Indholdsfortegnelse for Autumn 2019 i Kruger Magazine

Welcome to the Autumn issue of KRUGER MAGAZINE strives to enhance our readers’ journey with nature, and especially those who love the Greater Kruger region as much as we do. And as all nature lovers, we too, are visually inclined – and we love being able to show what we write about. Technology has given us the wonderful gift of not just being able to share beautiful photographs with our readers, but also enabling the joy of watching videos while you read your favourite magazine. A quick guide on page 10 explains how to access a ‘QR Reader’ to scan the QR codes that appear throughout the magazine. Access to the embedded media, inclusive of video and audio, enhances the overall reader experience. As autumn starts to roll in, the…

These gigantic creatures are not only the biggest ones on our continent, but also the most fascinating, with a wealth of folklore attached to their mysterious habits, their uncanny communication with each other, their lifelong bonds and their profound intelligence. They play an important role in propagating the indigenous marula trees and in fuelling the tourism economy in our national parks as one of the primary attractions for visitors. Tragically, though, just as Africa’s rhinos were targeted, our elephants are now endangered, with illegal poachers and their rifles moving down the continent seeking their ivory tusks. The KNP is home to more than 17 000 elephants. While legislation aimed at protecting them is vitally important, the most effective work is done on the ground by rangers. Supporting them are SANParks’…

" The Crocodile Bridge area is well-known for its spectacular wildlife sightings and form part of the ‘Southern Circle’ game viewing area.” The Crocodile Bridge area is well-known for its spectacular wildlife sightings and form part of the ‘Southern Circle’ game viewing area. An early morning drive is always a winner. Like they say, the early bird catches the worm, or in this case, the early traveller finds the lion in the road! Morning self-drive A good morning drive when at Croc Bridge is to take the S25 gravel road to Hippo Pools and enjoy the sunrise over the Crocodile River with a cup of coffee and to listen to the sound of the bush and birds waking up to greet the new day. From Hippo Pools, you can drive…

To cope with the rising number of pangolins being seized in the Greater Kruger Area, Rhino Revolution (NPO 115 - 825), based just outside the Kruger National Park, is working with the African Pangolin Working Group to provide a rehabilitation service and centre for these rescued pangolins. Rhino Revolution are now caring for pangolins seized from the illegal poaching trade by the South African Police Services (SAPS) and Hemmersbach anti-poaching unit. The first pangolin arrived mid-September and eight more were brought in during the next six weeks!…

Lukimbi Safari Lodge is situated on the 15 000ha Lwakahle concession – the closest private concession to the Malelane gate – in the southern portion of the Kruger National Park. In 2000, the concession was awarded to a consortium comprising Humphry Borkum and the Marais and Kernick families. The name Lukimbi is derived from a historical story of a brave warrior, Toto, who had to fight with the largest crocodile in the river to save his betrothed, Ntombi, from the crocodile’s jaws. After an all-night battle, the river stained with blood, and Toto exhausted, the great Nkulukulu looked down from the heavens, and took pity on Toto and Ntombi, and turned them into lukimbis – mythical beasts, half lion and half giant eagle owl – saving them from the jaws…

Some stories are full of embattled scars, threads frayed, rough edges staggered with double-knotted cross stitching, faded colours softened by years of navigating cul-de-sacs and detours. My favourite spot in the Kruger came about on one of these cul-de-sacs and detours! It cannot be told in isolation without the story of a bush-wild-girl, also known as Boskat. This girl who often ‘loses herself in the Kruger to find herself’, was driving on a dirt road towards Balule bush camp. Rain was smashing down on the windscreen and lightning was creating havoc as the ominous clouds exuded a display of power and play. I pulled over as my visibility was almost zero. As the rain lashed against the car window, an ache within an ache in my heart broke, rendering the…

Mission: Unique sightings and birds We were not disappointed – from roan antelope and eland to mating striped kingfishers. On our way down from Punda Maria we decided to take the turnoff onto the S56, which didn’t disappoint. Being what seemed to be the only car on the road with ample game surrounding us and our ‘want to see list’ ready, our first unique encounter came with loads of white-fronted bee-eaters in the road flying and catching insects with not a single worry of us being there and not hesitating to sit just 2 metres away from the car. After a good half an hour it was time to move on. In a short time, a figure appeared from the river bed... the gracious kori bustard, moving proudly and elegantly…

You ou will notice no that a number o of QR codes appear in KRUGER MAGAZINE. Not o everyone e knows no s what they are, or how w to use them, so this is a quick guide.. A QR code (an abbreviation b e for or Quick k Response Code) is a square, two-dimensional barcode that w was originally designed for or use in the automotive industry in Japan. The barcode is machine-readable, which means you can capture e the QR code by means ans o of a a scann scanner app on a smartphone. This low--ttech solution is v very use useful as it makes it possible for you to access interactive ma material that will enhance your experience o of e text – refer e er to,…

Remembering good times is awesome, but remembering that first time you did something amazing in your life is precious, and a good way to start any conversation. It is also a way of connecting with people, for enjoyable ‘first times’ are normally shared without reservation. It is the enjoyable things in our lives that create bonds of friendship and kinship among like-minded individuals. In Issue 3 – Autumn 2018, we wrote about KNP opening its doors to the public in 1926, and how amazing it must have been to have been there in those days. We also asked readers to share their first-time visits to the Greater Kruger. We received quite a number of responses! We hope to receive lots more. Janna Cooper’s first visit As soon as it opened…

While they are certainly large and dangerous, I suspect the reputation might be less relevant these days. I have seen no data on numbers of people killed by respective animals, but I would believe that conflict with humans, particularly in South Africa, has been much reduced. Elephants might more deservedly claim that reputation! In the past, people tended to concentrate along rivers, and their crops would have been a major attraction to hippos. The resulting conflict, along with people in flimsy canoes trespassing on hippos’ territorial pools, would have led to significantly more human-hippo incidents than is currently the situation. Another factor is that a hippo out of water that is disturbed by people, will rush for the safety of the river and people might get hurt or killed simply…

One lucky reader will win a 2-night family stay for two adults and two children at Jock Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park, inclusive of all meals and a selection of house beverages, and daily game drives, kids on safari programs and guided wilderness walks. (T’s & C’s apply) To enter this competition : 1. Join the KRUGER MAGAZINE facebook group as a member 2. Take a selfie showing yourself and this ad page 3. Post to the group with the following heading: #jocksafarilodge#krugermagazine 4. The entry with the most likes will win the competition, so make sure you attract attention with your photo! 5. Competition will commence on 18 March 2019 – Winner will be announced on Sunday 28 April 2019 @ 21h00.…

Lukimbi is an excellent choice for your dream wedding day, with a choice of using the charming baroque-styled chapel or the bush for your wedding vows, walking down the aisle to rhythmic drumming and being serenaded by an African choir. Lukimbi will take care of everything for your special day, from the wedding cake to the music, flowers and legal proceedings. The lodge can accommodate 32 people, ideal for a secluded and romantic wedding and very special honeymoon, and private dinners for just the two of you can be set up at one of the mystery romantic venues.…

Initially you pass by thick bush that opens up into this panorama of grassland teeming with wildlife. It is amazing to see the contrasts experienced on this loop with hardly any evident activity when the water levels are low but startlingly a night of rain rapidly fills the dam and the area bursts into new life. Wildlife you haven’t been aware of but that are present are suddenly drawn to the abundance of water and no barriers exist as the different species mingle and vie for their spot in the queue. It’s a spot where you can simply sit at the picnic area and experience absolute peace. It’s often at places like these where you learn to appreciate the smaller things nature has to offer as you are guaranteed to…

What’s in it for advertisers? There is no doubt that QR codes enhance a reader’s appreciation of a story – but advertisers, too, can enjoy the significant benefits of embedded rich media. Want to advertise a product but go beyond the limitations of print? Consumers can now engage with your product in a direct, interactive way thanks to QR codes. This optimisation across print and digital platforms gives you greater value for money and increased return on investment! There are many practical ways QR codes can be used for marketing and promotions in a variety of settings. The continued growth of mobile usage means more opportunities to use a QR code. Recent research states that of all world-wide internet users, 80% will access QR codes from a smartphone. Their continued…

“The word ‘photography’ means painting or drawing with light, and the better you use light the better your pictures will look.” The whole basis of photography is the use of light. In fact, the word ‘photography’ means painting or drawing with light, and the better you use light the better your pictures will look. If the light is terrible – high in the sky, harsh, cold, flat, dull – then your pictures will look just like that. On the other hand, get the light right – creative, interesting, beautiful – and your pictures will glow, pop and look gorgeous. <<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…

“The striking kudu bulls present a strong challenge for prime position as one of Africa’s most imposing antelopes!” Large, very large, round ears hardly sound like endearing adornments for an antelope. Neither does the generally drab fawn colour make much of a difference. But add spiral horns, up to 1.8m long, and suddenly the striking kudu bulls present a strong challenge to the majestic sable bulls for prime position as one of Africa’s most imposing antelopes! 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…