An update on the heavy rains in the Kruger National Park as on 13 March 2014 at 08H00AM.
Latest update
Pafuri Picnic Spot is closed.
As a safety precaution it has been decided to close the following facilities:
...
Talamati Bush camp (closed until Monday, 17 March 2014)
Biyamiti Bush Camp (closed until Monday, 17 March 2014)
Wolhuter Trails Camp (closed until Monday, 24 March 2014)
Boesman Trails Camp (closed until Monday, 24 March 2014)
Olifants Trail Camp (closed until Monday, 24 March 2014)
Nyalaland Fly Camp (closed until Monday, 24 March 2014)
Balule Satellite Camp (closed until Monday, 17 March 2014)
Sirheni Bush Camp (closed until Monday, 17 March 2014)
Bateleur Bush Camp (closed until Monday, 17 March 2014)
Shimuwini Bush Camp (closed until Monday, 17 March 2014)
Berg-en-Dal fence temporarily erected.
Bird Hides:
Sable Hide is closed.
Roads and Bridges:
Gravel roads in the Marula Region still closed, with the exception of the roads listed below.
H1-1 from Skukuza to Pretoriuskop open
S60 between Punda Maria and Pafuri is open
H14 between Mopani and Phalaborwa open
H1-2 between Skukuza and Tshokwane is open (Sand River low level bridge between Skukuza and Tshokwane is closed).
The following gravel roads have been reopened:
S7
S10
S42
S8
H2-2 (Afsaal - Pretoriuskop)
S11
S28
S107
S130
S137
S39
S36 (from H7 - S145)
S126
S106
S89
S90
S41
S100
S40
S12
S127
Gates/Ports of entry:
Crocodile Bridge Gate has been reopened.
Picnic Spots:
Tshokwane Picnic Site is open.
Pafuri Picnic Spot is closed.
H3 from Skukuza - Malelane is now open. The northern part of the park is accessible via H12, high water level bridge.
River Update:
The weather predictions indicate mild rains for the coming few days, however, most rivers have subsided except the Olifants River which is still flowing a bit high.
Please Note:
All main camps are not affected the park is still accessible. For more information call the central reservation on 012 428 9111 or the Emergency number 013 735 4029.
Issued by:
South African National Parks
Verity and Dean Cherry had an African dream in 1999 and started Nhongo Safaris® to eliminate the logistical challenges of international visitors on safari. We provide a once in a lifetime experience for wildlife enthusiast that demand quality overnight safaris in South Africa and most particularly the Kruger National Park. We want to enrich our visitors’ experience by providing Luxury Safari Packages or African Safari Holidays and maintain our position as leader in Kruger Park Safaris.
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Thursday, 13 March 2014
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
The Fight Against Rhino Poaching Gets R1 Million Boost From Unitrans Volkswagen
Today, Unitrans Volkswagen Divisional Chief Executive Mr. Kevin Gillmer handed a cheque of R1 051 720 million to the SANParks Honorary Rangers, celebrating the Unitrans Volkswagen financial contribution for 2013 to the Unite Against Poaching effort.
Accepting the cheque on behalf of SANParks and the Honorary Rangers..., SANParks Chief Executive Dr. David Mabunda said the on-going scourge of rhino poaching in our country is an area of concern to government and ordinary people in villages and cities including corporate South Africa. “It is therefore with great humility and sense of pride that SANParks accepts the generosity presented by UNITRANS Volkswagen – this is proof that together we can do more to win the fight against rhino poaching.”
He said rhino poaching is a crime that is undoubtedly fuelled by a thriving black market trade in rhino horn. Since January this year, a total of 166 Rhinos have been poached, with 111 of them in the Kruger National Park. “It is worrying that we are still losing such a high number of rhinos throughout the country. However the most encouraging area in this whole saga is the increasing number of arrests, which stood at 343 for the country by end last year of which 133 were arrests made in the Kruger National Park.”
South Africa is home to approximately 20 000 white and black rhinoceros of which 10 000 are found in the Kruger National Park. This represents over 80% of the world’s total rhino population. The South African population is one of the last viable rhino populations in the world which makes it vulnerable. South Africa is therefore the remaining hope for the world in terms of rhino conservation.
To help sustain the effort against poaching SANParks has requested the Honorary Rangers to prioritise fundraising in support of the counter poaching effort. Unitrans Volkswagen’s Unite against Poaching initiative has contributed R6 781 250 million to the SANParks’ counter poaching effort over the past three years, in partnership with the SANParks Honorary Rangers.
“Unlike many fundraising initiatives the SANParks Honorary Rangers utilise 100% of all money raised for counter poaching to help our rangers. We do not use donor money to fund our activities. As we are the South African National Parks preferred channel for counter poaching support in our National Parks, and as our parks are home to the majority of the world’s rhino population, this donation is important in the fight to save our rhinos”, says Louis Lemmer, Deputy Chairperson of the SANParks Honorary Rangers National Executive Committee.
Kevin Gillmer added, “This pledge of over a million Rand has been made possible through the support of our customers. Each vehicle sold within the group attracts a pledge directly to the Unite Against Poaching fund. In this way members of the public can help make a sustainable contribution to the fight against poaching at the coal face. Unitrans Volkswagen is proud to be associated with both the financial as well as vehicle support of the war against poaching in SANParks. We continue to work in partnership with the SANParks Honorary Rangers to ensure that the pledged funds are used effectively and efficiently in approved counter poaching projects within SANParks.”
SANParks has called on corporates and individuals for extra support for the Honorary Rangers counter poaching effort in order to assist its rangers in the field. The partnership with Unitrans Volkswagen is a great example of what can be done. Through the sale of vehicles by the 10 Unitrans Volkswagen dealerships the company is able to sustain its support and make a major contribution.
The time is now for everyone to Unite Against Poaching and help ensure this precious heritage for our children’s children.
Issued by :
South African National Parks Corporate Communications
Accepting the cheque on behalf of SANParks and the Honorary Rangers..., SANParks Chief Executive Dr. David Mabunda said the on-going scourge of rhino poaching in our country is an area of concern to government and ordinary people in villages and cities including corporate South Africa. “It is therefore with great humility and sense of pride that SANParks accepts the generosity presented by UNITRANS Volkswagen – this is proof that together we can do more to win the fight against rhino poaching.”
He said rhino poaching is a crime that is undoubtedly fuelled by a thriving black market trade in rhino horn. Since January this year, a total of 166 Rhinos have been poached, with 111 of them in the Kruger National Park. “It is worrying that we are still losing such a high number of rhinos throughout the country. However the most encouraging area in this whole saga is the increasing number of arrests, which stood at 343 for the country by end last year of which 133 were arrests made in the Kruger National Park.”
South Africa is home to approximately 20 000 white and black rhinoceros of which 10 000 are found in the Kruger National Park. This represents over 80% of the world’s total rhino population. The South African population is one of the last viable rhino populations in the world which makes it vulnerable. South Africa is therefore the remaining hope for the world in terms of rhino conservation.
To help sustain the effort against poaching SANParks has requested the Honorary Rangers to prioritise fundraising in support of the counter poaching effort. Unitrans Volkswagen’s Unite against Poaching initiative has contributed R6 781 250 million to the SANParks’ counter poaching effort over the past three years, in partnership with the SANParks Honorary Rangers.
“Unlike many fundraising initiatives the SANParks Honorary Rangers utilise 100% of all money raised for counter poaching to help our rangers. We do not use donor money to fund our activities. As we are the South African National Parks preferred channel for counter poaching support in our National Parks, and as our parks are home to the majority of the world’s rhino population, this donation is important in the fight to save our rhinos”, says Louis Lemmer, Deputy Chairperson of the SANParks Honorary Rangers National Executive Committee.
Kevin Gillmer added, “This pledge of over a million Rand has been made possible through the support of our customers. Each vehicle sold within the group attracts a pledge directly to the Unite Against Poaching fund. In this way members of the public can help make a sustainable contribution to the fight against poaching at the coal face. Unitrans Volkswagen is proud to be associated with both the financial as well as vehicle support of the war against poaching in SANParks. We continue to work in partnership with the SANParks Honorary Rangers to ensure that the pledged funds are used effectively and efficiently in approved counter poaching projects within SANParks.”
SANParks has called on corporates and individuals for extra support for the Honorary Rangers counter poaching effort in order to assist its rangers in the field. The partnership with Unitrans Volkswagen is a great example of what can be done. Through the sale of vehicles by the 10 Unitrans Volkswagen dealerships the company is able to sustain its support and make a major contribution.
The time is now for everyone to Unite Against Poaching and help ensure this precious heritage for our children’s children.
Issued by :
South African National Parks Corporate Communications
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
On Safari With Curtis From 6 March 2014
6 March 2014
The start of a new tour saw me picking up the guests from Nelspruit
and driving down to Numbi gate, once there we only had a couple of hours before
gate closing time and so we headed straight down Napi tar. A quiet start to
begin with as we saw Kudu and Zebra from a long distance, so we stopped and
talked about the Rhino Middens and Elephant dung along the road. We then came
upon a small group of Giraffe and watched them for a few minutes. Time to turn
around and head to the lodge but the return journey was a lot more productive.
The Zebra had moved out into the open and we had three separate sightings of
White Rhino close by. We also saw our first Impala of the tour by the time we
had gone through Numbi gate.
However the sightings weren't over as on the dirt road to the lodge we had a good sighting of a solitary 'Dagga Boy' Buffalo and then a sighting of 3 Elephants on the road. A strange grouping as there was a female with her calf and a older male with them. Not the usual family grouping but still fun and interesting to watch. As we drove past the youngster got a little vocal and tried to show who was boss!!! We then drove into Nkambeni Tented lodge which will be home for the next couple of days.
However the sightings weren't over as on the dirt road to the lodge we had a good sighting of a solitary 'Dagga Boy' Buffalo and then a sighting of 3 Elephants on the road. A strange grouping as there was a female with her calf and a older male with them. Not the usual family grouping but still fun and interesting to watch. As we drove past the youngster got a little vocal and tried to show who was boss!!! We then drove into Nkambeni Tented lodge which will be home for the next couple of days.
7 March
2014
Driving through Phabeni gate, todays start was fairly quiet
seeing Impala, Kudu and Zebra along the road. We then spotted what must have
been around 50 Vultures all in the same spot, we could smell a kill but
unfortunately it was too far in the bush to see. Carrying on we found Giraffe,
Elephant and a solitary Vervet monkey.
As the day progressed we continued to see more Impala and Kudu as well
as Elephant and a couple of Warthogs crossing the road in front of us before
we stopped for a break.
After lunch we found yet more Impala, Kudu, Elephant, Zebra and Wildebeest and we saw our first Rhinos of the day, a crash of three standing together. We were also able to spot a few of the smaller creatures during the day including lilac-breasted Rollers, Southern Ground Hornbills and the Yellow-billed Hornbills. We also saw Leopard Tortoises and a Chameleon crossing the road.
After lunch we found yet more Impala, Kudu, Elephant, Zebra and Wildebeest and we saw our first Rhinos of the day, a crash of three standing together. We were also able to spot a few of the smaller creatures during the day including lilac-breasted Rollers, Southern Ground Hornbills and the Yellow-billed Hornbills. We also saw Leopard Tortoises and a Chameleon crossing the road.
8 March
2014
The final day of the tour for my two guests and we left the lodge ,
luggage packed, to try our luck on the final safari. We came across general
game such as Impala and Kudu before finding Elephant and yet more Rhino. We
also found Waterbuck and quite a few Leopard Tortoises walking along the road.
We also got a nice sighting of a Common Duiker before he ran away and we had to
make our way out of the gate and up to Nelspruit to transfer the guests to
Johannesburg. Thank you Tiffany and Sam for your company and hopefully you will
come back one day when there is less rain.
No rest for the wicked as I had four new guests immediately, after driving back to the lodge and settling in we went out for a short drive to let the guests have their first taste of a safari. Just on the lodges camp road we spotted Elephant, Kudu and Impala. Driving up to Numbi gate we also spotted the first of four separate Dwarf Mongoose sightings. Three of the sightings were short as they ran into the bush but at one sighting they hung around poking around in Elephant dung searching for tasty morsels. We saw more Kudu, Impala, a Warthog and Rhino. We also had a beautiful Elephant sighting, coming around a corner we found ourselves looking at a large Bull about 100metres down the road walking towards us. We stopped and I checked for signs of Musth, there were none so I told my guests to be very quiet and we waited as the Ellie continued to walk towards us. He just kept on coming and walked straight by us, close enough for us to touch him if we had wanted. NONE of us did though!!!!! An incredible moment none of the guests will forget in a hurry.
No rest for the wicked as I had four new guests immediately, after driving back to the lodge and settling in we went out for a short drive to let the guests have their first taste of a safari. Just on the lodges camp road we spotted Elephant, Kudu and Impala. Driving up to Numbi gate we also spotted the first of four separate Dwarf Mongoose sightings. Three of the sightings were short as they ran into the bush but at one sighting they hung around poking around in Elephant dung searching for tasty morsels. We saw more Kudu, Impala, a Warthog and Rhino. We also had a beautiful Elephant sighting, coming around a corner we found ourselves looking at a large Bull about 100metres down the road walking towards us. We stopped and I checked for signs of Musth, there were none so I told my guests to be very quiet and we waited as the Ellie continued to walk towards us. He just kept on coming and walked straight by us, close enough for us to touch him if we had wanted. NONE of us did though!!!!! An incredible moment none of the guests will forget in a hurry.
9 March
2014
Leaving the lodge early and heading up to Numbi gate we came across a
group of Vervet Monkeys playing in the trees. We then took a short trip around
Shabeni Loop where we spotted two Cape Buffalo lounging on the top of the
rocks. We headed down finding Impala, Kudu, Warthog and two Bull Elephants in
the distance as well as a family of Dwarf Mongoose at the side of the road. We
went down the road to the dam and came across Zebra walking over the road,
we also found Waterbuck around the water’s edge and Hippos lounging in the
water as well as an array of birds such as the Grey Heron, Cattle Egrets, Egyptian
Geese and a couple of weavers. As we headed back to the main road a member of
the public told us about some Hyenas playing near the road so we headed in that
direction. We found them lying in the long grass but we stayed long enough to
get a few good photos as they moved around.
We carried on and found a large Male Giraffe standing next to the
road, he carried on eating and then decided to walk across the road right in
front of us. We also saw Wildebeest and more Impala before getting to Skukuza
for our morning coffee.
After our stop we headed back the same way and found more Giraffe, Impala and Warthogs. We also found a number of White Rhino close to the road, unfortunately they were busy having a siesta in the long grass so we could only see the backs and flicking ears. We did however have a nice White Rhino cross the road in front of us and when we got to the spot found a second Rhino with him. We also found several Tortoises crossing the road along the way (luckily they all made it safely to the other side) We also had time to stop at the Hyena den again and found a couple of the older pups still outside the den allowing us to get some more pics.
This afternoon it's time for the Sundowner drive (weather permitting) more details tomorrow!!!
After our stop we headed back the same way and found more Giraffe, Impala and Warthogs. We also found a number of White Rhino close to the road, unfortunately they were busy having a siesta in the long grass so we could only see the backs and flicking ears. We did however have a nice White Rhino cross the road in front of us and when we got to the spot found a second Rhino with him. We also found several Tortoises crossing the road along the way (luckily they all made it safely to the other side) We also had time to stop at the Hyena den again and found a couple of the older pups still outside the den allowing us to get some more pics.
This afternoon it's time for the Sundowner drive (weather permitting) more details tomorrow!!!
10 March
2014
Last nights Sundowner drive was a very enjoyable event for the guests
as they enjoyed a beautiful sunset before seeing Lions and many other animals.
Even the torrential downpour and storm which caught them couldn't stop the
smiles when they got back to the lodge.
A very cold and even wetter start to the day as the weather turned for the worse meant that when we stopped at the golf club for a break we had seen very few animals, some Impalas, Buffalo, Giraffe and Kudu as well as Elephant from a distance. After the break the rain held off and we progressed down to the river and found a couple of female Lions. We had a glimpse of them for about ten seconds before they disappeared into the bush. We had planned to go back to the lodge for lunch due to the weather but I then heard about a possible sighting of Cheetah further down the road, unfortunately no luck as it had gone by the time we got their so we returned to Skukuza for lunch.
The afternoon turned out to be much more productive and interesting than the morning, firstly we spotted the regular Klipspringer on Klipspringer Koppies and headed down Napi where we saw Waterbuck, Wildebeest, Zebra and Rhino as well as Warthog, Impala and Kudu. It was getting late in the afternoon when we got to Numbi tar and I decided to take a quick look around Shabeni loop and it was lucky we did as we found a crash of Rhino with a few Impala near by, as we drove on we then spotted a Leopard sitting on the rocks, We turned the engine off and watched her for quite a few minutes as she rolled around on her back and yawned. Suddenly she decided to get up and disappeared into the bush. We turned around and started to follow looking for the tell tale sign of her tail waving and then it became apparent she was starting to hunt the Impala. She edged closer and closer, as we every now and then got a glimpse of her moving through the bush, wonderfully swerving around the Rhino which were in her way until she was just metres away. She stopped for a second, crept forward a few feet more and then pounced and caught her intended prey. We watched as she kept her grip on the neck of the animal and slowly the Impala took its last breath. Meanwhile we heard that just a few hundred feet away another safari truck had spotted a second Leopard also hunting. While our Leopard lay with her prey we proceeded to this second sighting to take a look and sure enough a second Leopard we found, this one hadn't managed to make a kill however, We watched for a while getting even more amazing photos before returning to the first Leopard, she had moved the Impala to the base of a tree but didn't attempt to take her meal up.
Sadly it was coming to the end of the day and Krugers closing time so we decided to leave and head home. However we had one more lovely surprise as we also found two Male Lions lying in the middle of the road. We were able to enjoy being just metres away from them as they rolled over and then stood up giving us a great view of them. However time was not on our side as we had to head back to the lodge before gate closing time.
A day which started so miserable and wet ended with all the guests on a major high, telling everyone back at the lodge about their unforgettable experiences.
A very cold and even wetter start to the day as the weather turned for the worse meant that when we stopped at the golf club for a break we had seen very few animals, some Impalas, Buffalo, Giraffe and Kudu as well as Elephant from a distance. After the break the rain held off and we progressed down to the river and found a couple of female Lions. We had a glimpse of them for about ten seconds before they disappeared into the bush. We had planned to go back to the lodge for lunch due to the weather but I then heard about a possible sighting of Cheetah further down the road, unfortunately no luck as it had gone by the time we got their so we returned to Skukuza for lunch.
The afternoon turned out to be much more productive and interesting than the morning, firstly we spotted the regular Klipspringer on Klipspringer Koppies and headed down Napi where we saw Waterbuck, Wildebeest, Zebra and Rhino as well as Warthog, Impala and Kudu. It was getting late in the afternoon when we got to Numbi tar and I decided to take a quick look around Shabeni loop and it was lucky we did as we found a crash of Rhino with a few Impala near by, as we drove on we then spotted a Leopard sitting on the rocks, We turned the engine off and watched her for quite a few minutes as she rolled around on her back and yawned. Suddenly she decided to get up and disappeared into the bush. We turned around and started to follow looking for the tell tale sign of her tail waving and then it became apparent she was starting to hunt the Impala. She edged closer and closer, as we every now and then got a glimpse of her moving through the bush, wonderfully swerving around the Rhino which were in her way until she was just metres away. She stopped for a second, crept forward a few feet more and then pounced and caught her intended prey. We watched as she kept her grip on the neck of the animal and slowly the Impala took its last breath. Meanwhile we heard that just a few hundred feet away another safari truck had spotted a second Leopard also hunting. While our Leopard lay with her prey we proceeded to this second sighting to take a look and sure enough a second Leopard we found, this one hadn't managed to make a kill however, We watched for a while getting even more amazing photos before returning to the first Leopard, she had moved the Impala to the base of a tree but didn't attempt to take her meal up.
Sadly it was coming to the end of the day and Krugers closing time so we decided to leave and head home. However we had one more lovely surprise as we also found two Male Lions lying in the middle of the road. We were able to enjoy being just metres away from them as they rolled over and then stood up giving us a great view of them. However time was not on our side as we had to head back to the lodge before gate closing time.
A day which started so miserable and wet ended with all the guests on a major high, telling everyone back at the lodge about their unforgettable experiences.
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