Adopt the pace of

nature. Her secret

is patience.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

September. October. November. 2017 // 1

 Hello
Help ensure their tomorrow

BEST INTERNATIONAL
REAL ESTATE AGENCY,
MARKETING.
To experience award-winning service,
LETTER FROM ANDREW ILES
contact the property experts for sales,
rentals and free valuation advice. Welcome to the third edition of the Ashtons Into the Wild

pamgolding.co.za magazine. If you’re reading this during an Ashtons transfer, we

are delighted to have you with us and trust that our staff are
taking the best care of you.

Once again we keep conservation in the spotlight with a

STANDARD TOUR: feature on the ‘Black Mambas’ anti-poaching unit of the Balule
Educational and exciting 2-hour guided tours through the Centre. 7 days a week.
CHEETAH FOCUS TOUR: Reserve. And our usual community upliftment feature on
Standard tour, Cheetah run, Wild Dog feeding and Vulture feeding.
DELI & ACCOMMODATION:
On-site Deli and self-catering accommodation available: BOOKINGS ‘Nourish’ is complemented by information on how to invest
Khula’s Cottage (sleeps 6 - 8) & Sebeka Guesthouse (sleeps 6) ESSENTIAL
some of your time for good via ‘Voluntourism’.

Tel: +27 15 793 1633 | Mobile: +27 83 654 2279

Email: frontoffice@cheetahcentre.co.za
WWW.HESC.CO.ZA
As a new feature of our quarterly magazine, we now include
a very useful checklist that you can use to record the major
animal and bird species that you encounter during your safari.
Don’t forget our fantastic cover photo competition! Please be
sure to take your copy of the magazine home with you and
share it with friends and family.

As a company we are very excited about the launch of the new

‘Kruger Shuttle: Hazyview’ which commences operation on 1
November 2017. The service links Johannesburg with Nelspruit,
White River, Hazyview, Protea Hotel Kruger Gate, and Skukuza
on a daily basis, offering affordable add-on transfers in the
Hazyview area. During July the Ashtons fleet was expanded by
two 14-seater Toyota Quantums, with further fleet expansion
planned for the last quarter of the year.

If this is your first time visiting South Africa, we hope that you
enjoy the beauty and diversity as the journey unfolds. Take in
all the sights, sounds and smells that Africa has to offer as you
travel with us Into the Wild.
Contact us to take advantage of our marketing expertise:
Hoedspruit 015 793 2712 or 082 565 3611
lowveld@pamgolding.co.za Andrew
pamgolding.co.za/hoedspruit

2 // September. October. November. 2017 September. October. November. 2017 // 3

 ASHTONS INTO THE WILD TEAM

PUBLISHER & SALES

LORNA MACLEOD

ART DIRECTOR 10 CLEARING THE HAZE

ALICE FREEDMAN ASHTONS GUIDE TO HAZYVIEW

JUNIOR DESIGNER 14 MAKING A DIFFERENCE

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMME
ROXANNE CONRADIE

ADMINISTRATION & SALES 16 TSKANE

A WALKING SAFARI
KIRSTEN MACMILLAN

ADVERTISING
18 WITH THE BLACK MAMBAS
ON TRACK WITH THIS FEMALE ANTI-POACHING UNIT
ANDY SULLIVAN +27 (0)73 337 2094

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
22 TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
CONTRIBUTING TO CONSERVATION
EMMA JORDAN

COVER PHOTO
BRAD MARAIS

PUBLISHED BY MAC PUBLISHING

& CONSULTING ON BEHALF OF
ASHTONS.

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
lorna@macpublishing.co.za
+27 (0)78 425 4382

6 ASHTONS TEAM, SCHEDULES & IMPORTANT INFORMATION

7 ROUTE MAP
9 PROFILE - MYMOENA DAVIDS
26 WILD NEWS
28 FUN STUFF, LETTERS, COMPETITIONS

Hello and welcome to this, our third issue of Ashtons Into the Wild. We’re
so excited about this issue as we showcase The Black Mambas, a group of
strong women who are making a real difference in the fight against rhino
MAC
designdesign, i am also
the brainchild of me, a mother, a wife, a
Alice, a graphic designer, daughter, a sister, a friend
visual artist, digital manipulator, and in the face of deadlines
creative, creator, daydreamer, a contortionist. I have dogs,
thinker and all round ideas-girl. a cat, two goldfish, a home, I pay taxes.
i have tattoos. Unconventional – yes.i breathe colour,
think in shapes and when I design, it’s love that moves my hand
for typography, for bold lines and daring design. love for the aesthetic,
i get a kick out of composition

poaching (pg 18), plus Kathleen Retourne accounts how she gave up her
and get goosebumps when I see visual harmony emerge on paper or pixel.
i live to design and design to live. What inspires me? Life, love,
smiles, drinking coffee, modernity, clean lines borne of clever thought,
art, illustrations, good food, great typography. Everything inspires,
from manga, music, movies, a colour swatch to the shapes
of trees, birds on a wire. My ideas stem from simplicity
a life less complicated and complemented by design that echoes such.
I don’t just design, I create.I think out of the box, I rethink
the box. Break it down, turn it inside out and upside down
so that at the end of it, it’s not a box but whatever it is
you want it to be. Life’s short, live it with

Publishing
endless love and reckless abandon.
Dance when people are watching,
paint your walls all shades
of awesome, laugh
often, have fun
and just
be

& Consulting
successful career as a financial journalist to volunteer in Africa (pg 23).
Editorial Disclaimer. Ashtons and Mac Publishing
Talking about ordinary people doing great things, we’re still running
consider its sources reliable and verifies as much data our competition for fabulous cover photos and hope you’ll continue to
as possible. However, reporting inaccuracies can occur,
consequently readers using this information do so at
send in fantastic photos that capture the essence of your South African
their own risk. While every effort has been made to safari perfectly.
ensure that information is correct at the time of going
to print, Mac Publishing & Consulting cannot be held
As does our new checklist, take the magazine with you and as you
responsible for the outcome of any action or decision spend your days unwinding in the bush, tick off all the animals you spot.
based on the information contained in this publication.
The publishers or authors do not give any warranty for the
Turn it into a game at the end of the day and compare with friends and
completeness or accuracy for this publication’s content, family.
explanation or opinion. © Mac Publishing & Consulting.
Happy reading, ticking and travelling!
Wild team xx
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in

Ashtons Into the

The
any form without prior written permission of the Publisher.
Permission is only deemed valid if approval is in writing.
Ashtons buy all rights to contributions, text and images,
unless previously agreed to in writing.

September. October. November. 2017 // 5

ASHTONS WHY BOOK THE ASHTONS KRUGER SHUTTLE?

TEAM Over 55 000 clients already booked between January 2010 and August 2017.

Daily departures from Johannesburg, Hoedspruit, Skukuza, Protea Hotel

Kruger Gate, and Hazyview with no minimum passenger requirements or
single supplements.
OPERATIONS
Ian Mitchell Opportunity to view some of South Africa’s most beautiful scenery en route.
David Harrison
Mzu Peter Provides the most affordable transfer between JOHANNESBURG and the
game lodges and safari operations in the greater HOEDSPRUIT, PHALABORWA,
RESERVATIONS HAZYVIEW & Southern Kruger areas.
reservations@ashtonstours.com
+27 (0)21 683 0234 Our fixed pricing makes travelling between JHB and Hoedspruit/KMIA the most
cost effective.
Corien Mitchell
Monica Ehlers Ashtons offers 7 Hoedspruit area shuttle locations which are at or close to all
Elize De Meyer main reserve gates for lodge collection and return.
Nelia Nel
Ashtons also offers shuttle rates for transfer between Johannesburg and every
MARKETING game lodge in the greater Hoedspruit & Hazyview areas - separate vehicles are
Andrew Iles used for the local transfers.
Mymoena Davids
Lee Verschoor International quality shuttle vehicles - clients are transferred in 14-seater
Aby Kane Toyota Quantums with air-conditioning, individual seat belts, bottled water,
cup holders, magazine nets, satellite tracking, and large luggage trailers.
DRIVERS
Chris Cosnett R100 Million Passenger Liability Insurance and PAX-Sure of R500 000 per seat.
Brendon Matthysen
James Wheeler Shuttle drivers are very experienced, have a valid professional driving permit,
Gerhard Scheepers and each drive for maximum 6-8 hours per day.
Hector Ndlovu
Ruza Scheepers Ashtons has been a South African tour operator since 1993 and is a Bonded
Johan Britz National Member of SATSA (membership number 486).
Gilly Gordon
Hannes van Helsdingen The Ashtons Kruger Shuttles are endorsed by all the major tour operators,
Yorke Scott lodges and accommodation facilities that bring international tourists into the
Nelius van Rooyen Greater Kruger areas & surrounds.

SHUTTLE SCHEDULE
Kruger Shuttle: Hoedspruit
Pick-up / Drop-off Location Arrival time from Johannesburg Departure time to Johannesburg Applicable Reserves & Areas
OR Tambo Depart at 06h45 Arrives at 17h00 - 18h00 -
Southern Boom Gate 12h15 - 12h45 12h00 Karongwe, Makalali
Three Bridges 12h30 - 13h00 11h45 Parsons, Grietjie and Pabalorwa
Olifants West Gate 12h45 - 13h15 11h30 Balule
York Gate 12h45 - 13h15 11h30 Balule
Kamogelo 13h00 - 13h30 11h15 Hoedspruit and surrounds
East Gate Airport 13h15 - 13h45 11h00 Kapama, Thornybush
The Bush Pub and Inn 13h15 - 13h45 10h45 Klaserie, Timbavati


Kruger Shuttle: Hazyview
Pick-up / Drop-off Location Arrival time from Johannesburg Departure time to Johannesburg Applicable Reserves & Areas
OR Tambo Depart at 07h45 Arrives at 17h00 - 18h00 -
Nelspruit - Shell N4 Highway 11h15 - 11h45 13h15 Nelspruit
White River - Sitanani Caltex 11h45 - 12h15 12h45 White River
Hazyview - Perry’s Bridge 12h30 - 13h00 12h00 Hazyview
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate 13h30 -14h00 11h00 Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands
Skukuza 14h30 - 15h00 10h00 Kruger National Park

6 // September. October. November. 2017 September. October. November. 2017 // 7

 ELEPHANT
MYMOENA DAVIDS INTERACTION
EXPERIENCE AT CAMP JABULANI
campjabulani.com

Meet and interact with a herd of rescued

African elephants in their natural Big 5 habitat!
Everyday 06:20 - 08:00
An up close & personal introduction to some of
the members of the Camp Jabulani herd - you’ll
get to feed them, hear their incredible story
and enjoy great photographic opportunities.

GPS Coordinates of MEETING POINT on

Guernsey Road: S 24° 26' 27.83" | E 31° 07' 38.59"
BOOKINGS: Tel: +27 15 793 1265
Mobile: +27 82 922 0120
Email: campjabulani@campjabulani.com
Part of the Ashtons marketing team, Mymoena Davids lives
in Cape Town with her two year old daughter. A seasoned
adventurer Mymoena loves the outdoors and relaxing with
friends and family.

Ashtons Into the Wild caught up with her to find out more
about her role within the team.

Describe your role with Ashtons Tours? The ultimate

I started as a reservations consultant in 2007, in the early Big 5 experience at
days of Ashtons when we were primarily focused on car hire.
By 2009 our team had grown to ten members and in 2010
we launched our first shuttle between Johannesburg and Tshukudu Private
Kruger. Then the recession hit and we experienced a decline
in car rental bookings. Simultaneously the shuttle was just
Game Reserve
lifting off and I was dealing with not only reservations, but
with month end data and other accounting admin as well as
back-end website work. As time passed the shuttle became Tshukudu
our main focus and we stopped car rental reservations Game Lodge
completely. I then decided to work on our social media
activity and from that point forward I naturally transitioned
into marketing. For the past three years I’ve handled the
Ashtons Tours’ B2B and customer marketing as well as our
Full board safari
social media and website lodge packages. lodge
Why do you love working for Ashtons?
Working for Ashtons Tours gives me flexibility to work
remotely which has allowed me to build a better life for me
and my family by creating a balance; I can focus on what’s
important.

Your most memorable experience while on the job?

My first trip ever to the Kruger was with Ashtons in 2008 and
we took our clients to the African Ivory Route (a group of
camps in the Kruger). While sleeping in a tent was extremely
adventurous for me, I actually managed to survive the night,
although the noisy hippos just outside my tent and the
sounds of lions was an experience I will not forget. www.tshukudulodge.co.za | bookings@tshukudulodge.co.za
8 // September. October. November. 2017 (015) 793-2476 / 1886 or (013) 492-0339 / 40
 CLEARING
a 450m long cable, descending at a
gradient of 45 degrees, reaching a speed
of up to 100 km/h, wind screaming in
your ears, trees flashing past you.
“Geckoing” or White Water Tubing

THE HAZE
is one of the most popular adventure
activities in the area. This unique
adventure offers you the chance to
descend the Sabie River Gorge with a
“Gecko”. A Gecko is a white-water tube,
oval shaped and has a floor preventing
you from bumping your bottom on rock
Andy Sullivan spent three days in Hazyview, uncovering the best of and log. You can also River Raft on the
gorge if that is more to your liking.
this gateway town to the North. If you prefer to be in contact with the
land, then there’s quad biking excursions,
FEATURE BY Andy Sullivan paint balling, horse trails, elephant riding
and more. For your extreme adventure
visit www.africansafariadventures.co.za
for more details.
If sedate activities are more your
speed, then check out the Elephant
Sanctuary – Hazyview, situated off the
Sabie Road just 5km outside of the town.
The Elephant Sanctuary – Hazyview is a
600 hectare reserve that is home to two
African elephants: Kasper ‘the gentle
giant’ is a stunningly huge 3.3m tall
male who was hand-reared on a farm
in Namibia; Kitso is an adventurous
and playful 10-year old elephant,
just like his human counterparts! The
Elephant Sanctuary – Hazyview has
elevated wooden walkways, beautifully
constructed decks overlooking water,
riverine and outdoor areas, plus a curio
shop.

Hazyview is a gateway town to the Greater
Kruger National Park, which explains why
so many travelling guests to the region
end up there, and why Ashtons Tours are
adding Hazyview to its ever-growing list of
pick up and drop off shuttle destinations.
The shimmering blue haze over the
Sabie River valley and the hills beyond
lends this busy little town its name. As
local historian, Hans Bornman, puts
it, “The romantic name refers to the
view over the district where banana
plantations dominate the landscape.
The first trees were planted in the early
1950s and since then Kiepersol and
Burgers Hall, south-west of Hazyview,
have become important banana-
producing areas. Six roads, coming from
all directions, converge at Hazyview. It is
a village (town) situated on the farm De
Rust, 35 kilometres east of Sabie, about
35 kilometres north of White River and 53
kilometres west of Skukuza.
“East of Hazyview, on the road to the
Kruger National Park, are the well-known
game sanctuaries such as Londolozi,
SabiSabi, MalaMala, and others. The
concept of nature reserves started
after the proclamation of the Kruger
National Park in 1926. Until then farms
in the Lowveld were utilised for hunting
purposes but with the proclamation of
the Park, conservation awareness was
born. The portion lying to the west of
the park, between the Sabie River in the
south and the Olifants River in the north,
was the first area where the concept of
private nature reserves began.”
PLACES TO SHOP
If you need a retail fix, there are plenty
of outlets in Hazyview that could help
fill that void. Lowveld Mall has just
undergone a major refurbishment which
has transformed this buzzing mall into an
even more exciting shopping experience
as it takes on a fresh new face and a brand
new name. With ample parking, over 200
stores, and conveniently located on the
corner of the R40 and R356, plus all the
Because of Hazyview’s favourable
big stores you love and many small shops
location, you can spend a morning in the
you have yet to discover, the Lowveld Mall
Kruger National Park, only 10 minutes
has it all.
from the town, and arrive back in time
Maybe you want something more
to ride an elephant or throw yourself
traditional to fill the gift list for your loved
down the river on a tube. All of this with
ones back home. In that case a visit to
God’s Window visible on the skyline and
Perry’s Bridge Trading Post and Tourism
the Blyde River Canyon, the world’s third
Centre is a must. With over 25 unique
largest canyon, a short drive away.
shops and restaurants, Perry’s Bridge
There is plenty to do, places to shop
Trading Post & Tourism Centre offers you
and venues to dine, as I can testify having
a unique shopping, dining & adventure
spent a week in this quaint Kruger
experience. Visit www.perrysbridge.co.za
outpost.
for more information.
THINGS TO DO
PLACES TO EAT
For the thrill seeker in you, there is an
Sticking with Perry’s Bridge, there are
armada of activities that you can enjoy.
four restaurants that you can visit to
Like zip lining for example. Get strapped
into a high speed pulley running on ( WHITE WATER RAFTING : SABIE RIVER VALLEY

10 // September. October. November. 2017 September. October. November. 2017 // 11

dine and unwind at after a busy day. If
it’s pizza and pasta that you crave, then
Topolinos is for you. The restaurant has a
very casual and social vibe and welcomes
all to have a pleasant dining experience.
Pizzas are made with fresh toppings and
baked in their legendary woodfire oven.
Pasta dishes include the Italian classics as
well as many vegetarian options.
Kuka Café, which is also at Perry’s
Bridge, has the saying ‘Great food
meets café culture’ and with a mix of
creative cocktails and delicious food,
complimented by an extensive wine
list, you can see and feel the passion of
the place. From sumptuous breakfasts,
lunches and dinners, to coffee delights
and superb cocktails, Kuka offers it all
are sure to have a lovely stay whether it
be for one night or two weeks. One word
of caution. There are no local taxi firms
operating in Hazyview, which does make
it difficult for travellers to get about if they
have come in via shuttle. And the closest
rent a car company is 30 kms away, so
you will need to make arrangements for
localised travel before you organise an
extended stay.
Because of
Hazyview’s
PLACES TO STAY
Hazyview boasts over 85 hotels and B&B’s,
ranging from the luxurious to the more
humble three-star accommodations.
If budget isn’t an issue, then why not
try Highgrove House Country Hotel.
Highgrove House is situated on a 64
hectare (158 acres) farm, 20 minutes
away from Kruger National Park, and
combines distinctive accommodation in
Mpumalanga along with gourmet cuisine
and a hideaway pastoral setting offering
sweeping views over the Mpumalanga
Lowveld valley.
If you would like something more
centralised then Perry’s Bridge Hollow
Boutique Hotel could be the place for
you. Set in beautiful grounds, in a colonial-

favourable location,
and more. style Lifestyle Centre – Perry’s Bridge
For traditional home comforts for Trading Post – this charming boutique
the traveling South African there is also hotel is just 20 minutes from Kruger
a Running Brave Spur to help with any
homesickness that you may be feeling.
you can spend National Park and close to the Panorama
Route, a dramatically scenic region
For meat lovers, there is only one
destination for you…Pioneers Butchers a morning in the home to highlights such as Blyde River
Canyon, Pilgrim’s Rest, God’s Window
and Grill. The Restaurant is elegantly
furnished, trendy, modern and up-market
with bench and table seating for up to
Kruger National and Bourke’s Luck Potholes, making this
a convenient base from which to explore
South Africa’s Kruger Lowveld region.
120 guests. They offer a relaxing guest
lounge and bar, air-conditioned smoking
Park, only 10 Also set about 20 minutes from the
Kruger is the Protea Hotel by Marriot.
area behind glass, a kiddies playroom
complete with electronic games and
minutes from the This hotel nestles on a hill overlooking
the beautiful Sand River Valley. This
DVD movies as well as a safe and secure
outside playground. Guests can also town, and arrive charming country retreat is situated on a
magnificent 10-acre garden estate with
select their own size cut of beef from
the butcher for that special braai in the
Kruger Park or to enjoy at home.
back in time to ride breathtaking views and superb facilities.
To find the best B&B’s to fit your
holiday, check out those popular travel
When I visited Hazyview, I got the
sense that this was a small town with
an elephant or sites like Airbnb or Trivago, and find the
place that suits you and your family.
a big heart. All the local businesses are
working hard to meet the needs and throw yourself down
wants of the hordes of tourists that pass
through with a welcome smile, and you the river on a tube. For more info check out
www.lowveldtourism.co.za

BOURKE’S LUCK POTHOLES AT BLYDE RIVER CANYON :

12 // September. October. November. 2017
 “I started Nourish when I was 22 years

Making a difference
old, and as we now celebrate being

ABOUT
around for almost six years, it’s amazing
and more than a little special for me to
see the progress we have made, and the
difference we make in the lives of children NOURISH
and the community every single day. Nourish is a South
African non-profit
Sarah Bergs started NOURISH six years ago. An integrated community charity that faces However, this hasn’t always been an easy
organization dedicated
journey, and for many people that know
daily sustainability issues and has real impact. This is her story and the story of an NGO me personally, or have been involved with to uplifting local
that can make real change with even the smallest amount of help.
Nourish over the years - these are the communities, promoting
people that have insight into how much
heart it takes to make an NGO survive social responsibility

Real
in this economic climate, how much we and encouraging
rely on and survive on people believing environmental
in Nourish’s goals and projects and
supporting us financially.
education. Nourish

stories
strives to improve the
There have been times when we feel lives of people and the
like we live on faith alone, and its a scary environment; we believe
journey because working with children
and in the community mean that we have that the environmental
a commitment.
PRINCE NKUNA
“I’ve been with Sarah since the
integrity of a community
beginning and my role now is to is inextricably linked
We have created a support system, and
have people relying on us to help educate
help teach the communities and the to the strength of its
their children, grow food in our gardens,
children about the environment and people, body and soul.
to raise their awareness about anti-
and create jobs – and it’s a daunting
poaching and how important it is
WANT TO HELP?
knowledge that at the end of every day
for all of us that our animals and our
and week that people look to us for this
land is looked after.”
income. In a sense we hold hope. And this
is not something we take lightly. Ashtons has set up a
donation account for
But Nourish’s story is so different to
those of many NGOs and projects. We
Nourish. Simply scan
didn’t start from a corporate company’s this QR code and follow
outreach, or a church mission trip, or an the steps. Download
international organisation branching out. Zapper from
We didn’t have the support of a game
reserve behind us... it was just essentially
www.zapper.com
me, with a group of people who believed
in me, and in the ideals that Nourish stood
for and in the difference Nourish wanted
to make to both wildlife and community
spaces.
LIFA FARRENCE SIWELANE
Don’t get me wrong, over the years, we
“Nourish is important as it helps our
have gained more support - but every
community, we often face a lot of
month is still survival for us... fundraising
challenges. For me Nourish helps as
for core costs and running costs of an
I teach in the creche and Nourish
organisation doesn’t come easily, and
funds the creche, which means the
I think people underestimate just how
kids get looked after, and they’re part
much donations of time, resources, and
of a feeding scheme. They provide a
money make to an organisation like
lot of help.”
Nourish.

The long and short answer is, ALL THE

DIFFERENCE. Nourish would not be here
today but for having the financial and
moral support of people that believe in
our goals, and want to help us along the
Photo by Sabrina Chielens

way! Through these donations we host our

daily feeding scheme for 20-50 vulnerable
children, we do English reading and Eco
Clubz, we provide preschool education
for 20 children, and we reach over
1500 children through environmental
education. This, Nourish, would not be
possible, without people, all the people
that give a little or a lot .... It’s much like
the African philosophy of Ubuntu, “I am
because you are”.”
14 // September. October. November. 2017 September. October. November. 2017 // 15
 A walking safari A Walking Safari encapsulates
all elements of a wilderness
experience. Walking in the
bush is adventurous as it’s
often difficult to predict what
interesting flora and fauna and
A Walking Safari encapsulates all elements of a wilderness experience. often dangerous game will be
encountered. It’s educational
as the regions biodiversity is
explored as the puzzle which
links all species is explained. It
is also a little spiritual as we put
into perspective the natural and
unnatural factors which affect
biodiversity. We also provide
some insight into the challenges
faced and techniques employed
by conservation managers who
act as the custodians of this vast
and diverse conservation area.
Tsakane Walking Safaris are
conducted from their two
purpose built safari camps
situated in the Greater Kruger
Conservancy.

Tsakane Indawo Trails is unfenced

and has been carefully designed
to fully integrate with its natural
surrounding environment.
A maximum of 8 guests are
accommodated in four twin safari
tents while a traditional open-air
dinner boma, splash pool and
lounge deck with sweeping views
across the reserve complete
the camps facilities. All meals
are traditionally prepared on
an open fire and safari activities
include morning walks, midday
conservation activities and
afternoon / night drives. Guests
are hosted by an experienced
Trails Ranger and Tracker.

Tsakane Safari Camp is set

in a beautifully maintained
indigenous garden. Guest
facilities include a pool, reading
lounge, bar, open-air dinner
boma, jacuzzi, conversation
lounge and dining room. A
maximum of four guests are
accommodated in two twin or
double en-suite chalets, all set in
the bush fanning the perimeter
of the camp. We believe that
catering is integral to the Walking
Safari experience so meals are Balule Nature Reserve
expertly prepared by our resident Sabie Game Park
Camp Cook on an open fire in 015 590 1442
conversation with guests. www.tsakanesafari.com

16 // September. October. November. 2017 September. October. November. 2017 // 17

 WITH THE BLACK
Like most predators, they stalk their
prey with stealth and cunning. It can
take hours, perhaps days and nights, of
tracking but when their quarry is finally
cornered there is little chance of escape.
private reserves. It is a Noah’s Ark the size
of Wales.
Fittingly the commander of the anti-
poaching operation is a distant relative
of Sir Winston Churchill. As chief warden
grounds and provide intelligence on
suspects in their own communities.
Once poachers have been identified,
Spencer recruits ‘plants’ to infiltrate the
gangs and warn of impending raids.

MAMBAS
They call them the Black Mambas,
a para-military unit of women recruited
from local communities on the western
boundaries of South Africa’s Kruger Park
to combat the scourge of rhino poaching
for their horns, and the butchering of
The Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit is the first majority female anti-poaching unit in other animals for “bush meat”.
South Africa. Founded in 2013 by Transfrontier Africa NPC, to protect the Olifants West They are the eyes and ears of armed
tactical response units of ex-soldiers on
Region of Balule Nature Reserve, the Black Mambas now protect all boundaries of the constant patrol in the Balule Nature
Reserve, a 50,000 hectare private reserve
52,000ha Balule Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park.
open to the Kruger that has seen a sharp
drop in poaching thanks to their efforts.
FEATURE BY Gavin Bell The theatre of this conflict is a
seemingly endless, undulating green
ocean of thorn trees and bush willow
washing over baked ochre earth where
a kaleidoscope of wildlife roams freely
between Kruger and neighbouring
of Balule, Craig Spencer is a fiercely
committed conservationist who tends to
wander around in shorts and bare feet,
accompanied by a three-legged German
shepherd that guards him ferociously.
A son of the African soil, he was born
in Botswana, although a grandfather was
a cousin of Churchill. When he formed
the Mambas – named after Africa’s most
deadly snake – he modeled their modus
operandi on British policing.
“It is a replica of a system that has
worked in Britain for a hundred years,
with community involvement, bobbies
on the beat, and an armed response
unit,” he says. “The Mambas are our
bobbies.”
Armed only with pepper spray and
handcuffs, they patrol poachers’ hunting
“Then we jump them,” he says.
There have been firefights, but the
poachers are heavily outgunned and
Spencer regrets that lives have been lost
among them. “We don’t want to create
widows and orphans. We’re not going to
win this on a battleground, we’re only
buying time. The only thing that is going
to work is getting the communities to
support us.”
Part of the problem is that poachers
bring wealth to poor communities,
and Spencer draws a historical parallel:
“They are Robin Hood, I’m the Sheriff
of Nottingham and this is Sherwood
Forest.”
But the Mambas are earning respect
in their villages, liaison officers are taking
the conservation message into schools,

I am proud to be in this team. It is important to

protect the nature for our children and grandchildren,
and my community is proud we are doing this job
because they feel we are making a difference.

Photos by James Suter and Julia Gunther

: THE BLACK MAMBAS IN THE FIELD

18 // September. October. November. 2017 September. October. November. 2017 // 19

and attitudes are changing.
Created in 2013 with six women, the
ranks of the Mambas have grown to 36.
I meet some of them in Spencer’s office
in the reserve before they go on patrol,
and it is clear they are passionate about
saving ‘their’ wildlife.
Yenzekile, a softly spoken 23 year-
old, says: “I am proud to be in this team.
It is important to protect the nature for
our children and grandchildren, and my
community is proud we are doing this
job because they feel we are making a
difference.”
Leitah, 21, says: “Poachers have big
guns, but we are not afraid. We are
fighting for our animals and showing
people that women can be beautiful and
strong.”
In the heart of this wilderness are
small lodges where lions sometimes
come calling. They did on my first night
at Greenfire Game Lodge, a discreet
array of luxury timber and glass chalets
perched above a seasonal river in the
Balule reserve.
Our game drive next morning begins
with a short walk to their al fresco dining
room. “There was a kill during the night,”
our guide says. “The lions should be gone,
but if anything does happen don’t run.”
Barely 200 yards from the lodge
lies the half-eaten carcass of a female
buffalo. It appears the lions had
devoured another kill a few hours before,
and this was merely dessert. When we
return a day later, all that remains are
the skull and fragments of rib cage. The
lions had come back, followed by a pack
of hyenas.
Exuberant life and violent death in
the bushveld is a constant cycle. Five
minutes into our drive on a rutted dirt
track, we come to a zebra crossing - half
a dozen of them in fact, wandering
across our path undisturbed by our
presence.
Next a herd of impala bounds away,
delicate doe-eyed antelopes known
locally as ‘MacDo bucks’ because they
are everywhere and are savoured as fast
food by lions and leopards.
A tawny eagle hovers in the warm,
still air looking for a takeaway snack,
then three giraffes appear, munching
on the upper branches of trees. They
gaze at us with interest, and placidly
continue browsing. Born to be ungainly,
these comical marvels of nature move
with surprising grace and elegance, like
perambulating lighthouses.
A dark chanting goshawk is perched
dramatically on the skeleton of a
knobthorn tree, a couple of warthogs trot
off at our approach, wildebeest graze
peacefully, and giant termite mounds
rise like the ruins of ancient fortresses.
This is an Old Macdonald’s Farm
20 // September. October. November. 2017
of exotic wildlife, and I wish I were Dr
Dolittle, the fictional naturalist who could
speak with animals.
We stop for sundowners in a shelter
on high ground overlooking a huge
swathe of the Kruger, framed by a hazy
profile of the Drakensburg Mountains on
the western horizon like sleeping giants.
The air is still and quiet, fostering an
illusion of the savannah falling asleep
to lullabies of birdsong. The reality is
that predators are rousing for a night
of hunting, and their prey are alert and
afraid.
Our guide is Wian van Zyl, a young
Afrikaner whose previous day job was
monitoring rhinos in KwaZulu-Natal. This
had its lively moments, notably being
pursued on a scrambler motorbike by
lions and elephants, and being knocked
off one by a charging rhino. “I jumped off
and ran to hide behind a tree, and luckily
the rhino went for the bike. He smashed
it to pieces in minutes.”
When asked, Wian describes
how poachers disable a rhino with a
single shot, then hack off its horn with
machetes and axes, often while the
animal is still alive. “Sometimes half the
face goes with the horn. I hate to think
of what the animals are going through
in their last moments. You have a mix
of emotions, you feel sad, you feel angry,
you feel confused.”
An unremitting slaughter of rhinos
continues throughout southern Africa,
all for quack Asian medicine. Powdered
horn is being traded by international
gangs for $6,000 dollars per kilo, and
with horns weighing an average five
kilos, this makes it the world’s most
valuable commodity. In fact it is made of
keratin, the same substance as human
hair and fingernails, which has no proven
medicinal benefits. Somebody should
tell the Chinese.
Guests at Greenfire Lodge are not
given keys to their chalets, because
security is not a problem. Adrian the
manager explains: “There are 1,500 lions
out there, not to mention anti-poaching
patrols. Being eaten alive or shot in
the head are fairly strong deterrents
to crime.” I fall asleep peacefully to a
murmur of animal night calls, grateful to
prowling lions and Black Mambas.
Wildlife can be like buses. You drive
around for ages seeing little of note, and
then a parade of wondrous creatures
appears one after the other as if they’re
all heading for the Ark.
Early next day a radio alert sends
us careering over dirt tracks and across
dried riverbeds like rally drivers. On the
other side of a freight railway line, in full
view, an adult male leopard is standing
stock still.
The notoriously secretive, elusive
night hunter looks for all the world as if
he is waiting to hitch a ride on a passing
freight train. In the event none comes,
and he lopes away.
Minutes later we are cruising above
the river bed barely a mile from our
lodge, when we pass a large pool of
water. Lazing beside it are four lions, the
buffalo killers, stretching and yawning
between banquets.
Later a local Shangaan guide explains
why they are unfazed by our presence.
“They are used to us, even our voices.
They know these vehicles can talk, and
do not threaten them.”
Next we encounter a couple of
spotted hyenas dozing in the shade of a
thorn tree, much bigger than I imagined,
but I am beginning to lose hope of
seeing rhino.
Suddenly Wian stops the vehicle
and jumps out to examine the ground.
“Rhino tracks, keep your eyes peeled,” he
says.
So we do, and finally, as the sun
begins its descent in a great crimson
flare, we see them. The great hulking
shapes of four white rhinos moving
ponderously through the bush like a
convoy of armoured vehicles.
To see them in the wild is to marvel
at massive, prehistoric creatures
weighing up to two tons that evoke the
age of dinosaurs. For an instant we are
gazing back in time, and Kruger Park has
become Jurassic Park. There should have
been pterodactyls screeching overhead.
A collective noun for a group of
rhinos is a ‘crash’, and it is easy to see
why.
Years before I encountered a rhino
in Kruger while on foot with a guide. It
blundered out of the bush, came to a
halt barely 20 yards away, and stared
balefully at us. It was like being observed
by a runaway tank.
Fortunately he was a white rhino,
a generally placid species, and after
a while he trotted off from whence
he came, leaving me with a sense of
exhilaration and wonder.
The same excitement and sense of
privilege prevails when watching these
magnificent animals roaming free in
their natural environment from the
safety of a safari vehicle. To think of them
being butchered for faux medicine is
abhorrent.
After nightfall the reserve is a
different world. Strange cries and calls,
green and amber eyes glittering in the
darkness, shadowy shapes glimpsed
through rustling bush - and a traffic jam
of buffalos.
They appear in our headlights like
ghosts with horns, transfixed by the glare
and blocking our path. Any one of them
could wreck our vehicle, but the herd
shuffles off peacefully and in the gloom
it is as if they had been an illusion.
It is a surreal experience driving at
night on a maze of dirt tracks where
it would be suicidal to walk without a
firearm. Wian assures us that lions and
other predators have a deep-rooted
fear of humans, which is why they are
unlikely to venture into our camps. “We
rely on this for our safety,” he says. Along
with high-powered rifles in extremis, of
course.
It is easy for the uninitiated to
become lost in this wilderness. Unless, on
Wildlife can be like buses. You
an early morning walk with a Shangaan
guide, one learns how to determine
points of the compass from termite
drive around for ages seeing little
mounds, and how to find water and food
from the behaviour of elephants and
of note, and then a parade of
monkeys.
We discover that elephant dung is
useful to roll in if you happen to be a lion
wondrous creatures appears one
or a leopard, to disguise your scent when
hunting, and that buffalo thorn branches
after the other as if they’re all
have a magical power to snag the spirits
of recently departed friends and relatives
and bring them home.
heading for the Ark.
We learn about ‘talking’ trees that
warn each other of danger. When
giraffes and other browsers munch on
their leaves, they release a bitter tasting
tannin and the wind carries this scent to
nearby trees that promptly do the same.
Somehow giraffes know this, and feed
upwind.
When we disturb a grazing herd of
impala, we hear and feel the drumming
of their hooves as they flee. We walk in
the tracks of lions, rhinos and hyenas,
and on the ground I spot the mottled
feather of a red-crested korhaan, which
becomes a souvenir bookmark.
We come away marveling at the
extravagant whimsy of nature, and with
renewed appreciation of those fighting
to preserve it. In spite of depressing
poaching statistics throughout southern
Africa, Spencer remains optimistic.
“We’ve brought the rate of poaching
down in our reserve, our numbers are
actually up, and the community is
buying into it.
“There is a rhino crisis, but it’s not the
apocalypse. About a third of rhinos left
are in private hands, so there is always
the possibility of reproduction.”
His Mambas have won a string of
awards, including UNEP ‘Champion
of the Earth’ 2015. With their ranks
growing, one of them, Proud Mkansi,
says: “The poachers must know there are
Mambas watching them, day and night.”
These snakes bite.
For more info and to donate go to
www.blackmambas.org
September. October. November. 2017 // 21
 Take a walk on the wild side
FEATURE BY Kathleen Retourné

After more than a decade working in the UK as a financial journalist,

Kathleen Retourné yearned for an African adventure. This is the story of how she
quit the city to become a conservation volunteer.

December in London. It has just
gone 6am. I stand at a deserted
railway platform. The rain drizzles
miserably, reflecting my mood. My
train has been cancelled. Again.
Frozen fingers type a quick apology
to my work. I sigh, exhaling a cold
breath. There must be more to life
than this.
At a networking event that
evening, I bemoan the lack of
activity in the commodity market.
“I might just chuck it all in and go
live in the African bush,” I say. We
all laugh. Except I am not joking. A
flicker of excitement runs through
me. A plan starts to form.
The weekend is spent on the
laptop, looking for inspiration.
Enough is enough – it is time to
make a change. My fingers hover
over the keyboard. I haven’t a clue
where to start. I want to travel, but I
want it to have a purpose – not just
aimless wandering. Karongwe, and then three months
The longer the placement
the better. I want to completely
immerse myself.
A quick Google search for
volunteer projects brings up a
deluge of sites. Overwhelmed,
I start looking at review sites
such as Go Overseas. I break it
down by my interests; Africa,
animals, conservation, community
development. The list becomes
more palatable.
To be on the safe side, I utilise
my journalist stalking skills, trawling
the internet and reading the
feedback other volunteers have left.
A six month wildlife conservation
internship offered by Global Vision
International (GVI) grabs my
attention – it promises conservation
techniques, animal tracking
skills, predator monitoring and
community outreach. Three months
will be spent at the GVI base in
on a work placement..
I start to tell people my plans.
The response is mixed. My twin
sister recognises my adventurous
streak – she gives a firm thumbs
up. My elder brother is unsure.
He worries about me going to
Africa alone. My dad knows I am
ungovernable and will go ahead
regardless!
Friends are a divided – some are
insanely jealous, others think I am
crazy to give-up my comfortable
existence. My boss tries to talk me
out of going, but my mind is set.
Still, it is a big decision. I have just
turned 35 years old, recently split
from my long-term partner and in
the process of selling the house.
Was I really going to quit my job
and leave the country, too?
Despite hours of research and
advice from GVI, there’s still an
element of uncertainty and the fear
I am making a big mistake. I worry
it will be full of young students
and I will be the old granny of the
group. Or, that everyone will have
experience or qualifications in
conservation and I will be shown-up
as an amateur.
These fears are quashed upon
arrival. It is a real mix of people,
ages and backgrounds, from all
round the world. All, however, share
a common goal - a passion for
conservation.
I am curious as to what our
living space will be like. I had
been warned of limited electricity,
WiFi and basic food rations. There
are communal bedrooms and
bathrooms - a far cry from what I
am used to.
But, strangers quickly become
friends. The volunteers cook the
food and surpass expectations. Sure,
the WiFi is temperamental and solar
power means we are sometimes
plunged into darkness. But, why
would I want to check Facebook
when I have giraffe strolling casually
into the volleyball court, or impala
rutting in the garden?
The staff are trained field guides
and are hugely passionate. They
share our joy in stumbling across
lions on a kill, an elephant herd
playing at a waterhole, or a pangolin
curled under a tree.
When there are no animals to
look at, we learn what has been in
the area by the tracks (or spoors)
on the ground. It is incredible how
much information a print can tell
you – from how long ago it was left,
the size of the animal and even how
fast it was going.
Our days start early, up for 5am,
which takes some getting used to.
But, I never tire of watching the
bush come alive. The sun rising high
as the darkness sinks, birds calling
out their night time secrets, while
zebra and giraffe sleepily shake their
heads as they step out into golden
light.
Days are spent collecting data on
the animals, either on game drives
or by the camera traps we have
placed. There are also bird surveys,
game counts and general reserve
work.
Twice a day we track and
report data on the resident female
cheetah. She is habituated to
humans so, although she is wild, she
will tolerate us walking in with her.
Later, we release three male
cheetahs. Seeing the males and
female meet for the first time is one
of the most rewarding moments
of the trip so far. The reserve has
lions and leopard which make it
a challenging environment – by
breeding predator-savvy cheetah we
are actively part of conservation.
It is not all wild animals. For
conservation to succeed, education
is vital. As part of the community

22 // September. October. November. 2017 September. October. November. 2017 // 23

outreach programme we produce
a presentation on rhino poaching
to teach the local school children.
We are hopeful we can educate
them about the rhino’s plight as it
marches closer to extinction, the
greed of humans dangerously close
to permanently sealing its death
warrant.
The three months at GVI speed
by, and I am currently one month
into my work placement with Wild
Volunteers in Hluhluwe. The project
is speered by Anton Roberts and is
run alongside his Albizia business,
which caters for students. The Wild
Volunteers project is fairly new, but
has the potential to lead to some
great things for conservation.
There are big plans for expansion,
knocking down neighbouring fences
and returning what was previously
pineapple and cattle farms back to
its rightful state as a home for wild
animals. I love that we are here from
the start, watching the pieces of the
24 // September. October. November. 2017
puzzle slide into place.
Days here are spent looking after
injured/orphaned animals before
they are released back into the
wild. We also run camera traps and
bucket traps in a bid to find out
what is on the reserve.
As well, we help the Albizia
students get to grips with
conservation. They are the future
and watching their excitement
as they discover Africa is hugely
rewarding.
I am learning so much about
how conservation works and how
it differs in South Africa compared
to other countries. All the parks
here – both private and national
– are fenced, which means active
management is required to keep
populations and habitats in balance.
My pre-conceptions are challenged.
My knowledge grows.
Aside from the work itself,
the internship is providing a
springboard and insight into
working in conservation. It is also
opening doors to network with
people within the industry, building
my contact book in the process.
I still have two months left, but I
decide I am not ready to go back.
Not just yet. The cold streets of
London will have to wait a while
longer for my return. For now, I
am doing all I can to continue my
journey and remain in Africa.
Further details on the placement
can be found below:
GVI www.gvi.co.uk | Wild Volunteers
www.wildvolunteers.co.za | Albizia
www.albizia.co.za | Kathleen also
writes a blog about her time in
Africa at: www.whatdoesthegiraffesay.
wordpress.com
Photos by Global Vision International
A VOLUNTEER AT WORK :
September. October. November. 2017 // 25
 WILD NEWS
Here’s our round up of news
in the Parks and events
taking place in some of the
towns on the Ashtons Tours
routes.
SA NATIONAL
PARKS WEEK
18 - 22 SEPT 2017
Throughout SA National Parks
Week, free access will be granted
at most of South Africa’s National
Parks for day visitors, opening up
the parks to people from the local
and surrounding communities.
“The week was established in a
bid to cultivate a sense of pride
in South Africa’s natural, cultural
and historical heritage, protected
by the national parks system,” says
SANParks Chief Executive Officer,
Fundisile Mketeni. “The survival
of the South African national
parks system and our natural and
cultural heritage lies in the people
of South Africa.
“Environmental education and
protection is the responsibility
of everyone, not just a privileged
few.”
Since its inception in 2006;
National Parks Week, under the
theme ‘Know Your National Parks’,
has seen an influx of over 286 935
day visitors in all participating
parks, these include all of the
parks managed by SANParks
excluding Namaqua National Park
and Boulders Penguin Colony in
Table Mountain National Park.
Through the initiative SANParks
hopes the public will have a
deeper understanding of the role
that SANParks plays as custodian
of the country’s natural heritage.
The excluded Parks will apply
normal entry tariffs, as they have
been declared non-participants
in the free access scheme, due to
the seasonality of their product
offering.
SA National Parks Week runs
from 18 to 22 September 2017,
in partnership with Total SA and
FNB, and is ultimately in line with
the SANParks vision statement
of ‘A sustainable National Park
System Connecting Society’.
www.sanparks.org/about/events/
parks_week
26 // September. October. November. 2017
CARE FOR WILD RHINO
LADIES WALK
20 OCT 2017
Taking place at the Care for Wild Rhino
Sanctuary and the Mankele Resort near
Nelspruit Mpumalanga, the aim of the
Care for Wild Rhino Ladies Walk is to
raise funds for orphaned baby rhinos
whose mothers have been slaughtered
by poachers.
The money raised will be used to
purchase food for these orphans. The
cost of feeding one of these baby rhinos,
depending on its size, is between three
thousand and fifteen thousand per
month.
With an entry fee set at R2,700.00,
organisers encourage individuals to
get sponsored by friends, family and
colleagues to make it the most inclusive
event, and thereby raising awareness as
well as funds.
Plus, the onus is that every step taken is
a step of life for the baby rhinos. The walk
takes place on October the 20th, 2017
and pre-registration costs R1200. For
more information: www.careforwild.co.za
HIGHLANDS WINE ROUTE
29 SEPT - 1 OCT 2017
The Highlands Wine Route in Dullstroom
celebrates the R540 by offering a variety
of vino-focused activities over the last
weekend in September.
These happenings include a Ghost
Hunting Safari Dinner, complete with a
five course meal paired with wine from
five wineries served at five different
restaurants in Dullstroom; a wine tasting
showcase featuring more than sixty wines
from just under twenty wineries and a
Bubble Breakfast Run where guests can
choose a venue or menu paired with a
specific MCC or sparkling wine. For more
information and to book, email events@
echopublishers.co.za
DUCKTOBER
BEER FEST 2017
30 SEPT 2017
Dear beer lovers, are you ready to
raise a cold one high? Like really,
really high? Then don’t miss the
inaugural DUCKTOBER BEER FEST
- the HIGHEST BEER FESTIVAL in
Southern Africa.
Like Rafiki hoisting Simba in the
air to survey his kingdom, so too
can you proudly lift your glass
at the uppermost elevated beer
festival in the Southern Kingdom.
Why? Because we all know beer
only hits smooth cruising altitude
at 2,100m above sea level - where
the air might be thin, but our
golden ales sure as duck won’t be.
What to expect? Beer, beer
and more beer! A stage with
music and entertainment (and
yes, there’s an Oompah band!).
Scrumptious food and snacks
and original DUCKTOBER
merchandise.
Taking place on Saturday 30
September 2017, from 10am
till midnight at Duck & Trout,
Dullstroom, this is a party not to
be missed! For more information
and tickets head over to
www.quicket.com
The question
is not what you
look at but
what you see.
- Henry David Thoreau
PHOTO BY BRAD MARAIS
September. October. November. 2017 // 27
 15/12/12:
Hidden Shape Sudoku by John Bulten
Theme: Snakes on a Sudoku
Standard Sudoku rules. Also, there are some shapes that must be put into the grid.
The shapes can be rotated, but cannot be reflected; they can touch but cannot overlap.
(Not all cells of the shapes contain numbers, but all numbers on the shapes must be
entered into the corresponding cells after placement.)

HIDDEN SHAPE SUDOKU

Standard Sudoku rules. Also, there are some 1 1 6 4
shapes that must be put into the grid. A 3
The shapes can be rotated, but cannot be
reflected; they can touch but cannot overlap. 5 7 9
(Not all cells of the shapes contain numbers, but all numbers on
the shapes must be entered into the corresponding cells after 8
2
placement).

s
Wordoku by Grant Fikes eau tiful thing
B
WORDOKU
Theme: Solve Me, I’m Irish 6 4 3 k
don’t atesntion
Minor variation of Sudoku
Minor variation of Sudokurules. Instead
rules. Instead of
the digits 1-9, use the letters in “SHIRT PACK”.
of 1 for at
the digits 1-9, use the letters in “SHIRT PACK”.
B 5 2 9
A S 8
2
A T P A
P K I
7
T A H 9 3 7 1 2
S T K 6 3
I R C
5 5 4 1 4 5 6
// 1
r. 2017
vembe
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r. Octo

R S I
be
Septem

B I H P 2 7
T R 8 8 9

LETTERS Why we love Ashtons Tours
“I had a great ride and the driver was awesome! He was
professional, had a sense of humour and remained calm when
both lanes of traffic were stopped due to an overturned truck.
Plus, he still got us all to the airport on time! I am very satisfied
and will use your service again, thank you!”
Kamala Strohmeyer, July 2017
“A good, safe and informative transport from Jo’burg to Kruger.
We had a very nice and good driver who was talking and joking
about South Africa and the sights we passed along the way.
Traveling by Ashtons was the best recommendation for us, a
family of four from Denmark.” 
 towns. Our breaks were wonderful because it is such a long drive.
Per Torsten Soerensen, July 2017
CONGRATULATIONS TO DANIYALA TORLAGE on making the cover
photo for the December, January, February edition - look out for her
stunning photo. YOU TOO COULD BE A COVER STAR by submitting
“I was sceptical of having to put up with a five hour drive on
South African roads but financially I had no choice. Turns out this your best wildlife photos to kirsten@macpublishing.co.za
was a fantastic alternative! A comfy shuttle bus that I was able to
sleep in most of the way, with occasional rest stops for food and
drink etc. It was perfect – a good price and easy to recover from a
long trip. From now on I am going to take Ashtons Shuttles every
time I visit South Africa!”
Scott Pooley, June 2017
“Our driver was on time and an excellent driver. He was friendly,
professional and very informative about the area and surrounding
I would definitely recommend your company for all services.

“I would highly recommend Ashtons! There was excellent

Thank you for a fabulous drive and experience.”
Patricia Shoffner, June 2017 To advertise in Ashtons Into The Wild
communication before travelling and the journey itself was safe, contact Lorna on 078 425 4382, lorna@macpublishing.co.za
well organised and comfortable. The driver was welcoming,
helpful and had a great sense of humour. I would travel with you or Kirsten on 063 772 2100, kirsten@macpublishing.co.za
again for sure!”
Joanne Marden, July 2017

28 // September. October. November. 2017 September. October. November. 2017 // 29

 Animal Check List
There’s nothing better than spending the day spotting your favourite animals. We’ve worked hard to put together a check list that
includes not only the big five, but also some of the littler creatures that are common in the bush. So look up, look down and look through to
see how many animals you can see — and don’t forget to take the checklist with you so you can compare with friends and family.
The Big 5

Vervet Monkey Porcupine Warthog Tree Squirrel Honey Badger

Buffalo Elephant Lion Leopard Rhinoceros

Pangolin Rock Dassie Hedgehog Kori Bustard Martial Eagle

Spotted Hyaena Wild Dog Cheetah Caracal Civet

Lappetfaced Vulture Pel’s Fishing Owl Saddle-billed Stork Southern Ground Hornbill Grey Lourie

Eland Impala Kudu Waterbuck Bushbuck

Bateleur Eagle Reed Cormorant Whitebacked Vulture Glossy Starling Crested Barbet

Nyala Klipspringer Steenbok Common Duiker Tsessebe

Blue Waxbill Burchell’s Coucal Scarlet Chested Sunbird Lilac-Breasted Roller Redbilled Ox-pecker

Aardwolf Brown Hyaena Common Reedbuck Side-striped Jackal

Aardvark Bushpig Marabou Stork Striped Polecat
African Wild Cat Cape Fox Small Grey Mongoose Sharpe’s Grysbok
Roan Antelope Cape Hare Yellow Mongoose Striped Hyaena
Sable Antelope Egyptian Goose Water Mongoose Suni
Blue Wildebeest Burchells Zebra Giraffe Hippopotamus Banded Mongoose
Bat-eared Fox Large-Spotted Genet Samango Monkey Thick-Tailed Bushbaby
Black Backed Jackal Small-Spotted Genet Blue Monkey Yellowbilled Stork
Black Footed Cat Green Backed Heron Mountain Reedbuck Cape Mountain Zebra
Black Wildebeest Grey Rhebuck Oribi Hartmans Mountain Zebra
Blackwinged Stilt Hamerkop Serval

Elephant Fact
Elephants are social creatures. They sometimes hug by wrapping their trunks together in displays of greeting and affection. Elephants
also use their trunks to help lift or nudge an elephant calf over an obstacle, to rescue a fellow elephant stuck in mud, or to gently raise
a newborn elephant to its feet. And just as a human baby sucks its thumb, an elephant calf often sucks its trunk for comfort.
Dwarf Mongoose Spring Hare Scrub Hare Baboon Lesser Bushbaby