Wet Birds of the Kruger National Park

Shark Appeal

Cape Vidal log Cabin layout

Its crazy to see how fast a year goes, last year September 2012 we went to  Cape Vidal which falls within the St Lucia Marine Reserve and is situated north-east of St Lucia within the Isimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site. We have just returned from our 2013 trip back to Cape Vidal and have once again created very found memories of the place.

Its always a place of beauty but I do feel that KZN wildlife is missing the point here. The park is quite strange in the sense that Cape Vidal is a resort within Isimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site. This means that the resort falls under KZN wild life while the Isimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site does not. I still don't quite understand this but I can see the problems it creates.

Firstly Cape Vidal is still predominantly focused on fishermen. They do not focus on people that want to experience the actual park. This can be seen directly in the standard of the accommodation. Its the perfect drink and fish style accommodation and it is extremely poorly maintained. The units are serviced daily but due to poor maintenance and the lack of upkeep the units always feel rundown.

Additionally if you stay at Cape Vidal you cant go on any night drives. The rangers at Cape Vidal do not offer this service and the only companies that do are external businesses that fall outside on the camp. As a nature lover this is extremely annoying. The park has so much to offer from an eco tourism perspective  and to see how little is being done here is extremely discouraging. Again this is a contradiction as this might be why this is still such a beautiful place to be.

We will always return to Cape Vidal but if your looking for the best time of year I would suggest May.

Below I have added the layout of the units at Cape Vidal. I would always suggest going for the larger 8 sleeper units since they feel so much roomier and the price difference is incidental. 

Unit 1

Unit 2

Unit 3

 

Unit 4

Unit 5

Unit 6

Unit 7

Unit 8

Unit 9

Unit 10

 

Unit 11

Unit 12

Unit 13

Unit 14

Unit 15

Unit 16

Unit 17

Unit 18

 

 

Unit 19

 

Unit 20

Unit 21

 

Unit 22

 

Unit 23

 

Unit 24

Unit 25

Unit 26

 

Unit 27

 

Unit 28

 

Unit 29

YouTube, the sad reality of news and views

 

My video uploads on YouTube have been going well over the last few years now. They never seem to attacked a lot of views but over time you do see a steady increase in viewership.

My videos generally relate to nature as is my passion.

Looking at the youtube analytics system, my videos generally generate 200 to 400 views which is not a lot but it feels good that I'm not the only person enjoying moments I have captured.

In December 2012 I uploaded a video I recorded of a certain individual stealing my motor bike. I was not expecting any real views from this video but wanted to upload it never-the-less in case  someone recognised this buffoon and could report it to the cops. 

Sadly nothing has come of this case and the motor bike is gone for good. This is not a bad thing since I do not really like motor bikes in the first place.

What I do find amazing though is that the video is out performing every other video I have ever uploaded to YouTube. In the last week it has reached 4000 views. Its crazy to see how many people watch this video.

So I have decided that perhaps my Youtube vlog has been misdirected, going forward I have learned the secret to increasing YouTube views, make sure your video is about crime or something negative and people will watch it…  LOL maybe not

Out of interest the video Im speaking about is below

Crime in South Africa

Cape Vidal South Africa

Its only taken 8 months to put a complete video together of Isimangaliso Wetland Park. It amazing to think that it took me ten years to see this park again last years and now I have already booked my holiday for this year.

Cape Vidal is in the Isimangaliso wetlands park. It is managed by KZN wild life. Apparently they will be investing more money into the upgrading of this resort but the main spend will go toward Sodwana bay.

The area is a prime fishing destination but this has reduced slightly over the last couple of years due to the 4x4 beach ban.

I think this has done wonders for this section of coast and it literally means you can take a walk up or down the coast from Cape Vidal and not cross another person. As the largest marine reserve in South Africa we need to appreciate these areas more and more.

The video below shows all the animals I manage to capture plus a tour of a local Zulu village, its a bit long but will definitely give you a feel of the area.

Cape Vidal

A Drive through Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Pretoria

Rietvlei is situated 25 kilometres from OR Tambo International Airport between Kempton Park and Johannesburg.  The nature reserve is 3800 ha and includes Rhino, hippo,  cheetah and Lion.  The lions are the only animals that are not free roaming.

For more info please go to http://www.friendsofrietvlei.co.za/ or www.rietvlei-reserve.co.za

We spent two hours driving around the reserve and found a few rare birds that you don't see every days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first encounter was with a male and a female Secretarybird. The Secretarybird is classified as Vulnerable. The bird is instantly recognisable by having an eagle-like body on crane-like legs or as my kid calls it a mean looking chicken. The bird is largely terrestrial and hunts with it long legs while walking through the grass. I have seen this bird take on snakes in the past and its always in the birds favour. Secretary birds consume snakes, other reptiles, amphibians, tortoises, rats and other small mammals as well as young game birds. The Secretary bird is widespread throughout Africa south of the Sahara but are listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss.

The next on the list was the White-fronted Bee-eater. Although this is not uncommon it is good to see so close to Johannesburg. Their status is common resident in grassland and savanna’s and Im sure we will see it right through winter at Rietvlei.

The next picture is of a yellow billed duck. Quite common and always spotted at Rietvlei I just had to take a few pictures as the colours on this bird are just spectacular.

African Grey Hornbill

Ant-Eating Chat

Our last entry before we left was a Rhino and her calf.