Innholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2025-2026 i Kruger Magazine

It was a great shock to receive the news of Nick’s passing during the early morning hours of Thursday 9 October 2025 after a fairly short illness. He was being treated for cancer and unfortunately succumbed due to infection. From edition 1 of KRUGER MAGAZINE back in Spring 2017, Nick has contributed to this magazine. Nick was born in Lusaka, Zambia. His parents moved to South Africa when he was about 12 and he matriculated at Parktown Boys High in 1969. He essentially only had two employers during his 44-year career in the bush, namely the Transvaal Provincial Administration (August 1982 to April 1987) and the Kruger National Park (May 1987 to June 2016). After completing his National Diploma in 1976, National Higher Diploma in 1994, Nick completed his MSc…

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…

Have you ever wondered what a wildlife photography workshop is all about? It is quite different from the traditional photography courses on offer. It is a way to interact with other photographers, learn new skills and forge new friendships with people that have the same passion for wildlife photography. A workshop is first and foremost within a teaching environment and KRUGER MAGAZINE’s Wildlife and Nature Photography Workshops are designed to enable you to take great photos in some of the best environments in South Africa. With expert guidance from our Editor and lead photographer, Quintus Strauss, you are assured to go home with exceptional wildlife, bird and nature photographs. Unique locations are chosen, and the two workshops done in 2025 were unforgettable. For those who want to refine their photographic…

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.…

« 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 Park from 1970-2007. At the time of retirement, he was responsible for the coordination of all research projects pertaining to elephant, buffalo and other large herbivores and rare antelope. He is a member of the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission’s African Elephant Specialist Group. He has co-authored three field guides to the birds of the Kruger National Park and in 2020, released his book about his life and work in the KNP. In much the same way as a barometer measures atmospheric pressure to help us prepare for adverse weather conditions, The IUCN Red List measures the pressures acting on species, which guides and…

Ralf Kalwa is an Ecological Consultant at Malelane, a position he has held since December 2001. He established Rhengu Environmental Services in the Malelane area and is trails leader for the Lebombo Eco Trail. Prior to holding this position, Ralf was Manager: IEM: Kruger National Park from 2000-2001 and Senior Section Ranger: Kruger National Park from 1994-2000. “Every ranger in the Kruger gets a Shangaan name, given to him by his staff and fellow field rangers,” says Ralf. “Mine is Mahlometela.…the man who sees everything.” The Malelane Section and Gate, the second busiest in the Kruger National Park (KNP), provide access to thousands of visitors annually. Added to this the plethora of facilities, such as the Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp, Malelane Camp, Afsaal Picnic Site, Biyamiti Bushveld Camp, Jock Private Camp…

« 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 he started in 1987. “The transfer from Pretoria to the Lowveld was ecstasy and the Kruger appointment was a dream come true,” he recalled. He held an MSc degree on the determinants of grass composition and production in the Kruger National Park, from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Nick passed away on 9 October 2025. Introduction Most, if not all, visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) who have more than a general interest in the flora and fauna of the Park are aware that there is a diversity of plants and animals in the far north…

Having to say a final goodbye to anyone you know is difficult – but more so if that person formed part of your work-family and inner circle. This is what Nick Zambatis was to us, especially Quintus and me. So many times when we walked through our garden, we would spot a bush or tree unknown to us, and the first thing we would do is take a photo and ask Nick to identify it for us. He did this – not only identifying the species, but also giving us details regarding growth, flowering, etc. A man with more knowledge about his specialist field will be hard to find. Nick, you leave a huge gap – not only in our magazine, but in our lives too. Thank you for your…

« 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 Park from 1970-2007. At the time of retirement, he was responsible for the coordination of all research projects pertaining to elephant, buffalo and other large herbivores and rare antelope. He is a member of the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission’s African Elephant Specialist Group. He has co-authored three field guides to the birds of the Kruger National Park and in 2020, released his latest book about his life and work in the KNP. There are a minimum of at least 234 species of woodpeckers worldwide, but with different authorities listing additional species this could amount to a total of up to 250. The numbers are…

« Dr Piet (Vis) and Bronwyn Kotze Piet Kotze is an independent environmental consultant at Clean Stream Biological Services. His initial introduction to the aquatic biodiversity of the Kruger National Park was gained during his postgraduate studies, under the watchful eye of the then aquatic ecologist of the Park, Dr Andrew Deacon. Together, they spent many days conducting monitoring surveys along the Park’s rivers, where he aptly received the nickname ‘Piet Vis’ (English: Piet Fish), a name that has stuck to this day. As an aquatic ecologist, he is currently involved in many freshwater monitoring and research studies and has a special interest in the overall biodiversity the Park offers. His wife, Bronwyn, shares the same interests, and after completing her Master’s degree in Zoology on the Sabie River, they…

« Joep Stevens is a keen historian who was introduced to the Kruger National Park by his parents in 1966. This ignited his interest in and passion for the Park. In Issue 33 of the KRUGER MAGAZINE we completed the four-part series on the commercialisation history of the Kruger National Park (KNP). This edition will be covering the history of what is nowadays generally referred to as the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. Sabi Sand Nature Reserve lies to the west of the south-central section of the Kruger National Park and forms an important component of the Greater Kruger Initiative. Executive summary In June 1902, just after the end of the South African War (1899-1902), the Sabie Game Reserve was reproclaimed by the British with the same boundaries as the original…

The Kruger National Park (KNP) may not appeal to everyone, but for me, it is the place where I find energy, peace and the freedom to truly be myself. This remarkable destination has become my haven – a place that continually inspires and grounds me. Of course, there are days when the sightings are few. But then, there are those incredible days when you are blessed with breathtaking experiences – whether big or small. These moments remind me why I keep coming back. If I had kept all my gate passes, I would have accumulated 77 by now. Living relatively close to the Kruger is a privilege, and we make it a priority to visit our ‘happy place’ three to four times a year. Each visit brings its own unique…