The Bush Telegraph
Volume 44: Looking back at 2021

“always remember we are under the same sky, looking at the same moon”
Maxine Lee

Happy New Year!
On behalf of the Crabbia family & the Nzumba team, we wish you & your loved ones a year of good health, full of adventures & beautiful memories.

Thank you to everyone who could visit us this year & for those who couldn’t, thank you for postponing.
Your support is much appreciated!

Looking back at 2021, it was another year full of Covid challenges in the hospitality industry but we are still here & mother nature is still doing her best! ….. come with us down memory lane!

We have had two incredible summer rainfall seasons on either side of our winter months, providing sufficient food for our browsers & grazers to get through winter & to turn our landscapes into lush bright green fields of splendor after winter.

The Klaserie River continued to flow all through winter, albeit it low, it was so awesome to see water throughout the dry months.
At this stage, the river has more water, but with the amount of rain so far, it is surprising it isn’t higher.

The Olifants River is very high, this is fed from rains inland at its source.

Photos: Frikkie

On Track Safaris Camera Traps

We are still getting exceptional footage from the camera traps at Nzumba & Dundee waterholes.
Always interesting to see the variety of animal movements, some of which we don’t get to see in person.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for
Thank you Will & Carol from On Track Safaris for the use of your camera traps.

 

Photos: Natasha, Stefan, Craig

General Game Sightings

Impala lamb calves started dropping earlier this year, shortly after the first rain, those nurseries are just too adorable!
General game thrived with the abundance of food & water.
Some very interesting sightings included:
–  regular sightings of ground hornbills
–  hippo at Bernitz crossing, Dundee drainage line & Bach
–  porcupine
– civet
–  genet (including one catching a guinea fowl)
–  honey badgers
–  african wild cat
–  african rock python
–  cape clawless otto

Photo: Frikkie & Stefan

Dehorned Rhinos
Bittersweet sightings!

The plight of our rhinos remains a huge concern for us all.
As a lodge, a reserve & throughout the conservation industry,
we remain determined to protect their safety & their lives.
A huge shoutout to our security manager (who will remain unnamed) and his anti-poaching unit – we salute you & thank you for your tireless efforts.

Want to help make a difference?
As part of your stay, why not spend some time with the anti-poaching K9 unit – meet the well trained intelligent dogs & their dedicated handlers & learn more about their importance.
All proceeds go to the K9 unit.

Photo: Nathan

Buffalo 

There were continuous sightings of buffalo throughout the year on all parts of the property & surrounding neighbours, with majority being either lone bulls or small herds of dagha boys.
We did have the following large herd sightings:
–  Bernitz crossing in May
–  Dundee view, Thompsons & Nzumba in June
–  Pajewe drive, Knobthorn Valley, Klaserie River Last Word Kitara, Emfuleni, Timbila, Emfuleni Pan, Thompsons in July
–  Dundee waterhole, Bach & Zeekoigat cutline in Aug

Photos: On Track Safaris camera traps & Craig

Tusks

Elephants! Elephants! Elephants!
A constant stream of elephant sightings from breeding herds, to lone bulls, to small herds of bulls throughout the property.
The elephants have been relaxed with the vast amount of food available to them & their young calves, but every now & then, they get your adrenaline going!

Photo: Nathan

 Hyena
Did you know? a group of hyena is called a “Clan”
The hyena den on Thompsons remained active in April consisting of 9 animals.
Currently there are active dens on Thompsons & Meyer’s entrance road.
There are consistent sightings of hyena & frequent captures on the camera traps at Nzumba & Dundee waterholes.
They remain ever curios & relaxed around our vehicles, as you can see from Nathan’s photo.

Photos: Craig & Frikkie
Painted Wolf
The super-pack of dogs of 35 are still doing well & have been seen on various occasions.
Most sightings are of smaller groups of dogs.
Main areas of sightings included Dundee & Nzumba waterhole, Inkwazi, Hot Spot, Timbila, Thompsons, Nyeleti, Dundee View, Bach, Bobbejaan Koppie (Bernitz), Katzenelenbogen & Last Word Kitara.
Photos: Nathan & Craig

King of the Jungle

This has to have been one of the most exciting years we can recall for our area in the lion world!
The powerful River Pride changed their territory by expanding onto Bach, Bernitz & even as far as Last Word Kitara.  Because of this, the Timbila Pride, who are much smaller, have mostly moved out of their territory to go slightly further north, occasionally popping in to their old territory.
New kids on the block are the Western Pride that are seen on Dundee & surrounds.
…. and then to throw in some excitement, the odd male or female are seen that are unknown, who move off again.
The sighting of the year has to have been the River Pride on an elephant kill, where their young cubs were all involved as well.

Photos: Stefan & Craig

Spotted Beauties

I have so many photos, it was really hard to choose!
There has also been much excitement with our leopard population:
–  Manzi’s first cub has been named Xivindzi & she is doing well on her own
–  Manzi gave birth to 2 cubs & with her being a super-mom, both cubs are thriving (a boy & a shy girl)
– Lamula’s cub, Mbali, continues to thrive & is growing up quickly.  While she is still with her mom, she is starting to hunt as well.
Leopard sightings have been exceptional, with majority of the leopard very relaxed with our vehicles.

 
OUR TEAM OF TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHERS
THANK YOU FOR THESE INCREDIBLE PHOTOS!

For those of you who would like regular updates on exciting happenings and aren’t already on our Facebook, please “like” our Klaserie Camps page. We look forward to seeing you there!

We are on Instagram, so for all the Instagramers out there, please follow us and keep up to date on the wonderful photos we share: @klaseriecamps


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Contact details:

Website: www.klaseriecamps.com
Reservations:
info@klaseriecamps.com
082 727 7766 (WhatsApp)

Written by: Lee-Anne Detert