEWS AT TREMISANA GAME LODGE
We have appointed Wayne Julyan to Tremisana. Wayne will assist Bertus and Bongani on game drives and walks and will also be giving Pearl a hand with hosting. The watertank stand, over 30 metres high, has been given a coat of paint. Thanks to Aaron who skilfully managed to arrange the scaffolding.
We have a group of honey badgers in the camp. At night they come around foraging for leftover scraps. We built a wooden security box to keep the monkeys from dispersing all the litter in our refuse bins. The honey badgers actually smashed their way through the wood to get to the bins.
The water level at Tremisana Dam is looking bleak. Wynand, our Warden, assures me that the hole we dug last year in August will not have been silted up and he reckons that there will be water until well after July.
NEWS AT MARC’S TREEHOUSE LODGE
Astrid Veldwijk, our student from Holland, has moved to the treehouse lodge. As part of her research component, she has devised a comprehensive questionnaire which she requests guests to complete at the end of their safari. I have seen some of the completed forms and am very pleased with what has been written. In fact, I hope to receive something negative soon. Constructive criticism can only help us to improve the product.
I had a meeting with Jonathan Beretta, Warden of Motlala. He has agreed to grant us additional traversing over Motlala Game Reserve. We have been very impressed with the number of animals seen on Motlala and may well be changing our operation in 2010 to include additional gameviewing here.
I took the photo of the elusive Black Rhino below. He was literally two metres from the vehicle.
The elusive Black Rhino seen at Marc's Treehouses
The nyala at Marc’s are getting so tame that some of our guests are beginning to believe they are domesticated! Nyala are actually quite laid back and, if they are not threatened or frightened, tend to become very trusting. I took the photo below of nyala feeding on fallen leaves right in front of treehouse 4:
The laid back Nyala and Marc's!
NEWS AT THE CHEETAH INN
We have had a number of other tour operators using Cheetah Inn this month. The reports have all been positive. Thanks to Margaret, Alice and staff.
The courtyard at Cheetah Inn
We have noticed a number of snakes on the property and have decided to add rubber blockers at the bottom of all the rondawel doors. This will ensure that no snakes can enter the rooms. We have also improved the lighting on the walkways. The only snake that does not move away quickly at the approach of humans is the Puffadder. It is naturally sluggish. The majority of tourists always have a fair amount of trepidation with snakes. Our policy is to remove, not kill, any snakes we find near the tourist facilities. The problem we find is that some snakes are very territorial and even if removed, tend to reappear at some later stage. The solution is to catch the snakes and transport them very far away and release them there. Trouble is that there are not too many volunteers to catch the snakes!
Good news about the warthog (about which we reported in a previous newsletter) is that the snare around her neck is no longer a problem - her condition has improved markedly. Poaching is always an ongoing problem in the dry season and we are conducting regular checks for snares.
NEWS FOR OUR TRAVEL PARTNERS
Thank you for all the positive comments received at Indaba. I had to order more cappuccino sachets as the show went on – it was good to share some genuine Italian coffee with all my friends.
Pity about the Beach Party organised on the Saturday night. We had just got into the swing of things and the music was finally getting there when the thick clouds broke. In true Durban fashion, a massive downpour succeeded in bringing what was developing into a good party to a very premature end.
I am told that the heaps of unused food was donated to a charity – well done!
We were informed that the Kruger Park is increasing the entry tariff as of 1 September this year. As always, we shall have to simply absorb any increases as Viva prides itself in maintaining its tariffs until 31 December of any calendar year.
As mentioned, we are arranging additional traversing for Marc’s and Cheetah Inn guests on Motlala Game Reserve and are hoping to negotiate an increase in traversing for guests at Tremisana as well.
Included below are some of the May 2009 entries in our Guest Books:
Marc’s Treehouse Lodge:
15-05-09 Kaitlin Kovacs and Allison Story; “Had a great time – loved Kruger and our treehouses (even though it was a bit cold). Staff was really great – Louise thank you for the stories. Thanks to all at Viva for a great time. ”
20-05-09 Kelly and Daryl Harper (cricketing umpire for the IPL): “A tranquil setting; unique accommodation and very informative guides. We should have stayed longer to absorb more of the real Africa…but alas…time to go came too soon…”
22-05-09 Charlotte Balak: “Fantastic! I shall tell all my backpacker friends that they will love it here. Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality. We’ll be back! ”
Tremisana Lodge:
01-05-09 Neli and Thani Ntombela: “Thank you for a wonderful stay! It was great to connect with my son. We are definitely coming back with the whole family. ”
20-05-09 Helene and Malcolm Pollard: “East or West – Madam Pearl is the Best! Best Cook; Best Hostess; Best Everything! Mazeltov!
We had a wonderful wildlife experience complemented by wonderful hospitality from a great staff.”
21-05-09 Karli and Kim: “Staff and environment are incredible! We had a very welcoming and very enjoyable stay.”
Cheetah Inn:
03-05-09 Ian Matthews: “After six beers, still had good service. Lovely bungalows – it’s always a great pleasure to stay here. ”
18-05-09 Martin and Leonora: “Excellent stay – friendly staff. We saw the Big Five!!! ”
21-05-09 Ria and Johan, Bosveld Safaris: “Excellent service and a truly wonderful experience! Thanks to the Cheetah Inn staff. ”
June has traditionally been one of our quietest months, so I wish you all a restful quiet period.
Regards and best wishes,
Piero
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