South Africa Game Reserves & National Parks
Drakensberg: The Royal Natal National Park
The Drakensberg Mountains, or uKhahlamba (Barrier or Spears) in Zulu, is a place of profound practical and symbolic importance to South Africa. It is the central watershed that gives rise to the three iconic rivers of the Vaal, the Tugela and the Orange; it is the physical landmark that split the Bantu Migration into the Nguni and Basuto subgroups; and it was the parameter of settlement between Briton an Boer during the tense years leading up to the great Anglo/Boer War. Besides that it was the last fortress of the San, or Bushman people in the central region, who were ultimately pushed to the fringes of viable existence both by white and black expansion, and who left in their wake a sweeping legacy of cave art, not just in the Drakensberg, but throughout the region. Currently the highlands make up most of the independent state of Lesotho, with just the leading approaches of the escarpment falling into the territory of the South African provinces of Mpumalanga and Kwazulu/Natal.
From a travelers point of view the Drakensberg provide something of a break from the routine of lowland game parks and wildlife preserves that tend to define and make up so much of an average southern African journey. Those parts of the escarpment that permit public access are defined largely by the escarpment, and are subdivided into a series of national parks and areas of forestry or state land. Above the escarpment lies the high and open hill country of Lesotho that is public land only inasmuch as it is communal to the pastoralists and herdsmen who husband their animals there. Technically, broaching the escarpment and walking in this area represents and illegal boundary crossing, and although the national parks personnel will let this fact be known, the provision is rarely enforced, and free movement within a reasonable distance from the escarpment is permitted.
Date: February 28th, 2008 |
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West Coast Flowers have a spring in thier step
Every Spring, tourists and local nature lovers come from all over to pay homage to one of the most spectacular flower shows in the world.
The West Coast of South Africa, is an acquired taste, compared to the lush garden route. It is rocky, dry and sometimes quite featureless. This makes a huge about face in the spring months when wildflowers carpet huge swathes of it in a massive display of colour. This is starting right now!
Date: August 13th, 2007 |
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The Sardine Run ‘07: The Greastest shoal on Earth is nearly here.
It is nearly time again for the world famous sardine run, where gigantic shoals of sardine (which can be seen from space), swarm up the East coast of South Africa.
The Sardine Run can be witnessed at some point between May and July (conditions permitting). If the water is too warm the Sardines will stay out in the deeper water.
Divers come from all over the word to view this once in a lifetime dive opportunity dubbed “The most exiting dive in the world”
The massive schools clump into bait-balls as a feeding frenzy occurs by shark, seal, birds, fisherman and other predator fish species.
It was reported today that if water temperatures remained low, the fishies could be close to shore by next week. If you are in the are check for updates and dive info here.
Sardine run facts after the jump:
Date: June 13th, 2007 |
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Most poisonous animals in South Africa. Top 5.
In Australia, just about everything is toxic and deadly. It is home to the worlds only known poisonous mammal, the duck billed platypus, the stupendously lethal box jellyfish and the blue ringed octopus, amongst many, many others.
True Blue Aussies are not going to lose sleep coming to South Africa, but perhaps the British, who’s most poisonous animal is the house cat, may be more tentative.
Date: May 22nd, 2007 |
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God’s Window and Bourke’s luck pot holes.
A trip to the area would not be complete without a peek at Gods Window and Bourke’s luck Potholes.
The viewpoint called God’s Window looks from the highveld down and over the expanse of the lowveld and is not to be missed. I can only compare it to the majesty of the Grand Canyon although not quite as jaw dropping it comes a close second in the view department. In my opinion the higher viewpoint called “Wonder view” is better than the one from God’s Window and is less crowded and with no tour buses. The height makes you immediately think …
Date: March 27th, 2007 |
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Volunteer work in South Africa: A helping holiday
Volunteering holidays are a highly enriching and immersive way to experience a foreign culture at the most grass roots level.
A number of exiting and exotic opportunities are now listed on Bootsnall, where you can choose your destination, activities and budget.
Most include accommodation and some include meals and excursions, all look like fantastic life changing experiences.
These selected opportunities currently exist in South Africa:
Animal Rescue society near Cape Town, South Africa:
This centre is a domestic animal rescue organisation located near Cape Town. Their goal is to provide animal health care and sterilisation to the local impoverished communities along with running an adoption programme for abandoned stray animals. Your work here will take on many roles from feeding and caring for the many animals to working closely with staff as they go out into the local informal settlements to collect, return and vaccinate animals on site. There is also the opportunity to work along side the resident vet, who requires assistance daily; this is not for the faint hearted. On quieter days you can get involved with a programme called ‘Open Paw’ which is a training programme to help the dogs understand basic commands helping with the adoption process.
Lion Monitoring Expedition in South Africa:
This is a chance for any lion lover to get up close and personal with these magnificent predators and other African mammals. Work alongside experienced researchers while learning and putting into practice, tracking and research techniques in South Africa. The reserve is based between the small towns of Gravelotte and Mica in the Limpopo Province and covers over 30,000 hectares of African wilderness. It is home to elephants, leopard, white rhino and various antelope species; you will be in the midst of some of the worlds most fascinating wildlife on a day-to-day basis. This is an amazing opportunity to learn about conservation and predator management, while enjoying a truly wilderness area, excellent wildlife viewing and at the same time contribution to African wildlife conservation. Your assistance in actively monitoring a lion pride is vital for the future development and success of this project and would make a fantastic addition to a gap year, sabbatical or annual holiday.
Date: September 13th, 2007 |
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Longest zip line in the world, in Sun City: Pronutro zip 2000!
I found this video of the longest Zip Line in the world called the Pronutro zip 2000 which sounds like it belongs to Harry Potter.
We call them foofy slides in South Africa, does anyone know why? The Zip slide is a feature at Sun City resort 2 hours outside of Johannesburg.
The sound that the pulley makes on the wire is amazing and far more of a “Zip” than a “Foof”
Date: June 26th, 2007 |
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Most Dangerous Animals in South Africa (and the world)
I was reading some info on the 10 most dangerous animals in the world and it struck me that 8 of them were found mainly in Africa! That’s pretty good going.
Date: May 22nd, 2007 |
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Robyn: Why not Durban??
As I’m sure some of you have noticed this Logue is pretty one-sided, so to speak, in the favour of Cape Town. There is nothing wrong with that, but there are other beautiful parts of South Africa that are just as attractive.
Philip has asked me to help provide a balance and let the readers know what is hip, hot and happening in Durban or Durbs to the locals!
Date: April 19th, 2007 |
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Impressions of the Kruger
It’s tough to get back in to work after being on holiday and I am already planning to escape to Madagascar or thereabouts.
My impressions of the Kruger park have changed somewhat for the better. The facilities are greatly improved and have a “swish” factor that for sure did not exist 5 years ago. Also the whole surrounding area has gone through a major revamp and the towns of Nelspruit, White River and Hazyview are almost unrecognisable. Real coffee from a real espresso machine was obtainable from all of the larger rest camps within the park, in times gone by this …
Date: March 27th, 2007 |
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