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Welcome to Beat About The Bush Safaris' Newsletter. We will keep you abreast of Safari News, our latest adventure-filled safaris and amazing destinations. Conservation News and Travel Industry News are also featured. We look forward to sharing our adventures with you...
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New Year New Ventures
Happy belated New Year to you all, we have been very busy these last few months and are excited to tell you all about it. Last year we purchased a small farm in the beautiful valley of Tulbagh, a 1,5 hour drive north of Cape Town in the Western Cape. Since then, we have commenced with renovations in order to create a leisure destination that we will be proud to have under the Beat About The Bush umbrella.
This new venture is Duikersdrift - Winelands Country Escape. Initially, this intimate retreat will offer just 4 cottages overlooking the beautiful countryside and mountains of Tulbagh. There will also be a café / restaurant offering light and delicious meals as well as picnics on the farm, where there are walking and biking trails through the vineyard and olive orchards.
Building of the guest cottages is almost complete and we hope to receive our first guests in early to mid-July. Despite the local drought, our 5 acre olive orchard did produce some olives, although the yield was far below normal. We have three different varieties of olives, namely Frantoia for premium extra-virgin olive oil, Mission for oil and table olives and Kalamata for table olives. We all had lots of fun and laughs as the children got involved with the pickers on their first harvest.
We are also currently in the process of planting an orchard block of 200 4-year old Koroneiki olive trees, native to Greece. This variety is renowned for its robust growth, large yields of good quality oil and ability to grow in tough conditions.
Smaller vineyard blocks of Sauvignon blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to complement the existing 2,5 acres of Shiraz vines planted in 2006 with new rootstocks are also starting to take shape.
Construction of the main area and restaurant is underway and we hope to have this complete by end June.
Our small herd of donkeys has also grown with the birth of a youngster on the 3 April. We thought it apt to name the little equid Aries. We have had to separate them from the cows for the time being to ensure the little guy is not injured by the bulls.
The rains are due to start soon and we are hoping to have our dam / small lake fill up. The waterbirds are still there but in need of more water. We were fortunate to witness a spectacular display of talon grappling by 2 African Fish-Eagles above the water a few days back. South Africa’s national bird, the blue crane, is also to be found on the farm, as are other local wildlife species such as eagle-owls and barn owls, bush duikers (after which the farm is named), foxes, jackals, genets, mongooses, porcupines and hares…….and possibly even the occasional Cape Mountain Leopard from the surrounding wilderness area.
We look forward to providing further exciting updates in the next newsletter.
All the best,
Trevor, Caroline & the Beat About The Bush Team
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We're on FacebookWe regularly post safari, environmental and holiday news. Like us on Facebook (BATBSafaris & duikersdrift) to keep up with the latest Beat About the Bush & Duikersdrift news and photos.
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Leopard tortoise emerges after the rain
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CONSERVATION AND OTHER NEWS
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Lion bones are increasingly in demand for traditional medicine as they are "easier" to obtain than tiger bones
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New light shed on the lion bone trade in and out of South Africa
Please read our previous blog on the subject here.
The Born Free Foundation’s slogan is ‘Keep Wildlife In The Wild’. Created in the 1980s, it has grown into a large force for the protection of all kinds of wildlife. They recently published an in-depth report into South Africa’s Lion Bone Trade. This report looked at numerous external studies and collated the information with Born Free’s own data. You can read the whole article here.
As we mentioned in an earlier blog, there are around 6,000 to 8,000 captive bred lions in South Africa. The total number of wild lions is estimated at 17,000 - 20,000 in the whole of Africa. The majority of lion bones that are exported from South Africa to the Far East (where they are believed to have medicinal qualities) are from captive animals and often as a result of canned hunting. Canned lion hunting is legal in South Africa and generates around US$1 million annually for the lion farmers. Briefly, this VERY controversial practice of canned hunting has the following governing ‘rules’; tame 24lions must be released from their cage into a larger fenced area, a size over 24 hectares (60 acres), at least 96 hours before being hunted. The hunters take the head and skins, leaving the carcass so this system conveniently provides the lion skeletons that are in such high demand. We have spoken previously about the role that cub petting plays in the canned hunting cycle. For more information on canned hunting we can recommend watching the movie Blood Lions.
Lion bones are the only big cat bones that are legal to trade internationally. In 2017 the South African government issued 800 permits for lion skeleton exports. Laos and Vietnam buy around 90% of these bones and both countries are well-known for wildlife trafficking. It is common knowledge that these two countries have relaxed policing of such activities and this does not bode well for the future of lion populations. Rich individuals from neighbouring countries will arrive to buy bones and will take them across the border with no problems. This article delves into the trafficking methods used for lion bones, ivory, pangolins and other illegally traded wildlife.
At present, the South African government has determined that the lion bone trade has little effect on wild lion populations within South Africa. Sadly in other parts of Africa this is not the case and incidents of lions poached have had severe effects on wild populations. Many say that the lion bone trade in South Africa perpetuates the demand and so the value provides cause for poachers to illegally kill wild lions. The other side of the argument is that if the ‘farming’ of lion bones stops, the demand will not simply vanish and the poaching pressures on wild populations, as in other African nations, will increase in South Africa as well.
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The last male northern white rhino dies
A northern white rhino bull named Sudan, was one of only three northern white rhinos left in existence. The remaining two are his daughter, Nakjin, and grand-daughter, Fatu. On the 19th March 2018, after a sickness lasting a few months, he was put to sleep at his home of 10 years, Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Born in Sudan in 1975 and captured as a two year old, he spent the majority of his years at Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic.
Sudan fathered 3 calves during his years at the zoo, the only zoo where northern white rhinos have successfully bred. The move to Kenya with three other northern white rhinos was hoped to restore the animals to their natural habitat and so aid with reproduction. This attempt was unfortunately unsuccessful.
Given that the only 2 individuals left are female, the subspecies is for all intents and purposes extinct BUT there may yet be hope with the intervention of science. There are stores of northern white rhino sperm that could possibly be used to fertilise the remaining females and research into this is ongoing.
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African sunset
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Sustainability within the safari & tourism industry
Early in the year we heard news of many country’s annual emissions quotas already being surpassed / exceeded by the end of January. This demonstrates just how much needs to be done on a global scale to help better protect our natural world. The safari industry has been sure to keep it’s own practices as up-to-date and sustainable as possible.
For our second Sustainability blog we have focused our sights on East Africa and two companies who are working to make a difference in the Masai Mara and Serengeti accordingly. Both Governor’s Camp and Singita have made recent changes to help protect their incredible surroundings for generations to come, read how here.
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Victoria Falls in the dry season
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We are on twitter and regularly post safari and conservation news. Send us a tweet at @BATBSafaris
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South Africa VAT increase
In February, former finance minister Malusi Gigaba delivered the National Budget for 2018/2019 and announced the first VAT increase in democratic South Africa’s history. From 1st April, the VAT will increase nationwide from 14% to 15%.
Opinions and reactions have, as anticipated, been a mixed bag with some being pleased the government is taking action by increasing revenues in an attempt to improve the economy whilst others, mainly from opposing political groups, have protested. They view the increase as making taxpayers pay for the past government’s corruption.
The impact on the tourism industry will no doubt be felt. Many large companies with high revenue bases have decided they can afford to absorb this increase but most have not got the resources to do this and have been forced to pass the increase on to consumers. As such, bookings confirmed before April 1st, may have changed value. If you are travelling to South Africa this year or even next please be aware that the price of your holiday may have increased to allow for this change in VAT.
Overall, this increase should benefit the country providing that the government uses the extra tax to help improve services for every South Africans and not just for the heads of state.
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Nursing rhino calf
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Visa regulations for travellers to Southern African countries
Whilst preparing to go on holiday, most people will research the conditions of entry into the countries they wish to travel through. This can be an extremely time consuming and confusing task. We have sifted through the mire and found the latest information about requirements for travelling in Southern African countries and written them into an easy to read blog post with links to each governments website so you can look up any changes and updates that may have occurred since time of writing.
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Cape Town is open to visitors
Cape Town made worldwide headlines early this year with predictions that it would be the first major city in the world to run out of water. In January, Day Zero as it became known, was expected on April 12th, but proactive strategies and restrictions to limit water consumption by residents and industry, as well some local farmers releasing their dam water into the City’s reservoirs, have seen the date pushed back again and again.
Currently, Day Zero is due in August but the winter rains have started and heavy rainfalls in parts of the city this past week have everyone hoping that there will be no Day Zero in 2018. Whilst Cape Town’s residents have reduced their consumption to less than 50 litres per person per day, many tourists have cancelled their trips or not considered visiting the city as the responsible thing to do. In fact, tourists increase the city’s population by a mere 1% and the tourism industry employs well over 200,000 people. Hotels and guesthouses have for the most part initiated water-saving techniques such as timers on showers, recycling of grey water and seas water in swimming pools. Tourism is very important to Cape Town so please don’t be put off your visit here wonderful city.
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Over the final days of 2017 and into the New Year 2018 we hosted a family safari. Their trip started in Cape Town at Christmas and then moved on to the Kruger region for wildlife viewing.
First stop was the Timbavati where things got off to an amazing start when on the first drive, a pack of African wild dogs were found pestering a herd of wildebeest with their new-born calves, the mothers finally getting the dogs to retreat after a stand-off. We captured some video footage of the interaction; watch it here, here and here. One of the resident prides of lions was also found lazing about, bloated after a large buffalo meal.
On another drive, our guests were treated to an excellent sighting of two male white rhinos fighting at a dam. They were totally preoccupied and got fairly close to the car before realizing they were being watched, at which time they got shy and trotted off. We recorded a couple of videos of this very entertaining show, watch here, here & here.
South Africa has been going through a terrible drought in recent years and everyone has been searching for innovative ways to conserve the supplies that we have. Two bull elephants showed us how they find water when it appears that there is no clean, fresh water anywhere. Watch them digging in the Timbavati River for fresh water.
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Trevor drew in the sand the different outlines for identification of white (top) and black (bottom) rhinos
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The next stop was the neighbouring Sabi Sand Game Reserve. An interesting encounter here that had nothing to do with wildlife had everyone talking. On an afternoon drive, a massive storm moved through the area we our guest and guide managed to circumvent what turned out to be a most devastating hailstorm (with stones the size of tennis balls) that smashed holes through roofs and windows of homes and vehicles. Despite the weather, our guests were lucky to see a coalition of 3 male lions lazing in the road as well as a male leopard in a tree with a kill. One hot afternoon our guests were treated to a wonderful scene of two elephant bulls cooling down and playing in the river, watch here (or below) & here.
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The first video of the elephant bulls cooling down and playing in the river.
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They also experienced an unforgettable elephant encounter. Whilst watching a bull elephant eating, a breeding herd approached and surrounded the vehicle. A few individuals came close enough to touch as they inspected the vehicle. Watch here as the behaviour of these highly intelligent animals is explained and interpreted.
The last afternoon drive delivered 2 lionesses with some youngsters. They were looking fairly run down and one lioness had even lost her tail while a cub was limping. See them here. On this same drive, one of the highlights of the entire trip was a young female leopard that walked right past the car - so close that she caused all occupants to stop breathing for a second or two. Watch here! When leaving the Sabi Sands en-route to the airport, they came across two male giraffes necking (fighting) next to the road. This was a wonderful goodbye to South Africa, watch here or below.
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Giraffe bulls necking (fighting) on a cloudy morning
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Leaving South Africa, they travelled north to Livingstone, Zambia, where the focus was the Victoria Falls and surrounds. The first afternoon was spent on a boat cruise along the Zambezi River, watching crocodiles, monitor lizards, hippos and a spectacular African sunset, watch here & here.
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Sunset on the Zambezi River
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Rainbow over Victoria Falls
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Highlights over the next few days included a helicopter flight over the Falls and down into the gorge to skim the river below and a walking trip to view the Falls (watch here, here, here, here & here).
Other activities included an ATV / quad-bike ride (watch here.).
An afternoon bush walk in search of rhinos was successful with a wonderful view of a mother nursing a calf. This was followed by a game drive where many warthogs and playful baboons were seen, watch here & here.
The last morning offered a cultural experience by visiting the local village. Our guests were educated about local traditions and customs and shown local food markets. They were also taught about local home-building and food–growing methods before visiting a school. These tours are beneficial to the community, not only do our guests learn about a different culture but the community also gains from the exposure of outsiders. Children particularly enjoy the visits.
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Guests encounter a rhino on a bush walk
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With many upcoming safaris this year, we are excited for the start of the season and hope we can welcome you all on safari soon.
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Check out some more of our videos captured on safari on our YouTube channel; Beat About The Bush
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