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INFORMATION ON GAME PARKS &
ADVENTURES
All the pictures
on this web site were taken by clients visiting the game
parks while staying with us. This gives you an idea what
you can experience on the tours that we can plan for you.
We do all the planning and supply full details & maps.
All you need to do is to arrive at Valley Bushveld Country
Lodge.
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select from the Game Parks & Activities listed
below: |
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ADDO
ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK
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| HISTORY
OF THE PARK
The Addo Elephant National Park was proclaimed
in 1931 to protect the remaining 11 Addo elephants.
The great herds of elephants and other animal
species had been all but decimated over the 1700s
and 1800s by hunters. In the late 1800s, farmers
began to colonise the area around the park, also
taking their toll on the elephant population due
to competition for water and crops.
This conflict reached
a head in 1919 when farmers called on the government
to exterminate the elephants. The government even
appointed a Major Pretorius to shoot the remaining
elephants. He shot 114 elephants between 1919
and 1920.
Public opinion then changed,
leading to the proclamation of the park in 1931.
The original size of the park was just over 2
000 hectares. Conflicts between elephants and
farmers continued after proclamation as no adequate
fence enclosed the park. Finally in 1954, Graham
Armstrong (the park manager at the time) developed
an elephant-proof fence constructed using tram
rails and lift cables and an area of 2270 hectares
was fenced in. There were 22 elephants at the
time. This Armstrong fence, named after its developer,
is still used around the park today. Although
the park was originally proclaimed to protect
a single species, priorities have now changed
to conserve the rich biological diversity found
in the area.
Domkrag
The Domkrag Dam in the game viewing section of
the park is named after a giant mountain tortoise
that once roamed the park. Domkrag is the Afrikaans
word for jack, and this tortoise had a peculiar
habit of walking in behind cars and lifting them
up with enormous strength. Domkrag came to a sad
end when he fell into an aardvark hole and couldn't
get himself out. His shell is still on display
in the reception foyer.
Hapoor
The magnificent Elephant head which is mounted
in the restaurant is that of Hapoor, the legendary
dominant bull in the park for 24 years. The waterhole
in the southwestern section of the game area is
named after him. Hap means 'nick' in Afrikaans,
while 'oor' means ear and it is believed the distinctive
nick in his ear was caused by a hunter's bullet.
Hapoor retained a deep hatred of humans throughout
his life. On more than one occasion park-staff
were forced to flee to safety when Hapoor made
his appearance. His dominance stretched from 1944
to 1968. During the second part of the 1960's
a few younger bulls reached maturity and challenged
Hapoor. These upstarts were unsuccessful until
one bull name Lanky finally deposed Hapoor in
1968. Hapoor was driven from the heard and became
a loner. Later that year he succeeded in climbing
the park's 'Armstrong Fence', which for nearly
20 years had been elephant proof. His freedom
was to be short lived as because of his aggressive
nature, it was determined he would have to be
shot. |
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ANIMALS
This park offers some
of the most spectacular elephant viewing in
the world. Addo’s over 450 elephants,
over 400 Cape buffalo, 48 black rhino, a variety
of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless
dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo.
The buffalo is one of the largest disease-free
herds in South Africa.
Expansion at Addo has only just begun. with
plans to expand the 164 000 ha Addo National
Elephant Park into a 360 000 ha mega-park. In
addition, plans include the proposed proclamation
of a 120 000 ha (296 500 acre) marine reserve
that includes islands that are home to the world's
largest breeding populations of Cape gannets
and second largest breeding population of African
penguins.
Six lions were introduced into the park in late
2003 and have adapted well to their new environment.
Lions are most often seen in the early morning
or on sunset and night drives.
Spotted hyenas were also reintroduced in 2003,
fulfilling the same role as lions in restoring
the natural balance to the ecosystems in the
park by controlling the numbers of herbivores.
Leopard are very seldom seen, being shy and
secretive animals, but do occur in most areas
of the expanded park.
Antelope species abundant in the main game area
of the park include red hartebeest, eland, kudu,
Warthog and bushbuck. The Burchell’s zebra,
many with the pale rumps reminiscent of the
extinct qwagga, occur in the park.
The rare flightless dung beetle is king of the
road in Addo, with signs warning visitor that
this recycling machine has right of way. The
beetles are only seen when conditions are not
too hot and not too cold and play an important
role in recycling nutrients and helping the
growth of thicket vegetation.
Did
you know that ...
• The park conserves no less than five of
South Africa's seven biomes?
• Is also home to one of the densest African
elephant populations on earth?
• It is home to the unique flightless dung
beetle?
• Addo incorporates the largest coastal
dune field in the southern hemisphere?
• The park boasts the Big Seven:
(elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern
right whale and great white shark)?
• It also protects the world's largest Cape
gannet breeding population on Bird Island? |
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| FACILITIES
IN THE PARK
• A fuel station which provides petrol and
diesel between the hours of 7 AM and 5 PM.
• A curio shop which also sells snacks and
basic supplies open from 8 AM to 6 PM (times are
subject to seasonal change).
• An a la carte restaurant in the main camp,
serving meals throughout the day (7 AM to 10 PM
). Bookings are advised.
GAME
VIEWING IN THE PARK
You can view all the animals in Addo from the
comfort of your own vehicle and explore the more
than 75 kilometres of road looking for animals.
Making use of a guide can just make it easier
as we know all the favourite spots they hang out.
After visting the park for more than 30 years
it is now 2nd nature to us.
OTHER OPTIONS below are also available which can
be booked in the park if you wish not to use your
own vehicle but a open top Safari vehicle.
Day drives
Departing 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 – viewing
may include herds of elephant, antelope, zebra
, warthog and ostrich.
Sunset drive
Departing 16:00 (winter) or 18:00 (summer) –
enjoy late afternoon viewing, snacks & drinks
as the sun goes down and then some night time
viewing – black rhino, buffalo, lions and
antelope may be seen.
Night drive
Departing 18:00 (winter) or 20:00 (summer) –
dress warmly and discover the secrets of night
time in the bush: springhares, porcupines, genets |
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PRIVATE
LION & GAME RESERVE
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This is the ultimate for a first
time visitor to South Africa with limited time to
see as much wildlife in the shortest time possible
on their South African holidays. Here you will have
the best photo opportunities that you will not find
in any other reserve. The reserve is the oldest private
game viewing reserve in the Eastern Cape, bordering
the eastern side of Addo Elephant National Park.
This malaria free reserve is
probably the most densely stocked reserve in Africa,
and with over 40 mammal species and approximately
2000 animals, can offer consistently good game viewing
throughout the year. It was the first reserve in the
Cape Province to have free roaming lions and we can
almost guarantee sightings of these magnificent animals
on every game drive. This is a four hour guided game
drive in an open Land Rover with a short refreshments
and toilet break at the halfway point. It is a private
game reserve and the guide can take the guests as
close as possible to get the best viewing of rhino,
hippo, giraffe and the king of the beasts, lion! The
guide try to show the guests as much as possible on
a drive and concentrate on the popular sightings rather
than 'the birds and the bees'.
The reserve has a huge open
air lapa, reputedly among the largest in South Africa.
Inside the lapa there are several large trees and
a roaring log fire. Dinner is usually a mix of safari
cuisine and traditional South African cooking; the
exact menu depends on what is available on the day.
After dinner a short, spotlit
nightdrive providing the possibility of more nocturnal
animals completes your experience as we return to
our reception area.
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CHEETAH
BREEDING FARM
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The Cheetah Breeding project
was established in May 2001 and started with just
three cats. It has since grown with breeding, purchase
and swapping of animals.
The aim of this project is
to play a part in the conservation of Cheetah's (Acinonyx
jabatus), the re-establishment of pure gene lines,
as well as educating people to the importance of conserving
these amazing species.
The cheetah project offers a
'once-in-a-lifetime' experience where visitors do
not only get an interesting, personalized tour, but
actually get to interact with the animals. Visitors
are encouraged to touch the cheetahs and have photographs
with some of them. We believe this opens people's
eyes to the importance of the Cheetah's conservation.
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ADDO
ELEPHANT BACK SAFARI
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Addo Elephant Back Safaris is
situated in the pristine valleys of the Zuurberg Mountains
within the recently proclaimed Greater Addo Elephant
Park.
Walk with the Elephants through
the diverse valley bushveld, ravine and forest habitat
unique to this part of the Eastern Cape. The informative
walk-and-talk takes a very leisurely pace set by the
elephants themselves and is in no way strenuous. The
walk allows you to interact with, feed and observe the
elephants in their natural habitat while our trained
and qualified handlers share their specialized knowledge
and insight into both the elephants and this unique
eco-system.
After your safari, we offer you
the exhilarating experience of riding these magnificent
animals - revel in the natural beauty of the environs
and its wildlife from your lofty seat as these gentle
giants amble through the African bush. At the conclusion
of the ride enjoy a close-up view of the elephants swimming
and frolicking in their favored waterhole from the viewing
deck at the boma - no guarantee that you won’t
get sprayed with a trunkful of water!
We offer three encounters daily,
starting at 08h00, 11h00 and 15h30. The encounter lasts
for approximately 2 1/2 hours.
A once in a lifetime safari adventure
- at one with nature, following in the footsteps of
the ancients...
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TREE
TOP CANOPY TOURS
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The Tsitsikamma
Canopy Tour© is a unique eco-wilderness
adventure that takes place in the magnificent
Tsitsikamma indigenous rainforest.
The first of its
kind in Africa, the canopy tour involves traversing
from one platform to another along a steel cable
suspended up to 30 meters above the forest floor...
Most platforms are
located in giant Outeniqua Yellowwood trees.
The scenery and bird life is spectacular and
professional guides provide interesting facts
about the forest ecology during the 2½
to 3 hours.
The concept of
guiding people through the upper canopy of a
rainforest originated in Costa Rica, where adventurous
biologists devised new methods for accessing
the forest canopy in order to conduct research
on the undiscovered canopy ecosystem. The idea
soon developed into a breathtaking form of eco-tourism
which allowed people to enter and experience
a previously inaccessible natural environment.
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Construction of the Tsitsikamma
Canopy Tour© has been done in accordance with
strict civil engineering standards. The system was
designed and created by an adventurous civil engineer
who constructed a similar canopy tour in Costa Rica.
The safety standards have been significantly enhanced
and the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour© uses state of
the art equipment and has been rated as the most sophisticated
of it's kind in the world. Concept to completion took
fourteen and a half months.
The tour begins with a detailed
safety briefing followed by a 'kitting up' session
where full body harness, pulleys and climbing equipment
is issued and checked. A short drive into the Tsitsikamma
forest and it is time to monkey around!
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From
the start on the launch platform a new world unfolds
as one gently glides on a steel cable to the first tree
platform. All groups are escorted through the forest
canopy by a lead guide and a follow guide to ensure
your safety as you slide from tree to tree. The platforms,
built high up in the giant Outeniqua Yellowwoods, provide
an unbelievable view of this enchanting new world -
any fear of heights is soon lost as you gather in your
new surroundings...
Spend a couple
of minutes relaxing while your guides enthusiastically
explain the ecology of the forest - pointing out different
trees and the magnificent giant ferns way below. The
bird life is incredible. Knysna Loeries, sightings of
the elusive Narina Trogon and the Vervet monkey are
not uncommon.
The Tsistikamma
Canopy Tour© consists of 10 platforms and 10 'fufi'
slides, the longest of which is 100m! About three hours
later you exit the forest, having undertaken the journey
of a lifetime. You have contributed to the creation
of new jobs and are helping the forest regeneration
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BLOUKRANS
BUNGEE JUMPING
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The concrete
and steel bridge spans the gorge 216 exhilarating metres
above the Bloukrans River. It is the longest singlespan
bridge in Africa, but that’s not its main attraction.
What people gather to see is not the view or the bridge,
impressive though each may be. They come to share in
the breathtaking experience of falling off!
Technically,
it’s a 216 m jump, but in reality the jumpers
simply lean forward out over that enormous emptiness
and drop away, head first. The carefully calculated
length of cord is attached to the ankles, and, of course,
to the bridge. The gentle yo-yo effect is part of the
experience in which the adrenaline-pumping free fall
lasts no more than a few of the most memorable seconds
of anyone’s life!
Once the motion
has been reduced to a gentle arc, an operator is lowered
to help the jumper get the right way up again, ready
to be hauled back up to the roadside. For those who
simply want to watch, there is a viewing platform with
a spectacular view at the side of the Bloukrans Bridge.
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Valley
Bushveld Country Lodge | Tel: +27 41 961 5038 | Fax: +27 86
684 7343 | safaris@worldonline.co.za
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