Ndumo game reserve invaded

Ndumo game reserve invaded: "Game rangers have been chased away, their camp damaged and game has been destroyed in a land invasion at Ndumo game reserve in northern KZN."

Durban - Game rangers were chased from their outpost after which their camp was damaged and a suspension bridge destroyed in the Ndumo game reserve in the north of KwaZulu-Natal last week.

According to Radley Keys, DA spokesperson for environmental affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, the two incidents on Monday and Friday last week are attempts to allow land invasions to continue unimpeded in the eastern part of this park of international importance.

Conservation circles were abuzz on Thursday, warning that this state of affairs could have serious implications for South Africa in the international community.

Ndumo's flood basin wetlands, similar to those of the Okavango, have been given international conservation status according to the Ramsar agreement. They also form part of the proposed Lubombo Transfrontier Park which South Africa is involved in along with Mozambique and Swaziland.
Bush cleared for farming

All the game in the eastern part of the reserve has already been destroyed, the crocodiles Ndumo is famous for have left the area, and the bush is being cleared unhindered to make space for farming plots, said Keys after he and other members of the KwaZulu-Natal legislator's portfolio committee for agriculture and conversation visited the area last week.

"It's a crisis. There's total anarchy," said Keys.

The invasion of this part of Ndumo, east of the Pongola River, comes as a result of a land claim which was awarded to local residents in 2000.

However, nothing came of government's promises of agricultural assistance outside the park, Keys said. Then, in 2008, people chopped down 20km of Ndumo's eastern border fence.

According to an informed source, the land invasions are also related to the influx of people from Mozambique. The border between these two countries splits the Tonga tribe in two.

If the eastern part of Ndumo is lost for conservation, it places the future of the whole reserve in danger," Keys said.

Well-known game conservationist Dr Ian Player says this reserve is one of the most important bird-watching destinations in Southern Africa.
Suspension bridge destroyed

Last Friday, after a tourist was confronted, a group of people destroyed a suspension bridge across the Pongola River which lends access to the east of the park, Keys said.

On Monday a group of people attacked the game guards' outpost at the Mpholwe pan. The game guards were chased away before the buildings were damaged.

Police were called in to patrol the area after this incident, but as far as he knows, no charges were laid, said police spokesperson Jay Naicker.

Lydia Johnson, MEC for environmental affairs, condemned this "criminal behaviour". She is worried that it might hamper talks with local communities to find a solution for the problems surrounding the land claim.

- Beeld

Lodge of the Week - Komati Tented Camp, Nkomazi Game Reserve

Something new, something different

One of the latest additions to the Mantis Collection is the Komati Tented Camp situated in the Nkomazi Game Reserve. This ultra-luxurious tented camp is situated on the thickly vegetated banks of the Komati River in the Barberton Mountains. All the suites are spacious, superbly furnished and adequately positioned for privacy. Guests can enjoy a dip in each unit’s private plunge pool or have an outdoor bubble bath overlooking the river. The service is of a high standard, the food is excellent and there is a pleasant variety of dining venues. In addition the ‘River Retreat’ is a lovely Spa next to the river where guests can enjoy a variety of treatments whilst harmoniously listening to the rapids churning below.

The Nkomazi Game reserve provides guests with ample opportunities for game viewing. The eastern side of the reserve is dominated by open grassland and this provides the basis for good general plains game viewing. Crossing the river, the terrain becomes mountainous and thicker vegetation prevails. Having substantial tracts of open grassland and a prime riverine ecosystem in the valleys and mountains on the reserve, results in a healthy variety of different wildlife species occurring on the property. Lion, cheetah, elephant and rhino have all been recently re-introduced to the reserve. Buffalo are to be re-introduced at the beginning of 2011. Although there are healthy numbers of general game, some of the animals are still fairly skittish around vehicles (this will improve over time) but this is more than compensated for by large open areas where visuals are uninterrupted. High concentrations of giraffe occur on the property which provides excellent viewing opportunities of these unique creatures. The reserve is a geologist’s dream. With some of the oldest rocks on earth the mountains are a very special place. A number of traditional Sotho and San tribes lived in this area centuries ago. There are a number of cultural and archaeological sites on the reserve which make Nkomazi an interesting destination all round. Furthermore, there are various activities such as fly-fishing (for indigenous yellow fish), mountain biking and star gazing instead of the usual game drives and walks.

The reserve is malaria free and only a 4 hour drive from Johannesburg. Nkomazi’s Komati Tented Camp is especially ideal as a 2 night stop over for intimate parties and small adult groups travelling from Kwa-Zulu Natal, Swaziland or Johannesburg & Pretoria to the Kruger and Lowveld region.

To read more and see other ratings, please visit The Game Lodge Index

RATINGS BREAKDOWN
Core Ratings:	Sun Rays
Lodge and Camp	7.9
Safari Experience	6.8
Service	8.0
Facilities	7.4
Unique Rating	4.9
Conservation	4.1
Social involvement	3.7
OVERALL RATING:	8.0

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The best lodges for Giraffe viewing in South Africa

Giraffe sightings are special and there is nothing like watching a large herd of giraffe gently going about their daily activities. Common on most reserves, we are featuring the lodges where properties boast high numbers of giraffe and where giraffe are seen almost daily.

Makalali boast high densities of giraffe, making it one of the best places to see these graceful creatures.

Makalali

Nkomazi Game Reserve's Komati Tented Camp is the place to stay if you're in search of luxury and large herds of giraffe

In the Eastern Cape, Kariega Game Reserve has relaxed game, including giraffe, and vehicles can get close to the majestic creatures. Part of the reserve is big 5 free where guests can go for short hikes and stand a chance to see giraffe while on foot. There are four lodges to select from:

The luxurious Ukhozi Lodge

The views from Ukhozi's rooms

The delightful highly rated River Lodge

The log cabins of Main Lodge

Kariega - sundowner stop overlooking the Kariega River

The renovated farmhouse of The Homestead

Along with impressive bird viewing, Mopane Bush Lodge is also ideal for great giraffe sightings

Only three hours from Johannesburg, Kololo Main Camp is another ideal spot for giraffe viewing. 

Kololo Main Camp

Not situated on a big 5 game reserve, Thandeka Lodge, offers giraffe as one of their major attractions

Thandeka Lodge

Fun Facts about Giraffes!

They are beautiful, majestic and graceful! Giraffes often attract more attention and cause greater excitement that certain members of the big 5. There is just something about them that captures your attention and make you stop for a moment, just to watch them and appreciate them. Look at them closely and they're a little bit strange, observe them for a little longer and notice how regal they are.

The giraffe is the world's tallest animal

Giraffes have extremely elastic blood vessels in their neck. This helps them to leans their heads down to drink otherwise they would lose consciousness. Giraffes are also at their weakest when drinking and will do so with extreme caution.

Giraffes live in the African savannah, scrub, open acacia and woodlands south of the Sahara

A group of giraffes is called a "journey"

A giraffe has only two gaits - walking and galloping

 To prevent competition for food, male and female giraffes eat from different parts of a tree

When a giraffe lifts it's neck, it lifts 250kg (550pounds)

Giraffes are one of the few animals that use mostly their front legs when they run

Giraffes are silent, but not mute.

One kick from a giraffe can kill a lion

 Giraffes are one of the largest, strongest and most peaceful animals

Giraffes are found across Africa and in healthy numbers, yet there is a threat from poachers

Giraffe means "one who walks swiftly"

Giraffes sleep between 5 and 30 minutes in 24 hours

The closest relative to the giraffe is the Okapi, that has a shorter neck. The Okapi is found in the forests of the Congo.

Living in loose, open herds, giraffes are non-territorial and sociable.

Giraffe are fast and reach speeds of 15meters per second

Giraffes are one of the few animals, born with horns.

Female giraffes weigh 700 - 1182kg (1540 - 2600lb) on average

Like human fingerprints, the coat pattern of each giraffe is unique

A giraffe tongue is black and measures 68cm (27")

Newborn giraffe calves have an adventurous start to life - by falling 6 feet to the ground

Photo of the Week - Giraffe

The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all land-living animal species, and the largest ruminant. The giraffe's scientific name, which is similar to its antiquated English name of camelopard, refers to its irregular patches of color on a light background, which bear a token resemblance to a leopard's spots