Juncus kraussii, a grass known locally as incema is a herb that grows up to a height of 1.5 m in large colonies where it occurs. It is highly useful, not just for environmental purposes where it prevents erosion, but also among the local Zulu woman who harvest the grass, as it has a perfectContinue reading “Incema Grass”
Tag Archives: St. Lucia Estuary
Coffee and Croissants on the Lake
One of those once in a lifetime, not to be missed opportunities… An almost 3-hour boat cruise on St. Lucia lake departing at sunrise traveling along the St. Lucia Estuary lined with mangroves among the hippos and herons, crocs and reeds dangling with weaver nests. A real birders and photographers delight! This incredible trip Includes aContinue reading “Coffee and Croissants on the Lake”
Wetlands
The importance of wetlands was again declared by the United Nations, with the following statement: “How can we reduce floods, droughts and water pollution? By using the solutions, we already find in nature. The answer is nature!” Wetlands occur in different environments around the world, and they all have divergent characteristics. However, they do all haveContinue reading “Wetlands ”
Busy Bees
South Africa is known for its rich insect diversity, which of course includes bees. According to the Agricultural Research Council, there are 2 755 recorded bee species in sub-Saharan Africa. Of these, approximately 1 000 are found in South Africa, and many of them are endemic to the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo areas. Some interesting bee facts: All worker bees are female. A bee producesContinue reading “Busy Bees”
When The Tall Giraffe Has The Short End of the Stick
A journey of giraffes is such a fitting description for the undulating wave a large collection of giraffes make when travelling together in one direction. These majestic and graceful animals can be found in the Western Shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Sadly they are a species on the decline in Africa. Over the past thirtyContinue reading “When The Tall Giraffe Has The Short End of the Stick”
So which is it – Black on white, or white on black?
Donki ko lo football jersey is the fanagalo name for a Zebra. Appropriately descriptive when you look it their black and white chevron like coat. Fanagalo is the linga franca language once used in the South African mines, composed of frequently corrupted elements of the Nguni, English and Afrikaans languages. No guesses how the term zebraContinue reading “So which is it – Black on white, or white on black?”
A to Z of Animals in St Lucia
A brief A to Z of animals in iSimangaliso Wetland Park looks at a small selection of fascinating animals that can be found in the area. A daunting task considering the long list of beasts one can stumble across on foot, and in a vehicle when out and about exploring St Lucia. For those of you whoContinue reading “A to Z of Animals in St Lucia”
Getting wet with Kobus
This group of antelope typifies the iSimangaliso wetland park. Here we have a group of Kobus. Kobus is the genus name of the waterbuck and it has a related cousin, the reedbuck. These two species love water, even to the point that they have ducks’ feet. They do not take to the water for aContinue reading “Getting wet with Kobus”
The Big 5
We are all very familiar with Africa’s Big 5 – The elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo and rhino, so called because these five animals were the hardest and most ferocious of the big game to hunt, and when you read further you will see exactly why they are on this list. The iSimangaliso Park has 4Continue reading “The Big 5”
Turtle Season
As the whale season winds down and comes to an end, so the turtle season begins. Generally, the first part of November is not the best time to witness turtles nesting, but on occasion they can be found and then we take full advantage of this rare event by observing the delicate process of egg-laying.Continue reading “Turtle Season”
Tourism Tails 