Emdoneni Tips & Information

Bargain Break Special

“A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you’ve been taking.” – Earl Wilson Don’t delay! Make use of this ONCE-OFF #bargainbreakspecial! Book any two days or more between 8 and 17 July 2019 to qualify for this amazing #bargainbreakspecial discounted rates: R525,00 – Bed and Breakfast per adult (normal rates are R995 per person) R325,00 – Bed and Breakfast per children under 12 We’re looking forward to having you as our guest. To book, please email us on info@emdonenilodge.com Click Here for Accommodation Options T’s and C’s apply. #KZNaccommodation #holidayaccommodation #familyaccommodation#stayinHluhluwe #holidayfun #Juneholiday

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Guide to the 7 Travel Photo Trends in 2019

Times are changing and people nowadays put emphasis on saving time and money when they want to take a good picture. At the same time, people are also getting more educated on using a camera and they know what it takes to snap a great photo. The following are the top 7 travel photo trends in 2019. Using Smartphone instead of DSLR to Take Photos Most tourists don’t use point and shoot camera to take photos nowadays. One of the reasons is that they don’t know how to adjust complicated settings like shutter speed. They much prefer using a smartphone to take pictures because the smartphone camera is already adjusted to the optimal setting. All you need to do is to frame the scene you want to take a photo of in your phone screen and press the hit button. After taking the photos on your smartphone, you can have them transferred to your computer and organized using software like Movavi Photo Manager. You can add tags to your photos to sort them, for example, putting Belgium travel photos under the tag Belgium. It also allows you to make simple edits, for example, using resolution presets for resizing the photo, rotate left/right, and color adjustment. The Balance of Lighting in Photo Many tourists now understand the importance of their photos to have balanced lighting. Key parts in the scenery must be highlighted while other less important parts can be covered in shadow. They know that the photos have different look if they take the photos in different light conditions. For example, photos that appear bright are shot in the golden hour when the sun is hot. On the other hand, photos with some shadowy parts are shot when the sun is not that bright and hot. Sharing Photos on Social Media Sites There is an increasing number of tourists posting their travel photos on social media sites. Skilled tourist photographers like to share their travel photos to get recognition and get their work published in magazines. Others that are less skilled like to share their travel photos to contribute some information on the places they have visited. Adding Humor to Your Travel Photo Humor is becoming an important trend in travel photography. Many people like to act playful, for example, doing a funny thing that is related to the travel venue they are taking photo of. Humor travel photos are usually taken by younger travelers who don’t take things seriously. Including the Locals in Your Photo Multilocalism is a popular trend in travel photos. It shows people of the foreign places that you have met, for example, a photo of the locals performing their daily routine or you can pose a selfie with a local. Sharing the photo online allows you to show how enriching your travel experience has been. Highlighting the Cuisines in Your Trip A lot of tourists also like to take food photography when they are traveling. You can take a photo of the food that you enjoy at the restaurant. It can also spice you saw a seller selling in the marketplace or a variety of local cuisine sold by the local stalls. If you take a photo of restaurant cuisine, you can put a caption on the photo to state the ingredients and cuisine origin. Taking Photos of Streets Street photography is another trend in travel photography. It can be a photo of strangers walking down the street or an empty alley in the city. The street doesn’t have to be in a busy city and can be any place as long as the shot is natural. Usually, it is a public street and capture with a basic camera. Source: technobng.com

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Vervet Monkey

The vervet monkey is common across Southern Africa and may frequently be spotted from your safari accommodation. NAME: VERVET MONKEY SCIENTIFIC NAME: CHLOROCEBUS PYGERYTHRUS WEIGHT 3.9-8 KG (M) 3.4-5.3 KG (F) LENGTH: 420-600MM (M) 300-495MM (F) MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR DESCRIPTION Vervet Monkeys are one of the smaller common primate species found throughout South and Southern Africa. They have pale grey fur covering their entire bodies from head to tail, with the only uncovered skin being their black faces surrounded by hair like a mane, and their blue bottoms that stick out from beneath their long tails. They are often seen scavenging on trash or leftover food within camps using their opposable thumbs to take apart and sort leftovers. Males have average weights of 5,5 kg (12,1lb) while females are slightly smaller at around 4,1 kg (9lb) in weight. DISTRIBUTION Vervet Monkeys are not exclusive to Sub-Saharan or Southern Africa but are rather widespread throughout the great continent of Africa. Their range starts in the south of the Western Cape of South Africa near the coastline where from it goes east and up to the mainland areas towards the border. They are extensively found next to major rivers in South Africa, largely due to their water dependence. The eastern coast of Africa from KwaZulu Natal up to the diverse lands of Kenya north of the equator are all full of vervet monkeys who find life easier here in more tropical and wet environments. STATUS Vervet Monkeys are a very common primate species, and are in no significant threat to extinction or endangerment currently. Wherever you go in South Africa, whether it be in the Kruger or the Cape, you are very likely to see at least a single vervet monkey near your campsite or lodge. They have significant populations all over the country and are a very plentiful species even outside South Africa’s borders. The only threat to the species is their need for water, which largely explains its scattered population otherwise. Human interference hasn’t affected the vervet monkey’s health as a species as much as other animals. HABITAT Vervet Monkeys are very diverse and adaptive animals. They are present in a great number of different habitats with vastly different plants that make up the vegetation in these habitats. Savannah and woodland areas teeming with life find themselves occupied with vervet monkeys, while sub-tropical and tropical forests or areas conversely are also home to these monkeys. Wherever there is enough water for them to survive, these primates will do so. Rural and agricultural areas are also frequently inhabited by vervet monkeys, despite the unease and damage they cause farmers by feeding on the crops these farmers depend on for their survival. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION Vervet Monkeys organize themselves in much the same way as baboons do. They too form troops, usually slightly smaller than those of baboons however, averaging at around 25 individuals. In such a troop there are usually around 8 males, with the rest of their population made up of females and the young that are dependent on them. Both males and females within this group are territorial and defend the troop’s territories. Juvenile males leave the group once they reach maturity to find their own place in the habitat or in another troop and possible start their own troop. Females, on the contrary, stay in this troop of theirs to take the place their mothers once took up. SOCIAL BEHAVIOR Vervet Monkeys are quite specific in their behavior and have daily routines followed by most troops. They typically start their day by grooming one another whilst socializing near the tree they go to retire every night. Then at around 8 in the morning, shortly after sunrise, they start getting active. A troop such as this does everything together to so ensure more individuals survive with more eyes looking out for predators. Foraging, sleeping and just a nice afternoon rest to get away from the scorching hot sun leering down on the ecosystems below are all group activities amongst these monkeys. Vervet monkeys also communicate in profound ways, using their tails to visually communicate their mood or situation. REPRODUCTION Mating amongst these animals is an annual or seasonal affair. Females reach sexual maturity around 3 ½ to 4 years after birth, when they can start reproducing the next generation of Vervet Monkeys. Males reach a sexually viable age earliest at 4 ½ years. There are no partner preferences when it comes to copulation which means any males and females mate in any particular day. There is, however, evidence that suggests males higher up the hierarchy in a troop typically mates with more females than less dominant males. Gestation is typically a few months long, between the mating season that usually falls in the dry season and birth peaks in spring. ANTI-PREDATOR BEHAVIOR Vervet monkeys are very vulnerable to a number of different predators, largely due to their terrestrial foraging habits and inferior size. Eagles and smaller species of cat make up their main nemeses in their battle for survival, in addition to the main predators every animal looks out for such as lions, leopards and hyenas. They generally react to the presence of a potential predator by giving out a distress or warning call to surrounding troop members, while also pouncing for the safety of tree tops or standing completely still in an attempt to hide in plain sight, waiting to see what their attackers will do. Source credit: africansky.com

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Top 10 Heritage sites in South Africa

Top 10 Heritage sites in South Africa South Africa has many historical, cultural and natural destinations that merit preservation for future generations. First Car Rental has put together a list of South African heritage sites, some of which have been declared World Heritage Sites for their cultural significance or natural beauty. These destinations are certainly places that every South African must visit at least once in their lifetime. 1. Robben Island, Western Cape The solitary island of Robben Island situated some 9km offshore from Cape Town has a deep connection with the history of South Africa. It is where South African President Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison and where he formulated the notion of forgiveness and dreamed of a nation free of oppression. Visitors can go on a guided tour to the Robben Island Museum and get first-hand accounts of Nelson Mandela’s life in prison. You can also visit Mandela’s cell, which has been left in its original state. Dubbed “Robben” (the place of seals) by Dutch settlers, the island was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999. 2. Vredefort Dome, Free State Over 2 million years ago an asteroid with a diameter of between 5 and 10 km hit the earth at this very spot leaving behind the largest and oldest verified impact crater on Earth, giving it the status of World Heritage Site. The Vredefort Dome stretches over 300 km across and bears witness to the world’s greatest known single energy release event, which had devastating global effects including, according to some scientists, major evolutionary changes. 3. uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, KwaZulu-Natal This World Heritage Site in KwaZulu-Natal is an open-air mountain museum where more than 30 000 examples of Bushman rock art can be viewed on the walls of caves. The park is a combination of sheer natural beauty and a wealth of biological diversity. It is also one of South Africa’s prime eco-tourist destinations. Covering 242,813 hectares of area, the park spans parts of both South Africa, in KwaZulu-Natal province , and Lesotho. The site’s diversity of habitats protects a high level of endemic and globally threatened species, especially birds and plants. 4. Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng The Cradle of Humankind is where the origins of the human race can be traced back to and holds great scientific importance. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The world-renowned Sterkfontein Caves is home to the oldest and most continuous paleontological dig in the world. It is also the site of discovery of the famous pre-human skull affectionately known as “Mrs Ples”, and an almost complete hominid skeleton called “Little Foot”, dated 2.3 and 4.17 million years old respectively. So, if you want to know the history of our origins, take a trip to this amazing destination. The Maropeng Visitor Centre is open to the public from 09h00 to 17h00 every day. The last boat ride departs at 16h00. 5. Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, Limpopo South Africa’s fifth World Heritage Site and fifth on our list of must-see heritage destinations is Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape. Mapungubwe is set hard against the northern border of South Africa, joining Zimbabwe and Botswana. The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape demonstrates the rise and fall of the first indigenous kingdom in Southern Africa between 900 and 1,300 AD. Mapungubwe developed into the largest kingdom in the sub-continent before it was abandoned in the 14th century. What survived are untouched remains of the palace sites and the entire settlement area around them. This landscape presents an amazing picture of the development of social and political structures over some 400 years. 6. iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Kwa-Zulu Natal Covering about 240,000ha, with a further 84,000ha in, on or under the sea, thissub-tropical paradise stretches 220km along the East Coast from St Lucia to the Mozambique border. iSimangaliso is teeming with life and has a mind-blowing variety of natural eco-systems ranging from dune, swamp and coastal forests to rocky and sandy shores, coral reefs and submarine canyons, mangroves, savannah grassland, thickets, woodlands, and the largest protected wetland in Southern Africa. The activities you can enjoy here include game drives, snorkelling, diving, bird-watching and hiking. 7. The Castle of Good Hope, Western Cape This unique historical site is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa. It has been a centre of life at the Cape since its inception in 1666. The Castle of Good Hope was established as a maritime replenishment station at the Cape of Good Hopefor the Dutch East India Company, better known as the VOC (VerenigdeOos-IndischeCompagnie). The Castle of Good Hope was a welcome sight for sailors travelling up to six months at sea and they referred to Cape Town as the “Tavern of the Seas”. In 1936, the Castle was declared a National Monument. As a result of an extensive, ongoing restoration and conservation programme launched in the 1980’s, the Castle of Good Hope remains the best preserved monument of its kind. 8. Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga A small town in Mpumalanga, Pilgrim’s Rest is protected as a provincial heritage site. Pilgrim’s Rest is situated on the magnificent Panorama Route in the Kruger Lowveld region of the Mpumalanga. This living museum takes visitors to the day of the Transvaal Gold Rush;the spirit of a bygone era and its people in their quest for gold. Pilgrim’s Rest was declared a gold field in 1873, soon after digger Alec “Wheelbarrow” Patterson had found gold deposits in Pilgrim’s Creek.The Valley proved to be rich in gold and by the end of the year, there were about 1500 diggers working in the area. Today, mining still continues in the hills surrounding Pilgrim’s Rest. 9. Nelson Mandela Museum, Mthatha, Eastern Cape Take an inspirational journey through the life of former President and world icon Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha. The Museum officially opened in 2 000, ten years after his release from prison in 1990 and incorporates three sites – Mvezo, near Coffee Bay, where Mandela was born;

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Top 10: Natural attractions in KwaZulu-Natal

1. uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park This magnificent World Heritage Site comprises a spectacular mountain range that stretches for over 200 kilometres, offering a nature-lover’s smogasbord of majestic mountains, valleys, waterfalls and streams to explore. It’s also home to ancient San rock art. 2. iSimangaliso Wetland Park This World Heritage Site extends from Kosi Bay in the north (near to the Mozambique border) to Cape St Lucia in the south. A mix of five different ecosystems, this wetland wilderness boasts a wealth of biodiversity and is home to crocodiles, hippos and the leatherback turtle. 3. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve One of Africa’s oldest and most celebrated game parks – the Park covers over 96 000 hectares and is home to the Big 5, many antelope species and incredible bird life. The park is also world-famous for its conservation of both endangered rhino species, the square-mouthed white rhino and hook-lipped black rhino. 4. The sardine run Known as the ‘Greatest Shoal on Earth’ the annual sardine run, which takes place along Natal’s South Coast is a sight to behold. Thousands upon thousands of sardines make their way along the coast during winter – followed closely by a number of predators, including sharks, dolphins, whales and seabirds. 5. The Midlands The Midlands region of KwaZulu-Natal has been likened to a typical English countryside, with its rolling hills, green lawns, streams and rustic atmosphere. Picture-postcard scenery and fresh air attracts visitors needing a break from city life on most weekends and over the holidays. 6. Sodwana Bay Located along the province’s Elephant Coast, Sodwana Bay is characterised by pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and numerous reefs renowned for spectacular scuba diving. This region also happens to be favoured by the famous coelacanth. 7. Oribi Gorge This spectacular gorge was created over millions of years as the Umzimkulwana River scythed its way through the rugged landscape. The Oribi gorge is home to more than 300 bird species and features spectacular scenery including overhanging rocks and horse-shoe river bends. It features one of the world’s biggest bungee swings! 8. Thukela Gorge The Thukela Gorge lies below the source of the mighty Tugela River in the Drakensberg. A popular one-day hike takes walkers from the lower reaches of the river along contour paths right to the head of the gorge and up a chain ladder to the top of the escarpment. The view from the top is spectacular. 9. Pietermaritzburg Botanical Gardens The Pietermaritzburg Botanical Gardens were established in the early 1870s with the aim of propagating and conserving rare and endangered indigenous plants. Apart from domestic varietals, the gardens also boast camphor trees, giant figs, magnolias and swamp cypresses. More than 150 bird species have been attracted by the profusion of flora. 10. The Valley of a Thousand Hills With its seemingly thousands of rolling grassy hills, this verdant valley is home to the Zulu and scoured by the Mngeni River. Way above the river, overlooking the valley below are visitor attractions and craft outlets, along with restaurants that allow visitors the perfect vantage point from which to enjoy the beauty of this part of the country.

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