flora & fauna
  
South Africa has an abundance of plants and animals to offer.
Besides the Big Five and other large mammals there is a great variety of smaller mammals, birds, repiles, 
amfibians and insects and it has many plants and beautiful trees.
Amukela is located in the so called "low-veld" and although both Balule and the Krugerpark have different 
eco-zones the vegetation in this area is called "mixed woodland-savanna". 
 
 
Most people who come to Africa have probably heard of "the Big Five", but which animals are this and why?
The elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros are called the Big Five because they were the 5 most 
  dangerous animals to hunt. So the name comes from hunting just like the word "game" (wild animals).
   
the Big Five The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest land animal with an average hight of  2,5 meter and a  
weight of 3000 kg for females and 3 meter with a
animals weight of 5000 kg for males.
An elephant needs to eat an average of 250 kilo grass, 
birds leafs and bark per day. This takes him the better part of 
the day, about 14 hours. He needs to drink every day, 
trees and plants about 200 liters of water per day!
During the hottest part of the day you can often see
elephants leaning against a tree, taking a nap.
Elephants live in herdes who are led by the oldest female.
When young males become sexual mature they leave the
herd and often join a few other males to form a small bachelor herd.
Elephants can live up to 60 years.
  
The lion (Panthera leo) is the largest African predator. Females are about 110 cm high and weigh about 125 kg 
while males can be about 120 cm high and weigh an average 
of 190 kg but can weigh up to 260 kg.
Lions are very strong and can carry twice their own weight. 
They are social animals that live normaly in groups.
The males protect the pride and the territory while the
females do most of the hunting and look after the cubs.
This doesn't mean that the males can't hunt and with a large
prey like a buffalo often the strength of the male is needed
to take the prey down.
When young males become sexual mature they leave the
pride and roam a round for a few years. In this time they usualy form a coalition with one or more other males and
when they are in their prime they take over a pride by chasing away the older males.
Lions can eat till a quarter of their own body weight in one meal but can do without food for days if they have to.
 
top The buffalo (Syncerus caffer) can be 150 cm heigh and weigh up to 850 kg. They are social animals and live in herds
that can be as big as hundreds of animals.
Old males often live alone or in small groups and are
called "dagga-boys", a reference to their habbit to roll
in the mud. An adult buffalo has to drink 34 liters of water
every day and they prefer to do this in the late afternoon.
They are bulk grazers that eat about 10 hours a day,
both during the day as at night.
They can be very agressive when they are threatened
and it's not unusual that a herd comes to the rescue of
one of their members when it's atacked by lions.
The buffalo is known for it's habbit to first run away but then come back to see what has frightened him.
 
The leopard (Panthera pardus) is the hardest to find of the Big 5.  They are nocturnal and well camouflaged animals
that usually stay away from humans as much as possible.
Leopards  are about 65 cm high and weigh about 60 kg.
They are much more robust then the slim cheetah who is
build for speed.
Leopards live solitair and stalk their prey till they are very
close (5 meter) before they make the final jump.
Although the leopard can reach the respectable speed of
60 km per hour he seldom chases his prey when his jump
misses and if he chases it's only for a short distance.
The leopard is a good climber and often takes his prey
into a tree were it is safe for other predators. 
 
There are 2 species of rhinoceros ; the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and the black rhinoceros
(Diceros bicornis). The white rhinoceros is a grazer and  his name comes probably from a mis spelling of "wide"
which refers to his wide lips. These wide lips are very
suitable to eat large amounts of grass and you will find 
him mostly in open grassland.
The black rhinoceros is a browser and his hooked lip
is very suitable to eat leaves. They are a bit smaller then
their white cousins and live in dense bush. 
Although both species have poor eyesight, the white
rhinoceros is usually more relaxed while the black rhino
is known for his bad temper.
In flight the difference between the species is very clear 
as the calf of a white rhino will run in front of it's mother and the calf of the black rhino will follow it's mother. 
top  
  
Besides the Big five there is a great variety of other animals. Below some of the species you can find here.
The giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis) with it's stately manner
is a wel known animal on each safari. 
It is the hightest landanimal (males up to 5,2 meter and
females up to 4,5 meter) that eats leaves from the acacia 
trees with his 45 cm long tongue that is insensible to thorns.
The diffenrence between males and females canbe seen
at the horns. Females have a tuft of hair on top while the
males are bold on top beacause of the fighting.
  

The zebra (Equus burchelli) is the wild horse of Africa. 
In early days they have tried to tame this animal but
without succes! 
Zebra’s are often seen in the company of wildebeast. 
The 2 species are no competion for each other since they
eat different parts of the grass and the larger numbers
mean better protecting agains predators.
Each zebra has an unique pattern in their stripes just
like our fingerprints.
top

The Puff adder (Bitis arientas) is the most common poisonous

snake in Africa. He trusts on his camouflage and wil not 

easily flight. When threatened he can puff himself up with

air, hence the name puff addder.

His venom is cytotoxic which means it destroys tissue.
For more information about snakes we recommend a visit
to the Khamai Reptile Park, just outside Hoedspruit.
 
  
Baboons (Papio cynocephalus ursinus) live in a troop,
led by a dominant family and strict hierarchy. The male is 
the absolute boss and a formidable opponent.
Adult baboons have larger canines then lions while the
male is  3 to 4 times as strong as an adult male human! 
Baboons eat almost anything accept carion and they spend
the day foraging. At night they sleep in a tree or on rocks
where they are safe for most predators. 
   
The kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is one of the most 
beautyful antilopes. He can easily jump over a 2 meter high 
fence. The alarmcall of the kudu is the loudest of all 
antilopes. When you hear this barking sound at night it 
usualy means that there are predators around.
The kudu is the second largest antilope in the ares after 
the eland antilope. 
 
   
top Impala (Aepyceros melampus) is a very common 
antilope, that lives in herdes led by a dominant male.
Joung males form a  bachelor-herd. 
They eat both grass and leaves and that makes them 
very succesfull. Females give birth a litlle over 3 months
gafter the first rains and can delay the birth if there is too 
little rain. 
Impala's are the prey of a lot of the predators.
 
Jackal (Canis mesomelas). The black-backed jackal is
very resourcefull and is mostly nocturnal. 
Although most people think he is a scavanger jackals do 
hunt for themselves. They also eat insects, seeds, berries 
and even grass and leaves to survive. 
Jackals mate for life and when one of them dies the other 
will stay alone for the rest of his life.
 
 
The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) may look
friendly but is responsible for the highest number of 
attacks with a deadly result in Africa. 
He lives in the water during the day to protect his skin.
After sunset they come on the land to graze. In winter  
they can easily walk 30 km at night to find good grazing.
On cool days you can sometimes see them out of the
water as well. 
 
 
top There is a large variety of birds in South Africa and over 250 species occur in this area which makes it a paradise
for bird watchers. Even if your not particular interested in birds you might learn to appreciate the abundance of
different birds and their behaviour.
 
The yellow-billed hornbill (Tockus leucomelas) is one of the
most common birds of southern Africa.
He is easy to identify with his striking yellow beak.
His cousins the red-billed hornbill and the grey hornbill are
also regularly seen in this area.
 
 
The southern ground-hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeatery) is
much larger and is unmistakable.
They eat insects, frogs, snails, lizzards and snakes and
even squirels if they get a chance.
The ground-hornbill makes a nest in a natural hollow
in trees but does not close the entrance of the nest like
his smaller cousins do.
Ground-hornbills are an endangered species and we were
very happy to hear their loud ooooomph, oooomp close to our lodge in 2008 for the first time.
 
The Lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudata) is easy to recognise becaus of his lilac breast and can be seen year round
in this area, often sitting on thelephone lines.
With his colourful appearance its one of the prettiest birds
in the lowveld and espacially in flight when it's irrisendant
blue wings can be seen clearly.
The lilac-breasted roller eats insects, scorpions, lizzards, 
spiders and even small rodents.
They nest in holes in trees but can't make these themselves
so they often use old holes of other birds like woodpackers
top oTh barbets.
 
De african skops owl (Otus senegalensis) is with his 15-17 cm the smallest owl.
During the day he is hard to spot because he is so well camouflaged. His call
prrrrrup, can be heard year round and has a set interval.
Other owls in this region are the pearl-spotted owlet (Glaucidium perlatum),
the barn owl (Tyto alba), the spotted eagle-owl (Bubo africanus) and the giant
eagle-owl (Bubo lactus). From our lodge we often hear the call of the pearl-spotted 
owlet and the giant eagle-owl. 
 
 
 
The helmeted guinneafowl (Numida meleagris) is a quite
big bird that spends most of his time on the ground.
They can fly and sleep in trees but are reluctant to fly
and will often run in front of your car for a while before
dashing into the bush or fly away.
 
The african hoopoe (Upupa africana) is another beautiful
birdIt is a common species that stays here the whole
year. They often walk on the ground, looking for insects
and can turn up the earth to reach them.
His name cames from his distinctive call; hoop-hoop,
hoop-oop-oop.
The hoopoe nests in holes in trees, old nests and even
in buildings.
 
top The hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) is unique and very
recognizable. His name means hamer-head.
It's nest is very big (2 meter in diameter) and heavy 
(25-50 kilo), and will be used by other birds when 
abbandonded. The hamerkop is a water bird and eats fish
and frogs. He is not territorial and forms longlasting bonds.
They migrate locally beacause they are dependant on 
water.
 
The saddle-billed stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) is one of the species of storks that occur here.
With his distinctive red and black beak with the yellow
"saddle" you can't confuse him with any other stork.
This big (145 cm) water bird is usualy seen alone or in
pairs. They wade through the water and catch anything
that moves with their beak.
Other storks that can occur in this area are;
the black stork (Ciconia nigra), the white stork 
(Ciconia ciconia), the yellowbilled stork (Mycteria ibis),
the openbilled stork (Anastomus lamelligerus) and the marabou stork (leptoptilus crumeniferus).
 
The kingfishers are another family of water birds that occur in this region. At our waterhole we regularly see
the pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) and the woodland
kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis). The latter only occurs
here in summer and when we hear it's call we know that
summer has begun. The brown-hooded kingfisher
(Halcyon albiventris) is a resident bird and we even saw
a giant kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) at our waterhole
a few times.
On the picture right the giant kingfisher and the pied kingfisher.
top  
The southern masked weaver (Ploceus velatus) makes 
hist nest preferably on a brach hanging over the water.
Often you will se a lot of nests in one tree. 
It is a common resident bird in this area.
They eat insects and seeds.
Other weaver birds that occur here are the 
red-headed weaver(Anaplectus rubriceps) and the 
red-billed buffalo weaver (Bubalornis niger).
 
The grey go-away bird (Corythaixoides concolor) was 
previously known as the grey Lourie. In Afrikaans his name
"Kwêvoël" is a reference to his call, a nasal kweeeeee.
It is a common resident bird that eats preferably fruit
but also parts of flowers and plants and sometimes even
insects.
They nest often in thorn trees and build a fragile looking
platform of twigs.
 
 
It is unpossible to name all the bird species here that occur in this area but some are worth mentioning.
There are the birds of prey like hawks, kites, falcons, vultures and eagles.
The large lappet faced vulture can open carcasses with it's strong beak while the small hooded vulture can pick the last
bits and pieces from the bones.
The African  fish-eagle is probably the best known eagle. He looks a lot like his cousin, the bald eagle, that occurs in
Nord Amerika.
Then there are the woodpeckers, bee-eaters, barbets, doves, babblers, bul-buls, flycathchers, sunbirds and much more.
For people interested in birds we recommend a visit to the Moholoholo rehabilitation centre which has a large variety
of birds of prey and of course you can request special attention for birds on the gamedrive or bushwalk. 
 
 
 
top Trees and plants.
South-Africa is a large country, especially to Europese standards. It is about 33 x larger than the Netherlands. 
Because of the big differences in climate this country has a great diversity of plants and trees.
 
Amukela is located in the Low-veld. This is a low area (150 tot 600 meter above sealevel)  between two
mountain ranges: the Transvaalse Drakensbergen in the west and the Lebombo mountains in the east. 
It includes a part of eastern Swaziland and a large area in the south-east of Zimbabwe.
 
The Low-veld has different eco-zones: area's with similarities in landscape, rainfall and geology.
Our eco-zone is ‘mixed bushwillow woodlands’. This is an area with a great variety of trees and plants.
Below some of the trees and plants that occur around Amukela and are some of my favorites:
Baobab  (Adansonia digitata).
Afrikaans: kremetart
Widespread in southern and eastern Africa.
A characteristic tree that easily grows to a height of 15
meter, a circumference of 30 meter is not exceptional. 
Very large trees can become 3000-4000 year old .
It is a tree with a lot of legends. The Swahili beleive that 
a potion made of the leaves can protect people from
crocodile attacks. 
A well known story is that of the San:
The proud Baobab looked down on all the other trees and the Creator punished him for that by planting him
upside down. When the baobab has lost his leaves in winter you can see this clearly.
The most southern baobab is located in the Kruger park, a littlebit above the Tshokwane picknickspot. 
In 2004 we planted a ‘baby-baobab’ of about 40 cm. high. In June 2009 it is already 3,5 meter!
 
top Marula (Sclerocarya birrea).
Afrikaans: maroela
The fruits from this tree from are the main ingredient for
the well know liqueur Amarula. It makes a great apéritif.
The tree has fruits from January to March.
The fruits are very rich in vitamin C (4 x as much as in 
oranges). In winter the tree can be used to obtain water 
from it's roots. It is maybe the most valued tree of the 
original inhabitants of the Low-veld. 
Indaba’s (traditional meetings) are often held in the
shadow of this tree, who is supposed to be the protector of secrets.
 
Leadwood bushwillow (Combretum imberbe).
Afrikaans: hardekool
A hard-wood tree that is termite resistant. 
It takes about 7 year for this wood to dry when the tree  
dies. The wood is so heavy that it sinks instead of floats.
The ashes of the wood are very rich in calcium and
traditional it was (mixed with water) used to brush teeth. 
Fresh green leaves on hot coals dreate a smoke that, 
when inhaled, relieves fever and cough. 
 
 
Tamboti  (Spirostachys africana).
Afrikaans: tambotie

Occurs from northern-Tanzania till deep in Kwazulu-Natal. 

A beautifull tree that is very suitable for woodwork. 

The milky sap is vey poisonous and can even cause 
blindness. It can be used to relieve tooth ache by rubbing 
a drop of the sap in or on the tooth. 
Small amounts can be used in a stew to stop diarea and 
dehydration. 
This tree is an indicator for underground water.
 
top Knob-thorn (Acacia nigrescens).
Afrikaans: Knoppiesdoring
This acacia species can grow up to 30 meter high.
The name comes from the knobs on it's bark.
From August till November it flowers, just before the new 
leaves come. The flowers are eaten by baboons,
vervet monkeys and giraffes. The leaves are eaten by 
kudu, elephants and giraffes.
Whiteback vultures often nest in these trees.
 
 
Impala lily  (Adenium multiflorum).
Afrikaans: Impalalelie

This beautifull succulent is classified under trees and can 
grow up to 3 meter high. The plant flowers from April to
September and thus forms a good source of food for wild 
animals in the wintermonths. Succulents are plants that 
can store water in their tissue which makes them very suited 
for a dry environment.
With the white and pink flowers it is an attractive plant
in your wintergarden.
 
Sickle-bush (Dichrostachys cinerea)
Afrikaans: Sekelbos
A smallish tree with more than one stem. The flowers
that occur from October till January look like Chinese
lantarns. From May till September it gets seeds, twisted 
pods that grow in groups.
These pods are very nutritious and are eaten by a lot of
animals. It is a pionier species that can grow on almost 
any soil and that is very resiliant. if you cut of the stem
new braches will grow.
top Ofcourse this is only a small selection of the trees and plants in this region.

 

contact
phone: +27 (0)82-37 94 711 / +27 (0)82-92 19 824
e-mail: info@amukela.com

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