14 April 2014
This morning Jordan and Adriane had booked an additional bushwalk so they left early before breakfast. It was a good walk where they learned loads about tracks, dung and vegetation. They saw impala as well as hippos close by. After their return, we had breakfast, some rest and then set out for our safari.
We were told about a possible lion ...sighting down the H3 so we started driving in that direction. On Napi we spotted our first animals: impalas, kudus and a lone buffalo bull. We continued to Napi Boulders to spot our first elephant for Jordan and Adriane. This magnificent bull crossed the road in front of us and then started having a mud bath in a small puddle. We watched him throw muddy water all over himself and as a prize he kneeled down and keeled over to dump himself in the little puddle. He then got up and walked off.
A little further on Napi we spotted four giraffe walking in an open area so we had a great view. And a couple of kilometres down the road we saw a nice herd of elephants with 2 young ones that were only as high as the thatching grass.
We spotted nothing more than impalas until we turned onto the H3. As it was the heat of the day by now, most animals were hiding in the shade out of sight and this actually fitted us quite well as this way we could make progress to get to the lion sighting. When we arrived on the announced spot there were some cars and we were lucky that one of the lions had his head raised. We took some pictures quickly as he was looking around and then the lion went to lie down. Being flat he almost disappeared from view, if you didn't know they were there you could drive straight by it. We hang around for a while to see if they would move again and once again they were in luck. Nearing the end of our patience (read: bladder possibilities) we were close to driving off when one of the two brothers decided to move. So much so that he got up, walked four meters and went to lie back down on a different spot. Shortly after his brother followed. Once they were lying back down that was our cue to leave.
We drove down to Afsaal for a toilet break and some lunch. After that we decided to drive back the same way we came and have another go at the lions. Another herd of elephants came across our paths just after we left Afsaal. While munching away on a fallen Marula tree, they were one happy family, as more and more elephants crossed the road to reunite with the herd.
Back at the lion sighting we didn't see much more than one of the lions propping up its head shortly, but mostly they just showed us where they were with a flick of their tail. We continued up the H3 spotting kudus, impalas, warthog, a nice bateleur in the middle of the road and a yellow billed kite.
We had our mind set on returning home, as it has been a long day. We were then surprised by two grazing rhinos right next to the road. We watched them watching us for a bit and when we drove off, a 200m further a leopard was walking in the middle of the road. He crept up to a known hyena den had a tentative sniff and decided he didn't like the smell. Looked around at us, and then walked off towards the bush. When he turned around we noticed he had a big gash on his leg so we gave him some distance to disappear before we continued our drive.
As we had been so lucky to now have seen all of the big five in one day we decided to head home and only stop for something special or new. We passed more white rhino sightings, lots of impala, warthog and waterbuck. It had been a long but awesome day!!!
15 April 2014
Today was the last day of the safari tour of Adriane and Jordan. Sadly we packed up, checked out and drove away for our last drive after breakfast.
We drove to Albassini seeing a lot of buffalo tracks and dung. Just before Mestel Dam we noticed a large herd lying in the high grass on either side of the road. As we hadn't seen a herd of buffalo yet, this was a nice sighting! There were some massive bulls as well as young calf’s to be admired. At Mestel Dam itself we saw two fish eagles and the hippos were playing in the water before their bedtime.
We continued on Albassini and got surprised by a large bull elephant suddenly appearing out of a thick bush. He got startled a bit too, but settled quickly, passing us on the road. His companion followed, but he started munching on the marula tree next to us. Branch by branch he took it down. He tried a little push for the big branch or even the whole tree but no such luck. However it was really fun to see him select the branches before grabbing it, pulling it off and then eating it, so we watched him for quite some time.
Down on Doispane towards Nyamundwa Dam it was rather quiet. We saw another bull elephant grazing, a wildebeest, a slender mongoose crossing the road and some impalas.
We then returned down Albassini and Shabeni where a grey duiker quickly crossed in front of us, but the rest of the animals were hiding away. I guess our luck had just run out on this safari.
After all the excitement yesterday it was a bit quieter, but nonetheless enjoyable. Adriane and Jordan, you were great guests, thank you for joining us and good luck with the tour around the world, and the new job! Maybe we will see you back one day!
16 April 2014
This morning we set out for what ended up a full day safari. Just reaching the tar road we sat talking about a marula tree when a call came in from Frank about some lions close by. We headed in that direction and saw two male lions lying flat on a rock. We had to use binoculars to see them, but it was out in the open. On the other side of the vehicle we spotted three klipspringers on Shabeni rock. We drove to Shabeni road to see the lions from a different angle and we were in luck as both of them raised their head for a little while. Nonetheless still too far for pictures, but still a good viewing.
We continued up Shabeni and then Albassini road encountering hardly any animals: a flock of guineafowls and impalas. We had gotten a tip that wild dogs were in the area. We saw indeed the tracks, but we were having no such luck to see the dogs. We quickly stopped at Phabeni Gate for a toilet break before continuing on River Road for our search for the wild dogs. Except for two families of dwarf mongoose and a lizard buzzard we only found tracks of elephant and rhino.
We drove down Riverlink onto Doispane where we spotted some zebras and a large herd of impala, where the male was chasing the females. While watching the male do crazy things a member of the public informed us about two leopards up ahead, so we speeded up a little. This time we did get lucky as the moment we arrived we saw two leopards in a tree. One of them jumped down before we were ready for pictures, but the second one stayed lounging in the tree for quite some time. This made us very happy.
We decided to have an early lunch at the Skukuza Golfclub, seeing waterbuck, leopard tortoises, a brown snake eagle and a chameleon on the way. We had a stop at Lake Panic, seeing a large terrapin swim by, a hippo sleeping close by, a malachite kingfisher and an African jacana.
After lunch we continued down Napi heading for the lodge as it was getting colder and windier. On the side of the road out of the golfclub we had a nice camouflaged grey duiker and we saw two elephants when we reached the tar road. The drive home brought us some nice giraffes, a large herd of buffalo, three lots of rhinos, kudus with a large kudu bull and vervet monkeys. We finished on camp road with two more giraffes just before entering the lodge.
Keep watching for more!!
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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Some of Nhongo Safaris Fleet of Open Safari Vehicles
The photo shows some of our fleet of Open Safari Vehicles used while on safari in the Kruger National and Hwange National Parks. These ve...
Thursday, 17 April 2014
On Safari With Curtis From 11 April 2014
11 April 2014
A new tour and after greeting all the guests in Nelspruit we headed down to Nkambeni Safari Lodge which is our home for the few nights. Along camp road we saw the resident Impalas before entering the camp. After checking in and locating our rooms it was time for the guests to go on their Sunset drive. (Details about that tomorrow.
12 April 2014
Last night’s Sunset drive was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, the rain stayed away and everyone got to see a lovely African sunset with a glass of Amarula in hand. They also had a number of good sightings to get their safari off to a good start, animals seen were White Rhino, Impala, Zebra with foal, Owl, Buffalo and Klipspringer.
This morning was an early start as it was time for the bushwalk, a chance to see all the smaller aspects of the bush as well, if lucky, to see the larger animals up close. Although the larger mammals turned out to be limited, with Buffalo and Waterbuck being seen from a distance, all the guests thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There is nothing better than walking in the bush experiencing the sounds and sights at ground level learning about all the scat and spoor and the smaller life forms that make the bush what it is!!!!
In the afternoon we headed down Albasini and spotted the resident Hippos at Mestel dam as well as a Sounder of Male Warthogs. The loop around Shabeni was fairly quiet although we did see three buffalo hiding in the bush as well as a female Klipspringer on the rocks. As we left Shabeni onto the tar we got a message from Karen about a Leopard sighting. Luckily we were very close and were able to get there in time. The young male Leopard was very skittish and wouldn't allow us to get too close but we did have plenty of time following him down the road. We made our way back to camp seeing Kudu and Impala along the way.
13 April 2014
We left the lodge a little bit later than normal and set off down Napi, sightings were fairly limited for the first part until we got to the boulders and found a couple of Bull Elephants hiding away in the bush, they unfortunately had no plans on showing themselves too much and so we carried on, we then came upon a couple of White Rhino very close to the road and in the open. As we carried on we made a detour to Transport dam where the pod of Hippos were lounging at the edge of the water and a herd of Waterbuck were hanging around. There was also a Water monitor basking on a nearby rock.
We then heard about possible Leopard and Lion sightings further down the road and so made our way there however on both occasions we turned up too late missing both by just a couple of minutes. As we headed down to lunch we then heard that the Leopards had returned again and so we turned around and headed back, on our way we came across a old Male Giraffe who obliged us by stopping and posing for us and then walking across the road in front of us. After he had disappeared we continued to the Leopard sighting and we were lucky enough to find two Leopards up in a marula tree. They hung around for a while before jumping down and again disappearing into the bush. We made our way to our lunch stop at Skukuza golf club seeing Warthog, Kudu, Steenbok, another White Rhino and plenty of Impala before we saw a young Elephant by the side of the road, too young to be on his own we waited for a few minutes before the rest of the family showed and crossed over the road in front of us.
After an enjoyable lunch, where the Hippos were very vocal, we headed back to the lodge, the afternoon was warming up a fair bit and sightings were very scarce but we did get to see more Elephants, Waterbuck, Kudu, Warthog, Impala and a small family herd of Zebra. On the lodges camp road we also found the huge territorial White Rhino male.
14 April 2014
This morning three of the guests set off early on their bushwalk enjoying the magic of walking in the Kruger National park, although the larger animals were in short supply all the guests enjoyed the walk.
While they were on the walk the rest of us went for a drive. As I got through Numbi gate I happened to look down one of the dirt roads and noticed something walking along the road. A closer look, through the binoculars, saw me looking at a African Wild Dog, we quickly turned the car around but by the time we got to the place it had disappeared. We looked up and down the road but unfortunately nothing. I decided to carry on and was in luck as about a kilometre further down we came across the rest of the pack, 8 dogs in total. We followed for twenty or so minutes with them occasionally stopping and sniffing around before they disappeared into the bush. We then found Hippo and Waterbuck at the dam and Warthog close by. Further along we saw White Rhino. It then became a little bit quieter as we drove around Fay loop although we did have some fun with a family of Dwarf Mongoose who popped out of the grass to have a peek at us before scurrying back in. We drove up Napi but it was very quiet. As we turned around to head home we had time to stop and get some more photos of the Impala and Kudu which were hanging by the side of the road and a nice sighting of a Cape Buffalo which was very close to the road. We also saw both the Hinged and Leopard Tortoise as well as Chameleon. Unfortunately when we got back to Numbi it was the end of the safari for Zoya and Jason who both thoroughly enjoyed their time here in KNP.
This afternoon I decided to concentrate on going to a possible Lion sighting which had been reported earlier in the day. We headed down along Napi which was very quiet, as all we saw were Waterbuck and Impala, until just before transport dam we found a Leopard walking along the road. He walked to a known Hyena den, had a sniff and then walked across the road to smell the other side of the den. He then continued to walk along the road as we followed him. After he had disappeared into the bush we drove straight to the Lion sighting and found two males lying in the grass. Unfortunately they were in no mood for us tourists as all we got to see was the occasion flick of the tail, their bellies as they rolled over and on a couple of occasions they sat up to have a look at us. Time was running out for us and so we regrettably had to leave heading back along the same road we came. As we drove we came upon roadblock after roadblock, firstly a herd of Elephants had just crossed the road and with them 5 White Rhino, 3 of which decided to come back onto the road and stand staring at us. Once we past them we met our second roadblock in the shape of two Cheetah, with a third slightly in the bush. They again stood their ground and with time running out we had to edge our way past as they sat on the road. We drove on to find the third roadblock of 5 Giraffe with around ten more either side of the road. They were a bit more co-operative and moved off the road to allow us to pass. As we approached transport dam again our final stoppage in the shape of Hyenas. They were very chilled and we were able to pass by without to much problem.
Afterwards the road was very quiet which is just as well as we just managed to get camp by curfew time.
An incredible day, one which everyone including myself will never forget!!!
15 April 2014
Last night sunset drive for the two new arrivals was a huge success, as well as seeing the sun go down with a glass of amarula they also saw plenty of animals including White Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Hippo, Impala, Kudu and Owls. The highlight has to be when they saw the pack of Wild dog, which we had seen early morning, hunt and chase and kill an Impala. The sight of the pack ripping apart the animal was an incredible sight.
This morning we went for a short drive and saw a nice herd of Buffalo, we could see around 50 animals but from the noise around us I think there were many more. We also had 3 more Buffalo sightings during the drive as well seeing Hippo, Saddle-billed storks, African Fish Eagle, Impala, Kudu, Giraffe and Dwarf Mongoose before we had to say goodbye to six of our guests, Monika, Robin, Hannah, Louisa, Daniel and Jonas have had some incredible sightings over the last four days and I wish you plenty of more great memories on the next part of your travels.
This afternoon we set down Napi where we saw Kudu, Impala, Warthog as well as a lovely sighting of Giraffe and Zebra which crossed the road in front of us. We also had a couple of sightings of bull Elephants and a good sighting of 4 White Rhino. At transport dam we saw the resident Hippos, Waterbuck and a really nice Water Monitor which crossed the road right next to the vehicle. There were plenty of birds also including the Egyptian Geese, Blacksmith lapwings and Lilac -breasted Rollers. On the way back to the lodge we headed down Shabeni link, after a tip off, and found a Leopard hiding in the grass. We were patient enough to wait and in time he started to get up and move enabling us to watch him for some time. As time ran out we also came across the herd of Buffalo we had encountered this morning, they really hadn't moved very far in a day.
16 April 2014
After setting off today we had seen some Impala and Kudu when we got news of some Lions on Shabeni loop, when we got there we saw two male Lions sat on the top of a large rock. With a good set of binoculars we were able to see both very clearly. We then moved on and found a Giraffe which was busy having breakfast thanks to the Buffalo thorn he was munching on. It must have tasted good as he was happy to munch on it for about 30 minutes. We then moved onto Doispane which was fairly quiet although we did come across a Common Reedbuck and African Fish Eagle. We were also lucky enough to find four large bull Elephants who obligingly walked across the road in front of our vehicle, one of them giving us an unconvincing shake of the head. We then continued onto the golf club for a warm cup of coffee, just before we got there we found ourselves with a Elephant near to the road, a closer look and we found a herd of 15-20 around us. We watched until they moved further into the bush and then came a family of Banded Mongoose.
After coffee we headed to Watergat finding Kudu, Impala, Buffalo and also two Honey Badgers which ran across the road, as we approached the place they had crossed we had another brief look before they disappeared into the bush. We also saw two Chameleons and a lot of Leopard Tortoises on the road. We also saw two Saddle-billed Storks in the river bed as we went down the H3.
After lunch, at Afsals, we headed down Voortreeker, this was extremely quiet as we only came upon Impala, Kudu, both White-backed and Lappet- faced Vultures and Helmeted Guinea-fowl before we got back to the lodge.
Keep watching for more!!
A new tour and after greeting all the guests in Nelspruit we headed down to Nkambeni Safari Lodge which is our home for the few nights. Along camp road we saw the resident Impalas before entering the camp. After checking in and locating our rooms it was time for the guests to go on their Sunset drive. (Details about that tomorrow.
12 April 2014
Last night’s Sunset drive was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, the rain stayed away and everyone got to see a lovely African sunset with a glass of Amarula in hand. They also had a number of good sightings to get their safari off to a good start, animals seen were White Rhino, Impala, Zebra with foal, Owl, Buffalo and Klipspringer.
This morning was an early start as it was time for the bushwalk, a chance to see all the smaller aspects of the bush as well, if lucky, to see the larger animals up close. Although the larger mammals turned out to be limited, with Buffalo and Waterbuck being seen from a distance, all the guests thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There is nothing better than walking in the bush experiencing the sounds and sights at ground level learning about all the scat and spoor and the smaller life forms that make the bush what it is!!!!
In the afternoon we headed down Albasini and spotted the resident Hippos at Mestel dam as well as a Sounder of Male Warthogs. The loop around Shabeni was fairly quiet although we did see three buffalo hiding in the bush as well as a female Klipspringer on the rocks. As we left Shabeni onto the tar we got a message from Karen about a Leopard sighting. Luckily we were very close and were able to get there in time. The young male Leopard was very skittish and wouldn't allow us to get too close but we did have plenty of time following him down the road. We made our way back to camp seeing Kudu and Impala along the way.
13 April 2014
We left the lodge a little bit later than normal and set off down Napi, sightings were fairly limited for the first part until we got to the boulders and found a couple of Bull Elephants hiding away in the bush, they unfortunately had no plans on showing themselves too much and so we carried on, we then came upon a couple of White Rhino very close to the road and in the open. As we carried on we made a detour to Transport dam where the pod of Hippos were lounging at the edge of the water and a herd of Waterbuck were hanging around. There was also a Water monitor basking on a nearby rock.
We then heard about possible Leopard and Lion sightings further down the road and so made our way there however on both occasions we turned up too late missing both by just a couple of minutes. As we headed down to lunch we then heard that the Leopards had returned again and so we turned around and headed back, on our way we came across a old Male Giraffe who obliged us by stopping and posing for us and then walking across the road in front of us. After he had disappeared we continued to the Leopard sighting and we were lucky enough to find two Leopards up in a marula tree. They hung around for a while before jumping down and again disappearing into the bush. We made our way to our lunch stop at Skukuza golf club seeing Warthog, Kudu, Steenbok, another White Rhino and plenty of Impala before we saw a young Elephant by the side of the road, too young to be on his own we waited for a few minutes before the rest of the family showed and crossed over the road in front of us.
After an enjoyable lunch, where the Hippos were very vocal, we headed back to the lodge, the afternoon was warming up a fair bit and sightings were very scarce but we did get to see more Elephants, Waterbuck, Kudu, Warthog, Impala and a small family herd of Zebra. On the lodges camp road we also found the huge territorial White Rhino male.
14 April 2014
This morning three of the guests set off early on their bushwalk enjoying the magic of walking in the Kruger National park, although the larger animals were in short supply all the guests enjoyed the walk.
While they were on the walk the rest of us went for a drive. As I got through Numbi gate I happened to look down one of the dirt roads and noticed something walking along the road. A closer look, through the binoculars, saw me looking at a African Wild Dog, we quickly turned the car around but by the time we got to the place it had disappeared. We looked up and down the road but unfortunately nothing. I decided to carry on and was in luck as about a kilometre further down we came across the rest of the pack, 8 dogs in total. We followed for twenty or so minutes with them occasionally stopping and sniffing around before they disappeared into the bush. We then found Hippo and Waterbuck at the dam and Warthog close by. Further along we saw White Rhino. It then became a little bit quieter as we drove around Fay loop although we did have some fun with a family of Dwarf Mongoose who popped out of the grass to have a peek at us before scurrying back in. We drove up Napi but it was very quiet. As we turned around to head home we had time to stop and get some more photos of the Impala and Kudu which were hanging by the side of the road and a nice sighting of a Cape Buffalo which was very close to the road. We also saw both the Hinged and Leopard Tortoise as well as Chameleon. Unfortunately when we got back to Numbi it was the end of the safari for Zoya and Jason who both thoroughly enjoyed their time here in KNP.
This afternoon I decided to concentrate on going to a possible Lion sighting which had been reported earlier in the day. We headed down along Napi which was very quiet, as all we saw were Waterbuck and Impala, until just before transport dam we found a Leopard walking along the road. He walked to a known Hyena den, had a sniff and then walked across the road to smell the other side of the den. He then continued to walk along the road as we followed him. After he had disappeared into the bush we drove straight to the Lion sighting and found two males lying in the grass. Unfortunately they were in no mood for us tourists as all we got to see was the occasion flick of the tail, their bellies as they rolled over and on a couple of occasions they sat up to have a look at us. Time was running out for us and so we regrettably had to leave heading back along the same road we came. As we drove we came upon roadblock after roadblock, firstly a herd of Elephants had just crossed the road and with them 5 White Rhino, 3 of which decided to come back onto the road and stand staring at us. Once we past them we met our second roadblock in the shape of two Cheetah, with a third slightly in the bush. They again stood their ground and with time running out we had to edge our way past as they sat on the road. We drove on to find the third roadblock of 5 Giraffe with around ten more either side of the road. They were a bit more co-operative and moved off the road to allow us to pass. As we approached transport dam again our final stoppage in the shape of Hyenas. They were very chilled and we were able to pass by without to much problem.
Afterwards the road was very quiet which is just as well as we just managed to get camp by curfew time.
An incredible day, one which everyone including myself will never forget!!!
15 April 2014
Last night sunset drive for the two new arrivals was a huge success, as well as seeing the sun go down with a glass of amarula they also saw plenty of animals including White Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Hippo, Impala, Kudu and Owls. The highlight has to be when they saw the pack of Wild dog, which we had seen early morning, hunt and chase and kill an Impala. The sight of the pack ripping apart the animal was an incredible sight.
This morning we went for a short drive and saw a nice herd of Buffalo, we could see around 50 animals but from the noise around us I think there were many more. We also had 3 more Buffalo sightings during the drive as well seeing Hippo, Saddle-billed storks, African Fish Eagle, Impala, Kudu, Giraffe and Dwarf Mongoose before we had to say goodbye to six of our guests, Monika, Robin, Hannah, Louisa, Daniel and Jonas have had some incredible sightings over the last four days and I wish you plenty of more great memories on the next part of your travels.
This afternoon we set down Napi where we saw Kudu, Impala, Warthog as well as a lovely sighting of Giraffe and Zebra which crossed the road in front of us. We also had a couple of sightings of bull Elephants and a good sighting of 4 White Rhino. At transport dam we saw the resident Hippos, Waterbuck and a really nice Water Monitor which crossed the road right next to the vehicle. There were plenty of birds also including the Egyptian Geese, Blacksmith lapwings and Lilac -breasted Rollers. On the way back to the lodge we headed down Shabeni link, after a tip off, and found a Leopard hiding in the grass. We were patient enough to wait and in time he started to get up and move enabling us to watch him for some time. As time ran out we also came across the herd of Buffalo we had encountered this morning, they really hadn't moved very far in a day.
16 April 2014
After setting off today we had seen some Impala and Kudu when we got news of some Lions on Shabeni loop, when we got there we saw two male Lions sat on the top of a large rock. With a good set of binoculars we were able to see both very clearly. We then moved on and found a Giraffe which was busy having breakfast thanks to the Buffalo thorn he was munching on. It must have tasted good as he was happy to munch on it for about 30 minutes. We then moved onto Doispane which was fairly quiet although we did come across a Common Reedbuck and African Fish Eagle. We were also lucky enough to find four large bull Elephants who obligingly walked across the road in front of our vehicle, one of them giving us an unconvincing shake of the head. We then continued onto the golf club for a warm cup of coffee, just before we got there we found ourselves with a Elephant near to the road, a closer look and we found a herd of 15-20 around us. We watched until they moved further into the bush and then came a family of Banded Mongoose.
After coffee we headed to Watergat finding Kudu, Impala, Buffalo and also two Honey Badgers which ran across the road, as we approached the place they had crossed we had another brief look before they disappeared into the bush. We also saw two Chameleons and a lot of Leopard Tortoises on the road. We also saw two Saddle-billed Storks in the river bed as we went down the H3.
After lunch, at Afsals, we headed down Voortreeker, this was extremely quiet as we only came upon Impala, Kudu, both White-backed and Lappet- faced Vultures and Helmeted Guinea-fowl before we got back to the lodge.
Keep watching for more!!
Wednesday, 16 April 2014
Kruger National Park Gate Quotas In Forced During The Easter weekend
Day Visitors to the Kruger National Park are requested to take note of gate quotas when planning their visit, as these will strictly be enforced during this coming Easter Weekend which starts on Thursday, 17 to Monday, 21 April 2014.
Visitors are advised to either arrive at the gate very early in the morning because the service... is on first-come-first-served basis or pre-book their entrance with central reservations office on telephone number 012 428 9111, in order to ensure that they gain access to the park in terms of their own plan and are not sent back at the gate.
“We are calling on everyone who is planning to come to the park as a day visitor to please make the necessary arrangement beforehand in order to avoid unnecessary disappointment”, said the General Manager: Communication & Marketing in the Kruger National Park, William Mabasa.
Those who pre-book their visit will be expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of R32 per adult and R16 per child entering the park, which is meant to secure their space because they would have been counted in the number that makes the daily quota. Day visitors with advanced bookings are also expected to arrive at the booked gate by not later than 13:00 on the date of the booking, after which the booking lapses. A pre-booking however does not exempt the day visitor from paying the normal conservation fees upon arrival at the gate but secures him/her entry.
All visitors are also reminded to bring along their identity documents (IDs) or some alternative form of identity to avoid problems at the gates. Wild Cards cannot be used to identify one as legitimate holder and should be accompanied by some form of identity document.
Mabasa also reminds visitors not to bring liquor with them as the alcohol ban on public areas in the Park is a permanent rule enforced during both quiet and busy periods. Law enforcement officials will be on the look-out for rule breakers. Visitors can also report any incident of rules and regulations infringement to the Emergency Call Centre at 013 735 4325. Various honorary rangers will be deployed in order to assist gate staff with managing the queues and other different services available at the gates.
Day Visitors, who may not be able to gain entry because the quota has been reached, can if they wish, make use of the park and ride a facility which is available at some gates. The park and ride will cost visitors extra money but will be better than having to be turned back at the entrance gate.
“We also request visitors to plan their trip by observing gate opening and closing times so that they do not find themselves either speeding or arriving late at the camps/gates on their way in/out of the park;” concluded Mabasa. People must please read their permits received at the gates because all the rules and regulations of the park are clearly stipulated in those documents.
KNP has ten entrance gates i.e. Pafuri, Punda Maria, Phalaborwa, Giriyondo, Orpen, Paul Kruger, Phabeni, Numbi, Malelane and Crocodile Bridge.
Issued by:
South African National Parks Kruger National Park Communications
Visitors are advised to either arrive at the gate very early in the morning because the service... is on first-come-first-served basis or pre-book their entrance with central reservations office on telephone number 012 428 9111, in order to ensure that they gain access to the park in terms of their own plan and are not sent back at the gate.
“We are calling on everyone who is planning to come to the park as a day visitor to please make the necessary arrangement beforehand in order to avoid unnecessary disappointment”, said the General Manager: Communication & Marketing in the Kruger National Park, William Mabasa.
Those who pre-book their visit will be expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of R32 per adult and R16 per child entering the park, which is meant to secure their space because they would have been counted in the number that makes the daily quota. Day visitors with advanced bookings are also expected to arrive at the booked gate by not later than 13:00 on the date of the booking, after which the booking lapses. A pre-booking however does not exempt the day visitor from paying the normal conservation fees upon arrival at the gate but secures him/her entry.
All visitors are also reminded to bring along their identity documents (IDs) or some alternative form of identity to avoid problems at the gates. Wild Cards cannot be used to identify one as legitimate holder and should be accompanied by some form of identity document.
Mabasa also reminds visitors not to bring liquor with them as the alcohol ban on public areas in the Park is a permanent rule enforced during both quiet and busy periods. Law enforcement officials will be on the look-out for rule breakers. Visitors can also report any incident of rules and regulations infringement to the Emergency Call Centre at 013 735 4325. Various honorary rangers will be deployed in order to assist gate staff with managing the queues and other different services available at the gates.
Day Visitors, who may not be able to gain entry because the quota has been reached, can if they wish, make use of the park and ride a facility which is available at some gates. The park and ride will cost visitors extra money but will be better than having to be turned back at the entrance gate.
“We also request visitors to plan their trip by observing gate opening and closing times so that they do not find themselves either speeding or arriving late at the camps/gates on their way in/out of the park;” concluded Mabasa. People must please read their permits received at the gates because all the rules and regulations of the park are clearly stipulated in those documents.
KNP has ten entrance gates i.e. Pafuri, Punda Maria, Phalaborwa, Giriyondo, Orpen, Paul Kruger, Phabeni, Numbi, Malelane and Crocodile Bridge.
Issued by:
South African National Parks Kruger National Park Communications
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
Hectic Week For Anti-Poaching Units In Kruger National Park
South African National Parks (SANParks) said in a statement that the past week proved to be one of the busiest weeks for anti-poaching units in the Kruger National Park (KNP) with as many as three heavily armed groups of suspected poachers detected by Rangers in the iconic park.
According to SANParks spokesperson, Reynold Thakhuli, th...e week saw Rangers chasing and successfully apprehending a number of armed-to-the-teeth suspected poachers leading to the successful arrest of more than six suspects over the weekend.
He said these follow the arrests of two SANParks employees on Monday, 7 April 2014 on suspicion of poaching, bringing a total of arrests relating to suspected poaching to eight. The two SANParks men appeared in the White River Magistrate Court on Wednesday, 9 April, where their case was remanded to 16 April 2014 for a formal bail application.
Thakhuli said that most of the incidents of the past week were in the southern part of the park in areas such as Crocodile Bridge, Kingfisherspruit, Tshokwane and Stolsnek.
He said on Thursday, 10 April 2014, Rangers from Crocodile Bridge apprehended a group of two suspected poachers leaving the park. The two suspects, believed to be Zimbabwean nationals, were arrested on the spot. A G3 military type rifle, silencer and ammunition were recovered.
On Friday, 11 February 2014, Rangers from the Kingfisherspruit area apprehended a group of two suspected rhino poachers, leading to the arrest of one of the armed suspects. A .458 rifle, silencer, ammunition and poaching equipment were recovered. The second suspect managed to escape arrest.
Tshokwane Rangers apprehended two suspected rhino poachers on Saturday, 12 April 2014. One suspect was arrested and a .375 hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment were recovered. The second suspect managed to escape back to Mozambique.
Sunday, 13 April 2014 was a very busy day for Stolsnek Rangers when they apprehended a group of five suspected rhino poachers. Two of the suspects were arrested with the help of SANParks Airwing and canine units. The hunt is still on for the remaining three suspects who managed to escape.
Thakhuli said the proactive actions of everyone involved had finally paid off and that the possibility of more arrests will not be ruled out as follow up investigations are underway. “This is a clear indication that resilience and patience pays off and we are grateful that no lives were lost during an encounter with these heavily armed suspected poachers.”
He said the Anti-poaching units are ready for this coming long weekend with many deployments routes being plotted out, particularly in hot spots. “We are not resting this coming weekend as we believe there are quite few poaching incidents being planned by poachers. We will be ready and waiting for them and we would like to request the support and cooperation of all members of society in identifying and reporting suspicious behavior that could lead to the apprehension and conviction of these criminals.”
Issued by:
South African National Parks Corporate Communications
According to SANParks spokesperson, Reynold Thakhuli, th...e week saw Rangers chasing and successfully apprehending a number of armed-to-the-teeth suspected poachers leading to the successful arrest of more than six suspects over the weekend.
He said these follow the arrests of two SANParks employees on Monday, 7 April 2014 on suspicion of poaching, bringing a total of arrests relating to suspected poaching to eight. The two SANParks men appeared in the White River Magistrate Court on Wednesday, 9 April, where their case was remanded to 16 April 2014 for a formal bail application.
Thakhuli said that most of the incidents of the past week were in the southern part of the park in areas such as Crocodile Bridge, Kingfisherspruit, Tshokwane and Stolsnek.
He said on Thursday, 10 April 2014, Rangers from Crocodile Bridge apprehended a group of two suspected poachers leaving the park. The two suspects, believed to be Zimbabwean nationals, were arrested on the spot. A G3 military type rifle, silencer and ammunition were recovered.
On Friday, 11 February 2014, Rangers from the Kingfisherspruit area apprehended a group of two suspected rhino poachers, leading to the arrest of one of the armed suspects. A .458 rifle, silencer, ammunition and poaching equipment were recovered. The second suspect managed to escape arrest.
Tshokwane Rangers apprehended two suspected rhino poachers on Saturday, 12 April 2014. One suspect was arrested and a .375 hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment were recovered. The second suspect managed to escape back to Mozambique.
Sunday, 13 April 2014 was a very busy day for Stolsnek Rangers when they apprehended a group of five suspected rhino poachers. Two of the suspects were arrested with the help of SANParks Airwing and canine units. The hunt is still on for the remaining three suspects who managed to escape.
Thakhuli said the proactive actions of everyone involved had finally paid off and that the possibility of more arrests will not be ruled out as follow up investigations are underway. “This is a clear indication that resilience and patience pays off and we are grateful that no lives were lost during an encounter with these heavily armed suspected poachers.”
He said the Anti-poaching units are ready for this coming long weekend with many deployments routes being plotted out, particularly in hot spots. “We are not resting this coming weekend as we believe there are quite few poaching incidents being planned by poachers. We will be ready and waiting for them and we would like to request the support and cooperation of all members of society in identifying and reporting suspicious behavior that could lead to the apprehension and conviction of these criminals.”
Issued by:
South African National Parks Corporate Communications
Monday, 14 April 2014
On Safari With Karen From 10 April 2014
10 April 2014
Upon arrival in the park we instantly spotted some lone maleimpalas. As breeding season is starting soon, more and more males will be
excluded from the herds by stronger ones and they will start forming bachelor
groups. These males were still too young to breed, so now they are on their
own. Furthermore we saw a small dung beetle rolling its ball of dung, pushing
it through the wet sand and up the side of the road. It really took some effort
as the dung ball kept on rolling of course with dung beetle and all.
This first day the guests went on their sundowner safari, so there was some time to relax before the drive left. The guests were very lucky on their first drive. They saw buffalos, an elephant crossing the road, kudu, a chameleon, a martial eagle and lions twice!
This first day the guests went on their sundowner safari, so there was some time to relax before the drive left. The guests were very lucky on their first drive. They saw buffalos, an elephant crossing the road, kudu, a chameleon, a martial eagle and lions twice!
11 April 2014
We left after breakfast, just when a downpour started.
Within a couple of seconds we were drenched, but the impalas didn't seem to
mind. We also saw a white rhino lying in a drainage line and the rain water was
pooling all around him.
We drove down Napi and luckily the rain started to lessen. We saw a waterbuck cross the road just before Shitlhave Dam and a little further on was a harem of zebra. The youngsters were quite skittish, but the adults didn't mind their picture taken.
On the way to Skukuza we also spotted kudu, black chested snake eagle, bateleur, klipspringer and more zebras.
After our coffee break we were surprised by a large herd of buffalo just past Skukuza. We hoped they would cross the road, but no such luck.
We then drove down Doispane and Albassini back to our lodge. Doispane was very good for viewing leopard tortoises as we saw many in different sizes. We also were surprised by a black mamba that suddenly crossed the road in front of the car. He sped up as soon as he felt us coming but we all got a glimpse.
Ground hornbills are the most endangered birds in the Kruger National Park and today was the first time this year we spotted them on safari. A little group of five walked through the high grass, their heads just visible. We stayed with them for a bit until they were completely engulfed in the vegetation.
Furthermore we spotted blue wildebeest, lilac breasted roller, warthog, hippos, terrapin, two kudu bulls and more waterbuck on our morning drive.
In the afternoon we started with the already pretty common impalas and then a little group of kudu females. Down Napi towards Shitlhave Dam we spotted a mother elephant with two young generations. It is not usual to see them by themselves in such a small group, but there was no herd in sight. At Shitlhave Dam two hippos were playing in the water. On the way back we took a little loop at Pretoriuskop as people had told us they just saw a leopard there, but alas it had disappeared. We did however see a couple of vervet monkeys in the trees.
We drove down Napi and luckily the rain started to lessen. We saw a waterbuck cross the road just before Shitlhave Dam and a little further on was a harem of zebra. The youngsters were quite skittish, but the adults didn't mind their picture taken.
On the way to Skukuza we also spotted kudu, black chested snake eagle, bateleur, klipspringer and more zebras.
After our coffee break we were surprised by a large herd of buffalo just past Skukuza. We hoped they would cross the road, but no such luck.
We then drove down Doispane and Albassini back to our lodge. Doispane was very good for viewing leopard tortoises as we saw many in different sizes. We also were surprised by a black mamba that suddenly crossed the road in front of the car. He sped up as soon as he felt us coming but we all got a glimpse.
Ground hornbills are the most endangered birds in the Kruger National Park and today was the first time this year we spotted them on safari. A little group of five walked through the high grass, their heads just visible. We stayed with them for a bit until they were completely engulfed in the vegetation.
Furthermore we spotted blue wildebeest, lilac breasted roller, warthog, hippos, terrapin, two kudu bulls and more waterbuck on our morning drive.
In the afternoon we started with the already pretty common impalas and then a little group of kudu females. Down Napi towards Shitlhave Dam we spotted a mother elephant with two young generations. It is not usual to see them by themselves in such a small group, but there was no herd in sight. At Shitlhave Dam two hippos were playing in the water. On the way back we took a little loop at Pretoriuskop as people had told us they just saw a leopard there, but alas it had disappeared. We did however see a couple of vervet monkeys in the trees.
12 April 2014
This morning we drove past the impalas on camp road and
turned onto Albassini. It was pretty quiet. We spotted tracks and signs of
zebra, buffalo, elephant and hyena but the only animal we actually saw were
three elephants far in the bush.
Just before we reached Doispane we saw vervet monkeys in the trees next to the road playing in the morning sun. We watched for a while and then continued towards Nyamundwa Dam where the hippos were playing noisily. Upon return towards Albassini we saw a small herd of wildebeest, three giraffes, and a slender mongoose crossing the road.
Back on Albassini we had a lovely sighting of a family of dwarf mongoose. Then suddenly all the mongoose scurried away and we wondered why until a big elephant came walking around the corner. He was followed by another one and we watched those two bulls feeding for quite some time. One was quite grumpy and even had a teaser fight with the younger elephant.
After a break at Pretoriuskop we also spotted a black headed oriole, black collared barbet, African hoopoe, a large group of banded mongoose, some more dwarf mongoose and two kudu bulls.
In the afternoon we started again with the impalas on camp road. We drove around Shabeni Loop spotting a klipspringer standing guard on the rock and had a buffalo take a run at us through a drainage line and the high grass to stop in front of us and start feeding. Further on we saw two more.
On the way to Circle Road we were lucky in spotting a sable antelope. He got surprised by our stop and swiftly crossed the road behind us and disappeared into the bush. It was a short but special sighting as sables are really secretive and rare to see.
The highlight of the day however was the next sighting. On Circle road we spotted a cat walking in front of us, and with the help of binoculars it was identified as a leopard. Upon seeing us though, he jumped into the grass and disappeared from view. We parked up where we saw him last and waited... It paid off! After a longish wait we heard a rustle and then the leopard came back on to the road in front of us! He looked back a couple of times and assured of our distance and non threat he laid down in the middle of the road and had a little play with a branch and a roll. He then got up and kept on walking. We followed at a distances, keeping him in view while he sniffed around and jumped around the puddles in the road. It was a brilliant sighting and we all loved the ending of this day!!
Just before we reached Doispane we saw vervet monkeys in the trees next to the road playing in the morning sun. We watched for a while and then continued towards Nyamundwa Dam where the hippos were playing noisily. Upon return towards Albassini we saw a small herd of wildebeest, three giraffes, and a slender mongoose crossing the road.
Back on Albassini we had a lovely sighting of a family of dwarf mongoose. Then suddenly all the mongoose scurried away and we wondered why until a big elephant came walking around the corner. He was followed by another one and we watched those two bulls feeding for quite some time. One was quite grumpy and even had a teaser fight with the younger elephant.
After a break at Pretoriuskop we also spotted a black headed oriole, black collared barbet, African hoopoe, a large group of banded mongoose, some more dwarf mongoose and two kudu bulls.
In the afternoon we started again with the impalas on camp road. We drove around Shabeni Loop spotting a klipspringer standing guard on the rock and had a buffalo take a run at us through a drainage line and the high grass to stop in front of us and start feeding. Further on we saw two more.
On the way to Circle Road we were lucky in spotting a sable antelope. He got surprised by our stop and swiftly crossed the road behind us and disappeared into the bush. It was a short but special sighting as sables are really secretive and rare to see.
The highlight of the day however was the next sighting. On Circle road we spotted a cat walking in front of us, and with the help of binoculars it was identified as a leopard. Upon seeing us though, he jumped into the grass and disappeared from view. We parked up where we saw him last and waited... It paid off! After a longish wait we heard a rustle and then the leopard came back on to the road in front of us! He looked back a couple of times and assured of our distance and non threat he laid down in the middle of the road and had a little play with a branch and a roll. He then got up and kept on walking. We followed at a distances, keeping him in view while he sniffed around and jumped around the puddles in the road. It was a brilliant sighting and we all loved the ending of this day!!
13 April 2014
This morning we set out right after an early breakfast for
our morning safari. When we turned into Albassini we spotted a nice flock of
guineafowls lying on the road. Once they all had gotten up they kept on running
in front of the car for about 500m before going into the bush on the side of
the road. Eish, talk about morning gymnastics! We also saw a herd of impalas
and some lone buffalo bulls, both in the middle of the road as well, but they
moved off a bit quicker than the guineafowls.
At Mestel Dam we saw an island of hippos, a fish eagle in a tree and a herd of waterbuck. One of the waterbuck was leucist, so he stood out against the others.
We stopped for what initially were two rhinos in the high grass on the side of the road, until a third one joined them. Judging by their reactions it was a mother with a youngster that got checked out by the bull of the area. On Shabeni rocks we saw a large troop of baboons.
Towards Pretoriuskop a warthog played model for us, showing off all his good sides. Basically he showed every side of him though. On the little loop we encounter some dwarf mongoose, that got a little curious about us when we stopped to watch them warm up in the morning sun. And just in the end of the loop we saw a mother giraffe with a very little baby, approximately only a week old. The little one was still working on her coordination as it walked straight into a branch as it tried to follow the mother quickly when she walked off. We had a little chuckle, but mostly she was plain cute!
We then had to say goodbye to Chris and Bruce, who had joined us on a 3-day safari, as well as to the Hulsen family who spend 4 days on safari with us. Sad to see you go, but hopefully you'll be back someday!
In the afternoon we went out for a short bumble on the savannah with the remaining guests. We drove to Shitlhave Dam and back, with a loop around Shabeni just in case. Mostly we talked about the conservation and management of a vast natural area like the Kruger NP, but we also stopped for a buffalo on the side of the road, vervet monkeys displaying why it is called a blue monkey in Afrikaans and some nice kudus. At Shitlhave Dam we saw some young waterbucks, a terrapin, a crocodile on the rock on the side, and the nostrils of a hippo. The loop around Shabeni gave us no new animals this time, just the family of three klipspringers on top, more vervet monkeys and a herd of impalas.
All in all still a good day!
At Mestel Dam we saw an island of hippos, a fish eagle in a tree and a herd of waterbuck. One of the waterbuck was leucist, so he stood out against the others.
We stopped for what initially were two rhinos in the high grass on the side of the road, until a third one joined them. Judging by their reactions it was a mother with a youngster that got checked out by the bull of the area. On Shabeni rocks we saw a large troop of baboons.
Towards Pretoriuskop a warthog played model for us, showing off all his good sides. Basically he showed every side of him though. On the little loop we encounter some dwarf mongoose, that got a little curious about us when we stopped to watch them warm up in the morning sun. And just in the end of the loop we saw a mother giraffe with a very little baby, approximately only a week old. The little one was still working on her coordination as it walked straight into a branch as it tried to follow the mother quickly when she walked off. We had a little chuckle, but mostly she was plain cute!
We then had to say goodbye to Chris and Bruce, who had joined us on a 3-day safari, as well as to the Hulsen family who spend 4 days on safari with us. Sad to see you go, but hopefully you'll be back someday!
In the afternoon we went out for a short bumble on the savannah with the remaining guests. We drove to Shitlhave Dam and back, with a loop around Shabeni just in case. Mostly we talked about the conservation and management of a vast natural area like the Kruger NP, but we also stopped for a buffalo on the side of the road, vervet monkeys displaying why it is called a blue monkey in Afrikaans and some nice kudus. At Shitlhave Dam we saw some young waterbucks, a terrapin, a crocodile on the rock on the side, and the nostrils of a hippo. The loop around Shabeni gave us no new animals this time, just the family of three klipspringers on top, more vervet monkeys and a herd of impalas.
All in all still a good day!
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