Pilanesberg National Park

We are at Bakubung Bush Lodge with guests once again, and after a great lunch the guests are now on the open vehicle safari drive in the Pilanesberg National Park. The weather is ideal and possibly a bit on the cool side, lets hope they see lots of different species that make this reserve their home. Pilanesberg is the 4th largest game reserve in South Africa on only being a 2 hour drive from Johannesburg it is ideal for a short stay or a day safari from Johannesburg.
Please contact Go Safari to make your Pilanesberg Day Safari a reality.

Since the beginning of this year, the number of rhinos poached in South Africa now stands at 251 and the number of arrests at 170, according to a statement released by the Department of Environmental Affairs on June 20.

According to statistics released by the department on June 12, 245 rhinos had been killed, meaning that more than one rhino every day is being lost to poaching in South Africa.

The North West, KwaZulu Natal and Limpopo provinces continue to be targeted by poachers, collectively accounting for 86 of the total rhinos poached this year.

The Kruger National Park has lost 149 rhinos since the beginning of this year.

Of the people arrested, 147 were poachers, 10 receivers or couriers, six couriers or buyers and seven exporters.

Okay they have arrested 147 poachers but this does not solve the problem, for every poacher arrested there are plenty more to replace them. The focus should be one the people at the top, the syndicate leaders and officials, arresting one or two these people will stop this horrendous crime.

Cape Town in Worlds's Top 10

International news broadcaster, CNN, has listed Cape Town as one of the world's 10 most-loved cities. This latest international tourism excellence accolade follows a number of other awards in the last two years, including the Trip-Advisor 2011 Top Destination in the World.

Other cities on the list are: Barcelona, Montreal, New Youk, Paris, San Fransisco, Santiago, Toyko and Shangai.

According to CNNgo, CNN International's travel website, Cape Town was chosen because of its "nice architecture and weather. Good wine country, lovely waterfront shopping and welcome cosmopolitan feel. Beaches with penguins. And of course Table Mountain.

David Livingstone Bicentenery

Next year Livingstone will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of its founder, David Livingstone, with a line-up of special events.David Livingstone, who was born in Blantyre, Scotland, on March 19 1813, was the first European to set eyes on the Victoria Falls in the mid 1890's. He named them after Queen Victoria and the town of Livingstone, in turn, was named after him. 

David Livingstone

Yellow Fever Update

The South African Health Authorities are becoming much stricter with regard to YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATES for travellers entering South Africa. This is of particular importance when arriving from countries in Africa, including Zambia, and South America. Officials at Livingstone Airport in Zambia are not allowing people to board flights to South Africa if they do not have their Yellow Fever certificates.

While you do not need a Yellow Fever certificate to enter Zambia, and South Africa is not included on the itinerary, it is worth considering that in the unlikely event of an emergency, i.e. medical, you may be evacuated to South Africa, and a Yellow Fever certificate would be required upon entry.

If a traveller cannot have the vaccination for medical reasons (e.g. age, pregnancy, undergoing cancer treatment, etc.), they must go to a registered travel clinic to get a waiver certificate. Letters from doctors who do not operate at an officially registered clinic will not be accepted.  

Kruger National Park Floods

Taken at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge

While all rivers have subsided and no infrastructure is currently threatened, SANParks has decided to block access to the Kruger National Park (KNP) for all day visitors, as officials will not be able to locate them should they be stranded. The park is also urging guests to exercise caution around rivers as crocodiles are likely to be in flat areas.
Thank goodness the rain has stopped but there is another cyclone developing off the Mozambique coast and we are all hoping this does not bring more rain to this area. The problems are not over as the mopping up begins, there are numerous lodges who have suffered flood damage, some loosing entire rooms and a few lodges severely damaged and there are also the lucky lodges with no damage. The major problem is now access and the game drives, even if the lodge is okay getting to some is impossible and once you get to the lodge they can not go on game drives as the roads have been washed away and are to muddy to drive on even in a very capable 4x4. The plus side is guest can go on walks and experience the bush this way.

The other good thing is Game Reserves like Pilanesberg and Madikwe situated in the north west of South Africa have not been affected at all. So while the damage in the Greater Kruger Park is being repaired and this may take months – some lodges have decided to close until July 2012 – if you want a genuine safari experience you can visit one of these great “Big 5” reserves.

To book your safari in Pilanesberg or Madikwe please contact GoSAfari

Ulusaba

Sir Richard Branson's Private Game Reserve, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve is located in the western sector of the Sabi Sand Reserve.
Ulusaba has 21 rooms and suites spread over two lodges. Rock Lodge is 'Heaven in Heaven', perched high on the summit of a hill with views over the South African bush below. Nearly 500 metres away is Safari Lodge, known as 'Heaven on Earth'. Built along the banks of a dry riverbed, Safari Lodge guests cross swing bridges between the exquisite tree house style rooms. For the ultimate experience, guests can share their time between both lodges.

Most of the staff hail from the surrounding villages therefore guests benefit from authentic South African hospitality. The Ulusaba family of 119 individuals includes some of the finest and most qualified rangers and trackers in the reserve, who guarantee the experience of a lifetime on game drive. Ulusaba delight in going the extra mile for all our guests!


Want to come and expeience this worl class lodge, contact Go SAfari to arrange this amazing experince.