South Africa Mpumalanga Province
Leopard savaging a crocodile caught on camera
This amazing phographic sequence was recently captured at Kruger National Park by American Wildlife Photographer Hal Brindley while he was concentrating on a unrelated subject. According to wildlife experts this is the first recorded or witnessed incident of its type. The incident astonished park rangers who had no explaination as to why the leopard would choose such a potentially hazardous meal.
Date: July 26th, 2008 |
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Fires and floods threaten many in South Africa
We have had a harsh week of weather, with icy temperatures and driving rain, causing a significant amount of flooding.
As usual the worst hit are the poorest of the poor, living in informal settlements without drainage. 49 townships are said to be affected and 38000 people.
“It was terrible. If four major storms hit consecutively, there is nothing one can do about it. The problem is that people settled in low-lying areas,” said Mayor Helen Zille.
As it was explained to me by my Geography teacher. the Cape Point area is actually an island and the large land area in-between is basically a low lying sand bank. So when heavy rain comes they always flood.
Date: August 1st, 2007 |
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Southafricalogue back in South Africa.
Well its very nice to back. Although it is not nearly as hot here as in Mozambique, the humidity was getting painful and although the caipirinhas help, two weeks is not enough for the blood to start thinning. The trip back was fairly straightforward. We drove from Maputo to the border at Komatiepoort and then on to Jo-burg on very good roads. I was dreading the border a little because I had seen the queues on our way in, but it was not a problem and we were through in under an hour.
Date: January 15th, 2007 |
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Malaria in South Africa: Introduction and Advice
Disclaimer: this post is not meant to replace medical advice from a medical doctor. If you’re planning a trip to Africa, please consult with your medical doctor on malaria and other diseases.
Malaria Risk Map
The first thing to know about malaria in South Africa is that it’s prevalant only in the country’s three northeasternmost provinces - KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo - and only in their outermost regions. See the map (provided by malaria.org.za) for SA malaria risk areas.
You do not need to take precautions against malaria for trips to SA that are limited to Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, or any of the country’s six malaria-free provinces: North West, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng.
(Note that parts of the North West and Northern Cape provinces, in certain areas along the borders with Botswana and Namibia - including the Kalahari desert - sometimes require seasonal malaria precautions. Check in advance with your local contact.)
You do need to take precautions if you plan to enter a malaria-prevalant zone, including the Kruger National Park, during any part of your trip here.
Risk of malaria infection in prevalent areas is highest between October and May.Kruger National Park malaria information hotline: +27 (0) 82 234 1800.
Date: March 24th, 2006 |
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World Wetlands Day in Wakkerstroom
Happy World Wetlands Day!
Spare a thought for birdlife around the world today, under threat not just from avian flu, but also from shrinking wetlands.
In South Africa, many wetlands conservation projects are underway, aimed at preserving the summer homes of the birds that descend each year from Eurasia and north Africa, and the year-round abodes of SA’s thousands of indigenous species.
Wakkerstroom, a small town in Mpumalanga Province (about 200 kms southeast of Johannesburg), is one of the best places to find both. Twitchers from around the world, dare we say it, flock to the area for what are known as “big ticks” - not large, bloodsucking arachnids, but thick black checkmarks in their bird books, next to rare birds, indicating that they’ve spied the feathered flyers in question.
Date: February 2nd, 2006 |
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Bring on the beach
With winter behind us now, well in Durbs anyway, it’s time to focus on the outdoors and the beach. After tidal waves and a rush clean-up of the Durban beaches after the freak weather in April and May, this year’s Beach Festival was definitely no wash out!
The festival exceeded the expectations of the organizers by attracting more than 700 000 people (tourists and locals) and generating an impressive economic turnover of around R700 million. “We have once again pulled off a world class beach event this year proving that we are Africa’s premier sporting and events capital,” said Lindiwe Mahlangu, head of Durban Africa (Berea Mail).
During the 10 days of the festival there was a further economic injection of around R110 million in catering, hospitality, entertainment and fashion during the weekend of the Vodacom Durban July. Well I definitely know what I’m doing in July 2008!
Date: August 13th, 2007 |
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Kruger Park Trip: How to get there?
We are planning a family trip up to the Kruger Park next month. This is when the bulk of the tourism has slowed down and things are a bit more relaxed for us and the animals. Like us, I am sure they are not keen on bumper to bumper traffic in their back garden. The end of summer is traditionally a good time to view animals as the vegetation is at its thinnest, but seeing the unusual amount of rain we’ve been getting this summer, I am not so sure.
We are staying at the Kruger Park Lodge in Hazy View …
Date: February 14th, 2007 |
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Blyde River Canyon is a Kruger Self-Drive Must
If you’ve decided to tackle the Kruger Park on your own - a decidedly do-able proposition (see SA Logue’s Make Your Own Way to Kruger for more) - then ensure your do-it-yourself-safari ends at Kruger’s Phalaborwa gate (closest camp: Letaba), so you don’t miss the Blyde River Canyon on the drive back to Joburg.
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Blyde River
The canyon is one of Africa’s largest - and has to be one of the world’s most spectacular. Its highlight is the view of the Three Rondavels - outcroppings of rock that look like giant sculptures of African huts. It’s flat-out gorgeous. (Sorry for that.)
Date: July 14th, 2006 |
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Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (Nelspruit)
SA Blog’s handy guide to the Kruger Mpumalanga Airport.
Vital information:
Airport code: MQPStreet Map: Click here (and then zoom out) | Or try clicking here (a map which occasionally doesn’t load)Floor plan: None neededGeneral info: +27 (0) 13 753 7500 or +27 (0) 83 449 1743Website: Click hereFlight info: Contact airline (see below)Hired/Rented cars: In airport shopping gallery, outside of arrivals.Wifi? NoFormer & alt. names: None Free carts? YesPorters? Available Porter tip? R5 per bag.Curbside drop-off/pick-up allowed? YesParking? About R3/hour. (Long term parking available, but not often arranged.)Disabled-friendly? Yes
Kruger Mpumalanga is a simple, privately-run airport which services tourists who head to South Africa’s north-east specifically for the Kruger National Park experience. Its name is somewhat misleading, in that visitors are actually flying into Nelspruit (the capital of Mpumalanga Province), not the Kruger Park itself, and have to make an additional portage of 2-3 hours by car to get to the Park gates.
(Kruger Mpumalanga replaces the old Kruger Park airport, to the lament of those who knew the latter: the old airport was in the Park; one would fly in over herds of animals at low height, which was spectacular.)
The airport’s website, though not complete, is the best of any in South Africa (most other airports are run by ACSA, which has dreadful websites): beyond the basic information one expects, it also lists shuttle services, charter flight hire, and much other useful information besides.
Date: February 10th, 2006 |
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Coming Soon: Helpful, Witty Posts
Howzit! You’ve reached a section of SouthAfricaBlog.com that is, sadly, empty.
In time, however, it will be filled with all sorts of blog fodder, so if this particular subject is your bag, bookmark it and come back later.
Meanwhile, why not visit our Help Wanted section, where you can make yourself useful?
Thanks!
Ben, who am Editor
Date: January 1st, 2006 |
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