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News from Zululand
It is such an exciting time for the Zululand Rhino Reserve. With the sun coming up earlier and setting later, signs of spring are flourishing all over. Insects have started to show themselves after the first rains. With frogs croaking wildly in the background during supper, we are soon to undergo the magical change from winter to spring. The temperature has increased during the day, although the crisp morning air is still quite refreshing at this stage.
Our two female cheetahs were released on the 14th of August, and our 2 male cheetahs were released on the 2nd of September. Both the males as well as the females have been spotted numerous times. They are adapting very well to their new environment, and are now officially part of this pristine piece of Africa, known as the Zululand Rhino Reserve.
News from the Lodge
I am tremendously proud to say that we have had a return visit from Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. So very exciting to have had him back with us once again.
It is that time of the year again…young impala’s, wildebeest, zebra and warthog roaming their brand new home lands, playfully learning the tricks of their trades. And as we are all well aware, any newborn of any species is just too adorable.
Sightings have been awesome, Johann and Heinrich were extremely lucky driving home one evening fairly late…As they were driving along, they came across a caracal. They had close to ten minutes to observe this extraordinary creature! This is indeed an awesome sighting, well done boys!!
Other sightings include a herd of no less than 25 buffalo, a rock monitor at the hide, white rhino and amazing sightings of giraffe. Distinctive signs of elephant over the whole of Leopard Mountain has caused us to discover that another elephant calf has been born, the tracks only the size of the human fist. The little one has not been sexed as yet.
Birdlife has been flourishing as well; sightings include Pink Throated Twinspot, Dark Backed Weavers, Whalberg’s Eagles, African Hawk Eagles and Bateleur’s. Two Lappet Faced Vultures were seen at the vulture restaurant, as well as good sightings of Orange Breasted Bush Shrike and Eastern Nicator in other parts. The African Paradise Flycatchers are back for summer, and we have a breeding pair that has made themselves comfortable and are now residents at the hide.
Just to rectify a recent press publication, stating that the Lodge had changed hands, we would like to assure you that the Lodge is still owned by the Vivier family. The only change that we have made is that we have an exciting new marketing company. We welcome Marnel & Craig from Earthbound Hotels & Lodges to the Leopard Mountain Team, and look forward to working with them.
Bush Cuisine
Vetkoek
Ingredients:
750g Cake flour
5ml Salt
250ml Milk
60g Butter
22g Yeast
5ml castor sugar
1 Large Egg, beaten
Method
Sift flour and salt into a warm bowl. Warm the milk slightly, add butter and stir until dissolved.
Cream yeast and sugar together and add to the lukewarm milk with the eggs. Make a well in the centre of the flour, pour in the liquid and mix with the hand to form a soft dough. Then knead well until smooth and elastic. Leave to rise, covered, with a damp cloth until doubled in bulk (about 1 hour). Turn on to a floured board and knead lightly.
The dough is now ready. Make balls with the dough and press down on them slightly. Heat oil. Then carefully place your dough balls in the oil, they will expand slightly. Fry until golden brown. Vetkoek can be served savoury or sweet, with what ever filling you feel like. Mince, Chicken Mayo, bacon and tomato, syrup and cheese, or any jam of your choice to name a few examples. It is also a lovely replacement for bread when serving soup.
Have you ever wondered….?
Are wild dogs a feral species?
No, they are a naturally evolved and occurring wild species.
The irregular blotchy colouring reminds many observers of the results when domesticated breeds cross without control. Many people also associate dogs with domestication, whereas cats are believed to be wild. The general assumption is that somewhere in the past, domesticated dogs ran off, cross bred and formed packs in an attempt to fend for themselves.
All our domestic breeds are in fact a single species, descended from wolves, having acquired the myriad shapes and forms through selective breeding by humans. Wild dogs are a naturally occurring species. They evolved in Africa and have maintained their current form for at least a few hundred thousand years. They are very specialised species, with an advanced and complicated social organisation, and richly deserve widespread recognition as a vital link in the ecosystem.
Written with the help of “Beat about the Bush by Trevor Carnaby
Sycomore Fig
Ficus sycomorus subs. sycomorus
A large evergreen tree, with a spreading crown and a pale yellowish trunk It is the largest indigenous fig in South Africa and is associated with a high water table, occurring along rivers and on seasonal floodplains throughout the subtropical and tropical regions of Africa. They are great favourites with people living in the areas where they occur, as well as with many species of birds and mammals. Trees are used as nesting sites by birds and crocodiles have been known to take refuge underneath their roots! This is the sycamore of the Bible, and was used as a shade and avenue tree in ancient Egypt. Some of the casks of the Ancient Egypt mummies were made from this tree. The bark and milky latex are used medicinally against ringworm. The specific name "sycomorus" is believed to come from the Greek "sycomoros", meaning "fig-mulberry". It does not have a fruiting season, and may fruit all year around, resulting in an abundance of figs in different areas through all the seasons. It is thus a favourite among Vervet monkeys and others.
White-necked Raven
Corvus Albicollis
Although not nearly as widespread and common as it’s relative, the pied crow, the ravens are becoming more and more prominent on Leopard Mountain. The family Corvidae, to which all crows and ravens belong, is often considered to be a filthy, unintelligent group. This could not be further from the truth. Although they scavenge readily, ravens are much more adept at actually catching live prey of all sizes.
Their intelligence becomes very evident through their use of tools. The often use “anvil sites” on which they drop large tortoises from high altitudes to break open their shells. They are also regularly recorded to catch food in dense bush or holes in the ground. If taught, they could very possible talk better than any other bird in the animal kingdom. White necked ravens roost communally on large cliffs and a group of ravens is called an unkindness- or a conspiracy of ravens.
Funny Bones
A police officer sees a man driving around with a pickup truck full of penguins. He pulls the guy over and says: "You can't drive around with penguins in this town! Take them to the zoo immediately."
The guy says OK, and drives away.
The next day, the officer sees the guy still driving around with the truck full of penguins, and they're all wearing sun glasses. He pulls the guy over and demands: "I thought I told you to take these penguins to the zoo yesterday?"
The guy replies: "I did . . . today I'm taking them to the beach!"
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Feel free to drop us an email with your favorite jokes to add into future newsletters. You can send them to
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Brain Teaser
You could be the lucky person to win yourself and a partner a free night including dinner, bed & breakfast and game drives at the lodge. Simply answer the riddle below to be entered in our lucky draw and email us the answer to
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(competition closes 20th September 2009 terms & conditions apply):
This month’s competition:
I’m black and I’m white,
You rarely see me in flight.
A ground dwelling creature,
Spots are my feature.
Insect and seed,
my common feed.
With featherless head,
I’m Conspicuous it’s said.
What am I?
Thank you to everyone who responded to our July competition! The winner of our Leopard Mountain competition for July is Gail Cornhill. Congratulations - you have won yourself and a partner a free night at the lodge including dinner, bed & breakfast as well as game drives!
Last Month’s competition was:
A yellow green tree
I’m unique as can be.
With trunk and branches tall,
I drink quantities not small.
Associated with malaria,
Don’t let me scare ‘ya
My name quite deceiving…
But in the end,
I’m very good for feeding.
What am I?
Fever Tree, Acacia xanthophloea
Stand another chance to win yourself and a partner a night at the lodge…Send no more than 2 of your favourite Leopard Mountain holiday photos to
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to see if yours is the best.
This competition is running until the 20th of September 2009, winner will be announced in January 2010.
Click here to have a look at our online gallery of Leopard Mountain Lodge!
Best guest comments of the month:
A most enjoyable stay in your lovely lodge & that view is something special! Many thanks to all for a wonderful few days – will recommend.
We had a wonderful time this week end. You really made our anniversary so so special we loved the private boma dinner! The food the entire week end was delicious, (I am on diet from today!!) The service was outstanding and the game drives were really fun and informative, the guys were great! We had an awesome time, what a disappointment waking up this morning at home to no view. Please thank all the staff, everyone was really wonderful and seemed to go out of their way to make our stay awesome!
Jill and I had a wonderful time with you and are hooked on watching animals in their natural environment. The hospitality we experienced with you was fantastic. We have experienced many hotels and leisure establishments all over the world and you are the tops. We plan to be back with you, probably in 2011 with our boys.
Thought for the month:
“The values we live by are worth even more when we pass them on.” - Anonymous |
