Indholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2022-2023 i Kruger Magazine

The chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) is a member of the monkey family (Cercopithecidae) and is in fact the heaviest. The males weigh 21kg to 45kg at an average of 31.8kg. Females are considerably smaller, weighing 12kg to 25kg at an average of 15.4kg. Three sub-species are currently recognised – the Cape chacma from southern South Africa (Papio ursinus ursinus), the grey-footed chacma (P. u. griseipes), found in northern South Africa to southern Zambia and the one occurring in the Kruger National Park, and the Ruacana chacma (P. u. ruacana) from Namibia and southern Angola. The word ‘chacma’ is derived from the Khoi name for baboon, choa kamma, while the scientific name Papio ursinus comes from the French words papion for baboon and ursinus for ‘bear like’. « Dr Ian Whyte is…

SPECIES ID – TREES Background and general description Three species of cluster-leaf occur in the Kruger National Park (KNP), with the silver cluster-leaf, Terminalia sericea (vaalboom in Afrikaans, nkonola or nkonono in Xitsonga, and mususu in Tshivenda) being the most conspicuous. The other two clusterleaf species are the thorny cluster-leaf (Terminalia prunioides), a common and widespread species (which will be discussed in a future article), and the Lebombo clusterleaf (Terminalia phanerophlebia). The latter is relatively rare, only occurring on stony or rocky areas along depressions and ravines in the KNP and limited to the Malelane and Lebombo mountains and koppies in the Pretoriuskop area. The silver cluster-leaf generally is a smallish, deciduous tree of 8-10m, sometimes up to 20m, with a moderately spreading, rounded to flat crown and with a…

I s 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.…

The family Cuculidae includes 33 genera with 147 known species world-wide. The subfamily Cuculinae are the cuckoos of the Old World (Africa, Europe and Asia) and these are all obligate brood parasite breeders, meaning they do not build nests or rear their own chicks. They parasitise the nests of other ‘host’ species who incubate the eggs and rear the chicks to independence. However, most other species in the family Cuculidae are not brood parasites, including the cuckoos’ closest relatives in the Kruger, the Burchell's, Senegal and black coucals. Many other species have adopted the brood parasite strategy, including the whydahs, indigobirds, and honeyguides. In the article in the previous edition of KRUGER MAGAZINE we covered the five cuckoos from the genus Cuculus. In this issue we will cover the other…

THEME KRUGER PARK SIGHTINGS: SELFDRIVE, CAMPS & HIDES What an exhilarating competition it was once again and tough for the Executive Team to make the TOP 50 and TOP 10 choices. The entries are so good and are becoming better and better with each round. So, well done, entrants. You are seriously becoming experts at photographing wildlife – not an easy task if your subject is in motion! Thank you once again to our sponsors and congratulations to all entrants. To our TOP 11 – excellent job! Get you images ready for our next Autumn competition that will kick off late in December – the regular theme: BIRDS, BEES, BUGS & BUTTERFLIES. Do familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions, as they change from time to time. 1 Mohammed Hassen…

PRIVATE LODGE – HAMILTONS TENTED CAMP The third of Extraordinary's three luxury camps in the Kruger National Park we had the privilege to visit, is Hamiltons Tented Camp. Situated on one of the first concessions awarded to private operators, the l0 000ha named Mluwati is bordered to the west by the Manyeieti Came Reserve and to the east the S36 gravel road that stretches along the western boundary of the Kruger. Hamiltons is situated on the banks of the N'waswitsontso River, and the camp takes full advantage of ancient jackleberry riverine forest that provides it with welcome shade during the warm summer months. The camp is completely unfenced, and elevated raised timber walkways lead to the secluded tented suites, each with a breathtaking view of the river. The camp was…

Over the years we have met some of the most amazing individuals through our publication – some have become friends, like our authors, which made Dr SCJ Joubert's passing an exceptionally sad time in our otherwise joyful days. And sometimes we meet new individuals that not just become friends, but have such an inspirational way about them, that you cannot help but feel just as inspired. One such a person is Deon Behrens, who took it upon himself to revamp the reception area of the KNP's Orpen Camp. Read the article on page 13, and if you also feel inspired, make contact with Deon. Our friendships span wide – most of our advertisers, subscribers and Facebook members have become our friends, even if we have never met in person. We…

MY FIRST VISIT TO GREATER KRUGER Image © Vector Tradition A VIRUS KNOWN AS KRUGER-MYELITIS The first time I can recall visiting the Kruger National Park (KNP) must have been either in 1992 or 1993 with my parents at the height of the drought at the time. I was about five years old. All I can recall from what my parents told me, was that there was a severe drought throughout the Park. What was memorable was that the elephants and buffaloes were emaciated. We must have used the Punda Maria gate as that is the nearest gate from our homestead, ka Makahlule village on the western boundary of the KNP. We had a picnic brunch at the Shingwedzi day visitors’ area. I guess this was the start of my…

Photos of elephant relocation courtesy Elephants Alive are illustrative only, showing the ongoing work of Elephants Alive, working in the Greater Kruger Area, to ensure the survival of elephants and their habitats, and to promote harmonious co-existence between elephants and people. Ralf Kalwa is an 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, Ralf was Manager: IEM: Kruger National Park from 2000-2001 and Senior Section Ranger: Kruger National Park from 1994-2000. “Every ranger in the 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.” Paintball guns Monday 3…

The Letaba River joins the Olifants River a few kilometres from the Kruger National Park's eastern border and has the longest trajectory from west to east across the Park. Its source lies in the upper reaches of the Drakensberg Escarpment and its catchment covers an area of more than 13 600 km2. The major tributary of the Letaba is the Klein Letaba River, which has its origins in the Soutpansberg area and drains a large part of the northern plains of the area formerly known as Cazankulu. Above its confluence with the Klein Letaba, the major tributaries of the Letaba include the Letsitele, Debengeni, Magoebaskloof and Thabina rivers and all arise in the Great Escarpment Mountains. Together, these rivers once contributed to the perennial flow of water in the Letaba…