The Bush Telegraph
“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls” – Anais Nin
Warm winter greetings to each of you!
Our last newsletter was at the start of our 21-day lockdown, little did we know what lay ahead.
Now writing this after 100 days of lockdown, the world is a strange place to us all, with all of us yearning to be able to travel again! We miss you all!!
As we all know, COVID-19 has brought tourism, worldwide, to its knees. The ripple effects of this on our community, as well as our wildlife’s safety, is devastating.
But we do not wish to dwell on the sadness & stress of this time, that seems to go on & on, the media does enough of that!
Firstly, we are incredibly grateful to all our guests who have postponed their travel plans to next year, instead of cancelling, thank you, thank you! We also do understand those of you who had no choice but to cancel & hope South Africa will be your destination of choice when deciding to travel again.
Being in lockdown on the farm has been such a blessing & what is obviously apparent is that nature continues!
And we are so excited to share all our stories with you! Naturally, sightings are based on what has been seen driving between camps, what has come into camp, occasionally a staff-drive following up on activities & camera traps. It has also given our avid photographer managers the time to expand their photographic library. So, this newsletter is going to be a little different on sightings reports but promises to be full of exciting news!
To share with you on what we have been doing on the marketing front:
Our logo: We have slightly upgraded our logo, have a look at our new strip on the header.
Our website: We have updated/modernized our website & believe it reflects what we are about & what we offer perfectly. Please go have a look at www.klaseriecamps.com
TripAdvisor: We have now claimed ownership of our TripAdvisor page. Loads of pictures have been added, so please go have a look & we ask you to please write a review to help get us off the ground in the TripAdvisor world! Thank you to those of you who have already written some fabulous reviews previously.
Self-catering: Nzumba now offers a self-catering option! So, for those who prefer the option of rather self-catering at leisure & have a group of friends / family that travel together, this is your place! You get exclusive use of the camp!
Please note: Nzumba is still a fully catered camp as well.
Annual target: 460mm
Nzumba: 589.50mm
Kitara: 549.50mm
The best news is that we exceeded our annual rainfall figure for the season 2019/2020. This is the first time in many years & the last bit of good rain in April gave the final push to a great winter season of feed for grazers.
Photos: OTS camera traps
Stefan, Frikkie & Nathan re-introduced the On Track Safaris (OTS) camera traps again. Whilst OTS leopard project is currently on hold, we can place the traps at Nzumba & Dundee waterholes & around Kitara to capture some fantastic game movements.
Photos: Simon Rosholt // Bumper Graham
The giraffe population is exceptional. The Klipspringer couple are still doing well but we haven’t seen a youngster from them for a while. The grazers like bushbuck, nyala, klipspringers, grysbok & steenbok are starting to come into the camps for some green food. Interesting sightings: civets, genet, honey badgers, southern ground hornbills & black-backed jackal.
Photos: Bob Reeve // Frikkie
Our migratory birds are enjoying summer in the Northern Hemisphere, but there is still more than enough interesting birdlife to entertain us. With a small amount of water still in the Klaserie River, the African Fish Eagles are still active along the river. The most striking bird during the winter months must be the Lilac Breasted Roller.
Photos: Natasha // Koen Spliet
– There has been an increase in breeding herds of buffalo moving through the property, herds ranging from 50 to 200.
– Rhino numbers in our area are down due to good food sources. KPNR head of security, Willem Pretorius, and his team continue to work tirelessly to keep our rhino population safe.
Photos: Bumper Graham // Karolina
– Only 2 wild dog sightings were seen at end April (Dundee waterhole – killed an impala) & beginning May (tracks in Klaserie Riverbed)
– Not too many actual sightings of hyena but there were a vast number of recordings on the OTS camera traps at Nzumba & Dundee waterholes.
Photos: Stefan
Our resident leopards have been making themselves well-known during lockdown. Stefan, Frikkie & Craig are putting together ID kits & area maps of leopards that we are seeing frequently. Information is on social media. Some wonderful sightings over the last 3 months include mating leopard at Dundee waterhole, the female at Kitara / Nyeleti becoming comfortable coming into camp again & a young male finding Frikkie & Natasha’s home fascinating
Photos: Natasha
Most exciting news is the coalition of 2 adult males who have established a territory in the Timbila / Forbidden Island / Kitara area, in the hopes of establishing a pride. Craig has done research with reliable sources on the two males that initially settled here. They have been joined by 5 females with 2 cubs around 16 weeks old, as well as 5 cubs around 12 weeks old. As they are most seen around the Timbila area, in discussion with our neighbours, it is appropriate to name them the Timbila males.
Through the eyes of an elephant
Author: Amy-Lee
I see you.
I watch the rising sun, envelop the darkness
I have walked the night once more
I see you.
My skin leathered, a tale of time
I see you.
I lope onwards, each step a depiction
I see you.
My ivory hanging, a burden
I see you.
I quench my thirst, each sip a bestowal
I see you.
My eyes tired, a sign of awaiting
I see you.
I palate the sweet foliage of spring, each bud a savouring
I see you.
Though my journey not complete,
becomes a story to behold.
I watch the sun sink once more…
Facebook
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
We are officially on Trip Advisor! Please support us!
Photos:
Thank you, Stefan, Frikkie, Natasha, Karolina, Bumper Graham, Simon Rosholt, Koen Spliet for sharing your photos with us, Will & Carol Fox for the use of your OTS camera traps, Amy-Lee for your poem.
All much appreciated!
Written by: Lee-Anne Detert
Contact details: Reservations: info@klaseriecamps.com