In this addition of our quarterly newsletter, meet Amakhala’s new baby elephant and baby Nyala both born recently. Be educated! Learn how local learners got water wise on World Water Day. Family...It’s what it’s all about. Read about Hlosi Lodge’s
Holiday Safari for Kids and take advantage of the Kids Stay Free promotion for many of the lodges. Exciting expansions at both Bukela Game Lodge and Woodbury Tented Camp while Safari Lodge brings guests the next level comfort in game viewing – Amazing sightings at Leeuwenbosch Country House. Can you guess what they spotted?
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Meet Amakhala’s New Baby Elephant |
There was great excitement among staff and visitors on Saturday 24 March 2018 when a new baby elephant was spotted at Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape.
After 22 months of gestation, a 10-year-old elephant cow, gave birth to her first calf, a male. A baby elephant is the largest newborn land mammal on earth, and Amakhala’s new baby weighs in at a hefty 100kg. He is in great health, suckling well and keeping up with the ever-moving herd. He was first spotted by Ouboet Zealand, a ranger from Leeuwenbosch Country House whilst on a game
drive with tourists from Canada and Germany. “We saw something small move in a herd of elephants, thinking it might be a warthog. But after a guest took a photograph and we zoomed in, we saw it was in fact a baby elephant! It was such an exciting and special moment for everyone!” says Ouboet, who - according to Amakhala tradition - will name the new born, as he spotted it first. “It is an absolute honour to be able to name the new addition, but
choosing a name is not easy. This is the first time I get to name a Big 5 animal!” “Well-known for their intelligence and caring, the herd shows exemplary teamwork and co-operation in protecting and teaching the new offspring,” says Natalie Fowler, a junior ecologist at Amakhala. “It is such a privilege to witness the mother and grandmother’s concern, touching and guiding the little one with their trunks and helping him to keep up with
the herd.” Video Credit: Megan Taylor
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World Water Day at Amakhala: Local Learners Get Water Wise
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Proud to do its part in creating awareness of the importance of healthy rivers, the Amakhala Foundation celebrated National Water Week on UN
World Water Day (22 March) by hosting an Educational Day at the Amakhala Conservation Centre for Grade 1-3 learners from several neighbouring schools.
The main theme of the education day was “Healthy Rivers”. Learners from Sidbury Primary School, Lucebiso Primary School and Alexandria Christian Academy learnt, in a hands-on and fun way, about the importance of fresh water and the signs of a healthy river. These signs include the presence of the Cape Clawless Otter, the second largest
freshwater otter species in the world, and the presence of indigenous fish, such as Cape Kurper, Cape Galaxias, Goldie barb, Eastern Cape Rocky and Eastern Cape redfin. The otters and indigenous fish are critical to a healthy aquatic ecosystem and fulfil several important ecological functions. Unfortunately, they are threatened by water pollution and exotic fish species such rainbow trout, bluegill sunfish, largemouth bass, sharptooth catfish and carp.
“The Amakhala Foundation is proud to
have played our part in World Water Day 2018 and National Water Week, by raising awareness in our local community about the importance of freshwater and the urgency of mitigating water pollution to protect our ecosystems,” says Tammy Smith, Environmental Educational Coordinator of the Amakhala Foundation. “The children had a wonderful time and also gained practical knowledge about how essential freshwater is, not only for the survival of fish and aquatic species, but also for human
survival.”
Image Credit: Tammy Smith
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Hlosi Lodge’s Holiday Safari for Kids |
Take your family on a safari trip of a lifetime with Hlosi Game Lodge’s Kids Stay Free promotion during this school break! We're inviting kids to a fantastic safari holiday while mom and dad sit back and relax. Our lodge facilities, dining experiences and safari activities all include children-friendly options, without compromising a luxurious and rejuvenating experience for adults. Our Kids Programme includes Cubs on Safari (for ages 3 – 12) offering fun activities, ranging from arts and
crafts and face-painting to a variety of outdoor activities. Kids aged 0 – 6 can join a Kiddies Game Drive with their parents, and children aged 7 – 11 can join adult game drives during normal game drive times. |
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Amazing Sightings at Leeuwenbosch Country House |
Thank you to all for a busy few weeks with a fabulous flow of guests and several site inspections by new and existing agents. A mixture of extremely hot days and rainy days have offered our guests such different sightings
and experiences, from fabulous birding sightings on the river front to watching our elephants play in the cool water!
In addition, the recent rains, for which we are so grateful, have revived our lush lawns and a stunning array of flowers all over the reserve, creating a fresh, colourful canvas that is just breath-taking.
Come and enjoy the beauty of Leewenbosch this term break with our Kids Stay Free family special. |
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Woodbury Lodge: The Perfect Family Retreat
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Take time out over the winter break to take advantage of our Kids Stay Free promotion, with child minding facilities available. Guests can spend time with their children taking in some breath-taking sights and thrill them with late
afternoon sightings of the elephant herd passing by.
Set against a cliff above the Bushmans River valley, our four-star Lodge is the ideal place for families to relax and enjoy the bush together.
At our intimate family-run Lodge, we take special care to make our guests’ African safari experience memorable and enjoyable for the whole family.
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Exciting Expansion at Bukela Game Lodge |
Bukela Game Lodge,
owned and managed by Lion Roars Hotels and Lodges, is expanding the number of rooms on the Amakhala Game Reserve from nine to fourteen luxurious units this winter. In response to popular demand, an additional 5 Luxury Safari Tents - each equipped with fireplaces, indoor/outdoor showers and pod machines - will be built to allow more travellers to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience. The lodge will be closed between 1 June and 31 July 2018 during the building of the new rooms
and the expansion of the communal areas, including new pools and extending the bar area. We look forward to re-opening Bukela Lodge on 1 August 2018. |
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Woodbury Tented Camp: Larger and Greener
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The Woodbury Tented
Camp now has a new, expanded lounge to provide more relaxation space for guests between drives. Lit by rustic camping lanterns and driftwood feature lights, dotted with colours of the wild, and featuring a magnificent new bar, hand carved by a local craftsman, the open plan lounge is a perfect mix of subtle rustic elements and understated sophistication. In addition, we are excited to announce that our solar panels are now up and running, reducing our electricity usage off the grid by 50%
and affirming our commitment to sustainable tourism and a low impact on the environment. With our Kids Stay Free promotion, we invite families to come and enjoy our larger and greener camp. |
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Safari Lodge: Next Level Comfort in Game Viewing
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Safari Lodge is excited to introduce our brand-new game viewer: a new Land Cruiser that will take our guests’ comfort to the next level.
Adding even more luxurious comfort for our guests, we have also refurbished our rooms with new
furniture and bedding.
We are also delighted to introduce a new visitor at the lodge: our own little baby nyala antelope. Born just three weeks ago, she is strong and ready to face the world, joining her herd for a daily visit at the lodge to enchant our guests and staff. |
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