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Our Latest Monthly Newsletters

November 2025

01 Dec 2025

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The African Spoonbill, Platalea Alba, is a long-legged wading bird often seen at Tremisana Dam. It gets its name from the spatulate shape of its bill that it uses to catch fish, molluscs, insects and other water inhabitants by swinging it side-to-side. When it senses some aquatic...

October 2025

01 Nov 2025

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In last month’s newsletter I indicated how speeding leads to terrible wildlife roadkill. I regret to advise that on or around 19 October a beautiful male leopard was run over on the tar road close to the Olifants West gate. This happened despite the Ingwe Research program having...

September 2025

30 Sep 2025

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The responsibilities of tour operators and lodge owners like Viva Safaris are not limited to ensuring that our guests have a safe, well-guided and enjoyable wildlife experience. All lodge owners must commit to a realistic conservation ethic. Apart from alerting our guests to the...

August 2025

31 Aug 2025

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Kruger Park is set apart from all other game reserves in terms of its diversity of wildlife. The massive herds of wildebeest in the Serengeti, the huge concentrations of animals around the Etosha waterholes and the great herds of elephants along the Chobe River are certainly...

July 2025

31 Jul 2025

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It seems to me that strife in our world is ever-increasing. Nowadays I am reluctant to watch TV news bulletins as I am invariably depressed. Strife has even entered my personal world via the beloved game reserve that has brought me much happiness and such a warm sense of...

June 2025

30 Jun 2025

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For me, the expression “A picture is worth a thousand words” evokes many emotions and memories. On the walls of our home, my wife Sandra and I have various items. These include photos of family, paintings of places we have visited, religious items such as a crucifix and a...

May 2025

31 May 2025

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From time to time, Viva Safaris encounter guests that show little or no interest in seeing the Big Five. This is refreshing and the guests invariably turn out to be birders. All birders are advised to book the 7 day Kruger/KwaZulu Natal safari package. They will see many birds in...

April 2025

30 Apr 2025

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From time to time, our Viva tourists who are interested in plants, ask about the huge Rubber Tree near the swimming pool at Tremisana. The tree is, in fact, a fig, FICUS ELASTICA It is an introduced species, native to subtropical South East Asia. My research indicates that it,...

March 2025

01 Apr 2025

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The European Roller, Coracias Garrulus, is a non-breeding summer migrant that arrives in SA around October and leaves for Eurasia towards the end of March. It is not as colourful as the Lilac-breasted Roller. Previously there was competition between the two species and my...

February 2025

02 Mar 2025

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On the 31 January 2025, I read a report of an elephant killing a tourist at the Malelane Gate of Kruger Park. He was on foot and out of his vehicle. Every now and again, we hear of elephants killing people in Africa. With the sustained drought in parts of Africa, elephants are...

December 2024 January 2025

30 Jan 2025

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Viva Safaris’ guests’ first wildlife experience is the Sunset Drive and Bush BBQ. Once the guests are seated in our open Landcruiser, our game ranger explains certain rules pertaining to game drives. These are intended to allow everyone to thoroughly enjoy the experience and to...

November 2024

01 Dec 2024

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This month, we have had more people applying for work at Viva Safaris than in any previous month over the last 33 years. In one sense, we feel flattered – it would appear that Viva Safaris has a reputation of being a stable and growing business that places staff welfare as...

October 2024

01 Nov 2024

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The Grey Heron, Ardea Cinerea, is a long-legged wader found near water. It is common throughout Kruger Park. It feeds mainly on aquatic prey, which it catches by a swift stabbing motion. It is often seen standing stationary, patiently waiting for a fish or frog to get within...

September 2024

01 Oct 2024

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The drought continues. Elephants, driven by hunger, are causing major damage to all lodges and private homes in Olifants West Nature Reserve. The day after I arrived at Tremisana, a wily elephant bull managed to get into the camp. These elephants are very intelligent. He was able...

August 2024

02 Sep 2024

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Although we live near Durban on the Eastern Seaboard of South Africa, where the warm Mozambique current allows for all-year bathing, we have been reluctant to swim in the sea. This is because of the high levels of e.coli present in the water. I recall the recent Paris Olympics in...

July 2024

01 Aug 2024

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Climate change has been in the forefront of world news this year with devastating reports of irregular and unexpected effects. South Africa has not been spared and we have recently had fires, tornados and floods. Viva Safaris’ lodges are situated in the areas around Hoedspruit....

June 2024

02 Jul 2024

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Really good news received this month is that about 120 White Rhino have been released onto the regions comprising what is generally known as the Greater Kruger Park. Balule Nature Reserve, on which Tremisana Lodge is situated, has benefitted and we are proud to know that our...

May 2024

01 Jun 2024

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Many wild African animals were first seen and recorded by early European settlers in the areas around Cape Town. As a result, many animals that occur through vast areas of Africa were named using the word “Cape”. As a young boy living in Hillbrow, I remember the prevalence of the...

April 2024

02 May 2024

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In last month’s newsletter, Nyarai posted a photo of an elephant inside Tremisana Lodge. A concerned prospective tourist asked about the potential danger. We established that the elephant did not break through our electric fence but walked through the back gate that had been...

March 2024

02 Apr 2024

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Some 30 years ago, I gave a talk at the University of the Witwatersrand to graduate students who were about to go on their first Mathematics teaching practical. Teaching can be both very rewarding and extremely punishing. I tried to encourage these student teachers to look...

February 2024

01 Mar 2024

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Viva Safaris has always attempted to engender in our tourists an awareness of good conservation practice. If you have the time, please look at the Home Page of https://www.vivasafaris.com. A much younger version of yours truly appears on the video entitled “Kruger Park Safaris...

December 2023 / January 2024

02 Feb 2024

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The Pel’s Fishing Owl, Scotopelia Peli, is a ‘top trophy” sighting as it is mainly nocturnal. It is a large light brown owl with rufous flecks on its plumage. It is found almost exclusively on large rivers that afford it nesting sites as well as prey. I was thrilled in early...

November 2023

30 Nov 2023

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My oldest grandchild, Seanna, turns 14 on 28 December and is at that stage of her cognitive development that manifests in her asking many questions. Her favourite is a one-worder : “why?” Yesterday, we were watching a TV news report of the terrible suffering presently experienced...

At Nsemana Dam in KNP, this leopard crossed right in front of us, heading south.

October 2023

31 Oct 2023

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The monkeys at our lodges are a source of entertainment for all guests, most of the time. The playful antics and family relations including scenes of both love and aggression are similar to those of us humans. It gets even more similar when naughty monkeys steal. When our guests...

Hippo in Olifants River on Rome 1 property

September 2023

01 Oct 2023

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The issue of hunting has recently come to the fore when an elephant was shot multiple times before it died. At Viva Safaris we believe that there should be a total ban on all hunting in the private reserves adjoining Kruger Park. On Olifants West Reserve, on which Tremisana Lodge...

August 2023

01 Sep 2023

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The African Water Monitor, Varanus Niloticus, is common throughout the Kruger Park. If viewed from the back while swimming, it is sometimes mistaken for a small crocodile.In fact, it is well-known as a poacher of crocodile eggs. In South Africa, the Water Monitor is also known as...

July 2023

31 Jul 2023

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On the occasions that I went to toy shops to buy plastic African animals for my children (and more recently for my grandchildren), I never once found a toy pangolin or a caracal or a honey badger. Of course, the favourite toy animals were lions, elephants, rhino, buffalos and, of...

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 ‘...

July 2022

01 Aug 2022

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From time to time, I am reminded that Nature appears to have extremely cruel animals. For example, the way in which wild dogs bite and dismember still-alive prey has given them a reputation for cruelty. The experts advise that the prey is in such a state of shock that it is...

June 2022

05 Jul 2022

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Quite understandably, we are often asked about the dangers involved with going on safari. There are occasions when guests may encounter snakes or spiders and I always recommend that every tourist brings a torch. Not only will this allow better visibility at night but it enhances...

May 2022

03 Jun 2022

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One of the highlights of the VIVA SAFARIS packages is the BUSH WALK along the Olifants River led by an armed ranger. The opportunity to be out of a vehicle and on ground traversed by the Big Five is an energising experience. Adrenalin surges may be high notwithstanding the...

April 2022

05 May 2022

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April 2022 will be remembered as the month in which we had terrible floods in my home province, KwaZulu Natal. The devastation was severe and over 435 people sadly lost their lives. Thousands are homeless. I have no doubt that the floods were a direct result of climate change....

March 2022

06 Apr 2022

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Last week, while I was clearing up my office, I came across the very first newsletter I ever sent. At that stage, the newsletters were issued quarterly and this one was dated 4th quarter of 1999.Marco, webmaster extraordinaire, has printed newsletters going back to the beginning...

February 2022

04 Mar 2022

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The Crested Guineafowl, Guttera Edoardi, is uncommon in Kruger Park, frequenting the forested areas in the north. It is common in KwaZulu Natal and even occurs in Durban, my hometown. It is often detected by its call as it is quite noisy but is not readily seen as it prefers...

December 2021 / January 2022

03 Feb 2022

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Most tourists who visit the Kruger Park usually see two primates : the Vervet Monkey and the Chacma Baboon. There is a third, exceptionally rare primate: the Samango Monkey. In Kruger, it was found only in the extreme north and originally moved to the Punda Maria region from the...

November 2021

02 Dec 2021

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November 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of Viva Safaris.From very humble beginnings, Viva has grown steadily to become one of the most sought-after safari operators to Kruger Park.It has been a whole lot of fun. Hard work and astute business decisions have...

October 2021

03 Nov 2021

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I have had a few responses and enquiries in relation to the photos of the white lions taken by Tolli – see newsletter September 2021 on Home Page of www.vivasafaris.com. Most people that wish to see a white lion do so at a zoo. According to the Global White Lion Protection...

September 2021

01 Oct 2021

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To Be ( vaccinated ) or Not To Be ( vaccinated ) ? – that is the question ! It has been interesting to me that both my sons, one of whom is a physiotherapist, have steadfastly refused to be vaccinated against Covid, much to the horror of both my daughters, one of whom is a...

August 2021

06 Sep 2021

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With its bright red flowers that appear in early August, the Coral Tree, Erythina Lysistemon, is very easily noticed in the bushveld. The flowers appear before the leaves. The flowers are carried in short, dense aggregates about 10 cm long and give the appearance of coral, hence...

July 2021

04 Aug 2021

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The Hooded Vulture, Cathartes Monachus, is so named in reference to the thick, woolly buff-grey down on the side of the neck extending to the centre of the crown on its head. The Latin word, Monachus, means “pertaining to a monk” in reference to the hooded appearance. It is...

June 2021

02 Jul 2021

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In my opinion, there is no sound in the African bush more evocative than the eerie whoop of the Spotted Hyena, Crocuta Crocuta. It begins with a low guttural “whooo” and rises to a falsetto quasi-scream ending with a high “ooop” – hence the word “whoop”. At all 4 of our...

May 2021

03 Jun 2021

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From time to time, we encounter keen and observant tourists that spend time in camp looking at birds and insects. One of the most difficult insects to locate is the Giant Stick Insect, Bactrododema Tiaratum. This is a large, slow-moving insect with very elongate, slender bodies...

April 2021

04 May 2021

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The Banded Mongoose, Mungos Mungo, is so named after the conspicuous transverse bands on the lower part of the back. Banded Mongooses are seen regularly at all our camps, scurrying around in small groups of up to 15 individuals. They are diurnal and sleep in burrows. When...

March 2021

06 Apr 2021

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As with domesticated animals such as dogs and cats and even doves, wild animals display a range of emotions. The African Elephant is probably the animal most likely to display visible emotions. These include joy, love, grief, fear and rage. While we must guard against identifying...

February 2021

05 Mar 2021

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When Donald Trump labelled the Corona virus the “China Virus”, the effect was to stir up more anti-Chinese feelings. When the new variant first identified in SA was labelled the “South African variant”, the effect was to frighten more tourists away from SA. On 28 February our...

December 2020 / January 2021

02 Feb 2021

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The Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis, is unmistakeably colourful: chestnut upperparts, dark head, bluish eye-ring and beak allow it to join the Paradise Whydah as worthy of a heavenly title ! During the breeding season, the male develops impressively long central tail...

November 2020

09 Dec 2020

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I received an email last week from the Tourism Council that required my input re damage done to Viva Safaris in November 2020 by the virus. I answered very simply as follows : Number of tourists who took a Viva Safaris tour : November 2019 : 496 November 2020 : 8 ...

Viva Safaris Reopening

08 Oct 2020

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It has been tough. Actually it has been extremely tough ! The effects of the Corona virus are not yet completely known – there has been world-wide carnage in the hospitality industry. I turn 65 on 17 November and had previously hinted that retirement was a definite...

Two extremely close White Rhino make for a thrilling guest experience

March 2020

04 Apr 2020

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I am always amazed at the amount of small wildlife that is present in our camps. Very often the curious tourist will find something special to enrich his wildlife experience over and above the seemingly crazy quest to tick off all Big Five. We have contracted Tolli vd Berg to...

February 2020

04 Mar 2020

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When we first bought Tremisana Lodge over 25 years ago, the sale included a piece of land across the R 40 road. This piece was about 140 hectares in extent. We conducted bush walks and game drives there. We introduced some special species such as Eland and Nyala. The highlights...

December 2019 / January 2020

03 Feb 2020

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When Robbie and Lize Prehn, owners of Pondoro Lodge, helped me, way back in in 2013, to select a Marula tree for the development of Viva Safaris’ Marula Tree Boma, it was winter and the Marulas had no leaves. It is possible to determine the gender of a Marula by close inspection...

Relaxed Motlala leopard looking at Jordan and guests

November 2019

02 Dec 2019

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At long last the rains have fallen ! This year the rains have been extremely late and the grazers have struggled. Before the rains, there was exceptional game viewing around the water points and our lucky tourists have seen numerous kills this month. The grass has rapidly turned...

October 2019

07 Nov 2019

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We are regularly requested by prospective tourists to advise the best time to visit Kruger Park. There is no simple answer. Each season has its own attractions. The greatest concentrations of game are found towards the end of the dry season months. It is impossible to predict...

September 2019

07 Oct 2019

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The number of trees destroyed by elephants in late Winter is alarming. With their need for moisture, elephants do a lot of damage in debarking trees ( mainly Marulas ) or knocking trees over to get to the succulent roots. Once elephants ring-bark a Marula tree, the cambium layer...

August 2019

04 Sep 2019

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The Sable Antelope, Hippotragus Niger, is a stunningly beautiful animal. Both sexes are blessed with magnificent recurved horns and I rate the adult Sable bull as the most majestic antelope in all of Africa. They are uncommon but recently Viva Safaris guests have had some luck in...

July 2019

06 Aug 2019

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The Cut-Throat Finch, Amadina Fasciata, is aptly named and the male is easily recognised via the bright red band under the throat. As with most birds, the female is less colourful and lacks the red band. Cut-throat finches are found throughout the northern and eastern...

Lioness within touching distance of our open vehicle

June 2019

03 Jul 2019

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The Saddle-billed Stork, Ephippiorhynchus Senegalensis, is a striking bird. Not only is it the tallest stork in the world but it also has attractive pied plumage. It has a black and red banded bill with a prominent yellow saddle at the base of the bill. Interestingly, the male...

May 2019

08 Jun 2019

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By now it is common knowledge that some of the private Nature Reserves around Kruger have decided to dehorn all their rhino. Such drastic action is explained as “better a dehorned rhino than no rhino at all”. I have serious reservations but accept that the action was done with...

April 2019

02 May 2019

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The African Mourning Dove, Streptopelia Decipiens, is well known in wildlife reserves in Botswana and East Africa. For many years, it was known as the Angola Mourning Dove. It is easily recognised by its diagnostic red skin around a yellow eye. In South Africa, it is...

March 2019

03 Apr 2019

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At the beginning of this month, after good rains in Kruger, one of our guests was mortified when viewing a big bull elephant flatten an even bigger tree. Our tourist guide tried his best to explain that other animals would benefit from the accessible leaves, bark and roots. This...

Vehicles with many tourists = more employment opportunities for locals.

February 2019

09 Mar 2019

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I believe that the most serious problem in S A today is the shortage of jobs. Unemployment figures for the 18 to 35 year old bracket is way over 60% and climbing !! This is an extremely explosive situation and we all should try to do our bit to alleviate the problem. It is...

Our lovely Shannon close to a lovely lion !

January 2019

11 Feb 2019

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The African Green Pigeon, TRERON CALVUS, is an attractive bird with green, yellow, mauve and red markings. It has an olive-green back, grey-green head, yellow leggings, mauve eyes and tricoloured bill. It is fructivorous and frequents the canopies of evergreen fig trees where it...

Nyala ewe with newly born lamb at Reception of Marc’s

November 2018

05 Dec 2018

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When I first started guiding, we used the word “ herd “ to describe groups of antelopes, giraffes, rhinos and zebras. More colourful and descriptive collective nouns have since emerged. For example we use the word “ dazzle “ for a group of zebras, “ crash” for a group of rhinos...

October 2018

09 Nov 2018

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The dire conditions because of a shortage of natural food in the bush have resulted in some irregular behaviour by very hungry animals. We had 2 break-ins at Katekani Luxury Tented Lodge by baboons – they messed things up comprehensively on both occasions. Margrett was...

Elephants at waterhole in front of Tremisana Lapa.

September 2018

10 Oct 2018

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The drought continues. My friend of many years, Michael, who has drilled more boreholes than he can remember, sunk yet another borehole at Tremisana. Water was obtained at a depth of 55 metres, but I was advised to continue drilling. Eventually we drilled down to a depth of 110...

August 2018

11 Sep 2018

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Thanks to Marco, our brilliant webmaster, I am now in possession of numerous files that have every single newsletter I wrote starting in May 2002. What a lot of memories! Pity in only one way – I had completely forgotten some names and events – a reminder that age is marching on...

July 2018

08 Aug 2018

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The African Porcupine, Hystrix Africaeaustralis, is a common animal in Kruger Park. It is strictly nocturnal and spends the day hidden in holes in termite mounds. The porcupine is a rodent and is exclusively vegetarian. Its diet includes roots, bulbs, wild fruits, seeds and the...

June 2018

09 Jul 2018

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I have had a number of positive and constructive responses to my last newsletter that indicated some of my ideas on the role of guides and drivers. I have been asked to share some of my ideas on tourist expectations. Over many years, Viva Safaris has been fine-tuned in respect of...

May 2018

08 Jun 2018

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May is traditionally one of the quietest months in terms of guest arrivals. We ensure that all staff take their annual long leave between April and June. Our drivers and guides are encouraged to rest and not do any freelance work. We use the Lodge guides to fix roads. This year...

April 2018

09 May 2018

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The Ostrich, Struthio Camelus, is a universally recognised bird. It was fashionable to wear hats and dresses made from ostrich plumes, especially during the colonial era. Large numbers of ostriches were exported to places all over the world, and, as a result, the ostrich is well...

Sighting of Hippo in Olifants River while o Bush Walk.

March 2018

05 Apr 2018

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The White-backed Vulture, Gyps Africanus, is the most common vulture in our area. It is so named because of the white feathers on the lower back, best noticed when the bird is in flight. Large numbers of these birds are seen at kills. They have extremely good eyesight and from...

Close and personal with elephant on Tshukudu.

February 2018

05 Mar 2018

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The Wild Dog, Lycaon Pictus, is nomadic and travels vast distances in search of prey. Wild Dogs generally try to avoid areas where there is a regular lion presence. They are able to slip in and out of fenced reserves using passages made under the fences by warthogs. Consequently...

January 2018

07 Feb 2018

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As a result of feedback from regular recipients of our monthly newsletter, I have decided to cut down on detail in the reports submitted by the tourist guides. This will result in a shorter newsletter that I am advised will be more “user-friendly”. December 2017 and January 2018...

November 2017

05 Dec 2017

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Towards the middle of November 2017, I was approached by a group of 4 guides : Rex, Elias, Eva and Shannon. All of these do their guiding ONLY in the Balule Reserve and informed me rather sadly that there were no buffalo left – as a result of the drought the buffalo had trekked...

October 2017

08 Nov 2017

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The Leopard, Panthera Pardus is, for many tourists, the most sought after animal in Kruger Park. It is the quintessential cat, displaying qualities so familiar to humans who have house cats : it is aloof, able to climb tall trees, opportunistic and generally solitary. Perhaps the...

Red-billed Quelea. Photo by Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE

September 2017

06 Oct 2017

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On a recent safari conducted by another company, the guide informed us that the most populous bird in the world is the Red-billed Quelea, Quelea Quelea. I am not sure of this as I reckon the domestic chicken wins that title. He probably meant undomesticated flying bird. What...

August 2017

08 Sep 2017

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One of the responsibilities of tour operators/ game lodge owners, in my opinion, is passing on a conservation ethic to our guests. It is well and good to provide brilliant game-viewing opportunities along with real African experiences but we would be failing dismally if our...

July 2017

06 Aug 2017

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The Serrated Hinged Terrapin, Pelusios Sinuatus, is a common resident of all rivers and major dams in Kruger Park. Terrapins are essentially fresh water turtles. It is called Hinged as it has a hinge in its shell which can be closed after retracting its head. The carapace (hard...

June 2017

12 Jul 2017

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About 3 weeks ago, I went on a safari into Kruger with one of our newer guides, Lamby. Although I was well aware of his exceptional abilities while he was Head Guide at another safari company, it is part of my job to evaluate all our guides. Lamby was very good BUT the rhino...

May 2017

12 Jun 2017

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The domestication of wild animals is, for me personally, not a good idea. I have little interest in walking with lions or “interacting” with elephants. The fact that most elephant-back safari operations are closing down is good news to me. There are some of Viva’s guests that...

Lioness right in front of Rex’s Landcruiser.

April 2017

14 May 2017

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The Spotted Hyena, Crocuta crocuta, is so named because of the irregular brown spots on a sandy yellow background coat. The young, interestingly, are dark brown, almost black. The Spotted Hyena has a strong neck and forequarters with a sloping back. It is the “Jaws” of the bush,...

March 2017

12 Apr 2017

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The Warthog, Phacochoerus Africanus, is now as common and as entertaining a visitor to the Tremisana Lodge gardens as the monkey troop. Perhaps they are even more welcome as warthogs do not bother guests at breakfast time, trying to steal food. We have replaced the small yoghurts...

February 2017

07 Mar 2017

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The Bateleur, Terathopius Ecaudatus, is a striking Eagle . Its colourful plumage and short tail render it unmistakeable. “Ecaudatus” in Latin means “ tail-less “. In Afrikaans it is called “Berghaan “ literally “Mountain Rooster” – a good description ! The word “Bateleur”...

December 2016 / January 2017

06 Feb 2017

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The rains have had an amazing effect on the veld. Lush grass and vibrant green foliage bear testimony to the end of the drought. The young impala are having a great time ! The herbivores certainly suffered during the drought and I believe that the numbers of zebra, wildebeest,...

Brilliant shot of Wild Dog pack on the road.

November 2016

08 Dec 2016

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The Greater Kudu, Tragelaphus Strepsiceros, is the third largest antelope in Kruger Park, after the Eland and Roan Antelope. The Kudu is an elegant antelope with bulls having magnificent spiral horns that can grow up to 1.75 metres long. Its coat is fawn-coloured with the sides...

October 2016

14 Nov 2016

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The Honey Badger, Mellivora Capensis, is so named as it is believed that it follows a bird, the Greater Honeyguide, to a beehive. Once the Honey Badger opens the beehive, the Honeyguide gets its sweet share. The fact that it survives any number of bee stings is eloquent testimony...

September 2016

11 Oct 2016

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The drought continued throughout September 2016. Unlike Kruger Park, some of the Private Game Reserves that Viva Safaris visit have decided to feed the animals. Both Kapama Game Reserve and Tshukudu Game Reserve have been feeding their grazers on a daily basis. In Kruger I am...

August 2016

07 Sep 2016

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The Small-spotted Genet, Genetta Genetta, is widely distributed throughout South Africa. Genets have long, sleek bodies and equally long tails, short legs and relatively long, rounded ears. The general body colour is off-white to grey and is liberally covered with dark brown to...

Leopard with fresh Duiker kill up a Marula Tree.

July 2016

13 Aug 2016

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Last month’s newsletter indicated our concerns about poaching by ill-informed locals. Underpinning these nefarious activities is a need to earn cash – poverty is widespread in the communities adjacent to Kruger Park. It is critically important that the owners of Game Lodges and...

June 2016

18 Jul 2016

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The White-backed Vulture, Gyps Africanus, is the most common vulture species in the Kruger Park. It is also the most common vulture in Africa. Guests who book our 5 and 6 day packages go to Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre where they can interact with some rehabilitated...

May 2016

13 Jun 2016

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We apologise for the lateness of this month’s newsletter. The drought continues! Grazers are really struggling and there are large areas of Kruger Park that simply have NO grass! I expect serious mortality amongst animals such as hippo, buffalo, white rhino and to a lesser extent...

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