You will find  “Beach Closed” signs at beach entry point with a physical barrier during the CLOSED periods.

Clumps of these plants border the boardwalk through the coastal forest

The clean, sparkling blue sea is warm all year round and marvellous for snorkelling and shore-fishing. 

Washing a pebble after a swim in the warm Indian Ocean

A GOOD TIP – Keep your beach equipment to a minimum (ie “carryable size!!!) and enjoy the cool walk along the boardwalk from the Chalet area down to the beach.

Going to explore the rock ledges! Putting on my fins!

See website www.wildsidesa.co.za for details and information

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s (Ezemvelo) call for tender to hunt white rhino in the Umkhuze Controlled Hunting Area is an annual white rhino removal programme which forms part of the bigger strategy that Ezemvelo uses to remove animals considered “excess surplus.” Other strategies used include auctioning of the animals and donation mainly to Community Conservation Areas to name just a few.

The annual white rhino removals programme has been taking place for the past 50 years. The average number of white rhinos removed from the State Protected Areas is 80 per annum. These animals are removed for ecological reasons to safeguard their habitat and are translocated throughout Southern Africa, sold and in some instances hunted through strict codes of ethics.

The down-listing of rhino from Appendix 1 to Appendix 2 was approved by the CITES Conference of Parties (COP 9) in Fort Lauderdale (USA) in 1994.The numbers of white rhino legally hunted in South Africa since the down-listing has varied, but averages about 70 animals per year. The white rhino hunt at Makhasa is clearly not a hunt in isolation.

It is important to note that the rhino removal programme is done in accordance with the principles as prescribed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and follows implicitly the rules laid down for the hunting of white rhino in terms of the CITES Convention down-listing conditions for the legal hunting (export of trophies) and international trade of white rhino. Ezemvelo also conforms to all Acts and Regulations prescribed and promulgated by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).

Ezemvelo’s CEO, Dr Bandile Mkhize, said: “Our organisation will not neglect its duties in upholding the principles of good governance and, in the case of rhino, we are acutely aware of the biological and security requirements to ensure its survival as a species for future generations; the decision to remove this animal was based on sound ecological, demographic and genetic wildlife management grounds. We feel more than justified that we have followed defendable principles and protocols.”

He further stated that “the removal of a small number of individually identified rhino males actually enhances overall meta-population growth rates and furthers genetic conservation. As a spin-off, the hunting of such animals generates substantial revenue and helps provide much-needed additional funding to support effective conservation management programmes, as well as providing incentives for rhino-specific conservation.”

Ezemvelo is also co-managing the Makhasa Community Conservation Area in partnership with the KwaMduku Community where revenue sources are a critical component of their operation in maintaining their community-owned reserves’ viability.

Ezemvelo will continue to  facilitate, promote and ensure that community-based wildlife and tourism programmes and projects are afforded a priority focus to demonstrate the relevance of wildlife and ecotourism as a viable land use operation wherever appropriate and feasible.

It must be further stated that the annual rhino removal figures are subject to a robust internal review process that adheres to sound ecological principles and is focused on maintaining healthy populations of rhino as a primary objective within the Protected Areas of the Province.

Some of the guiding principles are to

• ·         ensure that the primary focus of any rhino male hunting remains the enhancement of biological management of breeding populations; and therefore hunting applications should be based primarily on the conservation and wildlife management grounds;
• ·         ensure that any off-takes are biologically sustainable;
• ·          based on good monitoring;
• ·          ensure that incentives from any hunting opportunities are maximised;
• ·          not to discriminate between state agencies, communities and the private sector;
• ·         encourage good biological management to meet demographic and genetic goals;
• ·         promote and enhance long-term commitments to rhino conservation and ensure that appropriate internal and external controls are in place.

Dr Mkhize further emphasised that Ezemvelo is extremely concerned with the current spate of rhino poaching in the country and have implemented additional security interventions to protect the rhino. Through the Rhino Security Intervention Plan, Ezemvelo has managed to reduce the number of rhino poached this year in its Protected Areas to 34.

W/P Media Release No. 28 Ezemvelo gives back to the community

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s management has expressed its disappointment at the concerns raised by certain animal rights groups over the hunting tender that Ezemvelo is facilitating on behalf of the impoverished  community of KwaMduku.

The hunt will take place at Makhasa Community Reserve and not at Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park as   has been widely reported by some media houses.

Makhasa Community Reserve is a 1500 hectare reserve which has existed for many decades ago. It now has an array of animals like Buffalo, Rhinos, Giraffes, Zebras, and Kudus which have been introduced by Ezemvelo since 1994.

Mduku Community, a rural community near Mkhuze, owns Makhasa Community Reserve and the proceeds from the hunt will be used by the Community to improve the management of their Reserve.

Ezemvelo will not benefit from the proceeds of the hunting tender.

Ezemvelo CEO, Dr Bandile Mkhize said that “It is unfortunate that such an outcry is only raised when the hunt stands to benefit the poor rural community of KwaMduku. The animal rights groups have been quiet through out the year when 23 rhino hunting permits were issued to private game reserves, but are up in arms when such permits stand to benefit the poor black  community.”

He further stated:  “We cannot fold our hands when the reserves managed by various communities request our assistance. We will continue to support such community reserves as most of them are adjacent to our Protected Areas.”

Ezemvelo has spent more than R14 million on projects that are aimed at uplifting mainly the communities adjacent to its reserves. Ezemvelo co-manages 26 community reserves with mainly rural and poor communities.

KwaZulu-Natal Province is amongst the three Provinces that managed to reduce the incidents of rhino poaching last year (2011). Only 34 rhinos were poached in the province, of which 27 were poached in protected areas. 39 Rhinos had been poached in the province in 2010, of which 32 had been poached in the protected areas.

This proves that the strategies introduced last year, which included improving relations with the communities around our reserves, have been successful.

W/P Media Release No. 30 Ezemvelo gives back to the community

Six amateur Judges made their choices, according to technique, subject and popular appeal. It was very difficult as so many were worthy of winning. We could not, in all fairness, give more than one prize to an individual.

The tenth prize will be decided by the weblog viewers on www.rhinoclub.wordpress.com so please comment!

Top Three Choices overall were:
First = Crab reflection – Hendrik Louw
Second = Bee-eater – Piet Goosen
Third = Kosi Bay Fish nets – Christina Malan

Next Choices were:
4th = Kite-surfer at Cape Vidal – M Combrinck
5th = Buffalo at sunrise – R McKibbins
6th = Wildebeest portait- S Battison
7th = Cape Griffon juvenile – J P Venter
8th = Wild Dogs hunting – J Bigera
9th = Martial confronted by a Kite – T Branken

Click to view slideshow.

Calling Harley or Vintage car fans and other Groups or Clubs amongst our members – co-ordinate a “run” to Ithala either as a day outing or as a week-end and we will put up a “SPECIAL” just for you. Contact Resort Manager Allan Smale to negotiate a “Special Deal”.

HAVE A MEAL AT THE NTSHONDWE RESTAURANT -  experience our new Caterers, C3,  Menu and give us your feedback.

Restaurant SPECIALS for Rhino GOLD Club Members.

Ntshondwe Resort in Ithala Game Reserve offers a 10% discount to all Gold Rhino Club Members on standard priced meals, including all bar beverages… now where else is this type of special offered, other than Ntshondwe Resort.

(Discounts not applicable on any other Special packages which may be advertised from time to time).

Our popular Sunday Lunch Buffet continues to be a bargain at  R120.00 per person, but after discount for Club Members only R108.00 per person.

Kids now have their drivers licence and nagging you to let them drive your 4×4 vehicle? Take a trip to Ithala and teach them the correct 4×4 driving principles. Our 4×4 route is picturesque, but not grueling! THEN HAVE LUNCH AT THE NTSHONSWE RESTAURANT @ R 108 PER PERSON (only GOLD members). Experience the new Menu and give us your feedback. 

Dombeya flowering along the 4x4 track

Ithala's ruggerd terrain seen from above Ntshondwe Camp

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 12,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 4 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Visitors to All Parks are  reminded that while wildlife is often seen amongst the chalets and campsites in the protected areas, these animals are not tame and members of the public should not try to touch them or feed them.

RHINO CLUB LOYALTY CARD MEMBERS CONTACT OUR HELPDESK ON 033 8451008/1009 or rhinoclub@kznwildlife.com or www.kznwildlfie.com 
NON_MEMBERS book through Central Reservations tel 033 8451000 or FAX 033 8451001 or bookings@kznwildlife.com or www.kznwildlife.com