Author: Timbavati

As South Africans, we have a connection with the proud land on which we live. However, most of us live in cities and suburban areas where the closest thing we get to the big five is the neighbour’s cat. That is why so many South Africans head to the bush at the first chance they get, so that they can reconnect with nature and enjoy the many bounties of our county. So, if you are planning a safari trip and are wondering where to go, here are some of the most admirable reserves in South Africa.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier park

Kgalagadi Transfrontier park lies in the Kalahari Desert regions of South Africa and Botswana while bordering Namibia to the west. At 38000 km squared, this reserve’s dry red dunes are home to a series of migrating beasts including Springboks, wildebeest and black-maned Kalahari lions.

The park is also home to a number of lodges, both luxury and rustic that provides the perfect getaway for safari enthusiasts who are looking for epic game drives and guided hikes with rangers.

Pilansberg Game Reserve

Just to the northwest of Johannesburg, the Pilansburg Game Reserve provides the perfect bush escape for those who are looking for a safari experience a little closer to home. This game reserve has as much to offer in natural beauty and landscape as it does in its variety of animals. This reserve which is not far from Sun City, is set in an extinct volcanic crater where it is host to an abundance of life which include rhinos, leopards and lions.

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

This reserve in Mpumalanga is situated just next to the Kruger National Park, just to the west of the Kruger gate and Skukuza camp. It is one of the most popular destinations in South Africa for locals and tourists alike who are searching for adventure in an epic game park. Characterised by lush views and luxurious resorts, it’s no wonder that this game reserve is a South African favourite.

Shamwari Game Reserve

For many years, Shamwari Game Reserve has been voted as the world’s leading game reserve and conservation company. Situated 75km outside of Port Elizabeth, this reserve is home to a massive array of indigenous animals, birds and plant-life. They also boast extreme luxury in terms of lodging and dining, making for an unforgettable experience.

Timbavati Private Game Reserve

We’ve saved the best for last. The Timbavati private nature and game reserve takes the business of conservation very seriously, and it is through their provisions of luxury accommodation that they have been able to complete ground-breaking research that aids conservation of indigenous plant, bird and animal life in their park. There are a number of safari lodges in the park as well, each suited to specific types of people, which means there is a little something for everyone in the reserve.

The last few years have been a time where South Africans have come together in a desperate attempt to try and counteract rhino poaching in and around our borders. The majestic rhino horn has had the grave misfortune of being associated with traditional medicine, particularly in Asian countries, which have pushed back against the world’s pressure to stop buying rhino horns, especially considering there is no evidence whatsoever that there are any medical benefits to it. However, despite incredible efforts and investments into anti-poaching schemes by African countries, poaching is still a serious problem.

In light of this, lets discuss the composition of the rhino horn. What does science say about this remarkable animal’s appendage that can set the record straight about what it is actually made of, and why it should be considered utterly useless on the black market.

Common myths about the uses of rhino horns

There are so many myths surrounding the medical application of rhino horns that it can be difficult to tell which of them are the most prominent. A common belief is that consumption of the horn can improve virility in men; another believes that because of its high keratin content, that a rhino horn is ideal for reducing fever. The truth behind the matter is that there is no determinable medical application for them, and quite frankly, the rhino that grew it needs the horn far more than any human could.

Are they just modified bone and hair?

Many horned creatures in the animal kingdom have horns that are made up of a similar substance to our own hair and nails, albeit quite a bit denser and harder, and for a long time it was believed that rhino horns were no different. However, after a team in Ohio University studied horns through a CT scan, they found something quite different.

These studies found that rhino horns have a dense cluster of calcium and melanin running through the centre of the horn. While the calcium gives the horn its remarkable strength, the melanin protects it from the ravages of the sun. The outer, lighter parts of the horn are much softer (by comparison), so that they can be shaped through scraping on rocks, the ground and vegetation, or through clashes, to give the horn its unique shape.

This study conducted by the Ohio University has revealed the horn to have absolutely no health benefits for humans. But even with that truth-bomb, the popularity of a poached rhino horn still hasn’t come down. But why?

Status trumps reason

The reasons behind wanting a rhino horn has changed over time, but that still hasn’t eliminated it. Even if people are starting to distrust the rhino horn as a medical solution, there is still a strong sense of status surrounding them in Asian countries, particularly China and Vietnam. And since it is being peddled to those with high statuses and wealth, combatting the problem is becoming even trickier.

Call Timbavati today

If you would like to take part in an authentic African safari, or would like to know more about animal conservation in this great country of ours, feel free to visit the Timbavati private nature and game reserve website today.

SHANGANA CULTURAL VILLAGE

Shangana Cultural Village is situated between Mpumalanga’s picturesque Blyde River Canyon and the world-renowned Kruger National Park , making it a perfect pit-stop on a South Africa safari. Shangana consists of a group of Shangaan villages centered around a main market village.

The idea of the village is to plunge oneself in the Shangaan culture, witnessing artisans practicing their everyday crafts with the informative assistance of a guide. Participants will meet with families in the villages and learn about their customs and traditions. The most fascinating encounters are with the village chief and sangoma (traditional healer) with his mystical medicines.

In addition to a village tour, visitors to Shangana may choose to include a performance in the chief’s kraal to their visit. Performances range from dancing and singing to collaborative drumming or the musical stylings of the Marimba band. Opting for a performance is recommended, as it is these lively routines that may prove the most memorable part of your South African tour.

Timbavati Safari Lodge

With this mind blowing life and cultural experience available at Timbavati Safari Lodge as well as many other amazing activities unique to South Africa and in particular this area of the country, our luxurious accommodation and friendly staff will provide the perfect stay while you and your family experience all the wildlife and cultural wonders on offer.

The Panorama Route is a picturesque route along Mpumalanga Escarpment with Blyde River Canyon, the third biggest canyon in the world, central to it.

On arriving at the Panoramic Route via Long Tom Pass from Lydenburg, at 2,149 metres above sea-level you travel along the highest tarred road in South Africa. It gets its name from the cannons used by the Boers against the British in 1900.

From the top of Mount Anderson look down 1,000 metres to South Africa’s main man made forest and the town of Sabie which boasts the largest sawmill in South Africa.

Visit the Sabie Forestry Museum and see the three remarkable waterfalls, Horse Shoe, Lone Creek, and Bridal Veil. Between Sabie and Graskop be sure to pass Mac Mac Falls.

Pilgrims Rest is an old gold mining town frozen in time, now a national museum with an opportunity to try your hand at gold panning.

Graskop, located on the magnificent Drakensburg Escarpment above Kowyn’s Pass, is the doorway to Blyde River Canyon, the Pinnacle, God’s Window, Lisbon and Berlin Falls, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels.

Descend through the Abel Erasmus Pass to Blyde River Canyon to enjoy a barge cruise on the dam.

Just before Acornhoek is the wildlife rehabilitation centre Mholo Holo.

Hazyview is the springboard to the Kruger National Park and the world famous private reserve Sabi Sand. A visit to the Shangana Cultural Village, with its Marula Market featuring beautiful craftwork, its day tours and its evening festivities, is a “must”.

White River is part of a sub route of potters, artists, furniture craftsmen and sculptors called the Artists’ Route.

Timbavati Safari Lodge

With pre-arranged tours of the amazing panorama route as well as luxurious accommodation be sure to visit us for your next vacation in the Kruger Park Area. Enquire today!

For so many people, being in the bush can be rather addictive and we get withdrawal symptoms when it’s been too long since our last outing. We have a sense of wishing we could bottle the many magical moments we experience on a safari, so that we can revisit them as needed when we return to our normal lives. In the wild life of the bush we seem to be able to live more naturally, in the moment, immersed in whatever is or isn’t happening. Just like mindfulness, yoga and meditation, being more in the moment delivers great benefits for our minds, bodies and souls.

Living in the moment means that we’re genuinely disconnecting both literally, such as, not even connecting to the WiFi and figuratively, such as, from our everyday lives. We feel free from all our normal pressures and responsibilities. Relaxation comes naturally when put into an environment with nature. Because our days on a safari or at a lodge follow a more natural rhythm and we exist more in the moment, we function at a much slower pace. This adds to our sense of wellbeing and means that we have more time for the things and people most important to us.

Pausing to notice small details and finding joy in simple things, something we can’t or don’t always make space for in our frantic daily lives, is genuinely enriching and calming. It sounds rather obvious, but when on a safari or lodge we spend a lot more time outside than we do normally. In addition to, the benefits of breathing in lots of fresh air and absorbing some vitamin D, our souls are fed by being in much closer touch with our simpler, more primitive needs such as food, shelter, and warmth.

For most of us, the game lodge environment is also more multi-sensory than our normal lives. We engage and rely on our five senses much more than usual, especially when walking and sleeping in the bush. This is more stimulating and yet also more calming, and enhances over all wellbeing.

Being in the company of wild life game, even from the comfort and safety of a game viewer car, and in the hands of an expert guide, there is that slight element of danger, that tremor of vulnerability and sense of adventure that makes us feel more alive. Being closer to nature makes us more aware of our connection with animals, other people, our surroundings and the Earth.

Timbavati Safari Lodge provides an authentic experience: genuine, warm hospitality that molds to the guests; a holistic safari which encompasses geology, history, culture, astronomy and other aspects as well as wildlife.

It is imperative that you observe general African wildlife safety and respect guidelines during your African Safari vacation. Taking the following precautions will ensure a satisfying game viewing experience.

article4Always avoid trying to pose for a photograph with an animal. This is commonly the number one cause of fatality and injury during African safaris. Failure to pay attention to the warnings of park rangers and posted signs could result in a less than enjoyable safari experience. Remember that African wildlife aren’t tame, and that even the herbivores in our animal kingdom such as an impala or ostrich can be just as menacing as the carnivorous lion when they feel threatened.

When out on a safari game drive and you encounter an animal, avoid talking loudly or attempting to gain the animal’s attention. It is best to view game in a silent manner so as to avoid scaring the animals away and disrupting their natural biological rhythms.

Never attempt to feed African wildlife. This rule particularly pertains to activities in close proximity to lodges where monkeys and baboons have gotten used to human interaction. This is why they sometimes infiltrate huts, tents, and vehicles to steal food. And while these animals may look friendly and harmless, they are anything but that.

Stay inside your vehicle of transportation if you’re planning on going on a self-drive safari. Remember to drive with caution. Slow is the way to go to avoid disturbing the African wildlife.

Always ensure your guide knows to travel downwind from the safari creatures on a walking safari. Walk at a calm, even stride. And once again, silence is the key to staying unnoticed and safe.

Never litter, smoke, or wear body fragrances for the duration of your safari. Most camps recommend the presence of an armed park ranger throughout your game viewing excursions. The best way to enjoy the magnificence of Africa and the wonderful animals you will see is with great respect and consideration.

For a safe and thrilling experience for the entire family go to Timbavati Safari Lodge and fulfill your desire to see the wild life of Africa.