Indholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2020 i Kruger Magazine

As we slowly head into winter in South Africa, amidst the global corona pandemic and associated challenges, it’s more important than ever to treasure gifts from nature… Mother Nature is not deterred in her rhythm. The Lowveld is a colourful palette of greens, yellows, browns and dark reds, and one of the many colourful trees in this region is the tamboti, commonly known as the jumping bean tree, of which some are in bloom already. Read all about this fascinating species on page 64, in an article by our regular expert author Nick Zambatis. The lockdown of the Kruger National Park (KNP) resulted in lateral thinking with regard to showcasing our regular KNP camp, so we decided to showcase the unique Skukuza Golf Club, which opened up a couple of…

I an Whyte was permanently engaged with wildlife research in the Kruger National Park for 37 years between 1970 and 2007. He was involved with research on lions for many years and was awarded an MSc degree for his studies on these predators. He was later awarded a PhD for his studies on elephants. But this is not a scientific book. It is rather a chronicle of his time in the Kruger, with many stories and fascinating insights into the functioning of the Kruger’s ecosystems, the animals and the people involved. But mostly it is a collection of stories about interactions with the animals with which he worked, including lions, elephants, black rhinos, buffaloes, hippos as well as leopards, snakes and birds. His studies were all conducted at an earlier…

MY FATHER’S ARCHIVE We watch the zebras trot skittishly down the bank to drink, the oxpeckers on their backs swinging wildly. They freeze, listening to the quiet morning, cautiously trip back for another quick sip and off they go. Then, a troop of baboons moves in. They come to the waterhole one by one. The old male sitting on the edge keeps a slow, roving gaze going while he picks at the ground with his forefinger for seeds or roots. Our breathing slows as we watch, and I feel my father’s breath near me, in me, I feel his smile as he watches the baboons. “Stupid animals,” he says affectionately. As the sun sets, the light takes on a sultry quality. A flock of queleas swoop towards the grass. The…

OPTIMUM EXPOSURE GUARANTEED MLP Media, the publishers of the award-winning KRUGER MAGAZINE – which focuses on the Greater Kruger region – received several requests for a quality publication for the rest of Southern Africa from our advertisers and readers. Following a soft launch on our facebook page at the end of 2019, the overwhelming response resulted in a go-ahead for the publication! There is no doubt that if you want to attract the attention of avid global travellers, the only way is to introduce and showcase your destination, products and services in collaboration with media professionals. Our extensive network has been selectively developed to ensure optimal exposure to targeted audiences! Our mantra is to develop ‘engaging content’ for ‘integrated platforms’. EXPLORE Southern Africa magazine will kick off in digital format…

“Humble cleaners working for a healthy environment.” « Donald Strydom, former owner of the world renowned Kinyonga Reptile Centre, has recently relocated to KwaZulu-Natal. Here he started a new worthy venture called Green Lizard Reptile Research and Rescue, a company that continues Donald’s legacy. Green Lizard operates along the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal and is actively involved with like-minded conservation organisations in the area and individuals alike. Donald is  rapidly becoming a well-known resource in the area who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. He co-ordinates needy marine and land environmental conservation and research projects. Donald’s love for nature and his drive to save our struggling environment extends far beyond borders. His plight takes him throughout South Africa and sometimes further afield to foreign locations, saving animals and habitat by…

When the Kruger National Park was established 94 years ago, there were no sporting facilities for staff. A fund for recreational activities was introduced after World War II and during the 1950s and 1960s the present-day community hall and adjacent sporting facilities were developed. Many of the sporting facilities were created rather by accident than design, as the rugby/cricket field appeared soon after the Technical Services Department ‘tested’ heavy machinery in the area. This rugby/cricket field was the prime reason for the eventual establishment of the future golf course! Around 1967, golf enthusiasts Nic de Beer and Jan Viljoen travelled the narrow dirt roads via Numbi Gate to play a round of golf at the Sabie River Bungalows in Hazyview. It was the sort of journey only fanatics would endure…

In South Africa’s Kruger National Park an ancient technology is being unleashed in the battle against poachers. Meet the Dogs of War - four-legged soldiers on the frontlines of the fight to protect wildlife. With unconventional tactics and incredible training, this dedicated canine unit is changing the game both on the ground and around the world. Source: CNN Scan the QR code or visit https://edition. cnn.com/videos/world/2020/03/04/dogspoaching-poachers-kruger-national-park.cnn to watch the CNN report!…

« 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. Scan the QR code or visit: www.rogerandpardelaharpe.comto access Roger and Pat de la Harpe…

“Owning their own luxury lodge in a true bush setting, was a lifelong dream come true.” Daniela Kofler, an acclaimed professional photographer, and her husband, Alberto, a qualified guide, together with their son, Robby, moved to South Africa in 2006 after having explored Africa on their safaris and travels for many years. Owning their own luxury lodge in a true bush setting, was a lifelong dream come true, and being a family-owned establishment, their warm hospitality is a natural result of their love for Africa and their passion for an unforgettable lodge experience for their guests. Situated in pristine wilderness at the Hans Merensky Golf Course in Phalaborwa, overlooking the Mala Mala Dam, the resident fish eagles, hippos and elephants create an authentic bush experience, whilst being pampered with five-star…

COMPETITION! All KRUGER MAGAZINE Facebook members are invited to share their favourite spots with the community. The TOP 3 winning entries are chosen by the KRUGER MAGAZINE executive team and will be announced on the KRUGER MAGAZINE Facebook group. Popular votes by members of the Facebook group will be taken into consideration in combination with engaging entries. CLICKPACKGO sponsors our popular SPRING 2020 FAVOURITE SPOTS competition! Specialising in accommodation options in and around the Greater Kruger, breathtaking game drives, important and interesting information on the areas surrounding Greater Kruger and unique and convenient Bush Boxes! Ziziphus River Lodge, Mjejane Game Reserve The KrugerExplorer App is the ultimate wildlife, maps and routes encyclopedia and guide to Kruger National Park! Prizes 1 st prize – Ziziphus River Lodge, Mjejane Game Reserve, two-night…

“A very special addition to the books we take along when we visit the Kruger. The photographs are beautiful and make identification so much easier. Love the way it has been set out. It is small and easy to keep with you. Highly recommended and a wonderful gift for any bird lover.” Cheryl R. “The overall content was well presented with clear identification markers of the types of birds seen in the Kruger. The photographs were precise with vivid colours allowing for easy identification. I particularly liked the ‘thumbnails’, which allowed for record keeping. Overall, the size of the book with its hardy cover, made keeping it close at hand a pleasure.” Ronnie Duffton “Excellent! Look forward to putting it to use in the Kruger at the end of December.”…

« 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. In Issue 11 of KRUGER MAGAZINE, we featured Crocodile Bridge Camp’s history. In this issue we look at the history of the Punda Maria Camp. Origin of Punda Maria This favourite amongst the birding, botany (especially trees) and heritage visitors formally dates back over a hundred years, although local people inhabited it long before that. The first ranger of the north of the then Shingwedzi Reserve, JJ Coetzer, arrived there during late 1919, after he had previously set up base about 18km southeast at a fountain at the base of Dzundwini Hill under the two large trees that are still…

« 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,…