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Vervet Monkey

The vervet monkey is common across Southern Africa and may frequently be spotted from your safari accommodation. NAME: VERVET MONKEY SCIENTIFIC NAME: CHLOROCEBUS PYGERYTHRUS WEIGHT 3.9-8 KG (M) 3.4-5.3 KG (F) LENGTH: 420-600MM (M) 300-495MM (F) MATING SEASON: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR DESCRIPTION Vervet Monkeys are one of the smaller common primate species found throughout South and Southern Africa. They have pale grey fur covering their entire bodies from head to tail, with the only uncovered skin being their black faces surrounded by hair like a mane, and their blue bottoms that stick out from beneath their long tails. They are often seen scavenging on trash or leftover food within camps using their opposable thumbs to take apart and sort leftovers. Males have average weights of 5,5 kg (12,1lb) while females are slightly smaller at around 4,1 kg (9lb) in weight. DISTRIBUTION Vervet Monkeys are not exclusive to Sub-Saharan or Southern Africa but are rather widespread throughout the great continent of Africa. Their range starts in the south of the Western Cape of South Africa near the coastline where from it goes east and up to the mainland areas towards the border. They are extensively found next to major rivers in South Africa, largely due to their water dependence. The eastern coast of Africa from KwaZulu Natal up to the diverse lands of Kenya north of the equator are all full of vervet monkeys who find life easier here in more tropical and wet environments. STATUS Vervet Monkeys are a very common primate species, and are in no significant threat to extinction or endangerment currently. Wherever you go in South Africa, whether it be in the Kruger or the Cape, you are very likely to see at least a single vervet monkey near your campsite or lodge. They have significant populations all over the country and are a very plentiful species even outside South Africa’s borders. The only threat to the species is their need for water, which largely explains its scattered population otherwise. Human interference hasn’t affected the vervet monkey’s health as a species as much as other animals. HABITAT Vervet Monkeys are very diverse and adaptive animals. They are present in a great number of different habitats with vastly different plants that make up the vegetation in these habitats. Savannah and woodland areas teeming with life find themselves occupied with vervet monkeys, while sub-tropical and tropical forests or areas conversely are also home to these monkeys. Wherever there is enough water for them to survive, these primates will do so. Rural and agricultural areas are also frequently inhabited by vervet monkeys, despite the unease and damage they cause farmers by feeding on the crops these farmers depend on for their survival. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION Vervet Monkeys organize themselves in much the same way as baboons do. They too form troops, usually slightly smaller than those of baboons however, averaging at around 25 individuals. In such a troop there are usually around 8 males, with the rest of their population made up of females and the young that are dependent on them. Both males and females within this group are territorial and defend the troop’s territories. Juvenile males leave the group once they reach maturity to find their own place in the habitat or in another troop and possible start their own troop. Females, on the contrary, stay in this troop of theirs to take the place their mothers once took up. SOCIAL BEHAVIOR Vervet Monkeys are quite specific in their behavior and have daily routines followed by most troops. They typically start their day by grooming one another whilst socializing near the tree they go to retire every night. Then at around 8 in the morning, shortly after sunrise, they start getting active. A troop such as this does everything together to so ensure more individuals survive with more eyes looking out for predators. Foraging, sleeping and just a nice afternoon rest to get away from the scorching hot sun leering down on the ecosystems below are all group activities amongst these monkeys. Vervet monkeys also communicate in profound ways, using their tails to visually communicate their mood or situation. REPRODUCTION Mating amongst these animals is an annual or seasonal affair. Females reach sexual maturity around 3 ½ to 4 years after birth, when they can start reproducing the next generation of Vervet Monkeys. Males reach a sexually viable age earliest at 4 ½ years. There are no partner preferences when it comes to copulation which means any males and females mate in any particular day. There is, however, evidence that suggests males higher up the hierarchy in a troop typically mates with more females than less dominant males. Gestation is typically a few months long, between the mating season that usually falls in the dry season and birth peaks in spring. ANTI-PREDATOR BEHAVIOR Vervet monkeys are very vulnerable to a number of different predators, largely due to their terrestrial foraging habits and inferior size. Eagles and smaller species of cat make up their main nemeses in their battle for survival, in addition to the main predators every animal looks out for such as lions, leopards and hyenas. They generally react to the presence of a potential predator by giving out a distress or warning call to surrounding troop members, while also pouncing for the safety of tree tops or standing completely still in an attempt to hide in plain sight, waiting to see what their attackers will do. Source credit: africansky.com

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South Africa’s new visa rules – here’s everything you need to know

South Africa’s government will overhaul its visa rules by the end of next month to promote tourism and make it easier to do business, as part of a package of measures aimed at reviving an economy that’s mired in recession. Minors who are foreign nationals will no longer require a copy of their birth certificate and consent from both parents to enter the country, Home Affairs minister Malusi Gigaba told reporters in Pretoria on Tuesday. Visitors from India and China will also not have to apply for visas in person at a South African embassy, while business travelers from those nations will be issued with 10-year multiple-entry visas within five days of application, he said. More than 10 million people visit South Africa each year, a number President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration wants to increase exponentially as it seeks to create jobs for the 27% of the workforce that’s unemployed. The tourism industry has complained that stringent new visa laws introduced in 2015 — which the government said were necessary to combat child trafficking and terrorism — had prompted many travelers to consider alternate destinations. “It is a challenge inherent in immigration management to detect, prevent and act against risks without unduly inconveniencing law-abiding travelers,” Gigaba said. “Changes to our visa architecture have potential to boost tourism and to make business travel more conducive.” Ramaphosa, who took office in February, first outlined plans last week to change the visa regime in his “stimulus and recovery plan,” which aims at reviving an economy that entered a recession in the second quarter, but never provided details. Visitors from a number of countries, including the UK, U.S., Germany, France, the Netherlands, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and Angola, don’t need visas to come to South Africa. The government is in talks about extending the exemption to other nationals, including those from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Sao Tome & Principe, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran, Lebanon, Kuwait and Cuba, Gigaba said. Other concessions include allowing frequent visitors to South Africa to apply for three-year multiple entry visas, and business people and academics from Africa to seek 10-year multiple-entry visas. South African minors will still require the consent of both parents to leave the country and must be in possession of their birth certificate, Gigaba said. The latter requirement will be dropped when the government implements plans to issue minors with passports. The government plans to smooth the clearance of travellers through the busiest border posts, by installing a biometric movement-control system. The new system is nearing completion, with several pilot sites already up and running.

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Top 10 Heritage sites in South Africa

Top 10 Heritage sites in South Africa South Africa has many historical, cultural and natural destinations that merit preservation for future generations. First Car Rental has put together a list of South African heritage sites, some of which have been declared World Heritage Sites for their cultural significance or natural beauty. These destinations are certainly places that every South African must visit at least once in their lifetime. 1. Robben Island, Western Cape The solitary island of Robben Island situated some 9km offshore from Cape Town has a deep connection with the history of South Africa. It is where South African President Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison and where he formulated the notion of forgiveness and dreamed of a nation free of oppression. Visitors can go on a guided tour to the Robben Island Museum and get first-hand accounts of Nelson Mandela’s life in prison. You can also visit Mandela’s cell, which has been left in its original state. Dubbed “Robben” (the place of seals) by Dutch settlers, the island was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999. 2. Vredefort Dome, Free State Over 2 million years ago an asteroid with a diameter of between 5 and 10 km hit the earth at this very spot leaving behind the largest and oldest verified impact crater on Earth, giving it the status of World Heritage Site. The Vredefort Dome stretches over 300 km across and bears witness to the world’s greatest known single energy release event, which had devastating global effects including, according to some scientists, major evolutionary changes. 3. uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, KwaZulu-Natal This World Heritage Site in KwaZulu-Natal is an open-air mountain museum where more than 30 000 examples of Bushman rock art can be viewed on the walls of caves. The park is a combination of sheer natural beauty and a wealth of biological diversity. It is also one of South Africa’s prime eco-tourist destinations. Covering 242,813 hectares of area, the park spans parts of both South Africa, in KwaZulu-Natal province , and Lesotho. The site’s diversity of habitats protects a high level of endemic and globally threatened species, especially birds and plants. 4. Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng The Cradle of Humankind is where the origins of the human race can be traced back to and holds great scientific importance. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The world-renowned Sterkfontein Caves is home to the oldest and most continuous paleontological dig in the world. It is also the site of discovery of the famous pre-human skull affectionately known as “Mrs Ples”, and an almost complete hominid skeleton called “Little Foot”, dated 2.3 and 4.17 million years old respectively. So, if you want to know the history of our origins, take a trip to this amazing destination. The Maropeng Visitor Centre is open to the public from 09h00 to 17h00 every day. The last boat ride departs at 16h00. 5. Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, Limpopo South Africa’s fifth World Heritage Site and fifth on our list of must-see heritage destinations is Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape. Mapungubwe is set hard against the northern border of South Africa, joining Zimbabwe and Botswana. The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape demonstrates the rise and fall of the first indigenous kingdom in Southern Africa between 900 and 1,300 AD. Mapungubwe developed into the largest kingdom in the sub-continent before it was abandoned in the 14th century. What survived are untouched remains of the palace sites and the entire settlement area around them. This landscape presents an amazing picture of the development of social and political structures over some 400 years. 6. iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Kwa-Zulu Natal Covering about 240,000ha, with a further 84,000ha in, on or under the sea, thissub-tropical paradise stretches 220km along the East Coast from St Lucia to the Mozambique border. iSimangaliso is teeming with life and has a mind-blowing variety of natural eco-systems ranging from dune, swamp and coastal forests to rocky and sandy shores, coral reefs and submarine canyons, mangroves, savannah grassland, thickets, woodlands, and the largest protected wetland in Southern Africa. The activities you can enjoy here include game drives, snorkelling, diving, bird-watching and hiking. 7. The Castle of Good Hope, Western Cape This unique historical site is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa. It has been a centre of life at the Cape since its inception in 1666. The Castle of Good Hope was established as a maritime replenishment station at the Cape of Good Hopefor the Dutch East India Company, better known as the VOC (VerenigdeOos-IndischeCompagnie). The Castle of Good Hope was a welcome sight for sailors travelling up to six months at sea and they referred to Cape Town as the “Tavern of the Seas”. In 1936, the Castle was declared a National Monument. As a result of an extensive, ongoing restoration and conservation programme launched in the 1980’s, the Castle of Good Hope remains the best preserved monument of its kind. 8. Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga A small town in Mpumalanga, Pilgrim’s Rest is protected as a provincial heritage site. Pilgrim’s Rest is situated on the magnificent Panorama Route in the Kruger Lowveld region of the Mpumalanga. This living museum takes visitors to the day of the Transvaal Gold Rush;the spirit of a bygone era and its people in their quest for gold. Pilgrim’s Rest was declared a gold field in 1873, soon after digger Alec “Wheelbarrow” Patterson had found gold deposits in Pilgrim’s Creek.The Valley proved to be rich in gold and by the end of the year, there were about 1500 diggers working in the area. Today, mining still continues in the hills surrounding Pilgrim’s Rest. 9. Nelson Mandela Museum, Mthatha, Eastern Cape Take an inspirational journey through the life of former President and world icon Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha. The Museum officially opened in 2 000, ten years after his release from prison in 1990 and incorporates three sites – Mvezo, near Coffee Bay, where Mandela was born;

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Fun And Adventurous Things To Do In Northern KZN

KZN is roughly the size of Portugal and northern KZN is mild, sunny and dry in winter and sub-tropical in summer with delicious rain storms and blazing beach weather. Replete with wild forests pulsating with bird and animal life, here are 21 fun and adventurous things to do around and along the elephant coast. Watch out for the Zebra crossing in Mtunzini! Sleepy coastal town Mtunzini (meaning “a place in the shade” in Zulu) is a hidden gem on the North Coast. Don’t mind the zebras as they go about their business, it’s the crocs I would watch out for! Visit gentle giants at Tembe Elephant Park Right near the Mozambique border, in Maputaland these large tuskers roam among tiny Suni antelope. Get away from it all at Rocktail Beach Camp Rocktail Beach, situated in a remote coastal forest area of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, combines luxury and rusticity for a glorious beach/bush break where you really feel like you’ve escaped life’s stresses. There are 17 units, each with an open-air feel inside shower. The Honeymoon suite has uninterrupted views of the welcoming Indian Ocean. Aquatic tigers in Jozini Dam Officially known as Pongolapoort Dam, prior to the dam’s construction this was Africa’s first formally recognized conservation area. In the reserves around the dam you’ll find elephant, leopard, nile crocodiles on the banks, pink and white backed pelicans, rhinos, buffalo, hippos, waterbuck as well as many others. A healthy tiger fish population makes this a prime fishing destination. Take a Horse Ride through the old battle fields Ride in the ghostly paths of the Zulu and British soldiers on the battlefields. Go on a photographic safari at Zimanga Private Nature Reserve Combine your passion for excellent photography with your love of wildlife and visit Zimanga Private Nature Reserve. Zimanga is based on the Zulu word for something unbelievable, and this is the first reserve in Africa to specialise in wildlife photography. The hides have been designed with the guidance of a BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Winner and are unobtrusive ensure that the animals remain undisturbed by the photographers. Go Diving in Sodwana Bay Sodwana bay offers some of the best diving in the world with outstanding marine life and beautiful coral. Dive sites range from 20 to 40 metres, so if you’re an experienced diver you can go seeking out the hammerhead sharks. Water temperature varies from 28 degrees in summer to 20 in winter. De-stress at rustic Mabibi beach camp Wonderful rustic Mabibi Campsite is situated at Hulley Point on the Elephant Coast. Spot Palm Nut Vultures at the Raffia Palm Monument in Mtunzini Declared a National Monument in 1942, the Raffia Palm grove in Mtunzini has a lovely boardwalk trail from where you can spot the distinguished palmnut vultures. The palms grow to an impressive 25 metres high with 18 metre long leaves! Valley Drive, Mtunzini. Visit Lake Sibaya, the largest freshwater lake in SA This pristine freshwater lake is one of the 10 jewels of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, is 70 square kilometres and thriving with animal and bird life. Watch out for the crocs and hippos on the banks! Lake Sibaya (also known as Sibhayi) was once the mouth of a powerful river but is now naturally separated from the sea by sand dunes. Stay at any of the luxury lodges in the surrounding area or at the Mabibi Beach camp (see above). Discover more at the Fort Nongqayi Museum Village The Fort, built in Dlinza Forest in Eshowe in 1883 houses the Zululand Historical Museum. There is also an aboretum, the KZN papermakers, and an art gallery. At the museum you’ll learn about the construction of a Zulu hut, you’ll also see King Mpande’s wheelchair and see other artifacts such as the brass armbands worn by Zulu kings and soldiers. For more info contact the museum at +27(0)35 474 2281. Nongqayi Street, Eshowe, 3815, Zululand, KwaZulu Natal. Snorkeling at Lala Nek Lala Nek is a spot in Isimangaliso Wetland Park near Black Rock and Mabibi. Find it at -27.224025°S; 32.794733°E. Only 5 vehicles a day are allowed into Lala Nek but there is no beach permit required. Stop in at Gugulesizwe Cultural Village on the way. You’ll need a 4×4 to navigate the sand. Snorkeling is best at low tide. Bird Watching and Bush Baby spotting at Ongoye Forest Reserve This rare habitat of scarp forest hosts a plethora of birdlife and even some cycads. The Ongoye forest reserve is one of the oldest protected nature areas in the country and was first under the protection of the Zulu Royal household for the important medicinal plants found here. King Mpande first protected the area followed by his son, King Cetshhwayo, who prevented John Dunn from hunting in the forest. You’ll need a 4×4 to access this remote reserve and you’ll cross three streams to get there. There are no camping facilities so when you arrive you must contact the

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6 KwaZulu-Natal diving and snorkeling spots to try this summer

The KwaZulu-Natal coastline is blessed with balmy weather year in and year out and blue, crystal clear serenity of the warm Indian Ocean makes the province divers and snorkelers paradise for so many reasons. It’s the land of an endless summer and with so many coastal areas, reefs and warm waters to explore it’s no wonder Kwazulu-Natal keeps getting the number one rated dive and snorkeling locations in the country. Here are 6 must-visit diving and snorkeling destinations on your next trip to the warmest province in South Africa. Diving Spots Raggie Cave/ Shark alley – Aliwal Shoal This death-defying dive situated in the Aliwal Shoal is widely considered to be one of the top rated dive sites in the world for various reasons. The 80,000-year-old sandstone reef provides an excellent location for spotting and swimming with one of the most respected and feared marine animals the shark. Ragged Tooth, Tiger and Hammerhead sharks are the found sharks of this dive site hence the name of the dive spot. Sardine Run – Protea Banks The sardine run which spans from the Eastern Cape to this iconic coastal region of KwaZulu-Natal really is one of the most spectacular diving experiences on planet earth. Every year around June and July thousands upon thousands of sardines are found migrating from cold cape waters to warm KwaZulu-Natal ones, this brouhaha creates a marine festival as other bigger ocean predators follow the sardines to gauge themselves on fresh fish making it a visual treat for anyone fascinated by the ocean and diving. Hire a car in Durban to accommodate your travel. Uniforms – Sodwana Bay Forming a part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is this slightly less challenging dive situated in Sodwana Bay nearing towards the Ponto Do Oro border of Mozambique. The reef is said to go on for as long as 5 miles and is home to Tiger Angelfish, purple butterfly fish and the yellowtail goldie fish. The water temperatures become warm and pleasant during the December period and this is also when the turtles that inhabit the area lay their eggs which are also deemed to be a great event to witness for wildlife enthusiasts. Snorkeling Spots Umdloti Pools This seasonally quiet seaside village has become a popular snorkeling destination over the years not just because of its proximity to more urban hubs nearby such as Durban or Umhlanga but also because of its undeniable beauty and charm. The Umdloti tidal pools create a great area for snorkeling and during low tides create an area which is considered an amazing place to escape the Kwazulu-Natal sun for a while and get up close and personal with the ocean. It’s also a short drive from the King Shaka International airport and the entire North Coast of KZN offers similar beaches that are also suitable for snorkeling. Salt Rock Tidal Pool This is one of the more popular snorkeling locations on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal for various reasons. This is the precise reason why you might want to visit this picturesque part of the world from the end of May when the weather is slightly cooler and the seas a little clearer and more radiating. However the sea temperatures are slightly cooler during this time of year so wearing a wetsuit is optimal if one wishes to snorkel for longer hours, but it isn’t mandatory. Some of the species of fish the area is famous for is Parrotfish, blacktail, butterflyfish, sergeant majors, Moorish idol and the gold bar wrasse. Vetch’s Pier What’s great about this snorkeling and diving site is it’s situated within the urban hub of Durban so there are loads of other things to do and explore once you have finished your snorkel. What’s also nice about it is on the main promenade there is a dive shop where one can buy and rent all the necessary equipment which one might need to complete a successful snorkel. The harbor wall is the main location not far from the famous Vetch’s Reef and some of the marine life which divers and snorkelers are expected to see include Rays, octopus, tobies, electric rays, damselfish, moray eels, shoals of Fusiliers, chocolate dips, and butterfly fish. Source: divesouthafrica.com

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