Singita Blog
Posts Tagged ‘Singita Kruger National Park’
January 9th, 2012
Kicking off 2012
All the effort made by the team at Singita Kruger National Park on Mandela Day last year to raise funds to purchase soccer balls for schools in our local community, was made worthwhile at the end of 2011 when a group of 11 Singita staff went into Hluvukani, one of the local communities situated just outside the Kruger National Park’s Orpen Gate, to deliver the balls to the schools.
The soccer balls were handed out at 7 different schools. At each school a soccer game took place between the staff and the school pupils. The games and the new balls caused much excitement for both players and spectators.
A great day was had by all and the Singita Kruger National Park staff are looking forward to when we will be taking a similar trip to Welverdiend, another one of the local communities, to complete the delivery of the remainder of the balls.
Singita Kruger National Park would like to thank Adidas SA for assisting us in achieving this special relationship with the community schools, by providing the balls at a specially discounted rate.
(Article contribution by Christen Bennett – Singita Kruger National Park.)
If you missed the story last year about celebrating Mandela Day at Singita Kruger National Park, enjoy the blog post here.
November 21st, 2011
The MO-Town Boys
During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces around the world. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.
On November 1st, men register at Movember.com with a clean-shave face and then for the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery.
Since its humble beginnings in Melbourne Australia, Movember has grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than 1.1 million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas to participate, with formal campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, Finland, the Netherlands, South Africa, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium and the Czech Republic. (Information courtesy of www.za.Movember.com.)
Read up on all the latest Moustache Season news and highlights on the official Movember South Africa website.
This November some of the chaps at Singita Kruger National Park have taken up the challenge to support this noble cause, supporting men’s health. Already sporting some worthy whiskers, take a look at their progress so far. We’ll keep you updated on the development of some fine moustaches.
Herewith introducing…
Brett “Cheese Viscous” Appelgryn
Matt “Scatterbrain” Naude
Dan “The Dungeon Crawler” Mongwe
Gavin “The Punisher” Rosenbaum
Hermann “Snaggletooth” Naude
Ian “Arsenic” Weerepas
Louis “Loose Balls” Niels
Tharwat “Slapnuts” Londt
Mac “Hammer Smash” Maclachln
Nicolaas “Squash Bowels” Louw
Marlon “Riot Rattler” du Toit
and last but not least…Wayne “The Butcher” Leeson
a.k.a the MO-town Boys….taking this challenge seriously.
October 18th, 2011
Family Reunion
If you’ve been following news from Singita Field Guides, then you’ll remember the Xinkelengane female leopard at Singita Kruger National Park. She has provided a multitude of gorgeous photo opportunities in the past. But now it seems her maturing offspring are taking over the reins in the territory.
This beautiful young leopard (above) has taken over the reins from her mother it seems. Sadly, her mother, the much loved and well known Xinkelengane female has been missing for almost three months now. We are not sure where she is and we continue looking for any signs of her. In the meantime the leopard pictured, has been leaving her scent along all of the prominent landmarks within her mother’s old territory. This is vital for establishing a territory. She is still a young cat, barely 18 months of age and her territorial behavior is very early. It is perhaps brought on by the absence of a dominant female (her missing mother) and as leopards are very opportunistic she may be using the chance to make her presence known before another female claims this abundant piece of real estate.
The two cubs are still seen together from time to time. Independently they are doing very well. Both are hunting successfully and kill prey up to the size of adult male impala and young waterbuck. A recent get-together resulted in them spending the night together feeding on a carcass, and they separated again by mid-morning. The young male, pictured below to the right feels more pressure in terms of territory. His father, the Shingwenyana male, is still very active in this region. Fortunately for the young male his father has not reacted aggressively towards him allowing him to stay in this space. We even witnessed recently as this young boy watched his father mate with another female. There was no aggressive behavior from his father suggesting a strong bond between the two.
Only time will tell where these young leopards will finally set up their own territories. We hope we don’t lose track of them into the massive Kruger National Park as they have become much loved by the guides.
Singita Kruger leopard update provided by Marlon du Toit, Guide, Singita Kruger National Park. To follow what happens to these young leopards, stay in touch with our monthly Guides’ Diaries on Singita’s website.
July 19th, 2011
Celebrating Madiba’s 93 years!
All over South Africa yesterday there was a buzz in the air – all because of an extremely special occasion: Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday.
In case you didn’t know this, but as a result of the success of the birthday celebrations in London, June 2008, to commemorate Nelson Mandela and his life work, it was set in motion thereafter to acknowledge Mr. Mandela’s birthday each year as “Mandela Day“. What a perfect way to ensure that his legacy endures for a very long time.
The Mandela Day campaign message is simple: “Mr Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. All we are asking is that everyone gives 67 minutes of their time, whether it’s supporting your chosen charity or serving your local community”.
In a tucked away corner of the Kruger National Park, a group of people decided to take this challenge very seriously – our amazing Singita staff at Singita Lebombo and Sweni Lodges. They came up with some innovative and creative ways for everyone to particpate in order to raise funds to make a difference. Some signed up to shuffle for 6.7 minutes; delicious cupcakes were auctioned off; some chose to cycle 67 kilometres while others opted for running 6.7 kilometres – and even one staff member signed up to hug or kiss 67 girls! All proceeds are planned to support local primary schools in the area. What a day and a great amount of fun had by all – all for an oustanding cause.
June 13th, 2011
Seeing Spots…More Cheetah Sightings
As the sun was setting this image was captured in the more central parts of Singita’s private concession in the Kruger National Park. In the past, Singita Kruger National Park has not been regarded as a concession that produces abundant cheetah sightings. Well that’s all changed! This month alone we have had over 10 different sightings – all of them unbelievable in their own way. This female and her three cubs have realized the benefits of the abundance of general game in the concession and both her and the cubs are in a very healthy condition. We will watch with interest as they continue to grace us with their presence.
By James Suter, Guide at Singita Kruger National Park. Follow our monthly Guides’ Diaries for more enthralling updates about the diverse wildlife at each of the Singita game reserves.
