World Giraffe Day 21 June
#WorldGiraffeDay2021 is an event celebrating the world’s tallest animal – and it is commemorated on 21 June every year. Not only is it a time to celebrate these amazing, towering, slender and much-loved creatures, but it is also an opportunity to raise support, create awareness and shed some light on the threats giraffes face. In 2016, giraffes in the wild were listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by IUCN, facing threats such as habitat loss due to agriculture, hunting and human disturbance ( IUCN).
Amakhala Game Reserve is the ideal habitat for giraffes to thrive and live. Our guests regularly see these tall, unique mammals that tower above the trees they like to eat from as they move together in a group - known as a tower, journey, herd or kaleidoscope of giraffe.
Amakhala’s latest little rhino arrival is healthy and active, and frequently treats guests to some spectacular sightings! In February the Amakhala team noticed that a rhino cow had
separated from her usual crash, raising suspicion that she might have gone off on her own to give birth, as rhino moms usually do. Early in March, tracks were found confirming the exciting arrival of yet another baby rhino: a healthy young male calf! The first-time mom and the incredibly cute new-born were well hidden, but we were able to capture this special moment.
“It has been a pleasure watching the little rhino grow and develop his own character,” says Natalie Fowler, Amakhala’s Ecologist. “From just a tiny rhino baby, still unsure of his surroundings and unstable on his feet, he has grown into quite the little troublemaker - a handful for Mom to keep track of at the waterhole, where he loves to torment the local warthogs!
“At Amakhala, we go to great lengths to protect the endangered rhino, and every birth counts towards the survival of this species! If you would like to contribute with a donation - however big or small - to our Conservation Fund, please follow this link, click here to contribute. Celebrating World Water Day On Amakhala
Proud to do our part in creating awareness of the importance of healthy rivers, the Amakhala Foundation -with the help of Amakhala Volunteers - celebrated World Water Day (22 March)
by hosting an activity-packed two-day educational programme on 23 and 24 March at the Amakhala Conservation Centre.
This year, Amakhala hosted 61 Grade 1-3 learners from several local primary schools, including Sidbury Primary, Lucebiso Primary and Alexandria Christian Academy. In line with the 2021 theme ‘Healthy Rivers’, a range of educational and fun-filled activities included a water relay to demonstrate the different parts of a river; water balloon games; a lesson on freshwater fish; a lesson about the Cape Clawless Otter which included making an otter mask; and a
demonstration comparing the characteristics of a healthy river ecosystem to a polluted one.
“Since we started celebrating World Water Day in 2007, over 800 learners have been involved in this programme on Amakhala,” says Tammy Smith, Environmental Educational Coordinator of the Amakhala Foundation. “The children have a wonderful time and gain practical knowledge about how essential freshwater is, not only for the survival of fish and aquatic species, but also for human survival.”
For more information on Amakhala’s community-based initiatives, please click here. Amakhala’s Big Cats Thrive
Amakhala is excited to have welcomed three new lions and a new female cheetah to our wildlife family over the last 12 months! Our ecology team reports that all the cats are settling
in well.
Two magnificent male lions arrived in last year from a nearby reserve. Their genetics originate from Etosha in Namibia, evident in their size and impressive manes! A new young female lion, with a lineage that can be traced back to the lions of the Kalahari, was also introduced to the Reserve earlier this year.
Our new female cheetah has also settled in. "The young female cheetah that was released in December 2020 is doing exceptionally well. She successfully hunts on her own, her favourite prey being duikers,” says Natalie Fowler, Amakhala’s Ecologist.
Amakhala’s guests have also enjoyed more frequent leopard sightings thanks to one of Amakhala’s resident leopards. Agile and extremely powerful, one photogenic male leopard in particular has been spotted exploring the valleys of Amakhala, providing amazing sightings, lots of tracks and even kills in trees. Guests visiting in June were awed to see the strong leopard carrying a baboon in its mouth! To follow the journeys of these big cats on Amakhala, stay tuned
to our Facebook page.
Amakhala Game Reserve Lodge News
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In May, Leeuwenbosch welcomed back three groups of guests, returning to enjoy our hospitality a second time: a great compliment to our team! We also hosted a group of DSG & St Andrew Matrics, and a group of Ulovane students, and we were able to treat
them to meals out in the bush as a surprise which they thoroughly enjoyed. We hope to welcome more young visitors.
With stunning winter sunsets and top-notch game sightings, we’re delighted to have had very happy guests. We thank all our local South African visitors for their support and invite them to keep coming!
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Woodbury head guide Brad Louwrens recently shared a fantastic sighting with his guests from Woodbury Tented Camp. After enjoying the sunrise in the company of a tower of giraffe, Brad noticed that the tall herbivores were all staring in the same
direction – a typical indication that a predator is nearby. Sure enough, a beautiful female cheetah came padding down the road. Brad and his guests spent nearly an hour with her as she went in search of prey, stopping often to scan her surroundings. At one point the cheetah climbed up onto a large termite mound to give herself a better vantage point, allowing Brad to snap this photo of her. “I had wanted to capture this kind of shot for quite some time,” said Brad later, “This morning the stars
finally aligned!”
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We are proud to announce that Khungeka Mbaba has been appointed as the new General Manager for the 5-star rated Bukela Game Lodge on Amakhala Game Reserve. Mom of two girls and a passion for conservation efforts, Khungeka has a Diploma focussed on
Hospitality Administration/Management from the Central University of Technology in the Free State, and 12 years of experience in the hospitality sector.
Khungeka will apply her industry knowledge to manage our 4 Suites and 10 Luxury Safari Tents, responsible for all operations of the lodge, including creating a profound guest experience and great memories, in line with Bukela Game Lodge’s vision.
Welcome Khungeka – we wish you all the best!
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All the sleeping units and communal areas at Woodbury Lodge are made from a classic thatch-over-stone design. While these thatched roofs are built to last many years, they do occasionally require re-surfacing, which is included in the annual Woodbury
maintenance program. This has been undertaken for two of the units over the past couple of weeks, and these lodges will soon be sporting a fresh new look!
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Now a Safe Travels accommodation provider, Amakhala’s lodges are open again, following the lifting of the lockdown restrictions, and we are welcoming visitors to our magnificent
Reserve, while encouraging all to stay safe. As we reopen our lodges, it is our priority to ensure our Amakhala family and guests are protected given the current concerns surrounding COVID-19. Guided by several leading tourism bodies, health organisations and other resources, we are following the strictest health and safety guidelines to ensure we meet all required preventative measures. We have strict COVID-19 protocols in place and take every precaution available to us for the safety of all
our staff and guests. In fact, Amakhala has been acknowledged as a Safe Travels accommodation provider by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA).
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