SAFARI SOUTH AFRICA

SAFARI SOUTH AFRICA November 2023

PUBLISHED BY DITSIBI PUBLISHERS TEL +27 60 889 4489. WHATSAPP +27 84 501 6300 EDITOR UNA SNEEDON 1

AN EARLY MORNING SAFARI...not only a good time to see wild animals, but also the best time to see Mother Nature put on an unforgettable display of her vast collection of all things beautiful. The colour of the rock formations, the various grasses, the almost blue colour of the mountains...all seem to be changing colour every few seconds as the first rays ofsunshine touch them. And never more so than in the Kruger Park, South Africa It's a breathtaking experience, indelibly imprinted in your memory bank. Give yourself time to explore our animals and glorious scenic splendour. Stop often on your journey... and come back to that which took your breath away the first time. Your love affair with what South Afrca offers has only just begun...she knows she will have your heart forever! Come and experience the wondrous nature and wild animals of this beautiful place. A warm welcome awaits you.

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SAFARI...COME AND LOSE YOUR HEART IN AFRICA...See and experience Vast herds of game; the hunt of the cheetah and lion; 5 star tented accommodation; an afrcan sunset; play golf on an unfenced golf course in the Kruger National Park; hiking, on foot, in the Kruger National Park; adventure sport for the adrenalin junkies......and so much more.

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SAFARI...WHERE TO STAY

STAY

AT THE 4 STAR JOCK OF THE BUSHVELD SELF CATERING

CHALETS WHEN ExPLORING THE HISTORICAL GOLD MINING TOWN OF BARBERTON. The chalets are ideally situated on the Genesis Route, which is a 220 km figure of 8 loop which takes you through breathtaking scenery and important heritage sites.

The Unesco site, Makhonjwa Mountains, is a spectacularly

scenic wilderness of immense geological importance. It uses richly illustrated panels which open the arcane geological communication, taking you on a journey into the mists of an impossibly distant past.

The route is home to Big 5 safaris, rich in Gold Rush history and unique geology found nowhere else in the world. Spend a day experiencing what life would have been like for the early Gold Rush pioneers, experience a mining tour which takes you to Golden Quarry, one of the mining wonders of the world. Try your hand at gold panning.

This route is a celebration of life...from the dawn of life on earth to the adrenaline rush of the here and now.

Your stay at Jack of the Bushveld will be one of well appointed comfort. Relax at the swimmingpool, enjoy a good meal

and South African hospitality at

Jocks Restaurant.

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SAFARI....HISTORY AND TRADITION

SAFARI....HISTORY AND TRADITION A Unesco World Heritage site..... Makhonjwa Mountains, world famous for their staggering age of 3500 million years.

Ndebele Art, made famous by Esther Mhlangu...Cultural Heartland 6

WILDLIFE SOS

This section is dedicated to creating more awareness for the activities of wildlife rehabilitation centres and will be utilised in fund raising efforts.

Kindly contact the Editor if you want to donate.

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WILDLIFE SOS

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DULLSTROOM BIRD OF PREY CENTRE Nestled in the picturesque town of Dullstroom, South Africa, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre stands as a testament to the unyielding commitment to the preservation and conservation of some of nature's most majestic and awe-inspiring creatures. Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre is a place where people from all walks of life can connect with these magnificent birds and gain a deeper understanding of their significance in our ecosystem.

The Visionary Beginnings The Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre had humble beginnings that can be traced back to the late 1990s. Established by a couple of falconers, Mark Holder and Mark Bett, this centre started as a personal endeavour to educate the public about birds of prey. The Centre’s original aim was as an educational centre, teaching members of the public about raptors and promoting an awareness of the raptor species and their plight as a growing endangered species. The need for care of injured and orphaned birds of prey prescribed the evolving of the rehabilitation centre as well. The Marks' passion for raptors and their desire to share their knowledge with the public gave birth to what is now a widely recognized and respected institution. With the passing of Mark Holder in 2014, the centre was taken over by Magdali Theron and Frith Douglas. The centre was incorporated into the Wildlifesos Trust (IT000101/2015) to secure the home and future for the birds in their care.

Conservation and Education One of the primary goals of the Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre has always been education. As the centre expanded, it became clear that the public's interaction with these incredible birds could be a powerful tool for raising awareness about the importance of their conservation. The centre’s educational programs, with close up encounters of free flying birds of prey, were developed to inform and inspire people about the vital roles that birds of prey play in maintaining ecological balance.

Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release At its core, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured and orphaned wildlife. The centre is permitted to handle all species of indigenous wildlife not only birds of prey. The centre provides a safe haven for these majestic creatures, nursing them back to health and giving them a second chance at life in the wild. Annually between 80 and 200 patients have been saved and returned to their natural habitats, thanks to the tireless efforts of the staff and volunteers.

Spectacular Flight Demonstrations One of the highlights of a visit to the Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre is the opportunity to witness awe-inspiring flight demonstrations. These demonstrations showcase the birds' natural behaviours, 9

agility, and hunting techniques. Visitors of all ages are captivated by the graceful flight of eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls, leaving them with a newfound appreciation for these magnificent creatures.

Continued Growth and Success Throughout the years, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre has continued to grow and evolve. It has gained recognition not only for its conservation efforts but also for its contribution to research on birds of prey. The centre collaborates with scientists and researchers and other organisations to gain a deeper understanding of these birds, their distribution and movements, contributing to global conservation efforts.

Conclusion The Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre's remarkable journey from a personal passion project to a prominent conservation and education institution is a testament to the dedication and unwavering commitment of its founders, staff, and volunteers. It has become a vital link in the chain of efforts to protect and preserve the majestic birds of prey that grace our skies. As the centre continues to educate and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds, it ensures that future generations will appreciate and protect these incredible creatures. The Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre's history is one of success, dedication, and the enduring power of conservation, serving as a beacon of hope for raptors and nature enthusiasts alike.

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SAFARI ...PLAY GOLF IN THE KRUGER PARK As I stand on the tee box, in silence and awe, waiting for a young Leopard to complete his morning patrol across the green on the par 3 2nd, I cannot help but take pleasure in the privilege of playing a round of golf in this magnificent setting.

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SAFARI...BIRDIES, BOGEYS AND THE BIG 5 SKUKUZA GOLF COURSE In THE KRUGER PARK is an unparalleled 9-hole, 18 tee, golf course situated in the world renowned Kruger National Park in South Africa. The course is unfenced which encourages all sorts of wildlife to move through the area leading to an “out of this world” golf game. The fairways hug the outskirts of the Skukuza staff village on one side and the open savanna bushveld on the other within this rich wildlife sanctuary. This challenging, yet rewarding course provides the visitor with a unique and somewhat harmonious close-to nature golfing experience that one would struggle to imitate elsewhere in the world. A “pie in the sky” idea of a few dedicated SANParks staff members in the late 1960’s became a reality in June 1971. Initially the 5 hole course and its facilities were available only to the members of the “club” - Parks Board staff and their invited guests. Inevitably pressure was brought to bear to open the course to the general public and after some consideration and negotiations with SANParks management the dream of an inclusive golf club was realized in November 1999. The club has experienced major growth in the amount of players across its fairways ever since which has allowed for the improvement of facilities and more importantly the course as a whole to a now SAGA approved stroke 71 golf course.

Beautiful, green tee boxes rise from the bushveld surroundings leading the golfer down narrow fairways flanked by true “bushveld rough” and plenty of water to the inviting greens that challenge even the most respected of golfers. One’s round of golf can be more than adventurous with many a player being forced to play up or go big due to the resident creatures of various sizes.

On a daily basis the course is inundated with impala, kudu, warthog, waterbuck, hippopotamus, crocodile and nyala and on many occasions visitors of the slightly more dangerous type make an appearance including leopard, lion, buffalo and elephant. Generally these “wild spectators” are silent on your backswing however, from time to time, they need to be encouraged to be quiet. The first four holes flank the impressive Lake Panic which teams with life including many fish species, crocodile, hippo, and enough birdies to encourage even the high handicap golfer. A round on the course is more than a score towards one’s handicap, it is an adventurous outing amongst some of Africa’s greatest assets that will leave a mark on your memory forever. The 19th hole overlooks the magnificent lake and the sunsets and accompanying sundowners cannot be matched.

Be sure to bring along the golf equipment on your next trip to the Kruger Park and contact the Skukuza Golf Club to enquire about your Big 5 golfing experience.

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SAFARI....GAME VIEWING BY BOAT

One of South Africa's most attractive Reserves, Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, covers an area of 23612 ha and lies around the massive Loskop Dam on the Olifants River. The dam has created a natural floodplain and the Scenic valley has been restocked with animals once indigenous to the area. These include the Eland and other species of antelope; Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, and the White Rhino. The dam wall was built in the 1930's across the Olifants River Gorge and was raised again in the 1970's. It is approximately 30km long, which makes it the longest dam in the Southern Hemisphere, and supplies water to a vast irrigation scheme in the area. It's a favourite for anglers, watersport enthusiasts and boat-based game watching which is offered by a number of resorts on the banks of the dam. The dam is well stocked with Yellowfish, Carp, Bream and Catfish and is regarded as one of the prime angling sites in South Africa.

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SAFARI......AND HIKING TRAILS The trails are interlinked and you can combine trails to lengthen your hiking per day. All trails are certified Green Flag status which means the trails are audited bi-annually.

KADISHI TUFA TRAIL: 2km. This trail takes about an hour and a half to complete and is easy. It runs along the Kadishi River, which is a tributary of the Blyde River. It incorporates a lovely Tufa waterfall which is a rare phenomenon involving the building up of the rock behind the waterfall because of calcium carbonate precipitation.

GUINEA-FOWL TRAIL: 4km. The trail takes just over 3 hours to complete and requires a reasonable level of fitness. This scenically diverse trail offers beautiful views of the canyon’s features before descending into the lush vegetation of the Kadishi River valley. A lovely swimming spot and a small Tufa waterfall are encountered at the point where the trail crosses the Kadishi River.

LOURIE TRAIL: 3km. This trail takes about 2 and a half hours to complete and requires fitness as well as agility – trail may be slippery after rain! The river is crossed several times so be prepared to get your feet wet! Walking through the indigenous riparian forest makes one feel as though you have stepped into another world.

LEOPARD TRAIL: 5km.

The trail takes around 4

hours to complete and requires you to be fit. It offers spectacular views of the northern section and other features of the Canyon. A variety of biomes with their specific vegetation types are encountered on this trail.

Although leopards are seldom encountered due to their shy and nocturnal habits, their spoor is often seen.

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