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Dear Tourism Colleague,
Kruger National Park and other Popular South Africa Game Reserves
Kruger National Park is the largest of the South Africa game reserves.
Although not the oldest reserve in the country, it recently celebrated
100 years of existence. It was president Paul Kruger, who initiated the
project and also gave the government owned reserve his name. The area
that was initially reserved for protection of fauna and flora was only
a fraction of what Kruger National Park covers today. Mosquitoes and tsetse
flies made it impossible for people to settle in the area, as both
people and cattle died from disease and the rivers contained
bilharzias. Despite these circumstances most of the wildlife in the
area had been hunted down. The wild had been reduced almost to the
point of extinction for many species. Paul Kruger's intention was to
make sure there was enough wildlife to hunt. He could not have imagined
future generations' exciting photo safaris.
Major James Stephenson-Hamilton was the man that President Kruger chose
as warden for the new wildlife reserve and with his personality, his
devotion and interest for the well-being of the animals,
Stephenson-Hamilton is the man to thank for this heritage. The Kruger National
Park was extended and developed in several different stages during his
lifetime. Both inside and outside the Park are many private game
reserves and several of them have removed the fences for the animals to
be able to roam free on large areas. Today the Kruger National Park is a South Africa game reserve transcendin
even international boundaries with the removal of fences between South
Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe to form the Great Limpopo Transfrontier
Park.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi (earlier Umfolozi) Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal is
the oldest sanctuary for wildlife in South Africa and was established
in 1897. Nowadays there are quite a number of private game reserves in
the neighbourhood but inside the park all accommodation is serviced by
the parks board. Hluhluwe is a South Africa game reserve consisting of rolling hills and thick forested
areas, while Imfolozi is more open and flatter. Several rivers run
through the reserves which are surrounded by green rolling hills,
traditional Zulu villages and farms and the smiling, friendly Zulu
people. No malaria.
Less than an hour's drive away, by the Indian Ocean, lies The Greater
St Lucia Wetland Park, proclaimed a World Heritage Site and established
to protect the wetlands and the river mouth. Take a boat trip, meet
hippos and crocodiles eye to eye and get close to many interesting and
unusual waders and eagles.
There are several big South Africa game reserves and National Parks in the Drakensberg Mountains.
Experience the pleasure of hiking or horse riding in these majestic
mountains. You will not look for the BIG 5, but for baboons, antelopes,
birds and the magnificent flora. Do not miss out on the rock paintings,
left by the bushmen, who lived in the area.
Addo Elephant Park, in the Eastern Cape now hosts the BIG 5. If you
want to be certain (99,99%) to see elephant, this is the place to go.
You must not forget to look for the small things though. If there is
elephant, there are dung beetles. Take a close look at these little
creatures and have a good laugh. No malaria.
Cape Peninsula National Park is where you will find The Cape of Good
Hope and Cape Point. Another name for Cape Point is The Cape of Storms.
It is a massive rock of granite, stretching far into the sea, and in
turbulent waters like these there have been sightings of the Flying
Dutchman. The reserve holds quite a lot of wildlife, baboon, ostrich,
different antelope species, snakes, dassies, lizards and birds. The
flora consists of coastal fynbos, (also World Heritage) which splendour
is at its best August-December, when the proteas flower. During this
time there are also thousands of whales in the sea, migrating to our
waters to mate and give birth. You can even see them from the shore.
For an opportunity to experience one or more of our wonderful South African game reserves and national parks such as the Kruger National Park, contact us at info@satravelco.com
Remember that each day is a rare gift. Enjoy it and use it wisely!
Erika
P.S. Thank you Dennis of Owenoak, USA for your wonderful feedback.
Hot Stuff!
Three white lion cubs
were born at Sanbona on 18 May 2004, in the Westen Cape. A white lion
pair has been at Sanbona since 2003, but due to contact with humans,
cannot be released into the wild. However, the cubs will not be
humanised and under expert supervision, will be released at Sanbona.
These are the first white lions to have been "born free" for many
decades! The White Lion Trust has sent another white lioness and her
three cubs to join the existing pride at Sanbona.
Contrary to
popular belief, white lions are not albinos, but a recessive gene,
which shows particularly in eye colour and lip colour. According to
African Mythology, white lions are messengers of the Gods, a symbol of
the good found in all creatures!
John Travolta and his
family stayed at one of our up-market game reserves in May, and
delighted staff with a dance from his Saturday Night Fever days!!
More celebrities are flocking to Cape Town. Nicolas Cage will play a Russian arms dealer in Lord of War and Sean Penn and his wife Robin Wright-Penn will star in The Last Face, which will also be shot in Cape Town, where the winter weather is hot, no wind, clear blue skies and sunshine.
And then even more exciting, you can join me on my local beach, where I saw three mating groups
of Southern Right Whales, while walking the dogs at the weekend. Just
imagine: a beach full of people and dogs, the breakers full of surfers,
the whales mating and the sailing regatta further out at sea.
Be good to yourself,
Erika
Tel: +27 (0)21 555 3732
Fax: +27 (0)21 555 3733
Email: info@satravelco.com
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