Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2023 i Kruger Magazine

One of the many exciting subjects covered in Eco Ranger Academy's first year programme is Wildlife Photography. KRUGER MAGAZINE annually presents this course, which teaches students the basics of photography – from getting to know their camera to photo art. The course covers the following topics: • Photo gear • Photo capture • Photo composition • Photo lighting • Photo art • Camera settings If you are interested in a short course presented by KRUGER MAGAZINE, please contact sales@mlpmedia.co.za For more comprehensive detail on what Eco Ranger Academy offers, email africa@ecoranger.co.za, or visit www.ecoranger.co.za…

SPECIES ID – MAMMALS Although the African civet (Civettictis civetta) may look like a cat and has sometimes been called a ‘civet cat’, it is not a cat. Cats are part of the family Felidae, while civets and genets (Genetta spp.) fall in a separate family, the Viverridae. The only other civet in Africa is the African palm civet (Nandinia binotata) but it is from a different genus and is an arboreal species that has a more tropical distribution and does not occur in South Africa. African civets occur widely across subSaharan Africa, but in South Africa they are found mainly in the Bushveld regions, with a few records for northern KwaZulu-Natal. They are found in forests and in well-watered savanna habitats but avoid the drier western and southern regions.…

Honeyguides and honeybirds are only found in Africa and Asia. While their closest relatives are colourful barbets and woodpeckers, the honeyguides are rather drab birds. All have mainly brown, grey and white plumage, and all have white rectrices (outer tail feathers). They have a dipping flight in which these rectrices show prominently. This is one of their few helpful identification features. Only the male greater honeyguide shows a bit more colour, having black and white on the head, a bright pink bill and a yellow shoulder patch. But however drab and inconspicuous they may be, they are still some of our most interesting birds. Dr Ian Whyte is an independent environmental consultant who retired from SANParks in 2007. He was previously engaged in full-time wildlife research in the Kruger National…

THEME GRAZERS AND BROWSERS Since our very first Amateur Photo Competition kicked off in July 2017, we received some of the most amazing entries one would never expect from amateur photographers. And with this, our members grew at an amazing pace – which means our voting quantities grew as fast as the membership did – and still do. One would also think that some of the themes would attract more feedback than others, which seems fair. And to be honest, grazers and browsers would normally not be seen as a drawcard for most votes – and yet, the final round of this Spring competition had the best 2nd round vote ever. Well done, all entrants and winners – well deserved! And if you are not an entrant and prefer being…

« Late Salomon Joubert (Dr SCJ Joubert) started his conservation career in 1964 as a postgraduate student in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin and was appointed to the Kruger National Park as Junior Ranger at the end of 1964, stationed at the remote Klipkoppies Section on the Mozambique border (due east of Letaba). In 1967, he was granted study leave to do a BSc (Hon) (Wildlife Management) degree at Pretoria University. In November 1967, he was transferred to the Research Section with responsibility for rare antelope, in particular roan. For his work on the social behaviour of roan, he was awarded an MSc and subsequently a DSc degree on the population ecology of roan. In 1976, he was promoted to Head of Research and was intimately involved in monitoring large mammal…

Is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of nearly two million hectares (20 000km²) in the province of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in the north-east of South Africa. It extends 360km from north to south and 65km from east to west. It became South Africa's first National Park in 1926. In 1993, fences between Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) and the Kruger National Park were removed to encourage wildlife migration and the Greater Kruger National Park was born.…

EXPLORING KRUGER I don't remember the very first day I went to the Kruger National Park but according to my grannies I went there for the first time when I was eleven months old, which was probably December 2008. What I know is that we visit the Park at least four times a year. I never get tired of the place, and I always look forward to our next visit. We normally explore the central and southern regions, with the central region being mostly frequented since it is nearer when we travel from my grandparents’ home in the Ga-Kama village in the Mankweng area of the Limpopo Province. The Orpen-Satara Road, which mostly parallels the Timbavati River, offers exciting game viewing opportunities. Plains game species are plentiful here. The chances…

Our KRUGER BIRD CHALLENGE was initially created to generate funds to finance the production costs for the regular Conservation Projects that we showcase in each issue of KRUGER MAGAZINE. The project was launched on 21 September 2021. Little did we know how popular it would become. From individuals to couples to groups – some of which have registered for a second round, mostly to better their own previous challenge. Many of our registered challengers are groups, including friends, families and even business colleagues. It is an ideal group activity, and we are quite sure that there is a lot of ‘inside challenging’ within these groups, making it even more challenging! 400 days after the first registrations started pouring in, we had the first challengers’ Checklists coming in, and by that…

RANGER DIARIES – MAHLOMETELA Section Rangers in the Kruger National Park (KNP) are entrusted with the conservation of biodiversity over areas as large as 100 000ha. The sections cover several land types that are dissected by many drainage lines, perennial rivers and often mountain ranges. The main function of the ranger is to ensure that the integrity of these vast landscapes is maintained and conserved. This includes protection against the threats to the integrity of the area, such as alien species infestations, poaching, pollution spills, cross-boundary impacts (noise, visual intrusions, light pollution), tourism impacts and indiscriminate developments in and around the Park. To keep your finger on the pulse of integrity protection it is essential that the ranger and his field staff cover the area of the section during regular…

FAVOURITE SPOTS The Kruger National Park, a vast wilderness teeming with diverse wildlife, is a treasure trove for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Amidst the countless remarkable spots within the Park, few hold the allure and magic of Sunset Dam at Lower Sabie. Nestled along the H10 towards the Tshokwane Picnic Site, with Leeupan nearby, this picturesque location is a paradise for those 0captivated by the wonders of nature. From breathtaking granite outcrops to the enchanting woodland savanna and riverine forests surrounding the Sabie River, it is a haven where remarkable encounters with wildlife and the beauty of birdlife unfold. Join me as I delve into the captivating tale of this photographer's quest for the perfect shot and the lessons learnt along the way. “Sunset Dam is a special place…

They say time flies when you're having fun – and how true this is. We are celebrating our 6th birthday this month and have produced 25 issues of KRUGER MAGAZINE – what a privilege! Thank you for your support over the past six years – our readers, sponsors, advertising partners, authors and our team makes all of this happen – while we have fun putting together a leisure read for all to enjoy. Our travels mostly trigger ideas, and having to communicate with so many of you, not just warms our hearts, but makes us think a little ‘outside of the (our) box’ and is one of the most important input tools one can wish for. Celebrating milestones and achievements in life is a way to cherish the moments that…

SPECIES ID ‒ TREES General description The red bushwillow, Combretum apiculatum subsp. apiculatum (rooiboswilg in Afrikaans, but most commonly known as a rooibos), is a small to medium-sized, deciduous tree, 3-9 metres tall, generally with a shortish, crooked main stem (often multi-stemmed from or near the ground surface), with a spreading, irregular and sparse crown. Its most common growth form, however, is best described as a bush, rather than a tree. In Xitsonga it is known as shikukutsi, musinidzi in Tshivenda, and imbondvo in siSwati. It is drought-resistant, but not frost-resistant. It is also termite and borer-resistant. Nick Zambatis was the former Manager: Biodiversity Conservation in Conservation Management: Kruger National Park. He retired in 2016. His first job in the Kruger was as a research technician based at Skukuza, which…

PRIVATE LODGE – nthambo TREE CAMP If you're looking to recreate your childhood dreams of sleeping in a treehouse, then nThambo Tree Camp is just the ticket. Located in the Big Five Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, the ever-charming nThambo Tree Camp is a major drawcard for eco-aware travellers and those with a sense of safari adventure. The Klaserie shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park, a famed reserve renowned for its unforgettable game viewing opportunities. Unfenced borders create opportunities for leopards to extend their traverse, allow for new bloodlines to develop within lion prides and open up new food and water sources for other wildlife. WATCH THIS! Scan the QR code or visit https://tinyurl.com/5a4ptuxs to watch the video: ‘nThambo Tree Camp – Kruger Safari Lodge’. Published by Sun Destinations.…