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Have a SUN SAFE Summer

It’s natural to want to get out in the sun during warm summer days. It should also be second nature to take steps to protect your skin from the sun when you go outside. Ultraviolet (UV) rays – from the sun and other sources like tanning beds – are the #1 cause of skin cancer. Too much exposure can also cause sunburn, eye damage, and premature wrinkles. But shielding your skin with clothing, broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, and staying in the shade can help lower your risk. Take these steps to stay sun-safe: Cover up: When you are out in the sun, wear clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to protect as much skin as possible. Protect your eyes with sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV light. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher: Reapply at least every 2 hours, as well as after swimming or sweating. Seek shade: Limit your direct exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps: Both can cause serious long-term skin damage and contribute to skin cancer. Choosing the right sunscreen While you should use sunscreen every day of the year, it’s even more important during the summer, when the days are longer, the sun is stronger, and it’s easier to spend more time outdoors. When choosing sunscreen, read the label before you buy. US Food and Drug Administration regulations require the labels to follow certain guidelines: Choose a sunscreen with “broad-spectrum” protection. Sunscreens with this label protect against both UVA and UVB rays. All sunscreen products protect against UVB rays, which are the main cause of sunburn. But UVA rays also contribute to skin cancer and premature aging. Only products that pass a test can be labeled “broad spectrum.” Products that aren’t broad spectrum must carry a warning that they only protect against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreens filter out about 97%; SPF 50 sunscreens filter about 98%, and SPF 100 filter about 99%. No sunscreen protects you completely. The FDA requires any sunscreen with an SPF below 15 to carry a warning that it only protects against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging. “Water resistant” does not mean “waterproof.” No sunscreens are waterproof or “sweatproof,” and manufacturers are not allowed to claim that they are. If a product’s front label makes claims of being water resistant, it must specify whether it lasts for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating. For best results, reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours and even more often if you are swimming or sweating. Sunscreen usually rubs off when you towel yourself dry, so you will need to put more on. source: caner.org

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Emdoneni News

Fabulous Festive Frenzy at Emdoneni Lodge

Enjoy a 2 night stay and receive 20% off the full rate Book your 3rd night and pay only 50% of the full rate Package: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast BONUS : ✔️1 child stay free of charge ✔️2nd child only pay R350,00 on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis per day ✔️Less 20% on all kiddies activities ✔️Book a full body massage and receive a FREE hand and foot massage To check availability or to book, click on the image below. Terms and Conditions: Rates include VAT Rates are quoted per person sharing Package should be booked more than 7 days prior to arrival Credit card to be provided for full deposit at time of booking Maximum two children (12 yrs and younger) accommodation per adult booked in the same selected room. Offer based on availability of limited rooms. Rates are non-commissionable. More than 2 kids, additional room to be booked. Valid for bookings up until 15 January 2018 Please follow this link to make your booking: https://goo.gl/fHmWoC

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Emdoneni News

History of the Emdoneni Cheetah Project

The Emdoneni Cheetah Project was started by Ida Nel (our mom) who always had a passion and love for wild animals, especially cheetah. Ida received the first 3 cheetahs from Eshowe (Nandi, Jabu & Tau) in 1994. They all died of old age. They were all between the ages of 16 and 18 years. Cheetahs live longer in captivity because they don’t have the stresses and physical ability to hunt their own food. No predators also make it easier for them. Not long after receiving the original Cheetahs we received one injured Serval – and then it all happened; Emdoneni Cheetah project started. People learnt that injured or orphaned cat species could be brought to us for care and love. We are currently working closely with KZN Parks Board Wildlife Services who assist us in releasing off-spring back into the wild. Successful releasing of Cheetah, Serval, Caracal and African Wildcat has been done in the Cape Province, Charters Creek, Phinda Game Reserve, Mkuze Falls Game Reserve and in the Bushlands area. Emdoneni has successfully managed a “Cheetah Project” since 1994 and a “Serval project” since 1998 and part or vision is to provide and maintain an environmentally friendly and aesthetic wildlife centre. The value of this project is illustrated by favorable reports from international and local visitors whom have commented on the environmental education value of this project. The primary objective and purpose of the project is to facilitate environmental education and conservation of Cheetahs (currently listed as endangered by the IUCN) and Servals (becoming increasingly threatened through habitat loss and hunting), African Wildcat (in-breeding) and Caracals(killed by farmers).

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Emdoneni News

Have you been to Mkuze Game Reserve?

Mkuze Game Reserve is renowned as a mecca for bird lovers with more than 420 bird species on record. The Mkuze River curves along the reserve’s northern and eastern borders with a fine stretch of fig forest along its banks. Fish eagles swoop over the pans, snatching prey spotted from their perches in the fever trees. The reserve has an astonishing diversity of natural habitats, from the eastern slopes of the Lebombo mountains along its eastern boundary, to broad stretches of acacia savannah, swamps and a variety of woodlands and riverine forest. A rare type of sand forest also occurs in the reserve. This diversity of habitats means a wide variety of animal species including black and white rhinoceros, elephant, giraffe, nyala, blue wildebeest, warthog, eland, hippo, impala, kudu and other smaller antelope. Rare species occurring in the reserve are cheetah, hyena, suni and leopard. Three game viewing hides have been constructed next to the Kubube, Kamasinga, Kwamalibala pans. Visitors park their cars and enter the hides on foot. Depending on the surface water in the reserve, but normally during the drier winter months, large concentrations of game may be seen at the waterholes. Visitors are therefore offered excellent views of most of the reserve’s larger mammals. These hides offer unique opportunities to photographers. General information: No pets are permitted in the reserve. No firewood may be collected in the reserve. The water is chlorinated and filtered for human consumption but is very salty. Mineral/spring water is on sale at the camp curio shop and Rhino-Dine-O takeaway. Basic food stuffs and a variety of curio items are on sale at the curio shop. It is advisable to bring binoculars, a first aid kit, a torch, insect repellent, a hat and sun-tan lotion. Unleaded petrol and diesel are on sale at the Camp. Visitors are urged to take precautions against malaria before, during and after a visit to the reserve. Mosquito nets are provided in each accommodation unit. Gate entry times: Summer (1 October – 31 March) 05:00 – 19:00, Winter (1 April – 30 September) 06:00 – 18:00. These times are strictly enforced. The accommodation complexes are either not fenced or do not have a totally game proof fence surrounding them. Please do not walk beyond the vicinity of your own chalet or campsite after sunset unless it is essential to do so. Office hours are from 08:00 – 16:30 daily. Sundays and Public Holidays are 08:00 – 16:00 daily. The hides are being renovated at uMkhuze and will not be available for game viewing until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. How To Get There From the south, the turn-off to the Mkhuze Game Reserve is signposted 35 km north of Hluhluwe. From this point, the road is gravel. Approximately 15 km further turn right onto another signposted road through the Lebombo mountains. The entrance is 10 km along this road and the route is clearly signposted. Visitors from the north should take the road through Mkuze Village, which is 18 km from the entrance gate and 28 km from Mantuma camp. This road is well signposted. Visitor’s Activities A road network of 100 km traverses a variety of bushveld habitats which offer excellent game-viewing. Animals include: wild dog, black and white rhino, elephant, giraffe, nyala, blue wildebeest, warthog, hippo, impala and kudu. Rare species occurring are hyena, suni and leopard. Four game viewing hides are situated next to the Kubube, Kumasinga, Kwamalibala and Kumahlala pans. The hides are being renovated at uMkhuze and will not be available for game viewing until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. More than 420 species of birds have been recorded . Two bird-viewing hides have been erected next to the Nsumo Pan, where a wealth of waterfowl can be seen. The Fig Forest Guided Walking Trail (guided by a field ranger) should not be missed. Short day walks (± 2 hours)conducted by a field ranger, may also be undertaken. Night drives are also offered, giving visitors the opportunity to see some of the reserve’s nocturnal animals and birds. A swimming pool is situated in the hutted camp and campsite respectively, strictly for accommodated guests only. The Rhino Dine-O take-away situated near Mantuma is open from 07:00 – 09:30 for breakfast; 11:30 – 14:00 for lunch and 17:00 – 19:00 for dinner. Source: Emdoneni Lodge Mkuze Game Rerserve

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Emdoneni News

7 Surprising Truths You Never Took Serious About The Zulu Tribe

The Zulu tribe is one of the most widely known tribes in Africa, mainly because of the very vital part that it played in the continent’s history. Originally, the Zulu tribe emanated from the Ngunis who inhabited the central and Eastern Africa and subsequently migrated to the Southern Africa in the “Bantu Migration” which occurred centuries ago. The Zulu tribe represents the largest population of ethnic groups in South Africa; making up to 10-11 million people. They are known for their strong fighting spirit which has fashioned renowned warriors in history including the likes of Shaka Zulu who played a prominent role in various Zulu wars. The history of South Africa would not be complete without the mentioning of the Zulu tribe. Outlined below are seven truths about the Zulu tribe you should know. 1. KwaZulu-Natal Province Is Home To The Zulu Tribe As much as there are some scattered Zulu- speaking people all over the provinces, majority of the Zulu-speaking people live in KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. Most of the 9 million Zulu-speakers in South Africa reside in this province or have migrated initially from this province to other provinces in South Africa. Since majority of its population are Zulu-speaking people, it is therefore known as the home of the Zulu Tribe. 2. Their Language Is Characterized By Respect Terms The Zulu tribe speaks their language which is known as IsiZulu, a widely spoken language in South Africa. It mostly features respect terms; for example there are words used while addressing elderly people. Using first names on an elderly person is normally frowned upon by the tribe and instead they use terms such as Baba for father and Mama for mother even when the senior individuals are not the parents of the person addressing them. 3. The Zulu Tribe Has A Strong Belief In Ancestral Spirits The Zulu people have always strongly believed in ancestral spirits referred to amadlozi or abaphansi. They are simply spirits of the dead. The tribe also believes in the existence of a higher being who they refer to as UMveliqangi meaning “one who came first”. This highest being is believed to be far removed from the people’s lives and that no one has ever set eyes on him. They believe that there is some mediation between the spirits of the dead and “the one who came first “for the people alive on earth. 4. The Zulu Tribe Celebrates Shaka’s Day Annually They celebrate this day in the month of September to remember the famous founder of the Zulu Kingdom, Shaka. They wear their full traditional attire which includes the weapons and have a gathering at KwaDukuza in Stanger, where Shaka’s tombstone is. The celebrations are known for their colorful quality and the event is also marked by the poets singing the praises of all the Zulu kings starting with Shaka down to the current king. 5. They Are Known For Being Humane People from the Zulu tribe are known to be amicable and very warm. They are known for their practice and belief in Ubuntu which simply means “humanness” or “good disposition”. This humanness is a part of the daily life of the Zulu people. They believe human beings are the most superior of all species hence the strong belief in Ubuntu. They further cement this belief by having many proverbs relating to good and bad behavior towards fellow human beings. 6. The Zulu Tribe Only Wear Their Traditional Attire On Special Occasions Unlike the past people of the tribe who always wore their traditional clothing, the modern-day Zulu’s way of dressing is the same as any urbanite. The traditional clothing is only worn during cultural gatherings, Shaka’s day and any other special occasions and as such, is treated with respect and honor. 7. All Rites Of Passages Are Marked by Animal Sacrifices To Ancestors. Rites of passage such as birth, adulthood, marriage and even death are marked and celebrated by slaughtering animals as sacrifices to the ancestors. Dancing and feasting also marks these celebrations. There are many more truths about the Zulu tribe but the above ones are the most commonly known. Are you from the Zulu tribe and how much do you know about the largest tribe in South Africa? Use our comment box below to share what you know. Source: buzzsouthafrica.com

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