THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Is the animal kingdom not incredible? From the most beautiful to the beauty of imperfection, the biggest to the unique smallest.

Sometimes we stand amazed, can the human population not look beyond the smaller picture and look at the greater and unique surroundings. Could it be that the busy and crowded lifestyle of humanity keeps them from listening to the sounds of nature that surrounds them!

The best therapy on earth is sure to get in touch with nature. The odors of fresh veld flowers, soil that becomes wet with the cleanest of waters. Springboks that pronk just to show off a little. The enjoyment that bird life can give while drinking and playing in the hand-dug soil dams. A warm sunny day, the silence of the field where big and small animals search for a little bit of shade to shut an eye for a while.

When the day begins to cool and the shade of the trees starts to turn, it’s then when the animals get a new life and everything just gets even prettier.  All that we as humans can do is to protect and appreciate what is so unique around us.

The animals that run on the plains of Karreekloof with their own personalities are better than the best entertainment in the world.

Protecting ecosystems and nature means protecting animals.

As the saying goes, nature is red in tooth and claw. Existence in the wild is harsh and unforgiving, far removed from human ethical concerns or modern standards of physical comfort. Humankind is just another animal out in the bush – not a very tough one, either!

The message is simple:  Love and conserve our wildlife

 

You Only Live Once

South Africa is just one of the most beautiful jewels. From the north to the south, put on your adventure shoes, sleep over at breathtaking places and make each adventure a memorable one.

When taking an African Safari South Africa tourism has a secret weapon, and it’s the Kruger National Park with its intricate network of private game reserves or just make time and take the beautiful Mother City by its horns. (Cape Town)

Some interesting stuff to put on your to-do list:

WINE TASTING IN A “CAVE” AT KLEIN ROOSBOOM BOUTIQUE WINERY

Take a scenic Sunday drive along the Tygerberg Valley Road to Klein Roosboom and opt to have your tasting in one of the “caves”. Apart from the fact that the wines really are magnificent, you’ll get to experience them in a truly unique way.

ZIP AROUND CHAPMAN’S PEAK IN A CLASSIC (OPEN-TOP) SPORTS CAR

It’s the stuff that memories (and killer Instagram opportunities) are made of. Nothing beats the feeling of the wind through your hair and the sun on your face as you cruise along the road in a cool car with breathtaking views along the way.

YOGA ON A TIDAL POOL WITH SUP YOGA

The outdoor setting, gently lapping water, and endless ocean views enhance the overall experience. Plus, you get to go for a refreshing swim while you’re at it (several, in fact, depending on how often you lose balance).

RIDE A STEAM TRAIN TO CERES

The old beauty passes through the picturesque Witzenberg and Michell’s Passes en route to Demeter Station in Ceres, allowing passengers to enjoy the sights from the comfort of the spacious Lounge Cars, which were restored and refurbished in preparation for the 70-year-old train’s return to the rails in 2015.

HOP ABOARD THE FRANSCHHOEK WINE TRAM

You’ll get a glimpse into 300 years’ worth of rich history, while you sip in the views (and vino, naturally!)

All of Africa’s iconic safari species makes Kruger one of the world’s greatest wildlife-watching destinations.

Bush Walks:  Nothing can possibly beat the heart-stopping excitement of tracking rhino, elephant, and lion on foot through the heat of the bush.

Bird watching:  Bird lovers can look forward to seeing more than 400 bird species in their natural habitat.

Bush drives and nature walks:  Guided bush drives and nature walks get you up close and personal with the majesty that is the Kruger National Park.

Hot Air Ballooning and Helicopter Flights:  For the adventurous at heart looking for a unique way to experience South Africa’s most beautiful countryside, you can enjoy the majesty of the Kruger National Park through hot air ballooning and helicopter flights.

These are only a few of the many exciting activities that will keep you thoroughly entertained during your stay at the Kruger National Park.

Enjoy life and live the journey!

Sources:

https://insideguide.co.za/cape-town/unusual-things-to-do-in-cape-town/

https://lukimbi.com/2015/05/14/kruger-national-park-game-reserves/

Photographic Safari

photographers

The Kruger National Park is legendary, known throughout the world for its diversity of species and dramatic landscapes.

With easy access to the park and a vast selection of accommodations and regions to choose from the Kruger Park is a photographers dream.

The diversity of habitats in the park, from open savannas to lush riverine forests, allows photographers the benefit of selecting preferred landscapes for their photographs. The animals in the park have adapted to the presence of vehicles which gives photographers many opportunities to get that special shot.

Equipment:

The Kruger Park is the ideal place for amateur photographers and professionals alike and any size and makes of equipment will bring results. In fact, it is not uncommon to see people using their cellphones to take pictures, so close are the animals at times. For the person wanting the best all-around lens for the park then a 300mm lens is recommended to get those just out of reach images but the Kruger is truly the ultimate park for everyone when it comes to taking wildlife pictures.

Stunning Scenery

There are a number of dramatic places in the park to stop and take photographs, including somewhere alighting from the vehicle is allowed. This adds to the attraction of Kruger as a great photographic destination. A network of roads, known as drives, traverse the park and all provide something special for the photographer. Wooded savannahs open into grassland and scenic forest roads lead to rivers, with new delights at every turn.

On guided game drives, your safari guide will stop at scenic spots for you to take photos. You will also get a chance to take some amazing wildlife photos.

Do’s and Dont’s of Photography in Kruger

  • Respect the environment and wildlife
  • Respect other patrons in the park
  • Take only pictures and leave only memories
  • Only alight at designated places
  • Obey the Park rules – they are there for a reason

http://www.krugerpark.co.za/Kruger_Park_Travel_Advisory-travel/photography-kruger-national-park.html

 

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Is the animal kingdom not incredible? From the most beautiful to the beauty of imperfection, the biggest to the unique smallest.

Sometimes we stand amazed, can the human population not look beyond the smaller picture and look at the beautiful picture perfect surroundings. Could it be that the busy and crowded lifestyle of humanity keeps them from listening to the sounds of nature that surrounds them!

The best therapy on earth is to get in touch with nature. The odors of fresh veld flowers, soil that becomes wet with the cleanest of waters. Springboks that pronk just to show off a little. The enjoyment that bird life can give while drinking and playing in the hand-dug soil dams. A warm sunny day, the silence of the field where big and small animals search for a little bit of shade to shut an eye for a while.

When the day begins to cool and the shade of the trees starts to turn, it’s then when the animals get a new life and everything just gets even prettier.  All that we as humans can do is to protect and appreciate what is so unique to us.

The animals that run on the plains of Karreekloof with their own unique personalities are better than the best entertainment in the world.

Protecting ecosystems and nature means protecting animals.

As the saying goes, nature is red in tooth and claw. Existence in the wild is harsh and unforgiving, far removed from human ethical concerns or modern standards of physical comfort. Humankind is just another animal out in the bush – not a very tough one, either!

The message is simple:  Love and conserve our wildlife

 

Historical History on your way to Karreekloof

Prieska – place of the lost she-goat

Prieska is situated on the south bank of the Orange River at the foot of the Doringberg and it was originally named Prieschap, a Khoisan word meaning “place of the lost she-goat”.

It is renowned for its semi-precious stones. The Schumann Rock Collection, including semiprecious stones and Khoisan stone implements, can be viewed at the municipal offices.

The area between Prieska and Vioolsdrif is often called the “Rock Garden Route” – where the rare halfmens and succulents of the Lithops family can be found – and the Ria Huysamen Aloe Garden outside town contains a large array of succulents.

Battle of Magersfontein

The Battle of Magersfontein, just outside Kimberley took place during the Anglo-Boer War on 11 December 1899. The Boers scored a decisive victory in what became known as Britain’s ‘Black Week’.

The Battle of Magersfontein was a triumph for the Boer forces, a disaster for the British army, and came close to wiping out Scotland’s proud Highland Brigade.

During the second South African War, the Boers had besieged Kimberley and its 50 000 inhabitants since November 1899. Supplies were scarce in the diamond-mining town and relief was imperative.

The British public and press were demanding action. British forces advanced north along the railway line in an attempt to relieve Kimberley, but a Boer force was in their way at Magersfontein.

https://www.places.co.za/html/prieska.html

http://www.britishbattles.com/great-boer-war/battle-of-magersfontein/http://www.thesolomon.co.za/magersfontein-battlefield-museum.html

Game drives on Karreekloof

The word ‘game drive’ can be split into 2 different words: Game and Drive

Over time, however, the word became mostly known as a ‘drive with a vehicle in Africa, in order to find (large) game for photographic reasons’.  Not every game drive has the same level of excitement.

If you go on a game drive, make sure you carry your camera, binoculars, some reference books (if they are not in the vehicle), your sunglasses and a hat of some kind. In case you come back after dark, don’t forget to take something warm to wear.

A game drive, the main activity on your safari, morning or evening, depending on what type of person you are or maybe both.  Early morning fresh air or relaxing sunset moments. Experience both here at Karreekloof, with its wide-open spaces and unique surroundings.

This adventure offers the perfect introduction to South Africa’s wildlife and is a must for first-time safari goers.  Great way to transform yourself for just a short period of time in the Karoo.

Nature and it’s attractions

The love for living systems “biophilia” makes the simplicity of the word nature sound like a gift, it will open any moment.

Attraction to the wildlife comes from inner excitement, wanting to experience and to see more. The chasing of cars, trucks, and smoke from buildings that fill the blue sky will make you want to breathe clean air. Stare at the extreme starry night and live life’s adventures to the fullest. Hoping that one day all adventures can be written in a diary for grandchildren to be found so they can keep nature alive.

Karreekloof offers the inner beauty of the Karoo, breathtaking scenery from sunrise to sunset. A star night that lets you get lost in another world and forgetting about the problems of yesterday and today. Breathe with the feeling of relief and relax for a while.

For the adventure-loving people who is crazy about water, the Orange River’s kayak rides can only be worthwhile or even take a trip down memory lane with white water river rafting.

Historical history from Magersfontein to Prieska will let your whole body fill up with goosebumps. Indulge your lifestyle for a moment, understand nature, experience it and you’ll never regret it one day. For that more social kind of feeling and tranquility of spirit, a boat on the river will work wonders, good company and the simplicity of the day as the host.

Come and feel the power of nature, admire the birds, smell the different flavors of plant life and let the animal kingdom entertain you.

Now comes the challenge, grab your bag, put both feet outside your front door, get in your car and experience all these unforgettable feelings.

“If you truly love nature, you’ll find beauty everywhere” – Van Gogh –

Preparing Venison

Preparing Venison

1. Use only venison that has been field-dressed correctly.  Choose only deer meat that was cut, skinned, wrapped and refrigerated promptly by a professional or an experienced deer butcher.

  • Venison should also be aged for a period of 10-14 days after being dressed out. This allows the meat to dry out some, reducing the gaminess and making the meat more palatable.

2.  Trim away all visible fat. Unlike beef fat, which imbues the meat with flavor and helps to keep the meat moist, venison fat does not taste good and will do nothing for the texture of the meat. Using a sharp knife, trim away the connective tissue and fat from your cuts of venison before attempting to cook it.

  • You can discard deer fat, though it’s also commonly rendered into tallow, and makes for excellent soaps.
  • “Silverskin” is a thin membrane that you’ll find on many recently-processed cuts of venison, which you’ll want to remove if it hasn’t been already. It can be somewhat tedious but peeling it off the meat as much as possible will improve the flavor and also make it easier to cook.

3.  Marinate the meat overnight before cooking it. Venison has a strong, gamey flavor that you can highlight or mask, depending on the cut and what you hope to do with it. Learning a bit about how to match a cut to a marinade will help you tenderize the meat and add flavor. The best way to marinade venison is in a large gallon Ziplock bag in the refrigerator overnight.

  • Use thinner cuts with marinade and brine larger cuts. At most, an overnight marinade will only penetrate about a 1/8th of an inch into the meat, making marinading a large roast kind of pointless. Use thin strips of flank or backstrap to the marinade to get the most out of the process.[2]
  • For a simple marinade, use Italian salad dressing, or make your own with a half-cup each of vinegar and olive oil, a clove of minced garlic, and a teaspoon each of brown mustard and Italian seasoning (or oregano and basil).
  • For a BBQ marinade, sauteed half a finely chopped yellow onion and 3-4 cloves of minced garlic in about 5 tablespoons of butter until translucent. To this, add two cups of tomato sauce (or a cup of ketchup), a half cup each of apple cider, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar, and two tablespoons of chili powder.
  • If you’re not a fan of the “gaminess” of venison, use a citrus-based marinade. Citrus tends to mask the strong flavor of venison and can make it more palatable to children and less adventurous eaters. Try marinading a half-cup of lime juice mixed with a half-cup of olive oil, half a cup of chopped cilantro, a minced green chile, a teaspoon of ground cumin, and a shot of tequila.

4.  Substitute the removed deer fat with another fat source. Although the deer’s own fat will affect the flavor of the venison adversely, venison lacks the “marbling” needed to keep it moist and tender, making it very easy to dry it out. Because of this, many experienced venison cooks will “bard” or “lard” the meat with another fat source, such as butter, margarine, oil, or bacon fat.[3]

  • Barding is done by adding fat to the outside of the meat. This method works best on the grill or in the skillet because it involves essentially basting the meat with a fat source. After turning the meat over, you can brush some melted butter or olive oil onto the browned side of the meat to imbue flavor and moisture.
  • Larding is done by inserting fat into the meat, through little cuts. This method works well for larger cuts and roasts that you cook in the oven and works especially will with other meats like ham or bacon. Use the tip of a chef’s knife to make incisions into the thick parts of your venison roast, then push small cuts of bacon, or fatty pork, into the slits. As it cooks, the fat will help to keep the meat moist.

5.  Match the cut to the cooking method. Different cuts are more appropriate for different cooking methods. Some are great cooked up as steaks, while others make better stew meats or candidates for venison sausage.[4] Whether you have a specific dish in mind and want to get the right venison for the job, or you want to find the best vehicle for your cuts, you can point yourself in the right direction:

  • Backstraps or tenderloin are the tenderest and usually the most desirable cut, and can be cooked whole, cut into individual steaks, or cut into smaller chunks for stews and stir-frys. Tenderloin can be served rare-medium.
  • Roasts are best from the lower hams, which should be braised or stewed at a low temperature for a long period of time to ensure tenderness.
  • Steaks are best from the top half of the hams, which are the most versatile section of venison. While it’s initially a bit tough, after being properly-tenderized, this meat can be used for a variety of purposes.
  • Stew meat should come from the lower ribs, the belly, and the neck. If you’ve got a meat grinder, this also makes excellent ground venison or venison sausage.

http://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Venison-(Deer-Meat)

Preparing for Your First Time on Safari

Going on a safari can be challenging for a first timer – even if you are a South African.  No one wants to look misplaced or be accused of frightening the animals away with their red shirts.  Here is some practical advice for your first safari experience:

What clothes do I need to wear?

Most camps encourage that guests wear clothing that fits in right with their bush environment.  That includes clothes of colours of beige, khaki, green or brown.  Make sure you know the temperatures of the place you are going to.  In winter in the Northern Cape, one can expect anything from very cold early morning and evenings to warm weather during mid-day.  Some basics one needs to have is T-shirts, a long sleeve shirt (one that can roll up preferably), vest, zip-off pants, hiking boots, warm jacket and a safari hat.

What necessities do you need to pack?

There are a few necessities that no person on safari should be without.  Sun block should definitely be your number one priority.  It doesn’t matter if it is in the middle of winter and icy cold, you should put sunblock on before you go out.  Also, put an extra sun block in your safari bag that must never leave that bag – you cannot afford to forget it at home.  Getting sunburnt and the sun sick on your first day is not something you want to report back home.  A hat and sunglasses will also be valuable in the African sun.

Mosquito and insect repellent is also an absolute must.  Before you go on safari, find out if you are in a malaria zone to get the appropriate medications.  There are lots of reading material about what to pack in your first aid bag and always remember your travel insurance!

A common mistake on your first safari

Buying hiking boots just before you go on safari and never walking in them before can really cause uncomfortable blisters.  Even if you think you are only going on a game drive, make sure that the boots you’ve got are comfortable.  Remember, you are still in Africa and unexpected things can happen – An unexpected walk in the bush will definitely not be a rare occurrence in Africa.

Other tips

It can become so hot over midday that most safari companies do not take their clients out over this time of day.  A book and swimsuit will really come in handy during your afternoon relaxation time.  Remember to rehydrate often and listen to what your guide are saying.  They are really knowledgeable on factors regarding the bush and create a valuable experience for you.

Now it’s time for you to go and enjoy your first African Safari!!

Visit to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park with its red dunes, blue skies, and a variety of African wildlife is ideal for game viewing and photographic safaris. The park lies in the west of the southern African continent, also known as the Kalahari Desert.

The average rainfall in this semi-dessert is about 200 mm per year and the fauna and flora are therefore adapted to this low rainfall.  The park is furthermore a fusion of the former Kalahari Gemsbok National Park of South Africa and the neighbouring Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. This creates an enormous conservation area of over 3,6 million hectares and one of the very few of this magnitude in the world.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a semi-desert wilderness of blonde grass, red dunes, and vast open spaces.  It is further characterized by sparse vegetation and camel thorn trees. Animals also tend to gather in the dry riverbeds and waterholes. One can enjoy the sight of herds of gemsbok, springbok, eland and blue wildebeest.  The black-mane lions watch the variety of animals closely.  Lions in the Kgalagadi have incredibly large home ranges. Other predators include Leopard, Cheetah, Brown and Spotted Hyena and birds of prey.

Accommodation and activities

Luxury game lodges, tented camps, and self-catering chalets are available. Twee Rivieren is the largest rest camp and administrative base. It has a swimming pool, information center and shop, public telephone and cell phone reception. The a la carte Restaurant serves breakfast and dinners. Further north, Nossob Rest camp is fairly basic, with seven types of self-catering chalets. In Kgalagadi’s southwest, Mata Mata Rest Camp is quite simple, but a great place for adventurous small families.

Activities in the park include game drives, hiking, 4×4 trails, eco trail, and swimming. A further highlight includes fantastic bird watching. This is an excellent area to view birds of prey, especially tawny and snake eagles.

The astounding beauty of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park will steal your heart.

Sources
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kgalagadi/tourism/history.php
http://www.nature-reserve.co.za/kgalagadi-transfrontier-nature-preserve.html
http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/overview/northern-cape
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kgalagadi/conservation/ff/lion_article.php
https://www.expertafrica.com/south-africa/kgalagadi-transfrontier-park