#hluhluwegamereserve

Hluhluwe – 5 Reasons It’s The Best Place For Your Family Holiday

Finding a great location for a family holiday can be a challenge, especially for families who have young children or varied interests. Do you often ask yourself – where will my family most enjoy a holiday? Here are 5 reasons Hluhluwe might just be the perfect answer for a family holiday:It’s the ultimate in outdoor activity: Do some members of your family crave outings in the bush while others would rather bury their toes in the sand or enjoy dips in the ocean? In Hluhluwe, you don’t have to choose. Visit the Hluhluwe / iMfolozi Game Reserve for a chance to spot the Big Five or enjoy beautiful beach time at Cape Vidal, Sodwana Bay, and Main Beach St. Lucia. Bush or sand, the glorious scenery and natural wildlife will ensure happy days for the whole family. Perfect for the sporty lot: If your family, young or old, enjoy sport activities, they will be spoilt for choice in Hluhluwe. The various lodges in the area offer a wide range of sporting activities, including hiking, walking, biking, horse riding, swimming, kayaking, and scuba diving. Getting outdoors and being physically active is sure to make everyone feel better, healthier, and happier. A thrill with some African beasts: Take a day trip to an educational facility like Crocodile Centre St Lucia and enjoy a hands-on snake and crocodile experience. You are sure to leave better educated about some of the world’s most feared creatures. And don’t forget the hippos… Home to the largest population of hippo in the area, the St Lucia Wetlands Park offers river boat excursions where you are guaranteed to see these fantastic “water horses” in their natural environment. The kids are sure to love these close encounters! Up close and personal with a big cat: our own Emdoneni Lodge boasts a world-class cheetah project. Caring for cats that have been injured or orphaned in the wild, the project gives guests a chance to learn about and interact with these amazing animals. This is the kind of experience family memories are made of. Family time: Modern life is busy and between TV and technology not many families spend regular quality time together. The beautiful scenery in and around Hluhluwe will encourage you to gather and share as a family. Imagine having dinner together under starlit skies, sipping sundowners on a group game drive, or teaching your children to snorkel… the possibilities for family fun are endless. And, these moments of natural beauty and togetherness are sure to create treasured memories for you and your loved ones. Source Credit: www.emdonenilodge.com

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Emdoneni News

Emdoneni Lodge’s Beekeeping Diaries by our beekeeper Craig Munro

8/8/17 Both hives now have bees in them. Exciting times! The strength of the swarm will be checked regularly before Spring and Summer. 19/12/17 Full inspection of all frames were done today. They are doing great and I’m very happy with their growth and health. The one colony had a minor hive beetle infestation but all have been destroyed so the bees can work without pests. Both hives are almost ready for the honey supers but I put them on now as I am satisfied the colonies are strong and ready. God willing we will have a honey harvest within the next two months 30/1/18 Ok, inspection done! Some good news, some great news and some exciting news! Good news: Number two hive, is very strong and very healthy. Packed with happy, working bees and no evidence of disease or pests again. Not even one hive beetle seen. The brood chamber is full, all ten frames with a huge honey crown above the brood combs (slight concern that they are not using the space above in the super but will monitor this). They are drawing out the comb in the super now which is good but if the queen excluder is slowing them I will remove it next time. Great news: number one hive is phenomenal! From a small colony that moved in during winter and through a dearth period they have exceeded expectations massively! These guys are the real deal? The super is filling up fast, seven nearly full frames and drawn comb in the other three. They will need another super chamber within the next week. Gorgeous acacia honey coming soon!! Exciting news: The eucalyptus plantations are just coming into flower, from now until April/May there should be a rich abundance of nectar available to the bees in every direction! If the weather conditions are right they should produce a very good crop. Hold thumbs and pray. We can split the hives after the harvest and create another colony as well. 25/4/18 I inspected all your hives yesterday. They are healthy, with no obvious pests or parasites present. They seem to have just stopped making, this was evident on the last inspection as well. A bit strange but possibly because the source of nectar was abruptly cut off. Anyway, the bees are fine. Perhaps they will reward you with a nice spring crop. 13/6/18 Your new hive is in place and ready for bees which I will bring soon. (Unless a swarm moves in by themselves) I have returned the empty super chamber and placed it on top of the 3rd hive, I also returned the frame to the 1st hive. I have completed a full inspection of all three occupied hives and am very happy with their overall health. Number one and two are still strong with plenty of honey in the brood chamber to see them through winter. Number three is a bit weak with less honey but I am not worried about them as they have a healthy laying queen and eggs in the cells. There are no parasites or signs of disease in any of the hives. I have removed the new swarm from the cupboard area and cut away all the combs, the queen is also captured so there is no chance of re-establishing themselves. I will check the hives again around end of July, there are signs that they have found some winter food which will mean strong colonies ready to take advantage of the spring nectar. 5/2/19 There are now four healthy beehives situated in the peace of the bush at Emdoneni. The bees have done very well to maintain their strength through winter and a few tough months so far this summer with almost no surplus nectar around. The latest inspection shows that they are now finding a good strong flow of nectar and starting to produce a divine Acacia and Eucalyptus honey which should be ready to harvest soon. 28/3/19 Beekeeping course today at Emdoneni! Four interested beekeepers arrive with huge excitement to learn more about this amazing specie. Over the last two years Emdoneni experienced joyousness moments as we observed the healthy activity of our local liveliness bees. Our beekeeper carefully planned the process and unquestionable worth the wait, our bees’ produced the most delightful pure, raw, natural organic honey. We recently bottled our second batch of honey, made with utmost love, at Emdoneni by our hard industrious and diligent bees. What a beautiful (bee-autiful) natural event to witness! We are really chuffed with our resident busy bees who have worked extremely hard throughout the drought to offer us their exceptional natural gift. Emdoneni’s owner, Cecillie Nel also qualified as a beekeeper and will take on the duties along with Craig Munro to make sure the hives and bees are happy and healthy. What a privilege to be able to observe and to work with these clever little creatures!

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Emdoneni News

Emdoneni Lodge Accommodation

Accommodation at Emdoneni Lodge and Spa Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project and Spa, is a high quality three star lodge and is situated on a small game farm, with sand forest vegetation. Guests can relax and enjoy the true South African hospitality while viewing all Zululands’ resources. If you ever dreamt of getting close to nature, Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project & Spa is the place to visit! Close to the National road (1.5 km), Emdoneni Lodge is accessible for any visitor who still wants to experience the luxury of a bush environment and also be close to the main attractions such as Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserves (23 km) and St Lucia World Heritage Park (from 30 km away). This intimate multi-award winning lodge is the ideal location from which to explore the wildlife and coastal reserves in Zululand. Nature lovers & enthusiasts will appreciate the abundance of our wildlife and the scenic splendours of this rich and diverse region during game drives offered at Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserves, guided and non-guided walks done at the lodge, cultural excursions close by and relaxing boat cruises at Lake St Lucia. Our passionate and very knowledgeable guides cannot wait to introduce you to our region! Emdoneni Lodge offers guests elegantly decorated, intimate and comfortable accommodation in Hluhluwe in chalets and/or rondavels, on a bed & breakfast or dinner, bed & breakfast basis. There are mainly showers in the rooms, with the exception of two rooms which do include baths. WiFi is available, free of charge, to all our guests. The accommodation is enhanced by facilities which encourage our guests to unwind, relax and enjoy the tranquil lodge surroundings, including a boma, swimming pool and sky deck. Walk with the wildlife including Zebra, Impala, Nyala and Red and Grey Duiker. The bird life in Zululand is also abundant. The surrounding area is renowned as a mecca for bird lovers. Some of the specials one might go in search of are: Narina trogon, Blue Crested Lourie, Mangrove King Fisher, African Broadbill, Pink Throated Twin Spot, Blue Billed Fire Finch. Come and be mesmerised by the beauty of the Caracal, enchanted by the playful Serval, astonished by the speed & agility of the Cheetah and delighted by the African Wildcat… We offer educational tours daily, Monday to Sunday with a feeding during the afternoon tour only. ALL tours to the Cheetah Project will be FREEof charge during the duration of your stay when you book, on DBB directly from our website and not through an online travel agent. It is impossible to run out of things to do in this little slice of wilderness heaven. Some of the activities at Emdoneni Lodge are visiting the cat centre, taking nature walks amongst the animals, join a game drive to the Game Reserve or book an activity for the kiddies whilst pampering yourself at our Spa! If you feel like a day out to explore the surrounding areas, there is plenty more to do. Visit the Hluhluwe Game Reserve (around the corner from us) or Mkuze Game Reserve and take a game drive in search of the elusive and famous Big Five. If its Zulu culture and education you’re after, then visit the Zulu Cultural Village. Those of you in search of water-based activities have the option of visiting any of the following: Lake St Lucia, Cape Vidal Snorkeling Safaris, Sodwana Bay, St Lucia Wetlands, Jozini Dam and Kosi Bay. Chalets Spacious and elegant chalets with an authentic atmosphere to maximise comfort. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom (shower only) and a lovely view on the garden. Two chalets adjacent to each other with a split patio. We offer twin beds or king size beds with an en-suite bathroom. Tea and coffee making facilities are also available in all rooms. Rondavels This unique African-style, round, thatched roof is called a rondavel. The unit consists of two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom (with shower only). Each unit has an adjoining door between the two bedrooms, making it ideal for families. The rondavels have a view over the garden and it is in close proximity of the swimming pool and restaurant. The units are elegantly decorated with an authentic atmosphere. Extras: Air conditioners, ceiling fans, bar fridge, as well as coffee and tea making facilities. Honeymoon Suite The Honeymoon Suite, Windfall Cottage, is privately situated under Marula trees and offers great comfort and privacy. It consists of a lounge with DSTV, romantic bedroom, en-suite bathroom with a free standing bath, leading to an outside shower in a privately fenced Boma area. Sit and relax on your private patio, having your morning coffee or tea. In the afternoon, enjoy a glass of wine and watch Zebra, Nyala and Impala roam around the cottage. Ideal for honeymooners or for those looking for a romantic weekend away. Our Facilities The accommodation is enhanced by facilities which encourage our guests to unwind, relax and enjoy the spectacular surroundings of one of South Africa’s most popular tourist destinations – Northern KwaZulu-Natal. Available at Lodge : 24 hour reception Wi-Fi internet available in public areas Swimming pool Sky deck Boma for evening dinners Restaurant Bar Office facilities Housekeeping and laundry service Safe for valuables Air-conditioning and ceiling fans Parking available View and photograph cats at the Emdoneni Cheetah Project Family friendly Fun activities for kids, by experienced guides Babysitting available Walking and hiking trails Small Game Reserve with wildlife including Zebra, Impala, Nyala, Wildebeest, Red and Grey Duiker Excellent bird watching opportunities Housekeeping and laundry service Available in Rooms : Night Guard Amenities Housekeeping Laundry service Safe for valuables Air-conditioning Ceiling fans Safes for valuables in all rooms Bar fridges in all rooms (not stocked) Coffee & Tea making facilities (Plunger filter coffee) Own patio

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Cat Rehabilitation, Emdoneni News

Our Cat Release Program

The main emphasis of the cat project is to release the progeny of animals back into the wild. We only keep our breeding pairs (ambassador animals) and those animals that cannot be released, at the project and for educational purposes. All offspring, where possible, will be released into the wild, back where they belong. In the 22 years that the Emdoneni Cheetah Project has been in operation, we have successfully rehabilitated and released Servals, Caracals, African Wildcats and Cheetahs. ‘We are delighted to accept the two new Servals and play our part in ensuring the conservation of this rare and beautiful species. ‘iSimangaliso provides them with a secure home away from inhabited areas and the threat of snaring,’ says iSimangaliso Wetland Park CEO, Andrew Zaloumis. Servals are listed on the ‘Threatened or Protected Species’ (TOPS) list owing to their rarity. They are vulnerable to being snared and killed by farmers, in particular for their beautiful pelts. October 2017 – Servals Released at Fanie’s Island April 2017 – Servals Released at iSimangaliso Wetland Park March 2017 – African Wildcat Release at Private Game January 2017 – Cheetah Released – Mossel Bay March 2014 – Servals Released at Mkuze Game Reserve August 2012 – Servals Released at iSimangaliso Wetland Park The adult female and young male were confiscated from a farmer in Vryheid who kept them in captivity illegally, apparently to be used for hunting purposes. According to the farmer they were found in snares, but on investigation, no marks were found on their bodies to support the claim. They were recovered by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife District Conservation Officers and taken to the Emdoneni Cheetah Project near Hluhluwe. The cats were set free in the open grassland area in the Easter Shores side of the park, a suitable habitat and where plenty of prey is available. Servals eat mainly rodents, fish, birds, insects and small reptiles which are found in abundance in natural wetland areas. On a previous occasion Servals were released in the Western Shores side of the park. August 2011 – Caracals Released at Private Game Reserve July 2011 – Caracals released at a Private Game Reserve Releasing two caracals born in captivity into the wild, turned out to be both a sad and exciting moment for Emdoneni Cheetah Project owners Louis and Cecillie Nel. Two one year old male caracals, born at Emdoneni Cheetah Project, Hluhluwe, were part of the breeding project aimed at saving the African wildcat, Caracal, Cheetah and Serval from extinction. The intention is to breed where possible and release the offspring back into their natural habitat. The cats were released in the Mziki Shareblock at Phinda Game Reserve after being judged fit and able to hunt for themselves. Tiptoeing out of the crate, the first male entered his new home by first stopping right in the middle of all the spectators to give them a last close-up inspection before disappearing into the forest. Male number two wasn’t too keen on exploring his new habitat and it took a lot more convincing before he made his leap for freedom. The caracal is an endangered species, mostly killed by farmers because of predation on their livestock. In some areas they are killed for their skin and meat. The Nel Family truly have One Heart, One Passion and One Goal, to save these rare species. “I think I could turn and live with the animals, they are so placid and self-contained; I stand and look at them long and long.” By Walt Whitman

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Emdoneni News

2016 Prices in 2018 at Emdoneni Lodge in Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal

Wow! 2016 Prices in 2018! | Emdoneni Lodge in Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal R998,00 per person sharing on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis in a luxury room – SAVE R627 per person! R798,00 per person sharing on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis in a standard room – SAVE R827 per person! Single supplement of R300,00 per person per night To book or check availability: Email us on info@emdonenilodge.com Children Policy: 0-4 years: Stay for free on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis 5-10 years: Flat rate of R250,00 per child on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis 11-13 years: Flat rate of R350,00 per child on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis Minimum of 2 nights’ stay required Rates are valid for stays until 15 January 2019 Terms and conditions apply Bookings via EMAIL only, contact Emdoneni Lodge at: office@emdonenilodge.com Images: Chantelle Loots

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