Month: January 2014

I’m sure many of our guests have had the pleasure of meeting our resident Queen at Vuyani Safari Lodge. She roams the surrounds with a certain majestic flamboyance about her. Let me introduce you to Savanna, a domesticated African Wild Cat.

The African Wild Cat species is on the decline due to what is called “Genetic Pollution” this term however is rather controversial and refers to uncontrolled gen flow in wild populations.

There are a couple of characteristic traits that the African Wild Cat possesses other than your domestic cat, there are quite a few that can be seen if you look at Savanna, however we believe she is not a True African Wild Cat.

The fur colour of the African wildcat is light sandy grey, and sometimes with a pale yellow or reddish tinge. The ears are reddish to grey, with long light yellow hairs around the auricle. Stripes around the face are dark tawny to black: two are running horizontally on the cheek, and four to six across the throat. A dark stripe is running along the back, the flanks are lighter, and the belly is whitish. Pale vertical stripes on the sides often dissolve into spots. Two dark rings are on the forelegs, and hind legs are striped. The feet are dark brown to black.

The African wildcat eats primarily rodents and other small mammals. When the opportunity arises, it also eats birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. This is seen in and round the lodge quite often as Savanna chases the Gecko’s and Skinks on the swimming pool deck.

The cat approaches its prey slowly, and attacks by pouncing on its prey as soon as it is within range (about one metre). The African wildcat is mainly active during the night and twilight. When confronted, the African wildcat raises its hair to make itself seem larger in order to intimidate its opponent. In the daytime it usually hides in the bushes, although it is sometimes active on dark, cloudy days. The territory of a male overlaps with that of a few females, who defend the territory against intruders. A female gives birth to two to six kittens, with three being average. The African wildcat often rests and gives birth in burrows or hollows in the ground.

The gestation lasts between 56 and 69 days. The kittens are born blind and need the full care of the mother. Most kittens are born in the wet season, when there is sufficient food. They stay with their mother for five to six months and are fertile after six months. We have noticed in the last couple of weeks that Savanna has now met a “man” a male African Wild Cat that comes and “visits” her at the lodge. Savanna will also leave the lodge for days on end and then return absolutely famished and exhausted.

Savanna was attacked by a Lynx we believe and came to Vuyani Safari Lodge to seek refuge. She was taken in by Carlene Badenhorst and nursed back to health. Savanna decided that this was the life to live and has been our resident “Lodge Cat” since 2012.

So when you visit the lodge you will surely get a chance to meet Savanna.

*Justine Ferreira

It has taken me at least 12 days into the New Year to sit and think about all the happenings of 2013, and what a year it was for us here at Vuyani Safari Lodge! We met so many new guests, had return guests, shared an incredible amount of laughs, expanded the lodge, said goodbye to some familiar faces, welcomed some new staff members and had some unbelievable sightings on Safari. I am going to try my utmost best to revise an unbelievably exciting year into one blog!

It was a busy year on the business end of things and we welcomed so many guests to the lodge. Many were regular Safari aficionados and enjoyed the smaller things that the African bush has to offer, and many were first time Safari goers who loved every single animal big or small! Our Guides had plentiful opportunity to show off their skills and share their passion and knowledge. Mike (Michael) is still with us at the lodge and initially started as a Transfer Guide, but with his knowledge and experience soon took the position of Field Guide. He has such a calm manner about him and loves to make sure the guests get absolutely everything and more from a Safari.

Uyai is the most amazing tracker I know and he teams up with the guys to bring forward some fantastic sightings. He is an incredibly interesting man and joined the team at Vuyani in 2013. Jay – Dee also joined our team in 2013 and he is a great character. He also goes above and beyond to create amazing Safari experiences. He is one of the luckiest guys I know concerning Leopard sightings in Kruger Park. There are seldom times when Jay – Dee will return without some Leopard photos that have the rest of us green with envy! Unfortunately we had to say Good Bye to Pierre, Jesse and Jonathan. They left Vuyani during the course of 2013.

We gained some new members in the form of Gerdine or “Gee” as many of our guests know her, also Shantea, Siyabi, Hannes, Paul, Janus, Stephanie, Nkateko, Andries and Busi. We had to say our goodbyes to Rina, Gerard, Shane and George. Overall it’s been quite a busy year concerning staff. But amazing how we have all had the privilege to work together and some lifelong friendships have been made. Myself and Craig have worked and continue to work with an Amazing team!

On the lodge side we expanded with two additional new River Suites. The River Suites are beautifully decorated and boasts a private deck with Hot tub. Perfect for a romantic getaway or a quiet and stress free holiday. These spacious units are attached to the lodge with an elevated walkway which Craig (along with every able bodied person) erected soon after the completion of the units. It looks great and it is quite an experience walking to and from the room under the watchful eye of Rex or Aggie of course. The units were completed quite close to the end of 2013 so I am sure early in the New Year we will have some photographs posted on the website.

On the wildlife side there have been some incredible sightings. The reserve is now quickly becoming home to some resident Leopards, although they are still quite elusive, we are seeing them on a much more frequent level. Our resident Male Lion is growing into a spectacularly handsome boy and the photographs taken by Guests and Guides are proving how much he has grown. There have been some amazing animal moments during 2013. Particularly Aggie seeking the safety of a tree when the Lions investigated his bicycle, and the morning two Cheetahs decided to have an Impala for breakfast right outside one of the Honeymoon Suites. The moment Rex fought with a Honey Badger and who could forget the amazing Pangolin sighting Jonathan captured on camera. There is not enough space on the Blog to post even half of the photos! Browsing through our Facebook page is a trip down memory lane.

Every year also brings with it sorrow and in 2013 we mourned the death of former president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. It was a day of bereavement for the entire republic of South Africa. We have lost an amazing icon and a very well loved and respected man. May his legacy live on in our efforts to better ourselves as a country.

Overall 2013 was a great year for us, filled with amazing moments and we are very much looking forward to a new year with new opportunities. We are excited to continuously meet new people and make new friends. We would love to welcome back some familiar faces and we are all extremely excited for new adventures with new guests.

I trust each and every person who have we have crossed paths with in 2013 will have an amazing year in 2014.

* Justine Ferreira