KLASERIE CHRONICLE | ISSUE 51 KLASERIE CHRONICLE In this issue © Emma Gatland © Stefan Steenkamp ADVERTORIAL RESEARCH 6 The Last Word Kitara 32 The trials and tribulations 34 Sweet successes GUIDING 36 Resurrection mountain 40 To water or not to 11 Women of the wild water? CONSERVATION SIGHTINGS 14 Insights into the 42 A leopard cannot © Sabrina Chielens elephant dilemma change its spots 16 Helicopter patrol over Klaserie 46 Intwandamela 50 A newfound respect for the gentle giants COMMUNITY “Slip into a 'slow MAMMAL ID 52 Life in the wild 56 Legacy for the future continues 20 White-tailed mongoose safari' on a sun- 60 #Walking4Hope drenched deck” 64 Grade R volunteer programme PHOTOGRAPHY 68 Looking out 72 Eco Children fights 22 Wildlife photography: A lockdown hunger love for wildlife 76 Books needed! LEGENDS 79 Johan Marais: Saving the Survivors © Gemma Thomas © Elly Gearing BIRDING “Spectacular sunsets 26 The Lizard Buzzard and unforgettable 28 A beginner’s guide to backyard birding silhouettes” Supplied © Johan Marais © Samuel Cox Winter 2020 003 KLASERIE CHRONICLE | ISSUE 51 KLASERIE CHRONICLE | ISSUE 51 KLASERIE Editor’s notey the time It is important that in times of emergency, we treat Meet the team you read the our fellow citizens with kindness, compassion and CHRONICLE Winter edition understanding. It is important for us to limit suffering, Sub-editor: of the Klaserie protect the vulnerable and recover from the aftermath of Readers’ Queries Catharina Robbertze Catharina hales from Cape BChronicle, you will be well the crisis. The Klaserie Chronicle is published quarterly by Eco Children and distributed to KPNR members, as well as Eco Children donors, Town and has an Honours and truly versed on the partners, advertisers and the broader Hoedspruit community. degree in Journalism. She is our impacts of the Covid-19 At Eco Children we have been incredibly privileged to be For any contributions or queries please email dog-loving, adventure-seeking, pandemic. In March this able to spread some good news and limit suffering in the [email protected] or [email protected] no-nonsense wordsmith. Her crisis still felt far away communities in our area. With the help of our supporters We look forward to hearing from you! positive, can-do attitude gets and sometimes even and various other organisations, we provided food relief things done quickly. imaginary. However, for to many worthy yet vulnerable families in these difficult Contributors the past few months, we times. It was wonderful to see how many kind, generous Corné Havenga, Chloë Cooper, Catharina Robbertze, Sabrina Chielens, Phoenix Collective, Corlia Steyn, Peter Lawson, have been faced with souls responded when we asked for help, enabling us to help over a thousand families in the area. Samuel Cox, Amy Knight-Dawson, Elly Gearing, Kyle Middleton, the daunting reality of Harriet Nimmo, Dianne Tipping Woods, Riaan Kruger, Natasha Kotze, Emily Whiting, Gemma Thomas the pandemic and the I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the Copywriter and research: impact it will forever have on our lives and livelihoods. wonderful, caring people who made these gifts of Chloë Cooper As our lives have been impacted, one thing has become kindness possible. I feel humbled to be in the position to Chloë is the newest member more and more evident: It is essential that we support create opportunities for people to express their kindness Photographs to our team and has a degree in our communities and act with empathy, kindness and Organisational Psychology. She and for our communities to feel cared for. Sabrina Chielens, Stefan Steenkamp, Claire Gunn, Nick Smith is a copywriter extraordinaire, compassion. Reto Ackerman, Willem Pretorius, Heinrich Human, I would like to leave you with this final thought from Samuel Cox, Derek Solomon, Elly Gearing, Kyle Middleton, nature dweller, travel lover and "We live in a world in which we need to share Fred Rogers: “The deep and simple is far more essential Kevin MacLaughlin, Harriet Nimmo, Chloë Cooper, all-around beautiful soul. responsibility. It's easy to say: 'It's not my child, not my than the shallow and complex. Even the simplest acts of Terry Schulze, Robin Cook, Emma Gatland, Dianne Tipping Woods, Emily Whiting, Natasha Kotze, community, not my world, not my problem.' Then there kindness, compassion and empathy are felt so deeply in are those who see the need and respond. I consider those The Last Word Kitara, Gemma Thomas, Juan Carlos Alonso, Mike times of uncertainty. No act is too simple, no moment too Kendrick, Vusi Mathe,Rivoni Mkansi, Wisani Ngwenya, Johan Marais people my heroes." This quote by Fred Rogers specifically small, to bring comfort and healing. Now is a chance for all resonated with me in these uncertain times. Many days I of us to act heroically.” Design & layout: felt helpless and confused by my own social isolation and Cecilia Theron-Du Preez the circumstances that the Covid-19 pandemic presented. Cecilia is originally from Pretoria However, I knew that we needed to look for opportunities and has a degree in Visual facebook.com/ecochildrenSA to activate change, act with kindness, and sow seeds of Communication. This talented hope. ecochildren.co.za designer has a keen eye for all CEO Eco Children things beautiful and sees the details no-one else does to produce a beautiful publication. She is in pursuit of perfection. https://www.facebook.com/ KlaseriePrivateNatureReserve/ klaseriereserve.co.za Thank You Eco Children would like to thank all our sponsors, donors and https://www.facebook.com/ klaseriechronicle/ supporters for your continued backing. Your contributions, however big or small are invaluable in our mission to sow seeds of change. 004 Winter 2020 Winter 2020 005 KLASERIE CHRONICLE | ISSUE 51 ADVERTORIAL KLASERIE CHRONICLE | ISSUE 51 ADVERTORIAL The Last Word KitaraWords Amy Knight-Dawson | Photos Claire Gunn - The Last Word Kitara he Last Word Intimate Hotels™ as delivered by their lovely team is is a homegrown, proudly South understated elegance epitomised. The African hospitality brand. Best main lodge's vantage of the Klaserie known for its beyond boutique River reveals its ever-changing nature. Tretreats in the Western Cape, it has From a dry riverbed promenade for recently expanded to include The Last wildlife passing by, rising to its zenith Word Kitara in the Klaserie Private as a steady stream, the lifeblood of the Nature Reserve. reserve. This summer past saw lodge proprietors Slip into a “slow safari” best enjoyed Fred, Manuela and Diego Crabbia from the sun-drenched deck, drink in fledge a formidable tourism partnership hand. Dining by starlight in the boma is a with owner-operators of The Last winner, as is the tradition of breakfasting Word, Peter Fleck and daughter, Nicky out in the bush or raising a riverside Coenen (née Fleck). Together, they toast to the sunset. relaunched The Last Word Kitara joined by a single purpose – to fill sanctuaries The team with kindness and lovely people, General management couple, Lee-Anne underpinned by responsible tourism. and Donovan Detert, who have been at Kitara for 15 years, are supported Peter says: “We are immensely proud to by head ranger and camp manager, have partnered with Fred and Manuela Stefan Steenkamp. Ranger, Craig Reid, and their family. Their private piece of and front-of-house manager, Karolina heaven fits perfectly with The Last Word Noree, provide vital assistance to Stefan brand. It enables the portfolio to create and help manage the rangers, trackers memorable experiences for clients by and general staff. The team is a dynamic, combining the best of what Cape Town diverse set united by their characterful offers with a Greater Kruger Safari – embodiment of The Last Word values bush, beach and wine.” and a shared passion for hospitality. Location, location, location The property's beautiful location in “We have been extremely fortunate the exclusive northwest section of to have taken over the entire staff the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve complement of Kitara – staff who have offers sweeping views of the Klaserie been with the Crabbia family for many River below. The Last Word Kitara's years and who have a rich knowledge six spacious individual suites, home- and understanding of the camp and the spun cuisine and warm hospitality reserve,” says Nicky. 006 Winter 2020 Winter 2020 007 KLASERIE CHRONICLE | ISSUE 51 ADVERTORIAL KLASERIE CHRONICLE | ISSUE 51 ADVERTORIAL © Em Gatland The experienced safari guides and trackers at The Last Town's oldest wine region. The Last Word Franschhoek Word Kitara traverse roughly 6,000 hectares, favouring shines in the vibrant gourmet capital of South Africa, Kitara's pristine and very private bush wedged between the Franschhoek, in the picturesque Cape Winelands. ephemeral Olifants and Klaserie Rivers. Game drives and All are within striking distance of Cape Town's iconic thrilling walking safaris reveal the enchanting goings-on in attractions. the bush belonging not only to the megafauna, but also the impressive feats of the smaller yet no-less-notable View exciting itinerary options on The Last Word’s characters of the bushveld. website or tailor-make Indeed, the holistic ecosystem your trip; each property and the experience within complements the next, reflects The Last Word's ethos “ Indeed, the holistic ecosystem delivering a well-rounded – everything's connected. experience you'll not soon and the experience within forget. The Last Word reflects The Last Word's ethos – The Last Word brand is known everything's connected. ” For more information visit for its relationship-driven thelastword.co.za. approach to business. Key to their longstanding success is their collaborative approach and integrity. They enjoy excellent standing in the tourism community. Three of The Last Word’s four boutique sanctuaries are situated in the Western Cape, and with good reason.