Newsletters Archives - Page 4 of 13 - Kruger Park Safaris with Viva Safaris

Lion relaxing on tar road near Kumana Dam in Kruger Park

June 2023

04 Jul 2023

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There are two species of oxpecker in the Kruger Park. The red-billed oxpecker is common throughout the region while the yellow-billed oxpecker is most likely to be encountered in the Central and Northern Sections of Kruger Park. Oxpeckers provide a real valet service to their...

Leopard on road to Timbavati Picnic Spot in Kruger

May 2023

04 Jun 2023

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I was thrilled to receive a video of a Brown Hyena drinking at a waterhole of a landowner in Balule. These animals have been recorded sporadically in the north of the Kruger Park where the lion density is low. I recall reports of another sighting of a Brown Hyena some 12 years...

Elephant wanting a closer acquaintance with Rocky on Balule

April 2023

29 Apr 2023

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When my family and I first moved to Umhlanga Rocks from Johannesburg over 25 years ago, there were sugar cane plantations all around. We had regular sightings of Cane Rats, Bushbuck, Red Duiker and the diminutive Blue Duiker. With the massive housing developments that have...

Lioness and cubs on road near Tremisana in Balule.

March 2023

31 Mar 2023

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Some years ago, my sons, Anthony and Marc, bought me a fantastic torch on the occasion of my 60th birthday. This torch has 3 levels of intensity and has been a great help in spotting nocturnal animals. The most useful feature of the torch is that it can be changed to diffuse...

Journey of Giraffe 10 km from Orpen on road to Satara in Kruger Park.

February 2023

02 Mar 2023

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February 2023 will be remembered as the month in which the Kruger Park was severely affected by floods. Viva Safaris thankfully was able to continue all operations as the main damage was done in the Southern Section of the Kruger Park. Our lodges are situated in the Central...

December 2022 / January 2023

02 Feb 2023

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I watched a program yesterday on Al Jazeera TV that was about an attempt to keep the Northern White Rhino species from going extinct. Since 19 March 2018 there are only two known rhinos of this species still alive : two cows called Najin and Fatu. These are protected 24h daily by...

November 2022

03 Dec 2022

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Viva Safaris enjoys strong support because we offer game drives both in the Balule Private Nature Reserve, situated in what is called Greater Kruger, and in Kruger Park proper. All our guests get the opportunity to enjoy exclusive sightings in the private reserve and get to see...

October 2022

31 Oct 2022

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Some birds found in South African are named onomatopoeically. The best known is probably the Hadeda Ibis that makes a loud and penetrating “HAA-HAA-HAA-DE-DAH” call. Hadedas have spread their range in S A to include most urban areas because of increasing tree cover and irrigation...

September 2022

04 Oct 2022

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The Leadwood Tree, Combretum Imberbe, has a special place in many bushlovers’ hearts. It may be its toughness or its imposing display, even once dead, that gives the Leadwood a primordial aura. My good bush friend, Laurence Saad, owner of the Ezulwini Lodges, where Viva Safaris...

August 2022

01 Sep 2022

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The African Pied Wagtail, Motacilla aguimp, inhabits subtropical areas and is always found near water. It is monogamous and makes a cup-shaped nest in vegetation near water. It is mainly insectivorous but also feeds on grass seeds, tadpoles and small fish. The word ‘pied’ means ‘...