Volume 13

Volume - 13

Kilimanjaro A hikers paradise

Bela-Bela Africa on your doorstep

Breaking cover The effect of camouflage clothing

HUNTING I FISHING I ADVENTURES I CONSERVATION I DESTINATIONS

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Stellenbosch: Devon Place, Corner of R304 & Bottelary Road, Koelenhof, South Africa, 7605

Pretoria: Lynnwood Bridge, Corner of Daventry & Lynnwood Road, Lynnwood, Pretoria, South Africa, 0081

Safari & Outdoor

A f r i c a ’ s

www.safariandoutdoor.co.za Stellenbosch 0861 11 4330 info@so.co.za Pretoria 0861 22 2269 1 www.africanadventures.co.za Vol 13 2013

P r e m i e r

O u t f i t t e r

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Featured species

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The Burchell’s Zebra Nile Crocodile African White-Backed Vulture Mopane

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Hunting

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Breaking cover on camo’s Spesiale Waterbok jag

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Catch and Release... for everlasting memories Specimen Carp Angling in South Africa - Part 2

dESTINATIONS

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Bela-Bela: Africa on your doorstep

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Saving the Southern Ground-Hornbill

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Our General Tyre 4x4 African Adventure Kilimanjaro - A hiker paradise

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Regulars

Editors Letter Recipe of the month: Chicken Soup Events

cONSERVATION

Contents

Adventures

FIshing

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Editors Letter

With winter slowly tightening her arms around us and the last leaves fall from giants, it marks the start of yet a new season in the outdoorsmen’s journey.

The coming months hold many challenges for us all and even though the weather dictates warm apparel, it’s also responsible for transforming large parts of the country into an adventurers playground.

To the ones that get the opportunity pursuing the time-tested tradition of stalking the wonderful biltong makers of the bushveldt , best of luck and remember to share your well earned trophy pictures with us.

The kindred spirits that will stand next to lakes in picturesque mountains with rod in hand, anticipating the hook up and knowing that even if they don’t catch a fish that the experience and the memories will be with them for years to come, are encouraged to safely release their quarry.

We have received hundreds of entries for our photo competition and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the breathtaking images we received and it was a daunting task to pick the finalists.

It is now your chance as readers to win simply by voting for the cover photo for the July edition.

We also travel through the friendly town of Bela-Bela and can truly report that it is Africa on your doorstep. When heading north on the N1 be sure to pay them a visit, you will be surprised as to what they have on offer.

“I’ve spend most of my life hunting... the rest was wasted.”

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Johan Viljoen

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Breaking cover on camo’s Johan Viljoen “ It’s ridiculous, you are camouflaged to the teeth and yet you sit in a blind.”

“You shoot at 200 yards and think you succeeded because you are invisible.”

These are some of the many criticism I’ve heard on camouflage clothing and that along with many debates around the camp fire inspired me to put all the myths and speculation to the test.

So, after a couple of phone calls the Hilux headed to the bush for some field research. The mere fact that I got to spend some time in the field was rewarding but my findings exceeded all my expectations. We re-enacted various hunting scenarios to prove the effectiveness of camo’s and give you guidelines on how to disappear.

There are two main factors to take into consideration when choosing your clothing. We will discuss these factors, show you examples and make our recommendation to prepare for the coming hunting season.

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hunting Geographical character of the landscape South Africa boasts a wide variety of different animal habitats. From lush green coastal forest in the Eastern Cape to the dry grasslands in the Highveld. All with their unique hunting challenges and opportunities. To increase your chances of success it is important to study the area you plan to visit. After determining the geographical character of the landscape, match your camouflage clothing with it. Using Snipers’ Grasslands design in dry woodlands will prove inefficient but with the Shadows design you will have the abillity to become one with the environment.

Season With each change of season the bush undergoes a metamorphoses. It is essential to take these changes into consideration when choosing your attire. During the rainy season the veldt will be lush green and in the dry season changes to a pale postcard with limited leaves remaining on its canvas. This can be beneficial to the hunter if his camo’s match the landscape and plant life. A good comparison is how effective both the 3D and Shadows designs can be despite the disparity in colour and pattern in the same spot at different times of the year.

The effect of 3D design in a green area.

The effect of Shadows design in dry areas.

Hunting from a blind This is a popular method for bow hunters especially. Here you use a structure to conceal yourself.

However it is still advisable to match your surroundings. Most of these blinds are very dark when viewed from the outside and therefore it is important to wear dark clothing. Remember to pack your camo’s for the follow up and trophy picture.

With camos - 1 m from the window.

With black clothing- 1 m from the window (note only the face).

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hunting Hunting from a tree stand This technique is growing in popularity and holds great advantages. By sitting high in a tree you can use the natural foliage to assist in hiding your presence. The shadows cast by the tree and the fact that you are above the animals eyesight makes it very effective. Take the colour of the leafs and branches into consideration and match the primary colours of your camo’s with it. It is recommended to use a leafy suit as your outlines will be broken by the laser cut leaves stitched on the suit but if the dominant colour of your surrounds don’t match your suit it can lead to your downfall.

A leafy suit is great to break your outlines.

Ghilly suit

3D camo’s

Walk and stalk hunting This is one of the more difficult hunting techniques especially for the bow hunter. You need to get really close to your quarry but the satisfaction is unsurpassed. However you will need all the help you can get to beat your adversaries’ keen senses. The importance of breaking your outlines can’t be overstated. A good ghilly suit will get you up close and personal. The patterned rags and hessian strands used results in a very jagged outline and in addition colour deceptions are caused by shadows. The down side of a ghilly suit is that it’s hot, heavy and tend to snag. So move slowly and try to stay in the shade, this will not only increase your chances for success but also increase your comfort levels. When hunting with a rifle and longer shots are possible, any good quality camo’s will suffice.

Note how the ghilly suit works with both the dry grass and green bush.

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A leafy suit is great to break your outlines.

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Note the difference between Shadows and 3D designs

3D designs matching the foliage

Sit and wait hunting This is a very effective method if you don’t break cover. Choose your spot wisely and be sure to stay motionless. Always account for the movement of the sun and the dominate colours of your vantage point. If the animals don’t pick up your scent they will be at ease and allow you time for a well place shot. A leafy suit is well suited when sitting a ravine or dense bush lands while a ghilly suit is perfect for rocky outcrops and dry woodlands.

Choosing the right spot will increase your chances of success.

Choosing the right camos will ensure a successful hunt with lasting memories to share with friends around the camp fire.

A special thanks goes out to Sniper Africa providing the clothing and to Shosholoza Bow hunting & lodge for allowing us to spend some time in the bush.

Did you spot the hunter in the main photo?

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Featured species

www.theanimalfiles.co.za Main Characteristics The Burchell’s Zebra is the most common and widespread species of Zebra. They have a body length between 2.2 m and 2.5 m, a tail length between 47 cms and 56 cms and they weigh between 175 kgs and 385 kgs.

They have a distinctive black and white striped pattern that is unique to each individual. Their mane stands upright and they have a striped tail with a black tassel on the end.

Habitat Burchell’s Zebra can be found on the Savannah and grasslands of east Africa to as far south as Botswana and eastern South Africa.

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Featured species Diet Burchell’s Zebras’ diet consists of a variety of long and short grasses but will also eat leaves and other vegetation at times.

Breeding After a gestation period of 370 days, Burchell’s Zebra give birth to a single foal. Within an hour of being born the foal is able to stand and suckle and within a few weeks it begins to graze. The youngster is weaned between 8 and 13 months old and they become sexually mature at 3 years of age, although males aren’t usually dominant enough to defend a harem until they are at least 6 years old.

Predators Predators of Burchell’s Zebras include Lion, Hyena, Leopard, Cheetah and African Wild Dogs.

Subspecies Subspecies of the Burchell’s Zebra include: Quagga (Extinct 1883), Grant’s Zebra, Selous’ Zebra, Chapman’s Zebra, Crawshay’s Zebra.

Interesting Facts Burchell’s Zebra are also known as: Common Zebra, Plains Zebra.

Willie: 083 353 3134

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Shoulder mounts Full mounts Export of trophies Dip/pack orders Veterinary approved

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Spesiale Waterbok jag Christo Jones Saggies blaas ek die stoom weg, terwyl my lippe versigtig voel-voel na die rand van die warm blik koffiebeker. Ek staar diep en gefokus na die vuur, die teleurstelling van wat hom self afspeel kan ek aan die frons op my voorkop voel. Twee dae gelede het n koue front die Kaap getref, en die koue front strek nou oor die hele land. Die stoom bo die koffieketel wat nog prut op die vuur, dans in alle rigtings, wat my vermoedens bevestig. Wind wat dwarrel is enige boogjagter se grootste nagmerrie. Boogjagters moet naby n dier kom vir n moontlike skoot. Met wind wat dwarrel is die kanse goed dat die wild die boogjagter sal ruik lank voordat die jagter die skoot kan vat.

Dis weer tyd vir ons jaarlikse familie-jagnaweek. Ooms en neefs is almal daar om die spesiale jagnaweek mee te maak. Die jaar se jag vind plaas op die plaas, Goede Hoop. Die plaas is teenaan die Limpoporivier naby Groblersbrug, en is die eiendom van Sirkel-N-landgoed. Teen die derde dag het slegs die familielede met die gewere al bloed getrek. Ons boogjagters worstel met die wind en die wild bly buite boogafstand. Soos goeie boogjagters betaam, wag ons geduldig en hoop dat die wind dalk net vir n uur in ons guns sal draai, en dat die windrigting sal volhou.

Om en by twee uur die middag kom ek agter die wind het gestabiliseer. Die wind waai nou perfek vanaf die waterkrip, na my in die pop-up blind. Opgewonde skuif ek na die punt van my stoel, 16

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hunting verkyker in die hand. My oë soek van links na regs, en regs na links vir die geringste beweging van enige aard. n Grondpaadjie, wat ook dien as n brandpad, hardloop ver voor my uit. Die gang het baie wildbeweging, en ek word bederf met my eie bosveld televisie.

My oë vang n beweging 200 meter af in die brandpad. Ek ruk die verkyker vinnig nader. Die beweging is weg, en ek verstaan dit nie. Ek was redelik seker dat daar iets was wat die beweging veroorsaak het. Ek probeer uitpluis of die beweging nie dalk n skilpad was nie, maar daar is niks wat die ronde dop voorstel nie. Ek is onseker.

My oë bevestig aan my brein dat dit n klip is en ek sak weer terug in my stoel. Vyftien minute later soek ek weer met die verkyker na beweging om die krip. Ek kyk af in die brandpad en merk op die ‘klip’ het verdwyn. Ek sien dieselfde beweging nou nader, skaars 50 meter anderkant die krip. Ek voel hoe ek hoendervleis uitslaan… aangestrompel in die pad, reguit oppad waterkrip toe, is ‘n krokodil.

Elke 20 tot 30 meter sak die krokodil eers op sy maag om te rus, net om na n paar sekondes op te staan om weer verder aan te stap, reguit oppad na die krip toe. Die krokodil gaan lê moeg op sy maag in die oorloop water van die krip, en beweeg dan sy lyf heen en weer sodat sy hele lyf kan nat word. Na n rukkie beur hy homself op, en druk sy kop oor die rand van die krip. Die 2 meter krokodil glip dan in die krip asof dit n beweging is wat hy al oor die jare by verskeie krippe gedoen het. Stom geslaan sak ek terug in my stoel en dit voel of my oë die res van my lyf bedrieg. Die insident het op sy eie my jagnaweek onvergeetlik gemaak. Dit sal ook altyd in my jag loopbaan as een van my hoogtepunte genoem kan word. Nie-jagters verstaan dit nie altyd nie. Om te jag gaan nie net oor die doodmaak van n bok nie, dit gaan oor baie meer. Om in die natuur van ons Vader te wees,en sy skepping op so manier te ervaar, is net n ongelooflike voorreg. Ek sak terug in my stoel en herleef die oomblik.

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n Paar oomblikke later ruk n grys beweging anderkant die krip my gou weer terug na realiteit.

Ek skuif na die punt van die stoel, verkyker in die hand. Die grys silhouette van die bok is bewegingloos agter die digte takke van n Sekelbos. Sekondes voel soos minute, dan gee die bok een tree vorentoe. Ek kan nou die pragtige bok uitmaak en sien hoe die groot waterbok bul rustig staan en herkou. Versigtig word daar dan na die ooptes om die krip gestap. Elke paar tree vries die bul. Versigtig word daar dan gesoek na enige onnatuurlike beweging, klank of reuk. Dan weer nader na die krip, versigtig, geduldig, treetjie vir treetjie. Al sy sintuie werk nou ten volle en ek besef as die wind net bietjie draai is dit koebaai met die waterbok. My hartklop begin jaag, my mond raak droog en my asemhaling raak al hoe vinniger. Nou nog net n paar tree dan is die bul by die water.

Ek besef dat die waterbok nie op die krokodil se spyskaart sal wees nie, bloot oor die grote van die bok, maar ek is egter bekommerd dat die bul moontlik kan skrik vir die krokodil en die hasepad kan vat. My Bowtech Insanity, gestel op 60 pond word stewig vas gevat. Die 505 grein pyl met n Silver Flame jagpunt vooraan word vas geklip aan die boogsnaar. Die bul het nou rustig begin suip en staan plankdwars op 20 tree, om my n perfekte bladskoot te gee. Ek probeer om die bokkoors te onderdruk en forseer myself om kalm te bly. Dis egter baie makliker gesê as gedaan.

Ek span my boog. Peep en “sightring” word opgelyn. Ek asem in, dan bietjie uit. Die groen “sight” pennetjie suig vas n derde van onder op die bul se blad. Presies daar waar ek soveel keer vooraf, 18

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oor en oor in my gedagtes en op die 3D teikens, die skoot geoefen het. Dan word die pyl weggestuur. Ek sien hoe die pyl penetreer daar waar ek gekorrel het. Die waterbok gaan staan op sy agterpote voordat hy omswaai en begin hardloop.

Skaars vyf tree van die krip af begin hy te struikel, 30 tree later val hy, skop n paar keer en raak stil. Morsdood. Alles verby binne 15 sekondes. Geen jagter met morele waardes wil ʼn dier sien ly nie. Ek is dankbaar. Alles het goed afgeloop en is vinnig verby. Tien minute later staan ek op en stap na die waterbok. Daar is gemengde gevoelens in my hart toe ek by die bul staan waar hy doodstil lê. Ek is dankbaar dat ek so mooi trofeebul kon plattrek, maar tog ook hartseer dat ek verantwoordelik is vir so pragtige bok se dood. Ek dink dis moontlik die verskil tussen n gewone en ware jagter.

Die bok word in-geradio. Ek vra egter dat hulle my nie dadelik moet kom haal nie. Ek wil nog die laaste paar ure van die mooi dag geniet terwyl die wind nog in my guns waai. Verskeie ander wild kom nog sout lek en water suip en ek wag geduldig vir sports wat die krokodil moontlik mag veroorsaak. Daar gebeur egter niks. Die wag was egter n fout ten opsigte van die fotos. Die bok het styf geword en ons het later al ons dae gehad om die pragdier reg te posisioneer vir ‘n foto.

Tydens die slag van die bok kon ons sien dat die jagpunt die aorta, net bo die hart amper mors af gesny het. Dit het die vinnige dood van die bok verduidelik.

Ek wou graag n mooi groot waterbokbul skiet, en met die horinglente van 29½ duim was ek aangenaam verras, aangesien Rowland Ward 28 duim is.

2013 se familie jagnaweek sal my altyd na aan die hart lê. Die naweek is stewig ingeprent in my gedagtes. Wat ‘n voorreg om so na aan die natuur te mag wees. Waardevolle tye, kosbare herinneringe!

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Photo Courtesy of Tourette Fishing

fishing

Catch and forRelease... everlasting memories Compiled by Hannes Venter & Andre van Rooyen The sustainability of our fisheries depends on how effectively we practice catch and release. In most cases the fish you have just caught has been caught before and is likely to be caught again at a later stage if released correctly. This helps us to ensure that the quality of our fisheries in the future will be of a high standard and will provide the next generation of fly fisherman with better fishing opportunities.

It is important to follow the pointers indicated below so that we reduce the amount of stress and harm the fish as little as possible.

Always use barbless hooks. To remove the barb on your hook you can flatten the barb with pliers or you can file it down. To test if your hook is barbless push the hook through a cloth and try to remove it without it tearing the material. Use appropriate tackle in terms of the weight of the rod and the strength of your leader and tippet to help you land the fish as quickly as possible. Before handling the fish make sure that your hands are wet so that you don’t remove the protective layer of slime on the fishes skin. If you are using a net make sure that it is wet and that the holes in the net are not too big as this can damage the fishes fins. When picking the fish up for a photo

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fishing you must support the weight of the fish. Keep the fish in the water for as long as possible while you prepare for the photograph to reduce the amount of time that the fish spends out of the water.

When reviving a fish hold it upright in the water with your hands placed under the fishes body.

Do not pull the fish backwards through the water as this is not the natural way for water to travel through the gills, rather use your other hand to create water movement in front of the fishes mouth to help water to pass through the gills more effectively in the correct direction. When you release the fish make sure that it swims out of your hands. Remember all species of fish are not the same, some fish handle the stress of being caught better than others. It may take longer to revive some fish like trout, whilst other fish like barbel are tough and will swim away immediately.

Good catch and release practices will increase the chance of the fish surviving and inevitably give someone else the same pleasure that you have experienced whilst catching the fish.

Hannes Venter - 082 373 2622 hannes@tffa.co.za

THE BIG ONE STAYS WITH ME Now that we have the knowledge on how to handle fish when we practice catch and release. We would like to see trophy fish remain in their habitat so they can grow even bigger. So what do we do when we catch that big one and want it mounted? Andre van Rooyen, owner of Fish Eagle taxidermy, will tell you that the day’s of killing all big fish for mounting is over. Most taxidermist that have been in the game and know what they are doing, would have a wide variety of molds available. It is not a bad idea to ask your taxidermist before killing a fish what size molds are

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fishing available. True to say that they will not have molds of every species and sizes. Therefore if you can get away with just taking a photo for reference and measure the length and the girth of the fish.

The reproduction of a fish is one of the most difficult aspects in the taxidermy industry!

The first thing that needs to be made after receiving the fish, is the plaster mold.

Out of the plaster mold, a fiberglass replica is made. From the replica a permanent mold then gets made. Only then can the fish be reproduced.

When that is trimmed down, the mouth plugs is filled, and the pectoral and anal fins are fitted.

When painting the fish, as much reference as possible must be used. The painting is done with duco paints and powders on both sides to make the fish look as lifelike as possible. On request freshwater fish gets mounted on driftwood.

For more information on fish mounts please contact Andre van Rooyen.

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Specimen Carp Angling in South Africa Barry Matthews

Part 2

The most frequently ask question is how and where to start specimen angling.

And for so many anglers wanting to start specimen angling this is where it all becomes a bit of a nightmare. With so many articles and DVD’s on the market on specimen angling it’s no wonder that the newbie to the sport finds himself in a bit of a dilemma trying to get started.

My first bit of advice is find a tackle store that knows enough about the facet and keeps a good range of specimen angling equipment. As mentioned before there are but a few tackle stores in SA that have the right approach to getting the new angler equipped and knowledgeable to start his journey with specimen angling. Unfortunately many tackle stores keep the specimen gear and rig bits but they don’t have enough know-how to be able to sell and show the correct methods and ways to use these items. All is not lost however and with the internet and a quick phone call to the right people you will soon find that it’s not all doom and gloom.

Tackle stores like All Out Angling in Centurion are specialist in the specimen facet and are always willing to help any new anglers; they will go the extra mile to get you up to speed. Other stores like African Gold in Roodepoort, Fishing Pro Shop in Lynnwood, Tackle Tart in Cape Town are but a few other stores that do the same. Speak to anglers that do specimen angling, these anglers will be able to advise and caution you on the do’s and don’ts when you start off. Take your time to find the right information before you start spending money.

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fishing It’s important to note that whatever gear you have at present can more than likely still be used and that as you get into the facet you will adapt your gear to the sport and the waters that you intend to fish. However there are some items that are a must and those are the fish care items like a proper unhooking matt and a large soft net, that are an absolute must when you start.

Also keep in mind that due to a wider choice of brands in the stores it’s not necessary to overspend on gear and for a new angler there are great inexpensive products that will get you fishing without breaking the bank. In the facet of specimen angling there are the must have items and then of course the nice to have items, the latter is not your concern in the beginning.

You will find as you go along that all specimen anglers have a very similar method and array off gear and the anglers will have much to say about quality and effectiveness with regards to both gear and methods.

My advice is keep it simple and spend your hard earned money on the things that matter, those things that will achieve results and make your specimen fishing an enjoyable sport. One needs to understand that specimen angling is an A-Z system, which starts with understanding the basic principles and then moving on from there. Without the basics you will be lost and more than likely find it far too complicated to even begin. When in fact it’s not complicated at all but rather a system of angling were all the rig bits and gear fit together to do a specific type of angling and with the right basics in place delivers fantastic results and in most cases becomes an addictive facet from which very few anglers can turn away. First off, knowledge is power and for you to understand specimen angling you need to understand big carp feeding habits and its habitat. This will put you ahead in the game and will become invaluable as you grow in the sport. Lots of what I knew about carp and their habits has found a new meaning over the last fifteen years.

Specimen angler’s fish for the biggest possible carp in a body of water and this is why it’s imperative to understand carp habits. Keep in mind that specimen angling is not always about just catching the biggest fish but also achieving success by catching carp of all sizes and perfecting the method. Our waters

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fishing hold huge numbers of smaller carp and to get to the bigger fish you have to fish through the smaller fish by using specific methods of finding areas within a lake were the big carp prefer to feed and hang around the safety of structure. Where in Europe the lakes have far less smaller fish, this due to fish management where the smaller fish are removed leaving only the big ones to feed on the available food source and enabling them to grow much bigger. One thing is for sure, and that is through fishing this facet your quality of fish far exceeds the quantity of fish you catch, this also dependant on your choice of water and whether the water in question holds bigger species of carp. This in its own is a defining factor to getting bigger fish. I’m sure most would agree that if water has the reputation for only delivering smaller carp it would be useless trying to fish it when you intend to fish for the biggies.

Most of our waters, public and private, have big carp in them but there are more waters with small carp than good numbers of big carp. So choosing venues that have a better ratio of bigger fish would be the sensible starting point. Through the years I’ve also come to notice that anglers tend to jump from lake to lake and don’t spend enough time fishing one body of water long enough to find all the possibilities of that specific water. My advice would be to choose a body of water and find out as much about the lake as you can, here the fishing forums and specimen anglers will reveal good waters to start off on. Lakes like Bass O Mania, Rushmere, Rietvlei and bigger lakes like Tzaneen, Buffelspoort, Doorndraai and many more are key specimen venues that deliver fantastic numbers of fish over 10 and 20 kg.

I have seen brilliant results achieved by new anglers in a very short period of time. A few of my friends have only been practising the facet for less than three years and through making sure they follow the basics and studying waters and carp habits have achieved good catches.

Some of these anglers have even taken part in world class events like the qualifiers for the World Carp Classic and on provincial level.

But competitive specimen angling is not for everyone and for most of the anglers out there the greatest challenge lies in being able to catch big carp on a regular basis.

Now that you have all the necessary specimen gear and rig bits sorted out, you need to understand the bait and baiting side of the specimen angling. There seems to be misconception about specimen bait from most carp anglers who think that the boilies and pellets that are used are wonder baits and that by using them you will automatically catch big fish. This is not the case and its through understanding what carp feed on that these baits were developed. But to be clear on the matter of baits used by specimen anglers it needs to be said that there are many types of

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fishing baits used and not just boilies. The facet allows for all kinds of bait to be placed on a hair rig from maize, maples, hemp seed, maggots, mussels to only name a few, the list is endless. As long as the item is something a carp would eat it can be used as bait. Even though we have so many baits to choose from you will find that most anglers stick to the basic baits, those that through trial and error have proven to be big carp catchers. Generally carp eat just about anything they come across, but the bigger they get the more feeding specific they become. That’s why the big old boys reach sizes of close to 80 pounds and these big fish are very hard to catch on just any old bait.

From all the articles and DVD’s and time spent studying carp over the years it became very clear that big carp are protein feeders and anything with good protein content is the number one bait to have in your bait bag. I’ve seen carp feed on bass fry, small crabs, fresh water mussels and many other species found in their habitat. Hence the development of the boilie and what was at first a way to keep the nuisance species at bay has become one of the baits responsible for some of the biggest carp caught in the world. Bait companies such as Dynamite, Mainline, Nash and many more have spent a great deal of time and effort developing carp baits that not just catch carp but keep on catching carp. With these high nutrition baits being carp growers we now hear of carp all over the world reaching record weights. So not only do they allow the specimen angler to catch good carp but also those same baits are productive food sources for carp and maintain good weights and healthy fish.

If you want to catch big carp then specimen carp fishing is the way to go. Be warned once this bug bites, you will be hooked and your carp angling will never be the same again. For those anglers wanting to know more about the facet feel free to contact All Out Angling 012 653 4294 in Centurion to book your spot on one of their free seminars.

In the coming months we will share some great specimen fishing sessions at our favourite lake in Tzaneen and as always tell you about those biggies that got away.

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fishing

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Featured species

Nile Crocodile

www.theanimalfiles.com

Main Characteristics Nile Crocodiles are the largest species of crocodile in Africa. They have a body length between 3.5 m and 6 m and they weigh between 225 kgs and 500 kgs.

Habitat Nile Crocodiles can be found in the rivers, lakes, estuaries, marshes and lagoons of Africa and western Madagascar. They are solitary but sometimes several crocodiles gather together to feed.

Diet Nile Crocodiles feed on fish, antelope, zebras, birds, carrion or anything that is unfortunate enough to come within striking distance.

Breeding Nile Crocodiles lay 16 - 80 eggs in a hole dug on a river bank high above the water level. The female guards the eggs throughout incubation and upon hatching the young crocodiles

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Featured species call out and the female will gently dig them out and carry them to the water in her mouth. They stay together for 6 - 8 weeks then they gradually disperse.

Predators Nile Crocodiles have no natural predators and they are apex predators in their environment, but nests are targeted by several species and the young are threatened by birds and water monitor lizards.

Interesting Facts Nile Crocodiles are also known as:, Mamba (in Swahili), Garwe (in Shona), Ngwenya (in Ndebele) Olom (in Nubian).

Mummified crocodiles and their eggs have been found in Egyptian tombs.

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Recipe

Chicken Soup

www.cookbook.co.za

The nights have been getting a little colder lately and with cold winter nights ahead of us, I thought you might enjoy a good soup recipe. This one is a meal in a bowl and really simple to make. It’s healthy and has enough substance to fill you up. (Enough for 4 people) What you need 3 or 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts 1 tablespoon butter 3 spring onions sliced 1 teaspoon crushed garlic 1 liter chicken stock 1 tin chickpeas drained

1 red pepper diced 1 green pepper diced Palm of chopped fresh herbs (buy the mixed herbs for chicken) Salt and pepper 100g mixed vegetables

The process In a large pot on a medium to high heat, melt the butter and then add the garlic, spring onions and chicken pieces. Stir fry for about 4-5 minutes until the chicken is white.

Add the herbs, chickpeas and stock and bring to the boil.

Season with salt and pepper, reduce the heat to a slow simmer, place the lid on the pot slightly askew to allow some of the steam to escape and simmer for 1 hour. Add the chopped peppers and the pasta shells, give it a stir to ensure that the pasta is covered by the stock, place the lid back on and simmer for a further 20 minutes or so or until the pasta is cooked. Before serving, bring the heat up again to heat thoroughly.

Serve immediately with a few croûtons tossed over to soup and some nice warm ciabatta.

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events

Not to be missed NORTH WEST

GAUTENG Pretoria Winter Knife Show (PWKS) 31 May -1 June Pretoria Contact Robert Botes - 082 929 2315 Gauteng Motor Show 1-2 June Centurion

10 August Hartbeespoort: De Rust Oewer Contact Wilma - 072 264 0561 Halfway Toyota Fourways 4x4 Family Day 9 June - Hennops - Harties area Pat: 011 317 88 88 | 082 677 3840

Halfway Toyota 4x4 Training days 8 June & 14 July - Halfway Toyota Honeydew 9 June & 13 July - Halfway Toyota Fourways 12 July - Prado day - Halfway Toyota Fourways Contact Ryan - 073 845 2003 Gauteng Outdoor Adventure and Travel Expo 24-27 June Midrand

KwaZulu-Natal Sardine Classic Mountain Bike Race 30 June Port Edward Mallards & Mercury Ski-Boat Festival 24-30 June Shelly Beach

Mpumalanga

Africa’s Big 7 30 June Midrand SA Knifemakers’ Guild Show (KGSA) 30-31 August Mosaiek Lifestyle Centre - Jhb Contact Marietjie Thorburn at 082 650 1441

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Gone Fishing Competition

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The Big Induna Mountain Bike Race 1 June Hazyview Leopard Tracking Experience 14-17 June - Lydenburg tours@isibonela.co.za

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events

Northern Cape

WESTERN CAPE

Ice Swim Africa

Lions 4x4 Charity Event

12 July

6 June Somerset Wes

Fraserburg

Greyton MTB Classic 15 - 16 June Greyton Angie: 083 566 5783

Fees van die Ganse 28 June Gansbaai 028 384 1439

Quantum Leap 22 August Tankwa Karoo National Park

Limpopo Hoedspruit Wildsfees 12-13 July Limpopo AB Burger: 083 271 3149

Rijk Tulbagh MTB Funride 30 June Tulbagh

Ellisras Bushveld Festival 4-7 July Lephalale

Eastern Cape

Lesotho

Petrolhead Paradise Motorshow 14-17 June

14-17 June

Port Elizabeth

21 -24 June

083 607 5151

12-15 July

Port Elizabeth Food & Wine Fair 28 June

Office: 042 230 0066

Semonkong Email: gerald@halfway.ws

ABSA Kirkwood Wildlife Festival Kirkwood

26-29 July Contact

Port Elizabeth

28 -30 June

Halfway Toyota 4x4 Trips by Gerald O’Brien

Cell: 082 874 6138

If you would like to publish your event here, please send details of event to: info@africanadventures.co.za

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Destinations

re 153km North of Situated a me lies the ever popular

O.R. Tambo, in the town of Bela-Bela. Nestled untain Mo erg terb Wa foothills of the ideal the tors visi rs offe range, it With . ure base to connect with nat year a is this , a subtropical climate the for al ide and round destination a are free a lari ma s Thi ily. whole fam to ses of the bushveld never cea travellers amaze and is a must on any itinerary. into the Tswana tribes first moved where 0’s 180 region around the ings. spr hot the they discovered rs lite 000 22 iver del s ing These spr r. hou per therapeutic water at 53°C the by d owe They were soon foll n who Voortrekker, Carl Van Heerde ed nam and farm first the established al sva Tran it “Het Bad”. In 1873 the land the government bought around and established a resort Dutch a r afte ed Nam . ngs these spri was it , biologist, Pieter Harting the ing Dur rg. known as Hartingsbu ” Bad t “He farm the r Anglo Boer Wa in and ish Brit the by ed upi was occ On 14 1903 renamed it Warm Baths. the by ed am ren June 2002 it was aBel to nt me ern gov South African . ” iling -bo iling “bo g anin Bela, me

We invite you to pack your bags and join us on this adventure as we discover the wonderful and exciting activities this charming town has to offer. So whether you’re an adrenalin junkie wanting to glide amongst the abundance of trees and birds or just seeking silence under the stars with a loved one, Bela-Bela offers something unique to everyone.

There are numerous reserves and private game lodges for those who are up for an unforgettable encounter with Africa’s magnificent animals.

Guided bush walks, game drives and horseback safaris will allow you to cherish these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. The luxury accommodation and friendly hospitality will insure that your soul is rejuvenated upon departure. There are also several places where you can interact with animals like lion, elephant, primates and other mammals to experience the gentle side of these somewhat intimidating creatures.

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Destinations

The region with its abundance of indigenous trees and plants boasts more than 365 bird species. From ducks, sand pipers and kingfishers to storks, buzzards and fish eagles this area is truly a bird haven. So grab your binoculars and camera to see if you are fortunate enough to capture the rare spotted crake in the wild. There are also a multitude of hiking trails available varying from nice leisurely strolls suitable for young and old to challenging trails taking you over rugged mountain terrain and through streams. One thing is certain though, you are never far from nature and the bounty of wildlife and birds never cease to amaze.

Interesting Facts

Due to its high average annual rainfall there are plenty of perennial dams adjacent to the region. Bela-Bela is known for some excellent bass, carp and tilapia fishing but be sure to hold on tight as the subtropical climate and vegetation assist these aquatic creatures to grow into exceptional specimens. There are several private and public dams you can visit to put your tackle to the test.

-Population: 66500 -Size of Bela-Bela: 22.55km² -Distance from O.R .

Tambo : 153 km

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Destinations The rugged and wildly beautiful terrain challenges both man and machine. The many 4x4 trails are sure to put you and your equipment to the ultimate test. The mountainous terrain provides challenging inclines and declines and with plenty of water it provides dirty fun. The courses vary from grade 2 to 5 so there lies a challenge for all skill levels. Along with the 4x4 trails, quad biking in Bela-Bela is guaranteed to launch you into the thrill zone! Choose from a number of scenic trails, graded in terms of difficulty and the technical skill required from riders, the area offers quad adventures for the whole family. With the different tracks available there is always a new challenge to master, from negotiating the rugged terrain to controlling the quad bike over obstacles. Quad biking is about as much fun as you can get off-road but great care must be taken to ensure that nature is not spoilt simply in the name of fun.

“Bela-Bela meaning Boiling-Boiling�

This historic town is the gateway to the Limpopo Province and bushveld, the heartbeat of the hunting industry.

With the abundance of plains game found in South Africa available in this region, there is no shortage of hunting opportunities. This is Big 5 country, many outfitters and hunting lodges are available for the trophy and biltong hunter and there is plenty on offer for the patient bow hunter. The bounty of game- and water birds make this a popular wingshooting destination and guided excursions can be arranged to privately owned land. This is a very popular hunting destination due to its close proximity to Gauteng and the abundance of game and is sure to offer a dream trophy to the hunter.

Historical Places to visit -Buyskop - Landmark ruins that provide evidence that sandstone was removed to build the Union Building in Pretoria.

-British Blockhouse - Erected to protect the railway line during the Anglo-Boer war.

-Historical Graves - connected to The Great Trek

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Destinations Situated in the centre of town is the world famous hot water springs which are the heartbeat of this community. Numerous pools, slides and super tubes offer entertainment to young and old while the accommodation and camping facilities in the Forever Resorts caters for all your needs. Other than the resort, there are several guest farms, lodges and guest houses to choose from to make your breakaway a most memorable one.

This small town has a big heart and the activities on offer are endless. Be sure to visit this unspoiled wilderness and experience true hospitality. With many restaurants, pubs and coffee shops to quench the travellers thirst a stopover at the foothills of the Waterberg Mountains is a must.

Join us next month as we share our wonderful adventures around the small town called BelaBela.

Annual climate Average Rainfall 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Jan mm 95

40

Average Temperatures High 29

mm

Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 72 62 25 4 0 0 0 6 41 84 92

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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6

May

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Low

20

3

3

Jun

July

23

5 Aug

26

9

Sep

27

28

13

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Oct

Nov

28 16

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째C

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Conservation

Regular sightings of the charismatic Southern Ground-Hornbill (SGH, Bucorvus leadbeateri) in the Kruger National Park may be misleading as the species is endangered. There are only an estimated 1500 SGH left in South Africa of which half are safe in the protected areas of the greater Kruger, but the Kruger is at capacity and the other half on commercial, rural farmland and private reserves are in swift decline. Looking at the limitations and challenges this species face, it can’t be overstated what devastating impact the loss of a single individual has to the sustainability of the population.

One needs to understand the life cycle of the SGH to fully understand the value and need of the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project.

Challenges SGH face: - Large territories These birds live in social, co-operatively breeding groups that consist of between two to nine birds (of which only one is a breeding female). A family group of SGH needs an astonishing 100 - 250 km² territory that contains adequate prey and one or two large trees to nest in. They are fiercely territorial and will defend the area against intruders at all costs which leads to them breaking windows as they fight their reflection in windows and shiny surfaces.

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Conservation - Loss of nesting sites: SGH needs large trees like baobabs and fig trees that can develop big cavities around 40cm in which the SGH nest. Deforestation and decimation of large trees are a contributing factor to declining numbers.

Action Plan: By placing artificial nests made out of timber in strategic areas proves to be a sustainable solution.

The birds do accept these nests and will use them for several years.

- Losing the redundant egg: A clutch of 2 eggs are laid and after a incubation period of 42 days the first chick hatches. If this chick is healthy and strong the parents ignore the second chick when it hatches several days later.

If however the first born is not healthy then the parents will rear the second hatched chick instead – nature’s insurance policy. The single chick is fed by the entire family and grows to adult size within 3 month. It then leaves the nest to join the rest of the group. The mortality rate amongst young are 70% before the age of five and one chick is likely to reach adulthood every 9 years.

Action Plan: The redundant chicks are harvested from nests using strict protocol that ensure minimal impact on the breeding pair and the remaining chick. The harvested chick is then hand reared using a protocol developed from over a decade of experience to increase the chick’s chances of survival.

The dedicated team of handrearers from various institutions meet annually to discuss and share their successes and the protocol is adjusted accordingly. The birds are then kept in captivity as part of the captive breeding programme or in “bush schools” till the age of 5 and then released back into their historic range. This ensures that the wild population’s genes are distributed into new release sites.

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Conservation Other main factors responsible for the decimation of the species include secondary or accidental poisoning, electrocution, live trade, traditional uses and direct prosecution

by

farmers

for

breaking windows.

At present, SGH are considered internationally as ‘Vulnerable’ throughout their range in Africa by the IUCN, but within South Africa they have been classified as endangered with their numbers outside of formally protected areas still declining. It is likely that the birds will soon meet the IUCN Red Data List Criteria as being ‘Critically Endangered’ in South Africa if conservation action is not taken.

In 1999 the Mabula SGH project was launched. This nation-wide project would look at protecting existing wild populations and increasing numbers of SGH in areas where they have become locally extinct. On the back of long-term field studies of the species in the Kruger National Park that began in 1967 the team realised the daunting task ahead. With adequate size and good feeding grounds, Mabula game reserve was chosen to release some of the first hand reared birds from the Kruger. It was also in the centre of the historic range from which these birds disappeared about 70 years ago.

The present plan is to test group establishment of new groups at five points across the historic range of the species, from Madikwe in the west via Thabazimbi, Mabula and Loskop Dam to Zululand in the east. This is also across an ecological gradient from the drier west to the moister east. On the basis of what is discovered in trying to re-introduce these groups, additional re-introductions will be planned that also attempt to link augmented groups into the re-establishment of a national network of safe and successfully breeding groups. The project is hoping to establish a safe corridor between these areas for the birds to move and interact safely thus maintaining natural gene flow with existing populations.

The Project has shown it is possible to have a hand-reared bird set up a territory and breed successfully and that hand-reared birds will, if reared correctly, also breed in captivity. The project

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is now in the process of expanding the scale of the Project in conjunction with a number of partners and collaborators across the country. This is a long-term conservation process and there are no instant successes due to the slow breeding and longevity of these special birds.

The Mabula Ground Hornbill Project is a nonprofit organisation and is dependent on the public’s support. We encourage you to notify sightings@ground-hornbill.org.za for any sightings (especially outside of the Kruger National Park) and visit www.ground-hornbill.org.za

for

more

information or to pledge your support.

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adventures

Our General Tyre 4x4 African Adventure Russel Stewart Our family recently enjoyed the privilege of joining General Tyre and Adventure Junkies on a once in a lifetime 4x4 African Adventure. The trip, aptly named, General Tyre 4x4 African Adventure is organised by the two companies in a bid to showcase the new General Tyre all terrain and mud terrain tyres.

As a family we were spoilt by a loan vehicle from Toyota South Africa and a free set of General tyres from Continental Tyre. The vehicle loaned to us was a Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D4-D, and with the back seats out this vehicle is more than spacious enough to cater for a family of 4’s fridge, camping gear, clothing and food for 18 days.

Yes, the adventure was planned to take us through South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Ten cars (the field was made up of Toyota, the new Ford Ranger and the new Isuzu KB), 18 days, 6 countries and as many kilometers as possible.

Let the adventure begin!

We set off from the Continental Tyre factory in Port Elizabeth on the afternoon of 20 March and hit the road for Gariep dam and on to Grobler’s Bridge border post into Botswana. Admittedly the toll fees up through Johannesburg and into Mokopane hurt somewhat, I

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adventures would hate to know what the damage would have been had the e-tolls been up and running...

Once we were in Botswana, we headed to our first true 4x4 route that would take us through the cut line that forms the border between Botswana and Zimbabwe. This is where we found our first mud for the trip that would put the vehicles and tyres through their paces. It must be said that I was once told that it is the space between the steering wheel and the seat that makes the difference if one gets stuck in todays’s 4x4 vehicles, and as true as nuts, one of the drivers showed us that example when attempting the deep clay like mud in this area. It was in this situation that the investment of a winch made sense. Money well spent!

After a long days driving a well deserved rest was in order at Senyati Safari Camp, or “oom Louw’s” as it became known to the convoy who enjoyed gracious hospitality and an abundance of wild life during the night’s stay. By day five we were crossing the mighty Zambezi River by pontoon at the Kazangula Border Post into Zambia. The beauty of Botswana would not be lost on the group as we entered another great country in Africa.

We proceeded up to Victoria Falls in Livingstone, and then departed on a long and exclusive route through the Maamba Coal Mine. The mine runs two shafts on either end of a maintenance route for what once seemed like a well functioning coco-pan system. It was clear as the maintenance route became a serious 4x4 route that the cable system no longer operates and the coal is now transported by road and the mountainous route only gets used by pedestrians. Game on, let’s see what these 4x4’s can really do.

The route proved a particularly exciting challenge for the convoy, and took the best part of the day to traverse safely and without incident.

One of the activities planned by the organisers was a community project at a small rural school at the top of a hill within the Maamba mine area. The school relies on a small mud building to provide basic education for some 215 children, between the ages of 7 and 15, while the principle takes 2 hours to walk to school each morning. This reality check certainly demonstrated commitment and belief in education that has been lost in modern day South Africa.

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adventures After all the driving a planned stop at Lake Kariba seemed in order for the convoy. Two magnificent days were spent at the lake’s edge with a boat trip arranged to explore the various islands on the vast expanse, which one cannot believe is manmade.

One thing we will never forget from this stop over and destination is the magnificent sunsets, which I have only seen Mother Africa produce.

After a brief visit to the spectacular Lake Kariba dam wall and a night spent camping at a nearby resort, we headed off the beaten track once more. The route included pushing through thick bush, where there once was a road. Locals flagged the convoy down in an effort to stop us from continuing where there once was a road, exactly what we were looking for. Once we emerged from the thick growth, a mountain range tested the true grit of the drivers, vehicles and tyres, and oh boy what beauty we were spoilt to during this drive.

When we found civilisation again, the realities of living in Africa became clear very quickly. One does not realise how developed South Africa is until you see the local butcher in Zambia. Chops anyone?

On day 11 we crossed over into Malawi via the Mwami Border Post. Each border post presented a new experience, from agents to assist with the inefficiencies, to ridiculous waiting times. It was evident that the introduction of computerised systems only made the process slower and that African time truly exists, especially at an African border post.

Once in Malawi we spent two days in Senga Bay on Lake Malawi - the third largest and second deepest lake in Africa. The stay included much needed time out of the car and in the swimming pool. A visit to a small island for spectacular snorkeling while viewing a majestic fish eagle in action was not to be missed by anyone in the group.

After being graced with a sunrise never to be seen again, we struck camp and headed for Cape Maclear, the most southern stop of the trip before we turn around and head back to South Africa. We spent the night at Fat Monkeys Lodge before we headed in the direction of Zomba. But what would a trip into another country be if we could not buy a toy or two for the children. Franchise opportunities do exist in Africa...

When we reached Zomba, we found a Sunbird group hotel that would be our 48

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adventures stop over for the night, and the first night in 14 days that would not require us to put up a tent and make camp for the night. We have the Trout Farm camp site to thank for this good fortune, where the habitability of the camp site was seriously questioned upon arrival.

When we departed the following morning, we were greeted by the Zomba Plateau, stretching off Mount Malanje to the Mozambique border, our destination for day 15. Later on day 15 of the trip we crossed into Mozambique through the Mwanza Border Post, which started as a vast expanse of “no mans land” that left the group asking which country we were in for about 5 kms of driving and an endless stream of motorcycles and commuters.

Once in Mozambique, no one was prepared for the treacherous road conditions that lay ahead as we made way for Tete. The potholes were so frequent and deep that a speed limit of 100 km/h was reduced to an average of 30 - 50 km/h. When it was not the road conditions we were needing to navigate, the other road users also presented unique challenges unusual to the regular road user in South Africa.

We left Tete the following morning and made our way to Zimbabwe. This was to prove the disappointment of the trip for the entire convoy. Despite the initial good impression of the border post at Mutare, considering a few “discretionary” fees had to be paid to get the convoy through security without having to unload all the vehicles, no suitable accommodation could be found anywhere along the route South of Mutare.

After a long day’s driving on good roads surrounded by scenery of boulder-strewn mountains and dense baobab forests, we arrived in Masvingo to find all the camp sites had been turned into late night shabeens.

The group then decided we were only two hours from the Beit Bridge border post and it made sense to push through the night, beat the crowds, and setup camp in South Africa. So the convoy pushed through the night, got processed through a not too quiet border post, hate to see it at midday if we were faced with long queues at midnight, and setup camp at Tshipise. Man it was good to have decent ablution blocks, good roads, 3G and be back in South Africa, our home!

The next day we pushed on through to Port Elizabeth via Johannesburg and our final camp site for the trip. The 17

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adventures day trip was starting to take its toll on the group. By now most longed for the comfort of their homes and the freedom of not spending hours in a car each day and having to put up camp at night and strike in the morning.

So on day 18 we packed up our camp site for the final day as we departed for Port Elizabeth, the final long haul down to the coast. Our target, the parking lot of Continental Tyre, where the final odo reading would be taken to clock in the trip.

Final words: Epic, adventurous, outrageous and magnificent. We live in a truly magnificent country, however you must be willing to look over the inefficiencies, corruption and under-development to appreciate the true beauty of this continent we call Africa.

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Featured species

Main Characteristics The African White-Backed Vulture is an old world vulture. They have a body length of approximately 94 cms, a wingspan between 1.96 m and 2.25 m and they weigh between 4 and 7 kgs.

They have a grey neck with a collar of white feathers at the top of their back and their other plumage is various shades of grey. They have large, broad wings which enable them to soar and circle on thermals for hours looking for food.

Habitat African White-Backed Vultures can be found in sub-Saharan Africa. They live in groups in open habitats such as plains and savannahs.

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Featured species adventures Diet African

White-Backed

Vultures

feed on carrion. They are legendary for their ability to find food. Their sense of smell is poor but they have extremely good eyesight, enabling them to spot dead remains from high in the air. They also keep an eye on each other and if one bird sees food and makes a sudden descent, others will quickly follow.

Breeding African White-Backed Vultures breed during the dry season. The female lays 1 egg and it is incubated for approximately 43 days.

Predators African White-Backed Vultures have no natural predators, except humans.

Interesting Facts African White-Backed Vultures are also known as: White-Backed Vultures.

The African White-Backed Vulture is one of a group of 8 species which have long necks that appear to be bald, but that are actually covered in a fine down.

This absence of neck feathers allows the vulture to reach deep into a carcass without becoming dirty.

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For this you need more than just a piece of equipment, you need binoculars that are a reliable companion. You need CL Companion binoculars that are always to hand whenever you need them.

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To ďŹ nd your closest Stockist, please call Brad on 031-5848088

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Featured specieS

Mopane Colophospermum mopane

www.kew.org

About this species Colophospermum mopane (or mopane as it is commonly known) is an economically and ecologically important tree that dominates the savanna woodlands of south-central Africa.

Geography & Distribution This species occurs in an area exceeding 500,000 km² in south-central Africa, which includes southern Angola, northern Namibia, northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, southern Zambia, southern Malawi, northern South Africa and Mozambique.

Description Colophospermum mopane occurs in a variety of forms depending on local environmental conditions. These range from a small stunted form, usually not more than 2 m tall, which does not produce fruit, to a fruitbearing tree of 20 m in height. The leaves comprise of a single pair of leaflets, each measuring about 5 to 10 cm long by 2.5 to 5 cm wide. The flowers are greenish, inconspicuous and about half a centimeter long. The pods are pale brown, flattened and up to 6 cm long and 3 cm wide. The species grows gregariously, meaning

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Featured specieS that many individuals grow together to the near or complete exclusion of other plant species. The pollen is thought to be carried on the wind. This method of pollination is often associated with inconspicuous flowers because plants that do not require an insect or animal to pollinate their flowers, do not need to develop conspicuous flowers to attract the pollinator.

Uses The principal uses of Colophospermum mopane include timber, fuel wood, animal browse in the dry season (but it is also used for fodder), medicine, tannins, resins and soil stabilization.

Colophospermum mopane is of great value in southern and south central Africa. It is an important species in savanna and woodland ecosystems, providing important resources for people, animals, insects and the soil. The greatest biocultural value placed on mopane is for fuel and timber. A recent study showed that families in the rural north-east of South Africa harvest up to 8 kg of mopane a day for fuel-wood. The timber is used for fencing and construction; it is known to be durable and resistant to insect damage.

Colophospermum mopane is a vital constituent of mopane woodland, providing browse for elephants and other herbivorous animals. It is the host plant of the mopane worm, the larva of the moth Acanthocampa belina. The large caterpillars measure up to 8 cm in length. They are an important food source in Botswana and are a highly sought after and protein-rich delicacy.

Seeds of Colophospermum mopane Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank partnership aims to save plant life world wide, focusing on plants under threat and those of most use in the future. Seeds are dried, packaged and stored at a subzero temperature in our seed bank vault. Number of seed collections stored in the Millennium Seed Bank: 4. Seed storage behaviour: Orthodox - the seeds of this plant survive being dried without significantly reducing their viability, and are therefore amenable to long-term frozen storage such as at the MSB. Germination testing: Successful. Composition values: Oil content 10% Cultivation Colophospermum mopane is grown at Kew in a mix that is high in organic matter. The mix also contains per-lite, granular fertilizer and Seramis. The zone in which the pot is kept is heated to 24 ˚C during the day and 18 ˚C at night. In the winter however the zone is simply kept frost-free to simulate temperate conditions. Soil moisture is checked daily but usually the species will only require water twice a week in these conditions. Feeding is carried out twice a week. This consists of a foliar feed and a liquid applied to the root zone.

This species is grown under bright light, with very little shading used. Colophospermum mopane has not yet flowered at Kew. A host to noisy, yet delicious, caterpillars!

Trees of Colophospermum mopane often play host to the mopane worm which is the larval form of the moth Acanthocampa belina. Caterpillars eating the protein-rich leaves of Colophospermum mopane sometimes occur in such large numbers that the sound of their feasting can be heard from several meters away. The large caterpillars measure up to eight centimeters long! They are a highly sought after local delicacy and are rich in protein.

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Kilimanjaro - A hikers paradise Compiled by Sarel van Rensburg Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest natural structure that can be climbed without any technical equipment - with Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro, at 5 895 m in altitude. The diversity of forest, moorland, alpine desert and glaciers that you’ll travel through on your way up the mountain makes this an oncein-a-lifetime adventure.

This is the place on earth where you can hike for 60 km, gain more than four kilometers in altitude, experience mud sliding in the rain forests, traverse alpine heath and moorland, battle through high altitude desert and snowfields and come within touching distance of ancient glaciers. All this virtually on the equator! This is Mount Kilimanjaro National Park.

The park exists to preserve mount Kilimanjaro’s unique scenic and geological features and its fauna and flora for the use and enjoyment of all people. Kilimanjaro lies in the heart of the Rift Valley, a great chasm stretching 5 600 km from Mozambique in the south to the Red Sea in the north. Geologists believe that the rift was formed when the earth’s crust began to fracture two million years ago spewing forth lava from several weak points.

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adventures What is now Kilimanjaro is the result of three volcanic cones – Shira (3 962 m), Mawenzi (5 149 m) and Kibo at 5 895 m, the highest point on the African continent. Shira collapsed into a caldera, followed by Mawenzi, rapidly eroded into a sharp, shattered peak. Kibo is the tallest and continued to grow to reach its present height about 450 000 years ago. The last volcanic activity was about 200 years ago when an explosive hiccup left a symmetrical cone of ash around the rim of Kibo. The volcanoes are now dormant and the likelihood of further eruptions is minimal although there are active fumaroles (jet streams) and sulfur deposits in the ash pit on Kibo.

This mountain is 330 m south of the equator on the northern boundary of Tanzania. Its location close to the Indian Ocean and its size and height strongly influence the climate. Consequently the Kilimanjaro with its gleaming glaciers, wreathing veils of clouds and variety of eco systems stands so solidly and majestically amidst the vast open East African plains that it beckons you to experience all it has to offer yourself. Several thousands of hikers from all over the world visit this mountain every year.

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adventures The hike on foot from the entrance gate (very likely in a drizzle) through dense rain forests on muddy paths to an altitude over 3 000 m on the first day already indicate that this is not an ordinary hike. Further on when altitude starts to take its toll the first view of Kibo and the surrounding heath is a welcome compensation. All throughout, the wonder of nature to adapt to the environment is stunning! Everlasting, Giant Lobelias and a variety of heath, all have developed mechanisms by which they not only survive but also manage to flourish. Then, entering the Alpine desert one must come to the conclusion that humans have survived for so long simply because of their ability to adapt. At this point the preparation for the visit to the mountain has its effect. Both body and mind is tested to the limit in an environment where the body must perform on 50% less oxygen than at sea level and ambient temperatures may drop to minus 20 ˚C. Why then call Kilimanjaro a hiker’s paradise? Just the privilege to be on this mountain and to experience all its extraordinary facets is more than enough to call it such. You will need all the

Your first view of Kilimanjaro

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Near the summit of Kilimanjaro previous hiking experience on a single week long hike. You will experience the mystery of mind, body and soul adapting to the widely varying conditions. You will become breathless with the wonders of Gods creation and finally standing on top of the highest mountain in Africa, will come to realize how small you really are.

You will come to the realization that you cannot conquer a mountain. You can only be thankful of the privilege to tread on it, to experience its wonders and to have the facilities to overcome its obstacles. Any victory claimed should be that over your own physical and mental insignificance and limitations.

Staff at Hikers Paradise have personal experience of hiking on Kilimanjaro and are available to prepare you for a trip to this wonderful mountain. Regular slide shows and information sessions are offered to assist in the preparation.

Hikers Paradise is situated off South Street in Centurion and can assist with information on hiking opportunities in South Africa and abroad.

Contact 012 663 7647/8; www.hikersparadise.co.za

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FRONT RUNNER

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