Elephant in Welgevonden Game Reserve (Video and photographs)

Photograph and video of an Elephant in the Welgevonden Game Reserve in the Waterberg Area. The Welgevonden Game Reserve is a popular weekend safari destination out of Johannesburg. Only 3 hours drive north of OR Tambo Airport, Welgevonden Game Reserve is a “Big Five”, malaria free Game Reserve situated in the Waterberg District … Continued

Hans Merensky Nature Reserve Photo

This photograph taken in the Hans Merensky Nature Reserve was sent to us by Ester Van Dyk. The Hans Merensky Nature Reserve lies just west of the Kruger National Park and not far from Tzaneen. The main draw card to this beautiful reserve is the fact that you can walk most of it on foot … Continued

Waterbuck Twins – Photograph

This photograph of the Water Buck twins was sent to us by Madelein Calligeris. Madelein took this gorgeous shot in the Big 5, Karongwe Game Reserve near Hoedspruit in Limpopo. According to the Wikipedia entry, Waterbuck stand 100 to 130 cm at the shoulder and weigh from 160 to 240  kg … Continued

Discovering the Limpopo Province

Giraffe in front of Baobab

Picture yourself relaxing on the deck of a luxury game lodge, watching the sun set over the baobabs, while feasting on locally grown tropical delights, such as avocados, litchis and mangoes. If your goal, when traveling in South Africa, is to experience the untamed, natural beauty, diversity of fauna and flora, then the Limpopo Province is the destination for you.

Roughly half of the world famous Kruger National Park is situated in this province, along with a host of other nature reserves and game farms, and this makes for a wild, untamed place. Continued

Wild Animal Hosts look forward to meeting you

Jespha - The older ...

In Limpopo, bordering the historic Leydsdorp where gold was 1st discovered in South Africa in 1891, you will find a wildlife reserve and sanctuary that is held in trust for more than 4500 rescued wild animals.

Many wild animals have been rescued by the SanWild Wildlife Emergency Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre over the years and what makes this reserve unique is that your hosts are the animals themselves; Among them are two charming French hippo bulls called Tonga and Aldo. They recently “immigrated” to South Africa from Paris after being confiscated by the French conservation authorities from 2 separate travelling circuses in France. KLM airlines donated their airfares and the hippos have formally been appointed as the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary’s ambassadors for 2008. Continued

Oxpecker Research Facility unveiled at Mokopane

Red-billed Oxpecker

The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa’s Mokopane Centre unveiled its custom-designed oxpecker facility on Friday 18th July 2008. This facility is for the research of Red-billed Oxpeckers with the aim of breeding and relocating these endangered birds to areas throughout South Africa.

In the 1900’s oxpecker numbers were drastically reduced as a result of the use of dips to treat livestock against tick infestations. As a result, many oxpeckers, whose main source of food is ticks, were killed by the poison. Since that time, awareness has been created of more oxpecker-friendly cattle dips. This has helped to restore the symbiotic relationship that previously existed between the oxpeckers and the cattle that it rids of ticks. In the wild, oxpeckers rid many large antelope of ticks. Continued

New Spa in Bela-Bela

Shakama Spa

Spoil yourself and experience true relaxation and rejuvenation at the spa. The Shakama Wellness Centre consists of a gym, sauna, jacuzzi and therapy rooms. Reserve your special treatment and be pampered whilst enjoying the sounds of nature.

Shakama Wellness centre is an oasis of calm, peace and relaxation that allows you to shed every layer of stress laid upon you by city life. The spa offers a wide array of beauty treatments, massages, revitalizing and shaping treatments in a cosy thatched environment with views over African bush. Continued

New Wedding Venue in Tzaneen

Tzaneen Country Lodge

Tzaneen Country Lodge is undoubtedly one of the most romantic venues for the exchange of your wedding vows. Whether it is a small and intimate affair for close friends and family or a lavish wedding banquet, we are able to offer a tailor-made wedding package that will fulfil your dreams and meet all your needs.

Tzannen Country Lodge offers a romantic chapel with lead glass windows as well as different and versatile banqueting rooms. With our new bigger function halls we can host from the most intimate wedding up to 400 guests for that special day. Our lovely country atmosphere lends itself to outdoor weddings and celebrating your special day in our landscaped gardens is a very attractive option. Continued

Lesheba Wilderness Game Farm in South Africa

‘Climb above the clouds, walk with the Rhino – game farm in the mountains’.

Lesheba Wilderness

For a truly magical African experience, try Lesheba Wilderness game farm, which stretches along the top of the western Soutpansberg Mountains in Limpopo, South Africa.

“The story of the mountain and its surroundings should be told in all its intriguing richness and given the possibility to contribute to a better future for humanity.” - President Thabo Mbeki, Soutpansberg, 20 August 2003

In the far Limpopo Province of South Africa, the magical Soutpansberg mountain range rises like an oasis from the surrounding bushveld. This is one of the country’s most unique and bio-diverse environments and at the top of this mountain, in a well hidden valley, lies Lesheba Wilderness. Transcending expectations of a wildlife reserve, Lesheba offers a uniquely African experience with luxury touches, warm hospitality and rich memories you’ll be back to recreate … Continued

Horse Back Safaris in the Mabula Game Reserve

Mabula Game Reserve

For a Game Viewing Experience with a difference, try an overnight Horse Back Safari at Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp, situated in the Mabula Game Reserve.

From the moment you arrive at Mabula, your adventure begins. After an informal check-in at the stables, your safari begins with a bush ride to Kwafubesi. Luggage is taken ahead for you so that you are able to enjoy your ride with no restraints.

Enjoy a romantic evening at the lodge with delicious bush dining, hurricane lamps and open fires. It’s an early rise the next morning, as you take to horseback once again and enjoy a safari of a lifetime. Get up close and personal with the wild and upon your return to the lodge, a well deserved, hot breakfast awaits you before you check-out and transfer back to the main gate. 2 night stays at Kwafubesi, can include a game walk or game drive as substitution for a second day’s horse safari. Continued

Stately “Lehututu” may not be around for much longer

Article by: By Fred Katerere, BUA News

Bela Bela – The stately Southern Ground Hornbill or “Lehututu” as it is locally called, may not be around for much longer. These huge black birds with their distinctive beaks and bright red wattles are part of the hornbill family that occurs naturally only in Africa and Asia. However, hornbill numbers are declining due to loss of habitat.

Southern Ground Hornbill

Many species will not survive without human intervention,” says chief executive officer of the Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board, Benny Boshielo. “For any successful conservation effort, the active involvement of provincial authorities, conservation agencies and communities is needed,” said Boshielo.

The world’s 60 species of hornbills are rapidly declining in numbers worldwide. There are less than 1 500 Southern Ground Hornbills left in South Africa. Their numbers have dropped by more than 10 percent in the past three decades. The province has made the Lehututu its avian flagship in the same way it has made the mighty baobab its provincial symbol and flagship of the savannah biome.

Mabula Game Reserve is also the base for the The Ground Hornbill Research and Conservation Project started in 1999.

Article from BUA News

Related Links:
South Africa Birds
Visit Limpopo