National Parks and Nature Reserves: A South African Field Guide
AUGRABIES FALLS NATIONAL PARK - NEW 4X4 ROUTE - MARCH 2015:
A new 4x4 route has now been opened to the public in the game park area, see the updated map:
An exclusion zone was fenced off in the western section of the park to protect the quiver trees.
We would also like to include a map here to show the walking trails accessible from the main tourist camp:
African Weasel (Striped Weasel) Poecilogale albinucha has now been recorded in several additional conservation areas covered in this guide and should be added to checklists for the following: Pilanesberg; Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg; Bontebok; Oorlogskloof; De Hoop; Cedarberg. This species is apparently increasing its range in the west of South Africa. (March 2015)
KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK - NEW LODGES - MARCH 2015:
There are two new lodges on the Botswana side of this Park: Tashebube Rooiputs Lodge (near the Rooiputs campsite in the southern section) and Tashebube Polentswa Lodge (north of Nossob camp). Bookings are organised through the Botswana Parks Authorities.
KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK - ELEPHANT RECORD - JANUARY 2015:
Elephant are not usually associated with the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park but recently an elephant bull traversed the park, 50 km north of the Mata Mata rest camp. It then walked through the border fence and entered Namibia. The last time an elephant was recorded in the park was 18 years ago. The nearest elephant populations are far to the north or north-east and one has to wonder why one animal is motivated to go on such an extensive walkabout. Permanent elephant populations are located at Kaudom in north-east Namibia, Chobe and Tuli in Botswana. A long march indeed.
MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL PARK - ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION - DECEMBER 2014:
Two mountain cottages are now available: Bakana and Umthombo. They are situated away from the main camp, only reachable by 4x4 or 4x2 vehicle with diff lock. Both sleep up to 10 people (2 bedrooms and 1 room with 6 bunkbeds).
KAROO NATIONAL PARK – ADDITIONAL SPECIES RECORDS – NOVEMBER 2014:
(SANParks; Hon.Rangers; C&M Stuart)
Additional bird records
The following species have only been recorded as rare vagrants to the park; in other words often only once!
Southern Pochard – Bruineend – Netta erythrophthalma
Saddle-billed Stork – Saalbekooievaar – Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
European Honey Buzzard – Wespedief – Pernis apivorus
Brown Snake Eagle – Bruinslangarend – Circaetus cinereus
Bateleur – Berghaan – Terathopius ecaudatus
Black Sparrowhawk – Swartsperwer – Accipiter melanoleucus
Amur Falcon – Oostelike rooipootvalk – Falco amurensis
Garden Warbler – Tuinsanger – Sylvia borin
Orange-breasted Sunbird – Oranjeborssuikerbekkie – Anthobaphes violacea
African Firefinch – Kaapse vuurvinkie – Lagonosticta rubricata
Village Indigobird – Staalblouvinkie – Vidua chalybeata
The following are considered to be rare visitors to, or residents in the park:
Pearl-breasted Swallow – Perelborsswael – Hirundo dimidiata
Buffy Pipit – Vaalkoester – Anthus vaalensis
Swee Waxbill – Suidelike swie – Coccopygia melanotis
Cape Spurfowl – Kaapse fisant – Pternistis capensis – mainly restricted to wooded river courses, such as Afsaal and Bulskraal.
Additional recent records:
Fiery-necked Nightjar – Afrikaanse naguil – Caprimulgas pectoralis – Gamka River area, Bulkraal, river course at Afsaal.
Neddicky – Neddikkie – Cisticola fulvicapilla – Bulkraal
Black Cuckooshrike – Swartkatakoeroe – Campephaga flava – Klipspringer Pass
Blue Waxbill – Gewone blousysie – Uraeginthus angolensis – Bulkraal (Possible escape as far outside range, as several kept by cagebird enthusiasts in nearby Beaufort West.)
Additional reptile records:
Thin-skinned Gecko – Dunvelgeitjie – Pachydactylus kladaroderma
Purcell’s Gecko – Purcell se geitjie – Pachydactylus purcelli
Spiny Ground Agama – Stekelkoggelmander – Agama hispida
Karoo Sandveld Lizard – Karoosandveldakkedis – Nucras livida
Common Sand Lizard – Gewone Sandakkedis – Pedioplanus pulchella
Striped Legless Skink – Gestreepte pootlose skink – Microacontias lineatus
Fisk’s House Snake – Fisk’s huisslang – Lamprophis fiskii
Striped Skaapsteker – Gestreepte Skaapsteker – Psammophylax tritaeniatus
Common Tiger Snake – Gewone Tierslang – Telescopus semiannulatus
Additional amphibian records:
Southern Pygmy Toad – Suidelike Dwergskurwepadda - Vandijkophrynus vertebralis
Namaqua Caco – Namakwablikslaner – Cacosternum namaquense
Cape Sand Frog – Kaapse Sandpadda – Tomopterna delalandii
August 2014:
Mountain Zebra National Park:
The following species can now be added to the Mammal Checklist:
- Honey Badger / Ratel Mellivora capensis
- Plains Zebra Equus quagga
Karoo National Park:
As of this month 12 lions are present in the park. The following species can now be added to the mammal checklist for the park: Brown Hyaena and Mountain Reedbuck.
Two rustic cottages (Afsaal and Embizweni) are now available for overnight stays, book with reception directly.
Here is an updated version of the park map, a few additional 4x4 trails have been opened:
Addo National Park
The southern Colchester section is now open to the main game area for free movement of all species, a few extra roads have also been opened there, see the following updated map:
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July 2014:
Namaqua National Park
Hartmann's Mountain Zebra Equus zebra hartmannae have been reintroduced.
Mokala National Park
Exclusive Kameeldoorn Tree House now open, it overlooks a waterhole. Online booking for this is not possible and the minimum stay is 2 nights.
Oribi Gorge:
Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide (Cape Vultures) just outside reserve boundary. Must be booked in advance.
June 2014:
Recent taxonomic changes to the tree genus Acacia, indicate that all African members now fall into one of two genera, namely Vachellia or Senegalia. The only exceptions in South Africa are the various Australian exotics which remain within the genus Acacia. These changes will be implemented in a second edition but a date for this has not been decided.
Eastern Cape
Addo Elephant National Park
1. The fence between the main game area and the southern Colchester sector has been removed and allows for free movement of game between the two areas.
2. The Spekboom Tented Camp is located at the Spekboom hide in the heart of the northern game area. A camp and caravan park is being developed at the Matyholweni Rest Camp.
3. As of 2014 the Elephant population stands at around 600 individuals. There is some debate as to whether this is sustainable in the long term with the population continuing to grow and despite the addition of the Colchester sector to their range.
Mountain Zebra National Park
1. Hiking is no longer permitted except in the company of a ranger.
2. Lion have been reintroduced to the park, 2 males and 1 female. Cheetah have settled well and are breeding. Brown Hyaena have also been reintroduced. Red Hartebeest are common and this antelope was left off the checklist in error.
Camdeboo National Park
1. Although a great number of accommodation options are available in Graaff-Reinet there is now a campsite (Nqweba) and the Lakeview Tented Camp both located close to the park offices and reception building.
Northern Cape
Tankwa Karoo National Park
1. Common Eland should be added to the mammal list. It is planned to reintroduce Cheetah and Brown Hyaena to the park.
Mokala National Park
1. Early 2014 the area covered by the park is 27 571 ha but expansion plans continue.
Namaqua National Park
1. The Namaqua Flowers Tented Camp (10 tents) is seasonal and is fully catered. Along the coast there are nine small and basic campgrounds, accessed by poor roads and most require high clearance or 4x4 vehicles.