Entabeni Safari Conservancy, Waterberg

Entabeni Safari Conservancy, rightfully dubbed “The Place of the Mountain”, is situated in the World Heritage Waterberg Biosphere. Approximately a three-hour drive north of Johannesburg, this malaria-free reserve boasts five Eco-systems. A gravel road leads up to this Big 5 reserve, complemented by five different lodges. Each lodge comprises a unique blend of luxury and African wilderness, perfectly set in different immaculate locations of the reserve. The upper escarpment offers majestic craggy rock formations and wide-open grass plains. This is separated from the lower plateau by 600 meter high cliffs. The lower escarpment is approximately three degrees warmer and comprises of “sandveld” vegetation and a series of wetlands. It is a place where the lion still reigns as king and Mother Nature still mesmerizes with her power and beauty. Your modern African adventure starts here! The Waterberg biosphere is the first region in the northern part of South Africa to be named a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. It covers an area of 4170 square kilometres and includes a number of protected areas that include Lapalala Wilderness, Touchstone and Kwalata.
Entabeni Game Reserve is privately owned, bountiful bush veld typified by wide open grassland accompanied by sandy wetlands, surprisingly defined and beautiful crags, and ravines through which pretty streams babble. 
Entabeni boasts five different ecosystems within one reserve and promises solid big game viewing and rewarding bird watching. Their advantage definitely appears to be the rich variety of wildlife in the reserve and the optional extras they offer visitors like guided horse trails, visits to a local Pedi village and helicopter flights.
Set within the most beautiful mountain scenery offered by the ever present Waterberg, is now a major attraction to visitors and locals alike, particularly locals from Gauteng, for whom getting away to the Waterberg to see game, without the added hindrance of anti-malaria medication, is something of a bonus.
Hundreds of years ago this area was home to a rich variety of wild animals like giraffe, lion, hyena, buffalo and elephant that due to both farmer and hunter were fast depleted. Now, due a concerted effort to reverse the loss of animals for whom this is their natural home, large areas in the Waterberg biosphere have been restocked.
Geolocation
28° 37' 15.6", -24° 10' 40.8"
References

http://legendhospitality.co.za/stay-with-us/entabeni-safari-conservancy/...

Further Reading

Hluhluwe and Umfolozi Game Reserves

Formerly known as the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve now the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. The park is the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa. 96000 hectares in size (960 square kilometers) that's the same size as Netherlands Antilles while Hong Kong is 1104 square kilometers. Officially opened in 1895 as a Park.

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is the only state run park in Kwazulu Natal that is home to the African Big 5. The park is world renown for its conservation efforts and history. The Umfolozi was previously used as King Shaka's private hunting grounds. The conservation efforts have contributed to this park having the largest population of White Rhino in the world.
Rich in history the area had been subject to severe hunting first by the Zulu’s during the early 1800s and then in the 1840s by the Great White Hunters, who arrived by Ox Wagon from the Cape of Good Hope and Port Natal to plunder the area’s wildlife resources for skins, ivory and of course Rhino Horn. Hundreds of thousands of animals where shot and in a period less than 50 years the Elephant herds had been slaughtered. and numerous other species were destined for extinction. By the late 1890 fewer than 100 White Rhino’s had survived in and around the Umfolozi area, the last remaining on Earth. By 1895 the area fortunately received formal protection as a game sanctuary from the Natal Colonial Government as the Imfolozi Junction Reserve, together with the Hluhluwe Valley Reserve.
From the early 60’s new species where reintroduced to the reserves by the Natal Parks Board and and the KwaZulu Natal Conservation Services. The corridor area between the Imfolozi and the Hluhluwe was finally incorporated in 1989 and has contributed in creating a fully functional ecosystem in allowing a natural movement of game between the two areas. The reserve hosts over 1200 plant species, 84 mammal and 350 bird species not to mention the reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects.
The north of the park is more rugged and mountainous with forests and grasslands and is known as the Hluhluwe area, while the Umfolozi area is found to the south near the Black and White Umfolozi rivers where there is open savannah.
The big 5 roam freely today as well as Cheetah and Wild Dogs to mention but just a few of the larger species found within the reserve.
It is also hear that save the rhino campaign was started with only 100 Rhinos left in the world, the game capture team still in operation today operate and deliver animal species world wide
Imfolozi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal is adjacent to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve and together they form one of South Africa's oldest and largest Big Five reserve.
Accommodation: Self-catering chalets and cottages, tented camp, safari lodge
Activities: Walking trails, game drives, guided walks. It is home to Africa's Big Five and also other game including the elusive Cheetah, Wild Dog and Nyala. Prime game viewing takes place at hides overlooking pans and waterholes which enable visitors to see animals at close range.
Accommodation at the Imfolozi Game Reserve, northern KwaZulu-Natal consists of various luxury lodges, self catering accommodation and tented camps. Some camps have their own cook to prepare meals for guests. Activities include game drives, self-guided walking trails, day walks, boat tours on the Hluhluwe Dam and exciting all inclusive wilderness trails.
Imfolozi Game Reserve is situated in the southern section of the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. This KwaZulu-Natal park is the oldest game reserve in South Africa. It was established in 1895. Today, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park is world renowned for its White Rhino conservation and its Centenary Capture Centre is setting exceptional standards for animal capture and sustainable utilization in Africa.

General Note: Imfolozi is in a low risk malaria area so it is advisable to consult your doctor before travelling. Curios, cool drinks, camera film and petrol at the Mpila Camp Shop in Imfolozi, but there are no restaurant facilities. The nearest town with a full range of services is Mtubatuba, about 45 minutes away.

Geolocation
-28° 11' 52.8", 31° 56' 56.4"
References

http://www.nature-reserve.co.za/hluhluwe-imfolozi-wildlife-preserve html/https://www.hluhluwegamereserve.com/hluhluwe-game-reserve history/ https://www.hluhluwegamereserve.com/hluhluwe-imfolozi-park

Further Reading

http://www.nature-reserve.co.za/hluhluwe-imfolozi-wildlife-preserve.htm…

Khami Ruins, Zimbabwe

Khami Ruins National Monument and World Heritage Site, is located to the west of the Khami River, 22 km from the City of Bulawayo. The property, located on a 1300 m hilltop downstream from a dam built during 1928-1929, covers an area of about 108 ha, spread over a distance of about 2 km from the Passage Ruin to the North Ruin. The property was the capital of the Torwa dynasty, which arose from the collapse of the Great Zimbabwe Kingdom between 1450 -1650 and was abandoned during the Ndebele incursions of the 19th century. It is composed of a complex series of platforms of dry-stone walled structures, emulating a later development of Stone Age culture. The chief’s residence (Mambo) was located towards the north on the Hill Ruin site with its adjacent cultivation terraces. The population lived in daga huts of cobwork, surrounded by a series of granite walls. These structures display a high standard of workmanship, a great number of narrow passageways and perambulatory galleries and impressive chevron and chequered wall decorations. Khami conforms to Great Zimbabwe in a number of archaeological and architectural aspects but it possesses certain features particular to itself and its successors such as Danangombe and Zinjanja. Revetments or retaining walls found expression for the first time in the architectural history of the sub-region at Khami, and with it were elaborate decorations; it still has the longest decorated wall in the entire sub-region.
The architecture of the site and the archaeological artefacts provide evidence for an exceptional understanding of strong, united, early civilizations. They also offer information on the property’s complex socio-economic, religious and spiritual significance for the local communities and for the overall chronological development of Zimbabwe tradition; initiated in Mapungubwe (South Africa), extending to Great Zimbabwe, and through the emergence of later states. The archaeological remains are also a testament to long-distance historic trade links with the Portuguese, and the wider world, the diverse range of imported artefacts provide evidence of 15th and 17th century Spanish porcelain, Rhineland stoneware and Ming porcelain, many of which are on display in the Museum of Natural History in Bulawayo. There is also a monumental granite cross which illustrates the contact with missionaries at a traditionally revered and sacred spiritual site.
 
Khami is the second largest stone built monument in Zimbabwe. Its historical importance lies in its position at the watershed between the history of Great Zimbabwe and the later Zimbabwe period. It is one of the few Zimbabwe sites that were not destroyed by treasure hunters and its undisturbed stratigraphy is scientifically important in providing a much clearer insight into the history of the country. The climate supports a natural vegetation of open woodland, dominated by Combretum and Terminalia trees. Being close to the Kalahari Desert, the area is also vulnerable to droughts, and rainfall tends to vary considerably. The property has suffered some degradation due to variations in temperature, ground water, tourism, encroaching vegetation and applied preservation techniques. The property is a unique and exceptional testimony to a civilization which has disappeared.The architecture and archaeological artefacts of the site provide important scientific and historical evidence critical for the understanding of the full chronological development of the Zimbabwe tradition from the Stone Age to the Iron Age era.
The property is an outstanding example of a type of building and architectural ensemble which illustrates a significant stage in history. It has yielded an exceptional long evidence related to human evolution and human environment dynamics, collectively extending from 100 000 years ago to date and demonstrates testimonial to the long distance trade with the outer world.
Over its area of 108 ha, the property is relatively intact and appropriately maintains the diverse cultural and traditional processes, functions and interactions of the local communities. Dispersed over 2 km, extending from the Passage Ruin to the North Ruin, an appropriate degree of indigenous cultural processes remain for the property to be sufficiently well protected from environmental pressures and alternative land uses. The boundaries are also sufficient in size to fully capture the natural and aesthetic values. In addition to the established boundaries, the property has a buffer zone to retain the natural characteristics of the area. However, some negative effects on the relationship between the site and its setting are being caused by the expansion of the suburbs of Bulawayo (10 km distant), and the polluting discharge from the city’s effluent into the Khami River. The buffer zone needs to be carefully monitored so that this relationship does not erode any further. The ruins have been subjected to some natural erosion, veld fires, burrowing animals, encroaching vegetation, and the effects of tourism. Rain induced ground creepage down the site slopes has increased the incidence of wall cracks, bulges and collapses, adding to the deterioration of the structures, ornamental features and architectural coherence. Conservation and maintenance actions are needed to maintain the existing integrity of the historic fabric.
Khami has retained its authenticity largely in part due to the minimal interventions that have been carried out. All restorations have used traditional methods and no new materials have been added. Restorations nowadays are by anastylosis which ensures that no new materials are introduced to the fabric of the site and promotes use of traditional methods of construction.
 
The archaeological zone was protected as a ‘Royal Reserve’ until the death of King Lobengule in 1893. In recognition of the historic, cultural and architectural significance of the site, it was scheduled as a National Monument in 1937. Currently the National Museums and Monuments Act Cap. 25:11 legally protect the property and its resources.
Khami Ruins National Monument is managed by National Museums and Monuments as overall responsible Agency. At local level Khami falls under the Western Region administrative unit and a project manager, who liaises with the Regional Director and Executive Director on administrative and policy issues and is responsible for conservation and development. The government of Zimbabwe partly funds conservation work and also makes available funds for capital improvements through its Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). National Museums and Monuments provide some funds raised through entrance fees, filming fees, etc. for conservation. International cooperation has existed for financial support, including assistance for the development of a conservation and site management plan. A management plan, which derives from a master plan for resource conservation and development, exists and is currently being implemented in accordance with National Museums and Monuments Act. However, there are challenges for implementation because the community was not adequately involved in the nomination of the property and, therefore, do not fully understand the implications of its status. Although the well-defined and buffered boundary is not physically marked, a system of regular monitoring is in place but there are challenges in enforcing restrictions to regulate further developments, particularly from tourism development, and to maintain the conditions of integrity. Larger cooperation is needed to ensure the adequate management of the buffer zone and the conservation of its characteristics; These include a well resourced conservation programme, to maintain stone walls and landforms and to address factors that contribute to deterioration, such as water infiltration and pollution. An appropriate visitor use strategy, including the development of facilities, is needed to regulate visitation at the site and to adequately present and interpret its significance.
Geolocation
-20° 8' 22.4971", 28° 25' 24.2517"
References

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/365/

Further Reading
 

Phalaborwa, Limpopo Province

Phalaborwa is a town in the Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa. Phalaborwa is the site of the 'Big Hole', the earth's largest man-made hole, visible from space and pretty awe inspiring, even if you're not impressed by mines in general. Mining and smelting of copper and iron ore date back to 400 AD when the Sotho called the area 'Ba-Phalaborwa', meaning 'better than the south'. That Phalaborwa never gets cold is something of a euphemism to describe the intense heat that can grip the modern, situated just 3 kilometres from the Kruger National Park, during summer in particular.
It does render the town of Phalaborwa a great place to stay during winter, however, and many tourists take advantage of the warm temperature for a winter sojourn, particularly with the lure of the Kruger just up the road. Indeed, this part of the of the north eastern Lowveld is very beautiful but the ‘better’ part of the town’s name most definitely refers to the wealth generated by mineral deposits that today still support a thriving mining industry. About 2000 million years ago, a series of volcanic eruptions left an astounding geological feature measuring 19 spare kilometres, filled with phosphates, copper iconium, vermiculite, mica and gold. It is unsurprising then that a lot of the activities in Phalaborwa centre on mining - you can visit the Foskor Mine Museum, take a mine tour and visit the open cast mine, which will leave few visitors indifferent to the sheer width of the two kilometre diameter.
The Hans Merensky Country Club just happens to have one of the best golf courses in the country.
Geolocation
-23° 55' 21.8643", 31° 3' 26.5324"
References
Further Reading
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