April has come and gone so fast – most probably because we were so busy working hard and having fun. During the last two weeks of April our area, the Sunshine Coast of the Eastern Cape, was blessed with some much needed rain. Most mud wallows are now small ponds, the dams on the reserve are full and the streams and rivers are flowing strongly. Here is what the Kariega Conservation Volunteers got up to during April.
Chameleons are a fascinating type of lizard. There are approximately 160 species that come in a range of colours, most with the amazing ability to change colour. Kariega is home to the beautiful southern dwarf chameleon which occurs only in the Eastern Cape
Photo: Eastern Cape Dwarf Chameleon
Last week's photo of the week touched on the beauty of our own human gaze, but what of the rhino gaze and the gaze of every living creature we are lucky to encounter?
Close-up Rhino Eye
A big thanks to the very enthusiastic group of Kariega Conservation Volunteers that made it a memorable afternoon with the children of Klipfontein After-care centre recently.
Happy Volunteers spend an afternoon at Klipfontein
While this series of entertaining photos shows a playful buffalo that appears to be nuzzling the game ranger in delight, Buffalos are in fact incredibly dangerous and often aggressive creatures that are able to do a lot of damage with their extremely powerful and large horns.
Playful Buffalo at Kariega
Kariega guest Rowan Seagers recently sent us a great image of a jackal sighting, commenting: “My visit to Kariega was much too short! I went out on game drive with Tayla and she managed to find us 4 different white rhino, a black rhino, a herd of elephants, plenty of antelope and general game, and one of my highlights, this jackal attempting to hunt guinea fowl...
Guest experience with Black-backed Jackal
We enjoyed a full and happy month during March in balmy and warm weather - lots of research, bush clearing, a visit with local school children and various great weekend activities.
Kariega Conservation Volunteers: Mar 2014
This week's photo of the week reminds us of the strange layers and intricacies of nature. While a snowflake or a spider's web may be perfectly symmetrical, there are other kinds of delicacies that are just as perfect.
Imperfectly perfect giraffe
The Kariega Game Reserve rangers are proud to introduce delicious Fairtrade coffee to keep guests toasty warm during game drives. Guests can enjoy Bean There coffee which comes from all corners of Africa including Ruwanda, Ethiopia, Burundi and Tanzania. Not only that, but the Fairtrade endorsement ensures that the coffee is produced in a way that is safe for the environment and beneficial to the community.
Introducing Fairtrade Products at Kariega
Thandi has not been in a photographic mood too much of late. But here are some recent pictures taken by Jason Loest - Kariega operations manager and Thandi's keeper. She's pictured with the young calf (not so small anymore!) of her female companion. Thanks Jason for sharing with us.