Ubizane Welcomes CAPRISA:

After Months of planning and preparation, Ubizane was proud to host CAPRISA’s workshop on Mucosal Immunology, HIV Vaccines & Microbicides. Scientists and delegates from all corners of the world began arriving on Tuesday the 13^th of November. The CAPRISA delegates were warmly welcomed by our Front Office staff; welcome drinks and refreshing towels, to cool off after a long and hot journey into the heart of Zululand.

Once refreshed, the guests were transferred to their rooms, after which a Pimms Cocktail and delicious snacks were served at Tree Lodge.  

Safari Lodge’s sprawling lawns, with its aged Aloes and Scented Thorn Trees were to be the back drop to a truly African dinner, set under the bright African sky and enclosed by majestic Marula Trees. But as any South African will tell you, Mother Nature does not go according to your plans, but rather the other way around and rain soon intervened moving the dinner inside Safari Lodge’s Restaurant. Ubizane’s warm hospitality and friendly faces brought an African charm to the indoor venue, where an opening session and welcome speeches were eagerly heard, after which a hearty buffet dinner was enjoyed by all. 

The highlight of Wednesday’s conference had to have been the informative poster session. Departing from Tree Lodge the guests enjoyed a short but scenic game drive, part of which was through a majestic fever tree forest. Ubizane’s magical Bush Deck served as a memorable venue, where numerous wines and delicious cheeses were enjoyed while informative posters were on display. The magical night sky held out long enough for a captivating boma dinner to be enjoyed. A variety of buffet styled food was served, along with the star of night’s cuisine an Impala on the spit.    

Thursday kicked off to an early start with majority of the delegates waking up at 04:30 am for a game drive through one of South Africa’s oldest and third largest game reserves, Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve. Being well known for having the largest White Rhino population on Earth, the park did not disappoint, treating the CAPRISA delegates to an exceptional sighting of 3 White Rhino right next to the road. Ubizane’s open game drive vehicles and experienced guides ensured an educational trip was enjoyed by all.

Tree Lodge Restaurant was spruced up with fairy lights and Chinese lanterns for the plated gala dinner. A selection of delectable cuisine was served; bring the formalities of the conference to a close.  

A unique opportunity to interact with one of Africa’s largest land mammals was enjoyed by many on Friday morning, with the guests enjoying an early morning trip to Bayete Zulu, where they got the once the once in a life time opportunity to intermingle with African Elephants. A scrumptious breakfast awaited the euphoric guests upon their return from Bayete Zulu.

Mid morning saw many of the CAPRISA delegates leaving Ubizane Wildlife Reserve, with a hand full of memories not only of the educational workshop that was held but also the magical African experiences that took place. With their tasty snack boxes and refreshments in hand, many of the delegates left Ubizane with a lifetime of memories, and the hope and promise of returning someday soon. 

African Bullfrog:

One of our assistant general managers, Julian came across a pair of African bullfrogs in our nearby watering hole at Zululand Tree Lodge. These frogs are also known as Pixie frogs due to their Latin name (Pyxicephalus adspesus), after that mouth full one can understand why Pixie frog is the preferred name.  

Assistant Gm, Julian holding an African Bullfrog 

Bullfrogs spend majority of their lives living underground, where the surface temperature can reach as high as 38°C and drop below freezing in the winter. Protected in their underground excavation chamber, they wait for more suitable environmental conditions. During this waiting period, the Pixie frog will slough off numerous layers of skins, forming a moisture resistant cocoon. It is this cocoon of dead skin cells that prevents the evaporation of body fluids.

During this time, they have the unique ability to slow down or even shut down certain bodily functions, and absorb water which they have stored in their bladder. They can remain in their cozy cocoon within their excavated tunnel for as long as a year.

Surfacing to breed once the rains have begun, as many as 4000 eggs may be laid in a shallow pool of water, after which the male will then fertilize the eggs. Once the eggs have been laid and fertilized it is the males that exhibit parental care. After a 2 day period the tadpoles will emerge from their egg casing and feed off each other and smaller fish. 

African Bullfrogs have the ability to blow themselves when threatened 

It will take the tadpoles a total of 3 weeks to metamorphosis into miniature replicas of their father. During this time the pool or puddle that they call home, may dry up; the male will then dig a small channel between the offspring and a larger pool of water, effectively ensuring their survival. The male will defend the pool as well as his tadpoles vigorously, and has the ability to puff himself up when threatened, in order to appear larger, and seem more of a threat. This parental care comes at a price, however as the male will consume many of the tadpoles while he is defending them.  

Ubizane’s new Entrance:

Ubizane Wildlife Reserves’ Main entrance 

has a brand new look! 

Out There Designs putting up the new sign  

Thanks to Out There Designs, brand new signs have been showcased in new elegantly built walls, accompanied by aged Aloes. Ubizane’s new entrance is finally complete.

A new notice board, as you drive through the gate has also been put up, and replaces the old one which had taken quite a beating from Mother Nature.   

Our new signs showcased in a newly built wall

Sticking to our 50 year legacy, the signs still have their Trademark Ubizane look, but are built out of new weather resistant material, ensuring that Ubizane Wildlife Reserve evolves with the latest technology available. 

Our beautiful sign is visible from both sides of the road

A Restaurant with a difference:

Here at Ubizane Wildlife Reserve, the well being of nature and its occupants is of high importance to us. A not so well known fact about Ubizane wildlife Reserve is our Vulture Restaurant.  

It was late afternoon when our General Manager Tiaan, dropped off an Impala at Our Vulture Restaurant, which he had come across during his many patrols of the bush.

Early the next morning we noticed Vultures thermalling above the restaurants location, and by early afternoon, when we went to investigate further we were quite astonished to discover +/- 80 Cape Vultures sitting on the road and in the bush. Clearly the Impala didn't touch sides for the hungry scavengers, as there was next to nothing left. 

Vultures are any medium to large sized scavenger birds, feeding on the carcasses of dead animals. Vultures do not generally kill their own prey. As scavengers, vultures play an important role in the ecosystem by contributing to the decomposition of dead animal matter, cleaning the environment and reducing the spread of diseases.   

A vulture restaurant is an open area, where vultures can easily land and take off from; where fresh and poison free meat and/or carcasses of domestic livestock or wild mammals are put out for vultures and other scavengers. Feeding vultures at vulture restaurants can contribute to the survival of these birds, especially during periods of food scarcity and when young birds fledge. Vultures, like many other large birds, are under pressure from many different causes in the modern world as the human population increases. 

Traditional beliefs and Medicine are also a contributing factor to the decline in Vulture numbers. Vultures are used in the traditional medicine industry for a range of purposes, but are believed to be most effective for providing mystic powers, foresight and increased intelligence. The main drivers of demand for these uses are betting and gambling, for improved business success, and intelligence in school children. Vulture is also prescribed by traditional healers for various ailments, including headaches.

So the next time you see vultures thermalling (Birds use temperature differences in neighboring air masses to glide in tight circles and using thermal uplift to gain altitude with very little wing flapping) do not see it as an omen of death, but rather as a contribution to the operation of the ecosystem.

Swallows of Ubizane Wildlife Reserve:

With the rainy season well on the way, Ubizane is lucky enough to welcome back the Greater Striped Swallows. Being intra-African migrants, these swallows return to the southern parts of Africa during their breeding season. Over the past few weeks the Greater Striped Swallow has become a regular sighting, with their chatty call and regular swoops under the lodge’s thatched roofs.   

Swallow Nest outside GM's Office 

Swallows are well known for their nest building capabilities, made entirely of mud and wedged in between two supporting structures. The nest building process normally begins at the beginning of the breeding season, September through to May. It is during this period that the monogamous pair (Only having 1 partner) will either repair their nest that was built during the previous breeding season, or build a totally new one.

The Greater Striped Swallow is often mistaken as a ‘tame’ species, due to its close proximity to humans and its fondness of building its nests on buildings. Ubizane’s General Manager Natascha Pienaar, got to experience this ‘tame’ species firsthand one morning when a Greater Striped Swallow politely landed into her hand bag, which was sitting close to her office window.   

 Swallow with Mud on its beak, in Natascha 's hand

This particular Greater Striped Swallow has been working hard on his master piece of a nest, just outside our General Managers Office for quite some time, and he often perches on the open window.

Not long after Natascha fished the Swallow out of her bag, and released him outside; the Swallow was soon back to work on his masterpiece, perfecting it for his new arrivals. 

Giraffe Necking:

Giraffe are not an unfamiliar sight here at Ubizane, as many guests will know they are quite curios creatures, and are often wandering around the lodges parking areas being their normal inquisitive self. However, this week we were treated to an unusual sighting of two male Giraffes necking. It was Wayne, our House Keeping Manager who spotted the two Giraffe near Safari Lodge parking area.

2 Male Giraffe at Safari Lodge, preparing for their dual.

Giraffe engage in “Necking” in order to determine dominance and hierarchy. When watching these graceful animals, one cannot help but think that it looks like a well rehearsed dance. “Movement and counter movement appear rhythmical and synchronized, imparting the supple grace of a sinuous dance.” – Richard Despard Estes (The Behavior Guide to African Mammals)


The two males began their duel outside of Safari 10, at first it seemed a friendly affair with them facing each other, moving back and forth with their legs locked in a stiff position. They even rubbed up against each other’s necks and flanks. One can easily mistake this behavior simply as two Giraffe being friendly. But this is low intensity sparring or “Necking”.


It was not until the Giraffe had reached Safari Lodge Parking Area that things started getting serious, and they entered what is called a higher intensity stage. Having no regard for the beautifully finished flowerbeds that edge the pathways leading to the rooms, the larger darker Giraffe kept pushing the other male; leaning against him and forcing him to go to more open grounds. 

 

As soon as the giraffe were in a more open area next to the parking area they both splayed their legs, as if to brace themselves for the blow. Once again it was the larger darker coloured male that was the first to ‘swing’ and knock the other male on his rump. The sound that comes from Ossicones (name given to the horn like structures on a Giraffe’s head) hitting lean rump muscle is quite amazing, it almost sounds like a slap but has a deep bellowing sound to it.

After the first hit was dished out, and the ‘tit for tat’ game wore off, the two males continued their back and forward sway, with their characteristic out-stretched necks and stiff legs and they made their way down to Safari Lodge’s pool area. Pausing every now and then to asses each other and their surroundings.
It was almost as if these graceful creatures did not want a witnesses to this harsh battle, and the males soon made their way into the bush, at a rather slow and painful ‘dancing’ pace; where they would be able to continue their duel in the privacy of the thick bush.

Their intense dual lead them all the way to the pool area

It was only on our way back up to the parking lot that we noticed how much damage a Giraffe’s dominance spat can cause. Besides the trampled flower beds, we found numerous muddy footprints along the pathways, as well as a broken light and Aloe. Although it meant extra work for our maintenance team, we couldn't help but feel privileged to have witnessed such graceful animals involved in such an intense dual.

Muddy Pathway by pool area

Giraffe footprint 

Broken pathway lamp 

Broken Aloe by Safari Lodge 

An Ubizane Engagement:

After being together for nearly ten years, Peter and Clementine took a step closer to tying the knot, by getting engaged on Saturday the 6^th of October at Ubizane Wildlife Reserve.   

Peter and Clementine after the question was popped 

Peter had been in contact with Ubizane’s Reservationist, Jade for numerous weeks; arranging the special occasion which was a surprise to the fiancé to be. The entire Ubizane team played along and kept the special evening a secret.  After hearing tales about the wonderful adventures their friends had in Africa Peter and Clementine decided to experience it for themselves, little did Clementine know that she would be leaving this majestic continent with more treasured memories than she initially bargained for.

The big day had arrived, and after weeks of counting down the days, preparations to make the engagement as special and memorable as possible were well on the way. Ubizane’s magical Bush Deck, with its mystical Fever Trees as a backdrop and tranquil silence was chosen as the venue. Enjoying a late afternoon game drive, the blissful couple arrived at the bush deck in time to view the breath taking sunset through the Fever Trees. 

Sun set through the Fever Trees 

Peter & Clementine on their Game Drive with guide Julian 

A private table awaited the happy couple 

Thinking it was the usual Ubizane Sun-downers stop off point, the couple arrived at a romantic setting that was subtly lit by candles. The scatterings of delicate yellow veld flowers lead the way to an elegantly set table that had a chilled bottle of Champagne and Chocolate dipped strawberries waiting. Dream-like Chinese lanterns danced subtly in the late afternoon breeze as the Peter asked Clementine to be his wife.   

Chilled complimentary Champagne for the newly engaged couple

Ubizane's Bush Deck 

With the formalities for the most part over, the newly engaged couple relaxed under the canopy of trees and enjoyed a refreshing glass of champagne, while the soothing sounds of the African bush provided peaceful background music, enhancing the African experience a step further.  

Once the sun set, the candles lit the Bush Deck subtly 

Peter and Clementine enjoyed a relaxing stay here at Ubizane, complimented with Hluhluwe Imfolozi and Ubizane Game Drives as well as numerous trips to the surrounding attractions such as an education trip to Emdoneni, a relaxing boat cruise along the St Lucia Estuary and a unique opportunity to revel in the numerous cultural villages that historic Zululand has to offer.   

The entire Ubizane team wishes Peter and Clementine nothing but warm wishes for their future, and hope to see them back here at Ubizane in the not so distant future!