On Safari With Karen From 3 September 2014

3 September 2014

This morning some of us left on a bushwalk. They saw some zebra, impala, but most of all lots of poo. During breakfast a couple of giraffes walked by and the hippos were noisily playing in the dam.

In the afternoon it was time for another game drive. This time we decided to take a little bit more time so we could have a late lunch in the park. We started on Numbi tar in the direction of Napi while seeing some zebras, reedbucks and impalas. There were three reedbucks on our right chasing a fourth across the road in a stampede that even shocked the zebras who looked up from grazing and looked disdainfully at the reedbucks. The impalas on the other hand couldn't care less and continued feeding.

A pair of long crested eagles circled overhead when we turned onto Napi. Here a warthog got scared and ran away, swiftly followed by the rest of his family. And we encountered three lovely kudu bulls. Along the way we were treated to an awesome white rhino sighting of him crossing the road and posing for us for pictures, multiple elephant bulls as well as a herd of mothers and youngsters. One of the elephants in the herd was so wide and with lumps on either side of her we were pretty certain she was pregnant with a calf. And that wasn't all as we also saw three rare and very endangered ground hornbills, a steenbok, another white rhino, yellow-billed hornbills, wildebeest, lots more zebras and some waterbuck bulls before stopping at Skukuza for our late lunch break.

We then continued on the road to Kruger Gate and Doispane towards Watergat. A juvenile bateleur was resting in a tree with some elephants in the background. Watergat was the place to be today for giraffes as we saw plenty. With a truck full of girls and only one guy, it was a proper squeak moment of the day when a tiny baby giraffe came from behind a bush walking towards what we thought was its mum. However, after standing still they both went in different directions. As the baby was way too little to be on its own we were hoping the mum was hiding in between the trees at the back as the one in front of us had only eyes for some green leaves.

Down Napi again on our way back to camp we kept on seeing more giraffes and large herds of impalas. But our lucky break was a sighting of a leopard on top of some rocks. He was lying all relaxed looking at the cars, the cameras and the people. We saw him coming down to the sun, and probably deciding it was too hot in the sun as he turned around and jumped back on the rocks almost instantly. He washed himself and flopped down for a nap as we were leaving. We were very lucky, seeing three different leopards in three days!!

Further down the road we saw some more warthogs, twice a red crested korhaan, more bull elephants, zebras, giraffes, a hoopoe, a grey duiker dashing out of sight, a small group of kudu females (as we had seen only bulls so far today, this was quite special), and had another great sighting of a white rhino, were stopped by a buffalo herd that was slowly crossing the road and just before the camp gates also saw some buffalo bulls. It was a long but great day!

4 September 2014

We had time for a short dash this morning before our transfer to Jo'burg left, so we loaded up the car early after breakfast and set off. On Camp road we stopped for a giraffe that came out of the bushes and decided to cross the road right in front of us, not even looking left or right. Just when he already was across it seemed he noticed a car was parked there with people taking pictures.

Further on Camp road we saw some kudus and a small group of daggaboys that was just getting up. They stretched and jawed and when they started their early morning bowel movements we decided to take off. We just had our breakfast...

On Numbi tar we saw zebras and impalas before finding a Kruger-style road block in the form of a buffalo herd crossing. As it was still early morning most buffalos just slowly walked across not paying much attention to their surroundings. One of the bulls however challenged another and a push and shove match broke out just in front of us. One slipped on the tar and therefore lost the match. The winner instantly went around the other males with his nose in the air boasting that he had won the fight, challenging others, but none took his bait. The one who lost however started pushing some other bulls around to redeem himself.

It was actually a double roadblock as in the background elephants were crossing too. By the time we were past the buffalos most of the elephants were already crossed, but here as well some of the bulls were in the mood for a fight. One bull in must was trying to bully his way through the ranking as the girls were not impressed. By the time it had all calmed down the girls had long gone and all that was left was a juicy tree the bulls started eating from.

Pressing for time we took a little loop around Pretoriuskop where we saw zebras crossing. Back on Numbi tar we noticed a large smear of blood on the road. It had a puddle that was still wet and some pieces of skin of what most likely was an impala. Judging by the drag marks on the road towards the bush, this was probably done by either a cheetah or a leopard. The impala definitely dead had lost the last bit of poo that was inside of him as he was dragged away. As we had passed this site in the last 45min, this was definitely recent (and unfortunately we just missed it). So we searched the trees and bushes nearby for movement and listened for any sound, but no such luck. All we got was a lot of blood that told the story.

We also took a quick look at the wild dog den, where we had been visiting the previous days. However the dogs weren't on our side of luck this time as we saw one adult walking and then lying down behind a rock. Judging by the amount of ears more were lying down there, but they were mostly out of sight. So we took our drive back to Numbi Gate and down to Nelspruit where we said goodbye to Michelle and Byron as well as Eunice, Connie, Ji and Egosa. Hope you all enjoyed the tour at least as much as I did! Thanks for joining us and have fun on the rest if your travels!!

Safari Special

REMARKS BY HON EDNA MOLEWA, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

RHINO POACHING DEBATE
02 SEPTEMBER 2014


Honourable members, since perhaps the dawn of time, the rhino, ubejane, tsukudu, renoster has been emblematic of Africa. Of us as a continent, and of us as a people. 

This animal, with its magnificent features - remind us of our ancestral past, and our prehistoric origins, from another place in time. In this month of September, we celebrate our great heritage as South Africans
and as Africans…and our human connection with nature.

The fight to save the rhino goes way beyond the protection of a species. It is inextricably tied to our South African heritage. There are those who would ask why, with all the challenges we face as a country to build a better life for all: do we place the conservation of animals at the center of national debate.

The answer is a simple one. It is because protection of our natural resources lies at the heart of what makes us South Africans: our love for this beautiful land. Which is why we will not be complacent as our
national security is breached, and criminals decimate our wildlife, among the most abundant in the world.

South Africa has always been, and remains, the home of the rhino. Despite the onslaught of human encroachment over the centuries, and man’s often-cruel pursuit of these animals, they have endured. And here, in the southernmost tip of Africa, they are home. Eighty-two percent of Africa’s rhino can be found in South Africa. Ninety three percent of white rhino and 39% of black rhino are here.

And yet barely a century ago they faced extinction. Not just in Africa, but globally. It is because of the conservation efforts of South Africa that the majority of Africa’s rhino may today be found in the Kruger
National Park – a name so famous globally and associated with the legendary Big Five that it is simply called ‘Kruger’.

But our sterling track record is under threat. Rhino are being poached in ever increasing numbers.

It is no ordinary crime – but part of a greater, highly organized, well-funded illicit wildlife trade. Those behind rhino poaching are often linked to transnational crime syndicates operating not on the margins of society, but within it, counting within their ranks those who have the inside knowledge, the know-how and the financial means to bring the rhino once again to the brink of extinction.

As signatories to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora – also known as CITES; we have long placed sustainable utilization at the cornerstone of our conservation policies. South Africa remains committed to rooting out the illegal trade in specimens of wild animals and plants: which threatens their survival.

Honorable Members of the house, we are holding this debate today because we as the government believe that the solution to the illicit wildlife trade, and in particular, rhino poaching, cannot lie in one
area alone.

Solving the problem also isn’t the government’s task alone: but will ultimately rest on the strength of collaborative partnerships between government, the private sector and the NGO sector: all the while mindful that the decision whether or not to engage in such practices heavily depend on the motives and consciences of individuals – be they socio-economic hardship, or sheer greed.

The South African government, under the stewardship of the Department of Environmental Affairs, has adopted the integrated strategic management of rhinoceros’ – a raft of measures that, working in tandem - will be brought to bear to fight this scourge.

To ensure the long-term survival of this great African animal necessitates that we long abandon a wait-and-see approach.

Time is not on our side…the rhino simply does not have the time.

Honourable members, a strategy, as adopted by Cabinet, is characterized by a balance between proactive anti-poaching measures, the implementation of innovative new measures to bolster rhino numbers, and the vigorous pursuit of interventions for long-term sustainability.

Compulsory interventions we as the government have been doing all along include existing and pro-active anti-poaching initiatives, bolstered by improved, actionable intelligence as well as the introduction of responsive legislation and policy amendments.

Another intervention the South African government has used in the past with immense success, and continues to employ – is strategic translocation. Moving rhino to low risk areas –leading to the creation
of new rhino strongholds in areas where the animals are safe and protected, has been scientifically proven to result in increased populations. It is important to note that these translocations will take
place to other parks, reserves as well as to private and community land.

But we know that meeting the challenge posed by a fluid and rapidly evolving criminal enterprise requires innovation: new approaches that can effectively disrupt the syndicates behind the illicit rhino horn
trade. Which is why, as of the 1st of September, we have established a National Rhino Operations Center in the Kruger National Park to centralize and strengthen co-ordination of anti-poaching operations and activities, under the leadership of the South African Police Services. It should also be mentioned that this joint management strategy also rests heavily on collaboration with neighboring countries or so-called
range states; as well as end-user countries.

To this end, MOUs have been concluded with:
a. the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,
b. The People’s Republic of China, and
c. The Government of Mozambique
Similar such cooperation are being finalized with the governments of Cambodia, Lao’s People Democratic Republic, further: and being discussed with Thailand, Tanzania and Botswana. These MoUs include various areas of cooperation with among other things, a focus on biodiversity management, and conservation.

Because we know, and we have learned, that increased militarization alone will not work. It has to be matched by proactive strategies targeted at end-user countries: including but not limited to demand reduction through awareness campaigns.

But so long as there is reason, be it greed or indigence – for someone to go out and shoot a rhino and saw off its horn: we will consider community relationships as the very foundation of our strategies.
It is, after all, from these communities that the poachers come. It is also from these communities – many of them under-developed and neglected, that the natural instinct to protect these animals may be
superseded by concerns for money because they are simply too poor. The ownership and management of our country’s wildlife was for centuries, in the hands of the few. Generations of South African children were born and grew up alongside many of the country’s wildlife reserves.. without ever being allowed past the gate.

It is under this government that the dream of many from these communities, to have a stake in the management and ownership of these animals - has been realized. To ensure the long-term, sustainable utilization of wildlife of which we speak, it is key that we involve communities every step of the way. Not just by creating an enabling environment that facilitates rhino ownership and management for disadvantaged communities. But also through creating economic alternatives to poaching within these communities.  Honorable Members, the lure of the poacher is a strong one…especially if you believe your future to be bleak and your prospects to be non-existent. But it is a road we are determined to dissuade them from taking. And it starts with the young. The seeds of national pride in our rhino and its protection are most fertile in the minds of the youth. The values of pride, responsibility, and duty to protect – once successfully instilled in them, never leave. But we cannot promise them words alone. It is our responsibility to redirect the energies of the young towards useful, income generating projects that mean they remain far from the poacher’s snare.

Our very first impressions of the recently convened public hearings into rhino poaching tell us that if offered alternatives, communities are inclined towards upliftment and conservation – not crime.
We are a country committed to sustainable utilization of natural resources. Which is why Cabinet has also authorized my department to explore the feasibility of a legal trade in rhino horn products. The application of economic fundamentals to issues around a proposed legal trade, also known as rhinonomics: is among the terms of reference of a Panel of Experts appointed to look into this issue ahead of the CITES
Conference of Parties in 2016. The Cabinet Inter-Ministerial Committee and the Panel of Experts are
considering all options: and have made no decision. Today, as we have repeatedly done, we are calling on stakeholders and interested parties to register to participate in the processes of the panel. Honorable Members, South Africans, we have borne the brunt of this scourge, the bitter fruit of our successful conservation record. But we remain confident that our efforts in implementing the integrated strategic approach will build on the successes of the past, and not undermine them.  The challenges will not remain static, which is why our approach is strategic, targeted, and innovative.

The fight to save the rhino is inextricably linked to who we are as a country: a country with a proud heritage that we celebrate throughout the month of September. A country wherein each of us knows that what distinguishes us from the beasts is our compassion, our mercy, and our recognition that we are one with nature. We owe it to our rhino, and to ourselves, to succeed.

For queries, contact:
Albi Modise - 083 490 2871

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

On Safari With Robbie From 1 September 2014

1 September 2014

The day of the 'Cat' turned out to be a reality when close to the 114/Mathimiri junction we came across a stunning and well fed male Leopard feeding on an Impala in a Jackalberry tree 5m from the road! The smiles on the vehicle said it all!

Suddenly he jumped down and lay on some rocks even closer to us lazily showing us his fat belly! Within 30 minutes of this sighting I came across 6 Lions sleeping in the Sabie river banks! We now have 6 of the magnificent 7 been seen!

Sometimes when one has a cracker of a morning drive , the afternoon turns out to be quiet! For us that was not going to be the case! Noticing a few vehicles stationary on the koppies I took a chance and to our amazement we came across the 3 Wild dog from the day before! Suddenly 5 pups of not more than 3 weeks old appeared from the den above us suckling on their Mom! We watched the pups interacting with the rest of the pack for a good hour till sunset when instinctively they all disappeared into their den!

2 September 2014

This morning we drove out to the wild dog den again and in awe we saw a female leopard was on the move very close to the den! Not wanting guests to see the leopard killing the pups we left the sighting. To our relief a call came through on the radio that all 5 adult dogs had chased the Leopard away with her tail between her legs!

On our last game drive we only missed Lion and the guests chatted happily amongst themselves that in 3 days they had seen 6 of the magnificent 7!            

It was a truly memorable and fantastic safari!

More coming soon!!

On Safari With Karen From 1 September 2014

1 September 2014

After a drive from Nelspruit to Numbi Gate we entered the park on our way to Nkambeni Safari Camp, which would be our home for the upcoming days. On Camp road we spotted our first animal: a grey duiker. As he froze on sight it took some time for all to spot him, but he gave away his position by running away. We also spotted some impalas in the background, but chances are we will see them closer by!

We checked in and then first had a spot of lunch. It was an entertaining affair as we saw some elephants passing by, heard hippos as well as zebras and in the end even spotted the hippos too.

The guest then had some time to relax as their first drive was a sundowner safari.

They were taken to a beautiful spot where the enjoyed the sunset with a drink in hand. To make the safari an extra success they had some amazing sightings: a big herd of buffalo, a couple of elephants, a large spotted genet and because some elephants had been rude and blocked a road with branches they had to take a different route back which happened to be the same road as a leopard was walking!

Sharing stories at dinner was a bit more difficult than usual as the cultural Nungi tribe was giving away a show. But it made dinner quite entertaining. It was a very good first day of this safari!

2 September 2014

Early this morning we set off for our morning drive. Camp road was busy this morning as we came across a group of buffalo bulls, some elephant bulls as well as a grey duiker. When we turned onto the Numbi tar road even more buffalos were hanging out close to the road. We saw a bachelor herd of impalas with a duiker that looked a bit out of place. Also the impalas weren't quite sure if he belonged in the group as they all stopped to stare.

Then there were the first kudus of this safari as well as vervet monkeys and zebras.

We had heard about wild dogs denning on the Pretoriuskop Koppies and wanted to take a look. We were in luck as we did see first an adult wild dog lying on a rock and shortly after we saw a couple of wild dog puppies coming up to play. Those little buggers were very cute, but so energetic it was difficult to photograph or even count if it were four if them, five or maybe even seven! Nonetheless it was great watching!

Then a driver of another car pointed out a leopard to us, which was watching the same sighting as we were. As the leopard crept closer bit by bit we grew worried he was after the puppies. And even though every tourist, secretly or not, wants to see a kill, a leopard killing wild dog puppies isn't really what they have in mind. Relief showed on their faces when the adults noticed the arrival of the enemy and when he dared came closer, the wild dogs chased the leopard to the other side of the rocks. Like clockwork, the puppies had disappeared back into their den.

When the adults had returned the puppies played a bit longer in between the rocks closer to the entrance to their den. But the little puppies are barely visible in between the larger rocks so all we got was glimpses. We left the sighting to go around the block and maybe look for the leopard. As luck would have it, the leopard had decided to come look for us too. As soon as we got to the other side, a line of cars were standing still, all staring into space. But right where we were the leopard was walking from open area in between trees to hopping on rocks. The moment other cars showed up though, he had disappeared into the bushes once again. This lovely play happened another couple of times before even for us he stayed invisible.

We then made a trip around Circle road where we saw kudus multiple times, once even suckling a little one as well as a young bull, cape glossy starlings, zebras, impalas, warthogs, a large herd of elephants crossing in front of us (and disappearing in mere minutes), a dwarf mongoose and vultures circling on a thermal.

We had an awesome start of the morning and deserved a break so we stopped at Pretoriuskop. After coffee we headed out to Shithave Dam. There were waterbucks lying close by and a bateleur was flying over. But except for some terrapins on a rock, the dam was rather quiet. We turned around to make our way back to camp when we spotted some elephants feeding.

We drove back on Napi and Numbi tar getting our first giraffe, but this lady wasn't the youngest and was battling old age by the looks of it. Red-billed oxpeckers were frequenting her back as well as neck and behind in search of ticks. And we saw more kudus, even more elephants, a large herd of buffalos that had just crossed the road and a brown hooded kingfisher on a branch right next to us.

In the afternoon we set off again for another game drive. This time we drove up Albassini where we saw a large group of impalas, kudus and zebras right at the entrance. A stop at Mestel Dam showed us some snoozing hippos at the opposite bank as well as a couple of them with their head bobbing on the waterline.

We continued past the overflow where we saw a troop of baboons crossing the toad in front of us. The little ones were playing and goofing around, while the adults just stopped once in a while to have a snack. A steenbok ran across in the opposite direction, disturbed by the baboons. But nothing prepared us for the havoc that happened next. When the baboons settled on a rock further into the field we were about to pull away when all hell broke loose. Baboons started screaming from multiple directions, big clouds of dust flying in the distance and baboons viciously chasing and attacking each other. The kings tried to call for order or encourage them, we didn't know, but the sound of them got overpowered by the rest of the noise. A grey duiker got caught in the middle of the mayhem and was seen running from left to right and back scared of everything. As none of the on looking baboons climbed in trees, but just stayed wary behind little bushes, we ruled out a predator attack. It seemed to settle down when two baboons crossed the road behind us in opposite direction, only to flare up again a little while later. More baboons were running away, scared of others, giving us the idea that two rival gangs had met on the streets of New York. If we were right, who knows. We didn't dare ask one of them as the were all baring teeth at each other...

When it had quieted down for quite some time we decided we would never know what just happened and decided to continue our drive. We turned onto Shabeni Link where we saw a bull elephant in the distance as well as a giraffe feeding quite close to the road.

We then drove back to the place where we had seen the wild dogs this morning. And we were in luck as upon arrival the puppies seemed to come out and play. First we spotted them on the rocks, together with some of the adults. Then they descended and it looked like the adults went of to go on a hunt. Hungry puppy stomachs needed feeding. The pupies however started playing tug of war with a little bush. Five little puppies versus one little bush! All the bush lost was a leaf, the puppies their belief of being a strong warrior. One by one they gave up and plopped down for a nap. That was our cue to make it back to camp as it was getting close to closing time.

Our new guests didn't join on this afternoon drive, but went out on a sundowner. They actually caught up with the adult wild dogs that were indeed hunting impala. Trying to ambush them on opposite sides on the Numbi tar road they had an excellent view on strategy. However this one was one of the few failed attempts a wild dog makes. Although, when we past the spot later on, and were told the wild dogs had just crossed and ran into the bushes, we saw multiple vultures descending and land in nearby trees. They were hoping for a successful ending of the hunt for the wild dogs, or maybe already knew it had...

On Safari From 25 August 2014

25 August 2014

We picked up guests from the Protea Hotel OR Tambo close to the airport and made our way out of Johannesburg onto Nelspruit.

Upon arriving in Nelspruit, we made our way to the change over point. After changing from the closed vehicle into one of our open safari vehicles we made our way to the Kruger National Park on the last leg of the journey.

Upon arriving at Nkambeni Safari Camp, clients were checked in and given chance to have lunch and a rest, before leaving on a game drive at 15h30.

We left the camp and made our way up the Numbi Road getting good sightings of impala, kudu, buffalo and common duiker. We turned onto the Napi Road and made our way in the direction of The Napi Boulders getting more sightings of impala, kudu, zebra, common duiker, buffalo and elephant.

At around 17h30, we made our way back to the Nkambeni Safari Camp for the night, guests enjoyed dinner and then retired to bed.

26 August 2014

It was up early this morning, leaving the camp on route for the picnic spot of afsaal.

We made our way down the Numbi Road and onto the Napi Road getting good sightings of buffalo, impala, kudu, warthog, zebra, as short distance down the Napi Road we came across a large herd of buffalo, carrying on down to afsaal for a break the following was spotted, impala, kudu, buffalo, elephant, wildebeest, warthog and hyena.

After enjoying a break at Afsaal picnic spot, we made our way back in the direction of Nkambeni Safari Camp getting much the same animals throughout with the exception of a couple of extra bird species.

Guest were given the break to enjoy lunch and due to it been a hot day, some rest time before leaving on the game drive at 15h30.

We made our way out on the afternoon drive deciding to go around circle road, we were able to get great sightings of impala, kudu, waterbuck, giraffe, common duiker and stenbuck, before returning to the camp at 17h30 for guests to have a good dinner, and a chance to have a good rest.

27 August 2014

This morning it was back out on the road early going down the Albasini Road and then onto the Doispane Road in the direction of the main camp called Skukuza. On the drive good sightings of elephant, impala, kudu, warthog, hippo, common duiker and stenbuck were seen.

After a break at the camp of Skukuza was enjoyed, we made our way out of camp, getting a radio message that there was some lions lying on the Alpha Loop, we made our way in that direction, getting a good sighting of the two females lying in the river line watching some buffalo.

After enjoying the sighting, we made our way around the triangle and then it was back to skukuza getting great sightings of elephant, buffalo, vervet monkeys, kudu, impala and more hippo. We decided to make our way back to the Nkambeni Safari Camp, so guests could get a chance to have lunch and a rest before going out on a game drive in the late afternoon.

We left camp at 16h00, going up the Numbi Road and the onto Shabeni Kopies, were little was seen. We then went onto the other side around the camp of Pretoriuskop, getting great sightings of a buffalo herd as well as impala, kudu, warthog, common rheedbuck, hippo and elephant. We returned back to camp getting in just before 18h00.

28 August 2014

Today after enjoying breakfast, it was back out on the road, getting numerous good sighting of large elephant bulls, as well as numerous sightings of buffalo as well as large kudu bulls.

We then made our way in the direction of Numbi Gate, in order to travel back to Nelspruit, change over vehicles and then it was onto Johannesburg, arriving at the guests hotel at 15h00.

Feedback was that the guests enjoyed the safari.