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By Christine van der Merwe
No real name given
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This photo was taken on March 22, 2012.

Article source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sisitv/7124936615/

Three-way race in rugby Grand Challenge

ALTHOUGH it is early days in the EP Grand Challenge rugby competition, NMMU, Despatch and SAPS are threatening to turn the league into a three- horse race.

Tributes pour in for disgraced Shiceka after death in hospital

TRIBUTES poured in yesterday following the death of disgraced former cooperative governance and traditional affairs minister Sicelo Shiceka, despite a marred career which saw him embroiled in a R1-million travel expenses scandal.

Another attack at festering Arlington

ANOTHER knife attack has occurred at Arlington Waste Disposal Site. The attack, which took place on Saturday afternoon, comes amid calls by the DA for an investigation into the chaotic state of the site and questionable swopping of contractors.

Schoenies otter takes fishing lessons

IT’S one of the iconic wild animals of the metro’s open spaces, but it’s not often seen – certainly not clambering onto the rocks right under your feet. But that was the experience of fishing buddies Gavin Curtis and Stuart Duckenfield who were trying their luck with light tackle and pilchards at Schoenies yesterday (August 10 2011).

Cause and effect of climate change explained

SO HOW to communicate the complexity and magnitude of climate change to youngsters from a little school in Zwide? The kids, in grades six and seven at Mzimhlophe Primary School, were given the answer to this question during their visit to the SA Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre (Samrec) yesterday (August 03 2011).

R1.5-million farming venture will fit Eastern Cape to a tea

THE Eastern Cape government has set aside R1.5-million to kick-start an expanded honeybush tea industry that could be ramped up to produce a turnover of R100-million a year and hundreds of new jobs. The good news follows on the results that have emerged from a study of the honeybush industry, commissioned by the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) on behalf of the provincial economic development and environmental affairs department.

Snowed-in guards airlifted to safety

NINETEEN stock-theft guards stationed on the top of the Drakensberg have been plucked to safety as heavy snow presses in on their lonely outposts. The guards are housed alone or in pairs in 10 shipping containers, at key points along the Lesotho border with the north-eastern Eastern Cape, in the Rhodes area.

Algoa Bay the best monitored in all of Africa

ALGOA Bay is now “the best monitored bay in Africa” with millions of rands worth of equipment installed below the surface measuring a wide range of environmental conditions. That was the proud revelation yesterday (July 28 2011) from SA Environmental Observation Network (Saeon) co-ordinator Shaun Deyzel, who was speaking at a marine science symposium hosted by SA National Parks, at the Addo Elephant National Parks.

Mantis in new Nigeria deal

PORT Elizabeth based tourism group Mantis Collection has announced a bold expansion into West Africa with a landmark, multi-million US dollar deal signed in PE yesterday (July 25 2011) to roll out a sumptuous suite of boutique hotels in Nigeria. Mantis founder Adrian Gardiner signed the deal at Shamwari Townhouse in Summerstrand with highly respected Nigerian businessman Nze Chidi Duru, who is the chairman of Abuja-based Grand Towers Plc. The Nigerian company has interests in the pension, banking, retail, communications, IT and hospitality sectors.

Surf event sets greening benchmark

BILLABONG Pro J-Bay is setting a benchmark for international surfing contests with a comprehensive programme to protect the local environment and combat global climate change.

Karoo farmers take their fracking probe to Jo’burg oil summit

A SMALL Karoo farmers’ association is so concerned about fracking, and damning new evidence out of the US, it is funding the R10000 bill demanded for a four-day oil and gas conference in Johannesburg, to allow one of its members to attend.

Swell job for man with decades of experience

WITH the small waves prevailing yesterday (Sunday July 17 2011) for the Billabong Pro J-Bay, all surfing mojos are focused on the second week of the contest and the swell that, it is hoped, will still set things on fire. The man with un-paralleled expertise in this department is contest director Eric Stedman, 54, who has been scanning synoptic charts, fiddling with barometers and assessing wind direction since he was a grommit back in East London in the 1960s. It also helps that he began surfing Jeffreys Bay 43 years ago.

New official whale watching operator launch in the bay

ALGOA Bay’s first boat-based boat-based whale-watching operation in a decade has been officially launched – and already some exciting sightings are being reported. Lloyd Edwards of Raggy Charters, the company awarded the boat-based whale watching (BBWW) license for Algoa Bay, said yesterday (July 14 2011) he spotted the cow and calf pair of southern right whales off Algorax earlier this week.

Super surf contest starts at J-Bay

THE latest edition of one of the great global surfing contests, built around an iconic right-hand point break, was launched in Jeffreys Bay last night (Wednesday July 14 2011).

Unique source of Bay water

HOW many cities in the world can say they get their water from a World Heritage Site? Very few, I bet. Yet, that’s the case with Port Elizabeth and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and in fact the Gamtoos River Valley vege farmers.

Bayworld raggies returned to the ocean

THE biggest baddest pair from Bayworld’s de-commissioned aquarium, two bulky raggedtooth sharks, were released yesterday (July 26 2011) back into the sea. It was a sad day for the oceanarium, where they have lived for nearly two decades, inspiring awe in hundreds of thousands of visitors – but it is good news for the species, as the pair are now part of a research project aimed at securing our waters as one of the few safe havens in the world for raggies.

Dairy farm could close soon

BUSHY Park Dairy Farm, a flagship “proudly Port Elizabeth” business and a much-loved feature of the metro for the past 20 years, is facing closure. The shock news was confirmed yesterday (June 21 2011) by managing trustee Puffer Hartzenberg, who was responding to unconfirmed reports about the matter.

Unique study of great whites

A UNIQUE study into the abundance, distribution and movement of great white sharks in Algoa Bay, sponsored by the metro, has been launched. There has never been a fatal shark attack in Algoa Bay, but the metro has committed the R800000 grant as a pro-active step, taken in line with their marketing of Port Elizabeth as “the watersports’ capital of Africa”, researcher Dr Matt Dicken explained yesterday (June 21 2011).

Refurbished Skead book published

A NEW book aimed at celebrating our natural heritage and guiding sound future conservation policy has been published in Port Elizabeth. Historical Incidence of the Larger Land Mammals in the Broader Western and Northern Cape (including the Eastern Cape as far east as Sundays River) is a complete re-furbishment – with summaries, maps, illustrations and two new chapters – of the original work of the same name by legendary naturalist Dr Jack Skead, who died in 2006.

Co-op sponsors two farmers on US mission

TWO Karoo farmers have flown out of PE on a ground-breaking mission to the US, to get the low-down on fracking, in the country where it all began.

Link Refit to electric cars proposal

IF WE CAN link Refit with electrical motorcars – then we could really be onto something. Speaking to The Herald yesterday (June 14 2011), department of environmental affairs deputy-director general for climate change, Peter Lukey, said the scheduled launch this month of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (Refit), will likely lead to significant positive change.

Exciting reforestation project underway in Transkei

AN UNUSUAL re-forestation and carbon sequestration project is underway in the heart of the old Transkei, where savage erosion is a common feature. The R7600000 project is being run as a partnership between the Congress of Traditional Leaders’ of South Africa (Contralesa), the national department of environmental affairs and a Johannesburg-based company called Carbon Worx.

EC investment boost to counter climate change

EASTERN Cape economic environment MEC Mcebisi Jonas yesterday announced significant new green economy investment to boost green economy skills in the province.

Branch recalls fascinating career

FOR world-renowned reptile and amphibian expert Dr Bill Branch, who retired this week from Bayworld after 32 years employment there – it all began in 1969, on the shores of a lake in East Africa.

Green electricity programme set to launch this month

GOVERNMENT will this month launch the long-awaited Refit programme that will make funding available to pay private energy entrepreneurs who will generate their own green electricity and sell it to the grid.

EC leads climate change battle

THE Eastern Cape government has declared its intention to lead from the front in the war against climate change, with a landmark multi-benefit project agreement signed at the Eastern Cape Climate Change Conference in East London yesterday (June 08 2011).

Climate change conference

EVERYONE change – a milestone Eastern Cape climate change conference, featuring senior political leaders and climate change experts, is set to start in East London today (Wednesday May 8). The Eastern Cape Climate Change Conference will focus on the strategy document that has been prepared by local role-players, and will look towards the UN’s Cop17 summit, the international climate change indaba in Durban in December

‘Plenty of power for smelter,’ says CDC

BLACK-out fears notwithstanding, there is more than enough electricity for the megawatt-hungry Coega manganese smelter, according to the Coega Development Corporation (CDC). CDC communications’ chief Senzeni Ndebele was responding this week to concerns expressed about the power demands of the smelter and how this will affect Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality residents and existing businesses.

Motherwell eco-schools big recipients

TWO Motherwell “eco-schools” were the recipients this week of tens of thousands of rands worth of equipment and furniture to help them learn better. The 26 maths and reading software packages, 100 desks and 200 chairs were donated by ABB after the power and automation giant participated last year in a Wessa eco-schools’ workshop in PE.

Pollution plume off the beachfront raises concerns

A STRANGE-looking plume of discoloured water has been appearing sporadically in the bay between Shark Rock Pier and Humewood Beach, resulting in a number of calls from concerned residents, Following an initial report on May 20 by Humewood resident Elize Pretorius, and then disappearing for several days, it reappeared again this week, prompting further calls.

Put the environment on agenda of new councils

Concerns over Ngqura oil leak ‘unfounded’

CONCERNS have been raised that the oil and gas exploration rig in Port of Ngqura could be leaking oil into the bay. Both the Norwegian company that owns the ultra-deepwater drilling rig and the harbour authorities have rejected as unfounded the concerns raised by environmental group Ocean Messengers.

Ball of fire not the beginning of the end.

Was it a bird? Was it a plane? Was it a comet hurtling to Earth in delayed fulfillment of Harold Campling’s doomsday prophesy? Well, no. In fact, it was the International Space Station (ISS) and space shuttle Endeavour, catching the last rays of the setting sun.

Ngqura a fish magnet

THE Port of Ngqura has become an extraordinary magnet for marine life, and could point the way to an important new role for harbours, according to Bayworld marine biologist and shark specialist Dr Matt Dicken.

Stately emperor pays family a flying visit

THERE are moths and there are moths – and then there is the pine tree emperor, one of the giants of the insect world. Gorgeous yellow in colour and “easily the size of a man’s hand”, one of these moths swooped into a Seaview home the other night.

Endangered forest clearing probed

A SWATHE of critically endangered forest and new generation legislation formulated to combat climate change are at the centre of a confrontation in Deer Park. The forestry department has slammed as “reckless and malicious” the clearing of the area, which is over 100m long by on average 4m wide.

Male in search of good life turns up at beachfront

HE WAS a prickly customer – but in the end he came quietly. It was Patrick Mange, the cleaner and gardener at beachfront flatblock Bandle, next to the Beach Hotel, who found him.

EC operators performs strongly at Indaba

THE Eastern Cape has fared well at the Indaba tourism conference and expo in Durban, taking gold in two different categories in the main Welcome awards and only just falling short in the Eteya emerging tourism operators’ awards. The Welcome Awards winners are both from PE and are both family-owned businesses: the Plantation, the wedding, functions’ and accommodation venue on the Sardinia Bay road, and Economic Cars and Bakkies, the 20-year-old Walmer-based car rental firm.

NMMU microscope a global break-through

NMMU has been catapulted into the forefront of nanoscience research with the arrival of a state-of-the-art custom-built microscope from Japan. The high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) is the first of its kind that has been sold commercially outside of Japan and the last of a suite of four electron microscopes, costing a total R90-million, that have arrived in the past week from Tokyo manufacturer JEOL and a second manufacturer in The Netherlands.

Get out the Karoo, farmers tell Shell

ANGRY residents of the Middleburg area have called for Shell to “get out the Karoo” after the company failed to guarantee the security of their water if fracking goes ahead. Addressing Shell representatives at a hall in Middelburg’s Grootfontein Agricultural College in a hall packed with farmers in T-shirts saying “Don’t Frack with our Karoo,” members of the audience asked repeatedly if the multi-national could “guarantee no risk to our water”.

Nieu Bethesda farmers count flood costs

IT COULD take some farmers in Nieu Bethesda a decade to get back to where they were before the flood that hit them Saturday. That’s the word from the mountainous catchment area north of Graaff-Reinet, where well over 100mm of rain fell in 24 hours, flooding the Gats River and all its tributaries, flattening stock fences, stripping roads to bedrock and bursting farm dams.

By Christine van der Merwe
No real name given
+ Add Contact

This photo was taken on March 22, 2012.

By Leoa’s  Photography
No real name given
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This photo was taken on April 4, 2012.

South African Tourism:
The Addo Elephant National
Park is situated just onehour’s drive from the
coastal city of Port Elizabeth. It is the third largest national park and the
only Big 7 game reserve in South Africa. The 4-star Kuzuko Lodge lies in a
private concession in the north of the Addo Elephant National Parkwith
conference facilities for 48 delegates. As social programme the park offers game
drives, cosmic safaris and San rock art viewing.

Read more.

Your contact at
tmf dialogmarketing GmbH:

Corina Schömig,
E-mail: c.schoemig@tmf-dialogue.com,
Phone: +49 (0)89-330 567 81

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Article source: http://www.tmf-dialogue.net/2012/04/conferencing-in-the-addo-elephant-national-park-6/

South African Tourism:
The Addo Elephant National
Park is situated just onehour’s drive from the
coastal city of Port Elizabeth. It is the third largest national park and the
only Big 7 game reserve in South Africa. The 4-star Kuzuko Lodge lies in a
private concession in the north of the Addo Elephant National Parkwith
conference facilities for 48 delegates. As social programme the park offers game
drives, cosmic safaris and San rock art viewing.

Read more.

Your contact at
tmf dialogmarketing GmbH:

Corina Schömig,
E-mail: c.schoemig@tmf-dialogue.com,
Phone: +49 (0)89-330 567 81

  Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Monday, April 23, 2012

We were up at 5 for our early morning guided game drive. We had taken blankets from our room as we thought it might we cold and boy were we glad. Marion and I had our pick of seats being the only ones to show up at such an early hour. It was heaps of fun driving in the dark, looking for eyes in the flashlight. We saw the usual ostrich, impala, warthog, jackals as well as a red civit or caracul hunting for birds. Also one lone hyena so even though we didn’t see lion we were pleased.  Apparently there are 9 lion in that part of the park living in 3 groups. They are now all under contraception as they bred too fast and ate whatever they wanted rather than just the impala, warthogs and ostrich they were supposed to. The impala are apparently really clever and the guide told us that on private neighbouring farms I winter hunting of one impala per hunter is allowed, apparently they have a huge migration of “illegals” who jump the fence into the park for safety and then leave when hunting season is over



. Rhino poaching is huge, so location of rhino is kept top secret – our guide told us that they have lost 159 this year already –we are not sure if that is in all the national parks or just ADDO.  Interestingly elephants tusks are not in demand so they are not victim to poachers.

After breakfast we did another sortee out – saw many elephants and were thrilled each time, especially later in the day whilst sitting at a water hole and a big bull came down to drink.. Whilst sitting there we saw a whole clan of meercats playing in the long grass – popping their heads up from time to time to see what is happening.

Funniest moment: Dung Beetles are protected and there are lots of notices asking one to not drive over them. We were following a silver back jackal down the road and I  just commented that the next one we saw crossing the road, we should stop the car, open the door lean out and photograph one. At that moment we spotted one and I yelled dung beetle. To our surprise before we could  get there , the jackal trotted over to it and in front of our eyes popped it in his mouth, swallowed and carried on walking!! How rude is that!!

Our search for lion was not successful even tough others had spotted them in the day. Our night drive no more successful however we were thrilled when 3 elephant came right down to the waterhole in front of our rondawel to drink lae in the afternoon.

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Post navigation ? Previous Next ? Addo – Prices From : R2200 – R2500 Prices Are : Per Person Star Grading : Max Guest : 24 Type : Game Lodge !– – !– – !– – !– – !– – !– – !– – !– – Restoring body, mind and spirit Set in the Zuurberg […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

Addo –
Prices From
: R2200 – R2500
Prices Are
: Per Person
Star Grading
:

Max Guest
: 24
Type
: Game Lodge

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Restoring body, mind and spirit

Set in the Zuurberg Mountains, Addo Elephant Back Safaris and Lodge, located just a short distance from Port Elizabeth, borders the Greater Addo Elephant National Park. This exclusive malaria-free conservancy offers the ultimate getaway opportunity to both local and international travellers from families, groups and corporates to nature lovers, honeymooners and local residents wanting a quick reprieve from home.

A mere 20 minute flight or 1 hour 20 minute road transfer from Port Elizabeth and only 1 hour’s flying time from Plettenberg Bay, Addo Elephant Back Safaris Lodge is readily accessible no matter what your preferred means of travel. The added convenience of our 1 200 m airstrip makes it possible for guests to fly in with family, friends or colleagues directly to the Lodge, ensuring more time there than getting there!

The tented Camp is perfectly designed to blend discreetly into its surrounding valley bushveld environment; the remarkably spacious, sophisticated suites – some nestled in the Yellowwood forest and others set on a hillside offering extraordinary views – are elevated on wooden decks each with outdoor spa bath. Luxuriously decorated to evoke Hemingway’s Africa of yesteryear, this is an oasis of calm affording quiet reflection against the tranquil backdrop of the African bush where giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and eland browse and graze at your doorstep. All meals of the day can be enjoyed at our open-sided restaurant which incorporates a bar area and open-air boma, all overlooking the elephants’ much loved waterhole.

Walk with or ride the elephants through the diverse habitat – a journey to remember, a safari guaranteed not to disappoint – at one with nature, following in the footsteps of the ancients …

Facilities:

4 x 4 Routes, Babysitting, CC Accepted, Ceiling Fans, Conference Facilities, Curio Shop, Gay-Friendly, Hairdryer, Internet Access, Ironing Service, Jacuzzi, Laundromat, Laundry Service, Limited Rooms Service, Minibar, No Pets Allowed, No Smoking Rooms, Restaurant, Swimming Pool, Tea-Coffee in Room

Nearby Facilities:
4 x 4 Routes, Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Golf, Hiking, Mountain Biking, River Cruises, Spa

Meal Plan Available?
Yes, Restaurant on site

Accommodation rates include all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) at the Restaurant alongside the waterhole

Our Location:

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RiverBend Lodge is a mere 55 minutes’ drive from Port Elizabeth and is an ideal malaria-free safari addition to a Garden Route holiday. Personalised game drives are led by enthusiastic and experienced guides, who will ensure you have a truly memorable safari experience. Article source: http://riverbendaddo.blogspot.com/2012/04/guest-comments.html

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) has developed a new Coastal Route covering over 500 miles of pristine coastline spanning the length of the Eastern Cape. The province is rich in biodiversity with contrasting landscapes featuring primeval coastal forests and white sandy beaches, diverse wildlife, ancient rock art and Xhosa culture, offering the intrepid explorer an adventure of a lifetime.

The new Coastal Route will appeal to both self-drive and group tourists looking for an authentic and memorable travel experience. The Route is divided into eight (8) regional routes which will take travelers to the Eastern Cape’s less explored and off-the-beaten-track attractions to discover the heart and soul of the province. The eight (8) regional routes include Baviaans, Tsitsikamma Adventure, Kouga, Frontier Country, Sunshine Coast, Amathole Mountain Escape, the Wild Coast, and Greater Addo. The route incorporates suggested itineraries based on interesting things to see and do as well as value-for-money local accommodation which are sure to extend visitor stays in the province.

The benefit of the Coastal Route is that it will highlight not only the Eastern Cape’s well known and iconic attractions such as the Mkhambati Nature Reserve, Addo Elephant National Park and the province’s amazing beaches and surfing spots, but it will also take travelers to some of the undiscovered places of natural beauty. For sand dune enthusiasts, the 6,500 year old Coastal Dune Field found at Alexandria is the largest shifting dune field in the Southern Hemisphere and has been nominated for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other attractions include the Amathole Mountain Escape and Port St John, Jewel of the Wild Coast.

For those interested in history and culture, tourists can view ancient man-made fish traps at Cape St Frances; experience Grahamstown, a small city which boasts more than 70 heritage sites including a cathedral and the surrounding Victorian and Edwardian shop fronts on the Church Square; spend time visiting the final resting place of Sarah (Saartjie) Baartman the “Hottentot Venus” in Hankey, visit the Xhosa cultural hub of the province in the Wild Coast and experience mouth watering dishes in East London, surrounding game reserves and in Port Alfred.

At Tsitsikamma adrenalin junkies can participate in the highest bungee jump in the world, take a treetop canopy tour or go black water tubing. Those who like their thrills a little more sedate, can spend a few days at one of the many 5-star game lodges, play golf, go fishing or just relax at a spa. The Eastern Cape has it all. Other highlights along the Route include Jeffrey’s Bay, home of the best right hand wave in the world; Port Elizabeth, a water sport paradise offering every conceivable coastal and marine recreational experience one could think of including the added thrill of deep sea diving to explore a few of the 300 ships wrecked in nearby Algoa Bay. There are 6 blue flag beaches along the coastal route including the world-renowned kite-surfing spot at Cannon Rocks.

The Baviaans Wilderness Area is an extension of the Cape Floral Kingdom and has been declared a World Heritage Site. Addo Elephant National Park abutting the Indian Ocean is the only protected area in the world where not only the “Big 5” (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) may be seen but also whales and Great White sharks.

The Wild Coast covers untouched beaches with waterfalls running into the sea. The annual sardine run rivals the famous Masai Mara wildebeest migration in East Africa. The area is rich in cultural diversity, including the Birthplace of Nelson Mandela’s with a National Museum in Mthatha dedicated to the origin of His footsteps. The area is home to many of South Africa’s historic leaders and human icons such as O.R. Tambo and Walter Sisulu. This region is also known for its authentic Xhosa culture tradition, Art amenities and other adventure activities.

ECPTA is determined to make the Eastern Cape Province the destination of choice in South Africa; a destination where biodiversity, conservation and tourism management underpin sustainable development. Travelers can access the area via a number of sea ports along the coast, a well maintained road network, or through airports at Port Elizabeth and East London. For more information visit http://www.openafrica.org/route/coastal-route and www.visteasterncape.co.za

April 24, 2012
  Posted in: South Africa

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RiverBend Lodge is a mere 55 minutes’ drive from Port Elizabeth and is an ideal malaria-free safari addition to a Garden Route holiday. Personalised game drives are led by enthusiastic and experienced guides, who will ensure you have a truly memorable safari experience.

Lunch time! Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

If you’ve had the chance to see elephants in the wild, then you know how beautiful these giants of the wild are. At Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa, we saw plenty of the residents that give the park its namesake.  One herd we came across had a few young bulls. Our vehicle was parked at a great angle facing this ¨little guy.¨ How tough are these elephants? Well, they were eating briars, briars thick enough to pierce tires on a Land Rover. They eat hundreds of pounds of brush a year, which I guess is good for the vehicles to keep the briars at bay. I love making this suh-weet babe this week’s Suh-Weet Shot.

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Tags: South Africa travel, travel photos

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on Friday, March 16th, 2012 at 7:00 am and is filed under Features, Jeff’s blog, South Africa, Suh-Weet Shots.
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When did you last see the Big Five? Although some of your overseas friends may think you have lions roaming your back garden, the reality is most South Africans don’t have Kruger National Park on their doorstep. In fact, many locals believe a lot of planning – and money – is required to see some of Africa’s most coveted creatures.

To show you that a Big Five experience is more accessible than you think, we’ve handpicked a selection of parks and reserves, all within reasonably short drives from a major city. Although not fully inclusive, the following spots have been chosen for their accessibility, quality and, of course, the presence of those fearsome five: lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. Just remember: a game reserve isn’t a national park, so don’t expect a miniature Kruger.

Big Five near Johannesburg

Take a drive to these two top reserves within a few hours of Joburg.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Imagine being able to say you encountered the Big Five while driving around the crater of an extinct volcano with a dam at its centre. That’s what you get at Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Since it’s Sun City’s neighbour, you can combine fun family activities with a journey through 55 000 hectares of wilderness. Incorporating a number of luxury lodges, you have the chance to see the Big 5 with everything from elephantback safaris to guided game drives and hiking trails, or you can visit for the day and navigate the reserve in your own vehicle.

Getting to Pilansberg

From Pretoria, take the N4 to Rustenburg. Turn right onto the R565 to Pilanesberg.

What Pilanesberg costs

Day visits from R65 a person and R20 a vehicle. Accommodation is from R750 at Black Rhino Lodge to R4 280 for two people sharing a night at Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge. Tel 014-555-1600, pilanesberg@nwptb.co.za, www.pilanesberggamereserve.com.

Mabula Game Reserve

Of the smaller reserves, Mabula Game Reserve, at just 1 200 hectares, still packs a punch. Here in the foothills of the Waterberg Mountain Range you’ll come across hippo, African python and Nile crocodile in addition to the Big Five. Day trips to Mabula are not an option, but overnight guests can choose from activities that include horse and night safaris, bush walks, snake demonstrations, archery, spa treatments and hot-air-balloon safaris.

Getting to Mabula Game Reserve

Take N1 towards Pretoria and turn onto Pietersburg highway to Bela Bela. Take the Codrington off-ramp, turn left at yield sign and proceed for about 5 km before turning right at the T-junction. Go left at the garage and pass the Forever Resorts Aventura to the traffic circle. Turn left onto the Thabazimbi/Rooiberg road for 34 km. Turn right onto Rooiberg Road and follow the signs.

What Mabula Game Reserve costs

Overnight accommodation is from R1 785 a person and includes three meals and two safaris. Tel 014-734-7000, reservations@lodge.mabula.co.za, www.mabula.com.

Big Five near Port Elizabeth

These four game reserves are worth a drive from the city.

Kariega Game Reserve

Although not open to day-trippers, Kariega Game Reserve, 140 kilometres from Port Elizabeth, offers an unusual game-viewing experience by canoe or boat on the Bushman’s River. Walking on the predator-free, eastern River Lodge section is a popular activity and game drives tend to be personalised with small groups of guests.

Getting to Kariega Game Reserve

From Port Elizabeth, take the N2 to Grahamstown and turn right onto the R72 to Kenton-On-Sea. Then take the R343 and look for signs after 14 km.

What Kariega Game Reserve costs

Full-board rates start from R2 200 a person a night sharing at Main Lodge, R2600 at Ukhozi Lodge and R2 800 at River Lodge. Tel 046-636-7904, res2@kariega.co.za, www.kariega.co.za.

Addo Elephant National Park

At Addo Elephant National Park there’s no need for luxury lodges, ranger-guided safaris and fancy chefs. In fact, if you’re in the park for a day trip, why not have one of the local hop-on guides join you in your vehicle? Apart from seeing the Big Five, including herds of up to 100 elephant, Addo offers excellent bird-watching. South Africa’s thirdlargest national park covers 180 000 hectares and a wide diversity of landscapes, fauna and flora, making it one of the best game-viewing experiences near a major city.

Getting to Addo Elephant National Park

Take the N2 towards Grahamstown. Turn left at the sign to Motherwell and Addo Elephant National Park. Turn left at the top of the off-ramp and follow this road until you see the park entrance on the right.

What Addo Elephant National Park costs

Day visitors pay a conservation fee of R38 for South African residents (unless you have a Wild Card). Accommodation is from R175 (camping) to R2 760 (guesthouse) a person a night sharing. Tel 042-233-8600, addoenquiries@sanparks.org, www.sanparks.org/parks/addo.

Lalibela Game Reserve

Only an hour from Port Elizabeth, Lalibela’s entire population of animals is free-roaming as there are no public roads cutting through the 7 500 hectares of savanna, fynbos and acacia woodland. An excellent children’s programme allows kids to explore the reserve with their own ranger and vehicle, giving mom and dad some peace and quiet. Night drives give you the chance to spot the elusive bat-eared fox, aardvark, black-backed jackal and aardwolf. Day trips are not available.

Getting to Lalibela Game Reserve

Take the N2 towards Grahamstown. About 13 km after crossing the Bushman’s River look for a sign to Lalibela.

What Lalibela Game Reserve costs

Full-board rates are from R2 165 a person sharing. Specials are available for South African residents. Tel 041-581-8170, res@lalibela.co.za, www.lalibela.net.

Amakhala Game Reserve

A mere 40 minutes from Port Elizabeth’s airport, and neighbouring Addo, Amakhala Game Reserve is one of the more luxurious options for catching the Big Five as well as the more elusive hyena and bat-eared fox. Many of the animals have been introduced into the area as part of Amakhala’s efforts to re-establish the flora and fauna found here generations ago. The reserve offers six-hour safaris for day visitors, which includes a river cruise.

Getting to Amakhala Game Reserve

Take the N2 towards Grahamstown. After about 73 km look for signs to the reserve.

What Amakhala Game Reserve costs

Day visitors pay R980 a person (includes a game drive, river cruise and lunch). Overnight rates are from R1 750 at Quartermain’s Camp to R4 180 at the Bush Lodge. Specials available. Tel 046-636-2750, central-res@amakhala.co.za, www.amakhala.co.za.

Big Five near Durban

You’ll have to drive for a little longer than two hours to see the Big Five near Durban.

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi

The oldest proclaimed park in Africa, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, is one of the only state-run parks in KwaZulu-Natal. In addition to black rhino, it has the largest white rhino population in the world, making it well worth the three-hour drive. Despite covering 96 000 hectares of hilly geography you can expect to see a variety of animals, even if you visit for just a day. Game-viewing options for visitors include self-drive, guided game drives and walks, as well as boat trips on Hluhluwe Dam. A number of lodges and camps cater for a range of budgets.

Getting to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi

From Durban take the N2 north for 220 km and turn left onto the R618 west.

What Hluhluwe-Umfolozi costs

Day visitors can choose between a three-hour game drive at R200 a person or a seven-hour option at R500 a person. Daily conservation fees of R110 an adult and R55 a child apply (unless you have a Wild Card) and overnight rates are from R480 a twosleeper unit a night. Tel 035- 562-0848 or 033-845-1000, email bookings@kznwildlife. com, www.kznwildlife.com.

Phinda Private Game Reserve

If you are looking for luxury then head to Phinda Private Game Reserve. Not open to day visitors, this reserve is home to the Big Five as well as antelope, nyala and 415 bird species. It’s also well known to be an excellent place to spot cheetah which are fitted with tracking devices to guarantee sightings. The landscape is a mix of woodlands, grassland, wetland, forest and mountains. Take it all in from a canoe bobbing along the Mzinene River.

Getting to Phinda Private Game Reserve

Follow the N2 from Durban and take the Phinda off-ramp and turn right onto a bridge. At the T-junction turn left onto gravel road, cross a railway line and turn immediately right.

What Phinda Private Game Reserve costs

Full-board from R3 995 a person a night. Tel 035-562-0271, www.phinda.com.

Big Five near Cape Town

Often thought to be on the wrong side of the country to easily catch the Big Five, this isn’t true, as there are several opportunities for a malaria-free safari in the Western Cape. The N1 is your road to Cape Town’s Big Five reserves. If you were feeling ambitious, you could tick off a number of bucket-list items in one go as you pass through the winelands to get to the reserves.

Aquila Private Game Reserve

Aquila Private Game Reserve made headlines in 2011 when poachers struck, killing several rhinos. Security has since been increased, with one recent visitor commenting that the four remaining white rhinos are very impressive, but appear to be under 24-hour armed guard. So you’ll feel paparazzi-like when snapping your photos of these animals and their bodyguards. Aquila is a family-friendly option with quad-biking and horse-riding safaris and attracts a number of day visitors. Although sold as free-roaming, seasoned game viewers may find the reserve has some zoo-like qualities, with buffalo being herded to watering holes and the seven lion kept in a separate smaller enclosure. But this does mean you’ll easily spot most of the Big Five, a good option if you don’t have much time.

Getting to Aquila Private Game Reserve

Travel 130 km from Cape Town on the N1 to Touws River, turn left onto the R46 to Ceres and look for Aquila on your left.

What Aquila Private Game Reserve costs

Day trips are R1 300 a person (include drinks, game drive and lunch). Overnight rates start from R2 095 a person a night sharing and include two game drives and lunch. Tel 0861-7373-783, res@aquilasafari.com, www.aquilasafari.com.

Inverdoorn Game Reserve and Safari Lodge

Inverdoorn Game Reserve and Safari Lodge, two-anda- half hours’ drive from Cape Town, is located near Ceres. At 10 000 hectares and with more than 1 200 animals, it’s a reasonably priced option for a day trip to see the Big Five. Some visitors have expressed disappointment at the confined nature of the game drives, where fences make it appear as if the animals are on display as you pass, but if you have only a little time to spare it’s worth it. Predators are kept in separate enclosures, meaning you’re bound to see each of the Big Five. Once you’ve ticked these animals off your list, you can also get up close to cheetah at the reserve’s cheetah rehabilitation programme.

Getting to Inverdoorn Game Reserve Safari Lodge

From Cape Town take the N1 to Worcestor, turn left onto the R43, then right onto the R46 to Ceres. Continue through the town until you see a sign for the R355 to Calvinia and Sutherland. Turn onto the R355 dirt road and drive for 6 km before turning right onto the R356. Drive for 7,4 km until you reach a fork in the road. Take the left split and continue until you see Inverdoorn on your left.

What Inverdoorn Game Reserve Safari Lodge costs

Game drives are from R780 a person (include welcome drinks). DBB rates start from R1520 a person a night sharing. Tel 021- 434-4639, info@inverdoorn.com, www.inverdoorn.com.

Fairy Glen

For those with a strong aversion to long trips, the closest Big Five reserve to Cape Town is Fairy Glen, located an hour from the Mother City just past Worcester at the foot of the Brandwacht Mountains. Visitors to Cape Town’s only free-roaming Big Five private game reserve have the chance to see animals among fynbos and proteas unique to the Western Cape. Because of its close proximity to Cape Town, Fairy Glen’s organised day safari is very popular among day-trippers, but for those wanting to avoid the security of a 4×4, guided horseback tours are available in the game reserve, which touts itself as ‘Cape Town’s only free-roaming Big Five safari’.

Getting to Fairy Glen

Take the N1 from Cape Town to Worcester. In Worcester, turn left onto Brandwacht Road, following the signs to Fairy Glen. If Brandwacht Road is closed take the N1 to Worcester.

Go past the Shell Ultra City on your left and take the next off-ramp left. You will pass through two circles and get to a stop street. Turn right here and follow the signs to Fairy Glen.

What Fairy Glen costs

Day trips start from R1 225 a person and include breakfast and a buffet lunch. Overnight rates start from R1 850 a person a night sharing and include dinner, lunch, breakfast and a game drive. Kids between five and 12 years receive discounted rates. Tel 086-1244-348, reservations@fairyglen.co.za, www.fairyglen.co.za.

Spend more time on safari

Keep in mind that if you have only a day to spend looking for the Big Five, you may not find them, and don’t expect the same experience as a multi-day safari would offer. If you can, make the time and spend a little longer on your journey. Would you explore Angkor Wat, the Amazon, or the wild streets of New York in only one day?

 

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Tags: Addo Elephant National Park, Amakhala Game Reserve, Aquila Private Game Reserve, Big Five, Fairy Glen, Hluhluwe Dam, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, Inverdoorn Game Reserve and Safari Lodge, Kariega Game Reserve, Lalibela Game Reserve, Mabula Game Reserve, Phinda Private Game Reserve, Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Somewhere deep in the Eastern Cape lies a sanctuary for elephants, as well as a sanctuary for weary holiday-makers. This sanctuary is called the Woodall Adoo Country House and Spa and they’ve got a range of safari and spa packages for you. We went ahead and scoped them out and found a package with the best of both worlds – including both pampering and animal watching. This is what we came up with…

Feel spoiled and take in the wildlife all in one go with Woodall Addo’s Elephant Safari and Health Spa Package. This option offers the most for your money this winter featuring a 2-night stay, dinner, and a safari tour. Of course, a 2-night stay can mean anything nowadays but we did say the most for your money, right? Well, this 2-night stay will land you in the crème de la crème of Woodall Addo rooms – the Luxury Room Suite. As a mater of fact, there is so much you get with this package that we couldn’t simply squeeze it all in one little paragraph. Here goes!

Upon your arrival Woodall Addo will thank you for your patronage with a drink. You will then be lead to the spa treatment of your choice – the hydrotherapy bath or sauna, or the steam shower that ha sheen infused with aromatherapy oils. These invigorating treatments are followed by a foot message for the neglected heels and toes. And then you will be kept busy with snacks while you wait for dinner to be prepared. And this wait may be long, but it is very much warranted as it is not any old meal.

Dinner at Woodall Addo for the Elephant Safari and Health Spa package is a mouthwatering six course rendezvous. This meal may consist of a range of the following items: Karoo venison, freshly caught East Coast fish, home-made stocks, freshly baked bread, and local cheeses. Many of the veggies and herbs will directly from Woodall Addo’s very own herb and vegetable gardens. And your Proudly South African wines will be brought to you from an underground cellar. From dinner you can choose to retire to your room or explore the grounds further.

Woodall Addo will have a jam-packed day 2 in store for you. The game drive to Addo National Elephant Park will take you on a breathtaking wildlife tour that will leave you in awe for an amazing 4.5 hour commencing at 8h30. This journey will include transfer, entrance to the game park, drinks, snacks, a private ranger and a ride in an open Landcruiser. This bundu bashing excursion will be followed by an African Wood Massage which entails a 90-minute olive oil and shea butter treatment. The rest of the evening will be much like the first day with sundowner snacks before another luxurious dinner.

For more information on Woodall Addo’s Elephant Safari and Health Spa package or other packages, visit their website at www.woodall-addo.co.za.

By Leoa’s  Photography
No real name given
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This photo was taken on April 4, 2012.

Sunset at the Woody Cape
I’m currently busy camera trapping at the Woody Cape section of the Addo Elephant National Park. This section of the park is separated from the main camp area and thus, unfortunately, isn’t home to any of the elephants found in the main game area. However it is home to plenty of Bushbuck – and based on my camera trapping success thus far not much more. (But I’m hoping that will change over time.)

A male Bushbuck (Bosbok – Tragelaphus sylvaticus) in the Woody Cape thicket
Most of the vegetation of the Woody Cape section of the reserve consists of dense coastal dunes and very dense thickets. This vegetation is generally know as Albany Thicket. In some places the thicket starts to transition into the beginnings of a “true” forest.

This dense habitat is proving tricky to camera trap in. It is very hard for me (and I believe most other animals) to move around in the dense thicket and even the game trails are usually only Bushbuck size or smaller.

Illustrating the vegetation as it changes from coastal dune plants to thicket plants
I also believe that thickets and forests have lower mammal species richness and animal density compared to a similar area of Bushveld, Savannah, etc.

However, camera trapping is at it’s best when faced with a challenge and I’ve got my sight set on unlocking the secrets of the Woody Cape (and its surrounds).

Bushnell Trophy Cam keeping an eye on the prize
The Bushbuck is a very sexually dimorphic species of African antelope with the male and female looking very different, especially down here in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the most widely distributed antelope species and is found across most of sub-Saharan Africa, wherever there is suitable habitat.

The female Bushbuck is usually a lighter brown colour than the male, with some white spots and a varying amount of vertical stripes across the body. The females don’t have any horns.

A young female sneaking past the camera
The male is a much darker colour and sports a pair of impressive horns. They are said to put up a fierce fight when hunted, even killing dogs, leopards and people. The males are up to 80 cm high at the shoulders and can weigh 45 kg.

A male checking out my Cuddeback Capture camera trap
Bushbuck are mostly browsers (preferring leaves), but they will also eat some grass. They are mostly active during the night, but can also be seen during the day.

An interesting set of photographs I got showed a female Bushbuck covered in flies. She doesn’t seem to be in particularly bad condition, so I’m not sure why she has such a large amount of flying pestering her.

A female Bushbuck covered in flies
These photographs also show the curious patch of bare skin (or short hair) at the back of the neck. I’ve noticed this spot on other Bushbuck as well. The patch of bare skin seems to be part of a short haired “collar” around the neck. Sadly I couldn’t find any reference to it in any of the field guides, so it remains a mystery…

Clearly showing the patch of bare skin (or short hair) on the back of the neck
It has been a slow start at the Woody Cape, but there’s still plenty to explore, so let’s keep our fingers crossed!

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!– google_ad_client = “pub-8982229653008092″; google_ad_slot = “2158176860″; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //– I had fun driving around the Addo Elephant National Park, one of the parks belonging to South African National Parks. The zebras provided a brilliant opportunity for some detailed photos. I just love the striking black and white patterns and these […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

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I had fun driving around the Addo Elephant National Park, one of the parks belonging to South African National Parks. The zebras provided a brilliant opportunity for some detailed photos. I just love the striking black and white patterns and these are some of my favorites in the set. Close up of zebra, Addo Elephant […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

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14 Comments A is for Addo Elephant National Park 24 January 2012   I have joined a group of international bloggers who are taking up the challenge set by blogger, Julie Fox (a British Ex Pat writing about living and travelling in Portugal) to write a personal A-Z of their country.  Each letter of the […]

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

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Article source: http://lindadoke.blogspot.com/2012/03/addo-elephant-82km-trail-run.html

Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation

Go to:My Addo

Annemarie Hoiting

Monday, November 28, 2011

What else can a student wish besides studying and traveling at the same time? South Africa is the opportunity to see something of the world during your study. The lodge and wildlife module of Stenden offers a journey along the tourism sector in South Africa and especially the Eastern Cape. During this semester the facets of the lodge industry is exposed and many lodges are visited during the module. In this way you are privileged to look inside all most expensive lodges with five star luxury facilities.

The module lodge management offers besides all the lodge visit many guests lectures who are telling their story of the industry from real estate developers to tourism bureaus, from architects to grading specialist. All facets of the industry are covered and come into practice in the module assignment where your own lodge is described. Imagine your own lodge with your own design; swimming pools at each room and luxury restaurants and bars.

Weekends to enjoy the beautiful white beaches of the Wild Coast or shopping in the largest shopping hall of the Eastern Cape at Port Elizabeth. Enjoying a relaxing day on the beach or surfing or going on a hiking tour or mountain biking through the mountains of Hogsback or Tsitsikamma National Park. Or even experience wildlife in Addo Elephant National Park while riding on the back of an Elephant.

Wildlife, a combination of enjoying nature while studying at Madolo’s in the beautiful surrounding of mountain ranges and at the border of the largest game reserve of the area. Having breakfast while giraffes and buffalos are passing by or waking up by the monkey running over the roof of your room. Studying about all the wildlife of South Africa and the environment. In this module you will experience real nature through game drives, an overnight survival, practical and workshops about all facets of life; reptiles, mammals, fish and birds. The module is combined with a community project in Alicedale, you will get to know the people by working together with the kids on the primary school or enjoy the weekly soccer match.

Experience in the holiday or at the end of your journey the beautiful nature of whole South Africa. A trip to Cape Town along the garden route and enjoy the largest bungee jump at the Bloukrans river, see the whales passing by in Plettenberg Bay or climb table mountain and experience Robben island. Or experience real wildlife in the prestigious glory of Kruger National Park and travel through Swaziland, St. Lucia and Drakensberg. South Africa has more glory, history and culture than you can experience in one stay, it is an unforgettable journey and this even while studying. Take this change and come here to experience the beauty of South Africa with your own eyes!