Indholdsfortegnelse for Autumn 2018 i Kruger Magazine

As we head towards autumn, we can look forward to cooler weather as well as a reduction in the density of the vegetation in the Greater Kruger region – let’s face it, it’s not quite as easy to spot animals at this time of year! On the plus side, those you do see are generally in peak condition and the Greater Kruger region looks beautiful in autumn: still green, yet burnished with the gorgeous colours of the red bushwillow (Combretum apiculatum) and the white kirkia (Kirkia acuminata)... There is so much to appreciate in the Greater Kruger region that one barely knows where to start – but KRUGER MAGAZINE strives to enhance your journey with nature! In this issue, you can learn more about the wondrous marula tree, every single…

Following the excitement on KRUGER MAGAZINE’s Facebook group when Graeme Mitchley shared the sequence of events at a leopard sighting at Biyamiti Weir, Meldt van der Spuy conceptualised our regular column, FAVOURITE SPOTS. For issue 3, the editorial team selected the Top 5 ‘FAVOURITE SPOTS’ shared by the members of our Facebook community and KRUGER MAGAZINE Facebook members then enjoyed the opportunity to vote for their favourite entry. Facebook members shared fascinating stories, beautiful photographs and unique experiences with the community and, based on a popular vote for the most favourite entry, Mariska Nortjé has been invited to share her favourite spot and a selection of photographs captured by her at this spot with all our readers! Pat Botha Sable Dam – My favourite spot! While the first signs of…

Situated in the southwest of the Kruger National Park and only 11km from Malelane Gate, Berg-en-Dal lies in the beautiful mountain bushveld of the Mpumalanga province. The new Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport lies just 25km from Nelspruit, which is half-an-hour's drive from Malelane Gate off the R570 and N4. Berg-en-Dal opened in 1984 and is known as one of the new-generation camps in the Kruger National Park, offering visitors outstanding accommodation and lodging facilities. Situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit, and set within natural bush, the gardens are planted with flowering shrubs and aloes, and great care is taken to preserve the natural vegetation in the camp area, which attracts a variety of grazers within the camp. Birdlife is exceptional in this woodland area, and if you are…

Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), commonly referred to as ‘black rhino’, have been relentlessly persecuted since the 19th century and there are only about 5 000 animals remaining today. Ruthless poaching across Africa, and presently in South Africa, threatens the survival of the species on a global scale. South African National Parks (SANParks) has established a Black Rhino Guardian Programme in the Kruger National Park, which hosts the largest population of black rhino in the country. This multidisciplinary programme draws support from Scientific Services, Ranger Services, Air Services and Veterinary Wildlife Services to enable the best management and protection possible for the species. Black rhino were once widespread across Africa, with numbers upwards of 850 000 animals. Trophy hunting, poaching and land clearance for settlement during the 19th and 20th centuries…

« Nick Zambatis is the former Manager: Biodiversity Conservation in Conservation Management: Kruger National Park. He retired in 2016. His first job in Kruger was as a research technician based at Skukuza, which he started in 1987. “The transfer from Pretoria to the Lowveld was ecstasy and the Kruger appointment was a dream come true,” he recalls. He holds an MSc degree on the determinants of grass composition and production in Kruger National Park, from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. “The marula is without a doubt a ‘keystone species’, defined as a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment in relation to its abundance.” General description and identification The marula (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra) is a medium to large deciduous tree up to 18m tall, generally with a…

« Joep Stevens is a keen historian who was introduced to the Kruger National Park by his parents in 1966. This ignited his interest in and passion for the Park. » Part 3: From 1926 to 1954 From sanctuaries (game reserves) to a National Park With the fledgling Kruger National Park having just been proclaimed under the Minister of Lands in the Union government (it had reported to the Transvaal Province), a national park philosophy, as we know it today, did not exist. It had to be formed over the many decades that followed. With this transition (from provincial game reserve to national park), employees were retrenched. The then warden, James Stevenson-Hamilton, was requested to stay on and it was quite a change as he now had to report to…

Donald Strydom runs the Kinyonga Reptile Centre, formerly known as Swadini Reptile Park, which was founded in 1984. He has been involved in the filming of approximately 50 documentaries and has worked with Sir David Attenborough. Through the Kinyonga Reptile Centre, Donald has established the Help Endangered Reptile Project (HerP), which focuses on conservation through education and research.” “The main reason why a cobra spreads its hood is to make itself look larger and more intimidating, in order to scare off a potential attacker or threat.” The spectacular cobra needs no introduction. It is known worldwide for its impressive hood, but few people realise that this is not used solely for defence. Popular belief has it that the cobra produces its hood by inflating the body with air, however, it…

SANParks Honorary Rangers, recognised by the South African National Parks as its official volunteer organisation, has grown to over 1 900 volunteers across the country, supporting all 19 national parks. The East Rand Region is actively involved in many activities inside and outside the national parks. The focus of the region is to raise funds for major projects in the Kruger National Park, as well as for several smaller projects in the Marakele National Park, with the emphasis on counter-poaching-assistance initiatives. One of its bigger projects to date has been the building of vegetable gardens at ranger posts, predominantly in the remoter sections of the Kruger National Park, to enable the rangers to plant, grow and harvest their own vegetables. The structures are built to safeguard the crops from marauding…

Is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of nearly two million hectares (20 000km²) in the province of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in the north-east of South Africa. It extends 360km from north to south and 65km from east to west. It became South Africa’s first National Park in 1926. In 1993, fences between Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) and the Kruger National Park were removed to encourage wildlife migration and the Greater Kruger National Park was born.…

Berg-en-Dal offers daily guided game drives on an open vehicle, and bush walks with a trail guide – these can be booked at reception. Guided game drives include sunset drives and night drives. Well-qualified Kruger Park safari guides can offer suggested itineraries and take guests on morning, evening and full-day game drives/walks to track down the Big Five. Whether you opt for guided game drives, bush walks, self-drives, or a combination thereof, you are guaranteed to experience wild animals in abundance. Leopard and wild dog are regularly seen in the region. The area is also roamed by buffalo, cheetah, kudu, impala, giraffe, elephant, reedbuck, klipspringer, grey rhebok and warthog, amongst others. Morning self-drive Berg-en-Dal is a paradise for wildlife and bird lovers. A good morning drive is to take the…

« Dr Ian John Whyte is an independent environmental consultant who retired from SANParks in 2007. He was previously engaged in full-time wildlife research in Kruger National Park from 1970-2007. At the time of retirement, he was responsible for the coordination of all research projects pertaining to elephant, buffalo and other large herbivores and rare antelope. He is a member of the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission’s African Elephant Specialist Group. He has co-authored two field guides to the birds of the Kruger National Park and is in the process of publishing a book about his life and work in KNP. “Oxpeckers live in highly developed symbiotic relationships with many of Africa’s larger herbivores.” Oxpeckers live in highly developed symbiotic relationships with many of Africa’s larger herbivores. The relationship may better…

“The concession is comprised of environmentally sensitive areas that were previously not accessible to the public.” Rhino Post Safari Lodge and Rhino Walking Safaris, Seolo Africa properties, are on a 12 000ha private concession in the Kruger National Park. The concession is situated about 10km northeast of Skukuza, and shares an unfenced 15km boundary with Mala Mala in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Game moves freely between the two reserves, and the concession is comprised of environmentally sensitive areas that were previously not accessible to the public. They boast a huge diversity of fauna and flora. Management, being custodians and very conservation-driven, aim to keep the concession undisturbed by human impact as far as possible, yet share this area with guests in a most unique and unforgettable way. “Rhino Post…

« Paul Troskie is a conservationist and freelance writer who swopped his rifle for a camera 25 years ago. He refers to himself as an African and says one doesn't visit the continent but rather comes to experience it. African bush fever is incurable and the infected can't help but return to the spoor again and again, says Paul. As a native of Ceres, he is actively involved in the conservation of the Cape Mountain Leopard and Clanwilliam yellowfish. Paul and his wife, Anet, spend a couple of months every year in the Hoedspruit area where they support a company that trains working dogs for anti-poaching units. “Barely 20m out the airfield gate, I yelled, "Stop, stop...stoooop,” at the top off my voice. Angus slammed on the brakes.” As a young…

« Dr Ian John Whyte is an independent environmental consultant who retired from SANParks in 2007. He was previously engaged in full-time wildlife research in Kruger National Park from 1970-2007. At the time of retirement, he was responsible for the coordination of all research projects pertaining to elephant, buffalo and other large herbivores and rare antelope. He is a member of the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission’s African Elephant Specialist Group. He has co-authored two field guides to the birds of the Kruger National Park and is in the process of publishing a book about his life and work in KNP. “Their skin colour is variable and is dependent on the colour of the mud in which they most recently wallowed.” There are many differences between South Africa’s two rhinoceros species,…

« Ralf Kalwa is Ecological Consultant at Malelane, a position he has held since December 2001. He established Rhengu Environmental Services in the Malelane area and is trails leader for the Lebombo Eco Trail. Prior to holding this position, Kalwa was Manager: IEM: Kruger National Park from 2000-2001 and Senior Section Ranger: Kruger National Park from 1994-2000. “Every ranger in Kruger gets a Shangaan name, given to him by his staff and fellow field rangers,” says Ralf. “Mine is Mahlometela… the man who sees everything .” “They referred back to my days as an ecologist in the Waterberg where I had to work with game farmers on a daily basis.” Before accepting the post to move down to Malelane, I asked my superiors why I was considered…

« Roger de la Harpe is a freelance photographer based in South Africa. He has long had a passion for conservation, natural history, wild places and indigenous cultures and has plied his trade in various regions of the African continent for 25 years. With his wife Pat, he has published 27 coffee-table books, the most recent of which, African Icons , celebrates Africa’s most iconic features and creatures. Two previous books, In Search of the African Wild Dog and In Search of the African Lion , have a strong conservation focus. Roger and Pat also own and manage Africa Imagery, an online database of over 45 000 images of the people, wildlife and landscapes of the African continent. Here are…

Salomon Joubert (Dr SCJ Joubert) started his conservation career in 1964 as a postgraduate student in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, and was appointed to the Kruger National Park as Junior Ranger at the end of 1964, stationed at the remote Klipkoppies Section on the Mozambique border (due east of Letaba). In 1967, he was granted study leave to do a BSc (Hon) (Wildlife Management) degree at Pretoria University. In November 1967, he was transferred to the Research Section with responsibility for rare antelope, in particular roan. For his work on the social behaviour of roan, he was awarded an MSc and subsequently a DSc degree on the population ecology of roan. In 1976, he was promoted to Head of Research and was intimately involved in monitoring large mammal populations, a…