Emdoneni News

Watch: A healthy laying queen and eggs in the cells

An update on Emdoneni Lodge’s amazing bee project 🐝 Our new hive is in place and ready for bees! A full inspection has been completed of all three occupied hives and the bee inspector was very happy with the bees’ overall health. Hive 1 and 2 are strong with plenty of honey in the brood chamber to see them through winter. Hive 3 have a healthy laying queen and eggs in the cells. There are no parasites or signs of disease in any of our hives. We will check the hives again around end of July as there are signs that they have found some winter food which will mean strong colonies ready to take advantage of the spring nectar. We hope for a much better crop later this year!

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Emdoneni News

The best travel camera you can buy

Going somewhere? Capture more than your phone can with the best travel cams There’s no arguing that the smartphone has become the favorite camera for everyday casual shooting. But when you’re venturing hundred or thousands of miles to see something new, there is no beating a traditional camera. Whether it’s a rugged model that can withstand water, snow, and sand; a superzoom that lets you reach a distant landmark without schlepping there; or an interchangeable lens model with image quality that will hold up for making large prints of your favorite memories, dedicated cameras bring extra tools to the table that can pay dividends on a vacation. The camera you pick depends on the type of travel you’re planning to do. You can go for an all-purpose model that covers the basics, or a niche camera designed for precisely the activity you’re doing. Maybe you need a camera that can keep up with a high-speed adventure and rough-and-tumble lifestyle. Or perhaps you prefer to take your time setting up to capture the perfect sunset. Either way, there is an ideal camera for you to bring along on your next vacation — and you can likely find one that won’t break the bank. We compiled a list of some of some of our favorite travel cameras below, organized by category. GoPro Hero6 Black Olympus Stylus Tough TG-5 Panasonic Lumix TS30 Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V Panasonic Lumix GX85 HELPFUL ADVICE When shopping for a camera, perhaps the most important thing is to make sure you’re getting something you will actually use. You could spend $2,000 or more on a top-of-the-line machine for your next vacation, but if you never take it out of your hotel room because it’s too big and heavy, it’s basically worthless. If you already shoot with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, you have a good idea of what you’re willing to use. If, however, you currently shoot with just a phone, you should consider in what ways your phone is most lacking before making a choice, such as low-light image quality, the ability to shoot all-weather conditions, resolution, etc. Credit: Digital Trends

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Emdoneni News

iSimangaliso Wetland

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s very first World Heritage site since 1999 (Unesco), it is also the third largest protected area in South Africa. Situated in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, this Wetland Park covers an incredible 332000 hectares. Its a place of wonder, miracles and wildlife. The largest Estuarine system in Africa (St Lucia Estuary) 526 bird species and the second highest vegetated sand dunes are just some f the incredible sightings that await you while in iSimangaliso Wetland Park. iSimangaliso Wetland Park covers 10 unique destinations namely, Kosi Bay, Coastal Forest, Lake Sibaya, Sodwana, Mkuze Game Reserve, False Bay, Western Shores & Charters Creek, Lake St Lucia, Eastern Shores & Cape Vidal and Mphelane. Its with out a doubt a wildlife paradise. Their are 5 predominant interlinked ecosystems found in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The species list of iSimangaliso Wetland Park are of the lengthiest in the region. Over 6500 plant and animal species including 521 bird species. The diversity of habitats (Aquatic, Coastal, Wetland and Terrestrial) supports an impressive array of animal species. Consisting of 13 separate but contiguous conservation units totalling 239 566 hectares and 85000 hectares of marine reserves. Conservation dates back to 1895 created by the Zululand government. Beaches 220 kilometres of pristine, protected coastline makes for a vast range of beaches to enjoy throughout the Park. The coastline stretches from Maphelane in the south to the Kosi Bay mouth near the Mozambique border and offers visitors a wide range of pristine beaches. The water temperature of the Indian Ocean ranges between 19°C in mid winter (June–July) to approximately 29°C in mid summer (Dec–Feb). The most accessible bathing beaches are at Cape Vidal and Sodwana Bay. St Lucia beaches are very popular with day visitors. Unspoiled stretches of beach can be found at Black Rock, Nine Mile Beach, Lala Nek, Bhanga Nek and Mabibi along the Coastal Forest section of iSimangaliso. Most of the bathing beaches have ablution facilities for day visitors. Bird Watching With over 520 bird species recorded in the Park, iSimangaliso is a bird-watcher’s paradise. iSimangaliso offers some of SA’s finest birding, with 526 bird species recorded throughout the Park. Wetlands are renowned for huge numbers of water birds such as flocks of pelicans, storks and flamingos congregating alongside specials such as Pinkthroated Longclaws, Pygmy Geese and Lesser Jacanas. The uMkhuze section of the Park is a renowned birding destination, hosting 420 of the Park’s recorded species. It is also one of the country’s only pelican nesting sites. Estuary Boat Cruises See hippo and crocodiles in their natural habitat from the comfort of a custom-built passenger ferry. Discover Lake St Lucia in comfort aboard a ferry that is able to venture into the shallow waters of the lake. Depart from one of two jetties on a two-hour estuary boat cruise, stopping at interesting sightings along the way. Close encounters with hippo and crocodiles are the main attraction of this tour. Knowledgeable guides provide commentary on the workings of Africa’s largest estuarine system. A wide variety of bird life including fish eagles, kingfishers and herons are normally spotted on the tour. Licensed bar services and toilet facilities are available on board the larger boats. The smaller boats offer a more intimate experience while the large ones are ideal for groups, schools and functions. Catering can be done on some of the boats by prior appointment. Deep Sea Fishing Warm currents and deep ocean trenches make the waters off the iSimangaliso coast ideal for game fishing. The iSimangaliso coastline has attracted many avid fishermen to its shores. The lakes and ocean are teeming with fish. Sodwana Bay and St Lucia are particularly favoured as fishing destinations. The warm waters off the coast are a result of of the Agulhas current coming in close to the shore. A continental shelf lying within 1-3km of the shore is responsible for the deep trenches that attract game fish. Anglers and skippers are required to abide by strict rules and regulations. The use of nets (unless under licence) and lights are prohibited. Vertical jigging is not permitted anywhere in the Park. Spear fishing is permissible to a licence holder on the coast except in the Marine Protected Areas. Game Drives Licenced operators offer guided tours across all sections of the Park. See the Big 5 and much more. A number of excellent game viewing roads traverse the Eastern and Western Shores sections of the Park. You are almost guaranteed to see hippo on the Pan Loop and the Vlei Loop has very rewarding game sightings – sometimes even a hippo out of the water in the middle of the day! For birders, the Catalina Bay Lookout point is particularly rewarding and the Mission Rocks Lookout provides a unique view of both Lake St Lucia and the Indian Ocean. The coastal Dune Loop provides sweeping vistas and the Grassland Loop skirts the southern shore of Lake Bhangazi before crossing over rolling grasslands and a small section of swamp forest along the Nkazana Stream. A new Forest Loop will open in 2016. The giraffe are seen only on the Western Shores, whilst the elephant appear to have made the Western Shores home too. Licensed Operators offer guided tours of these sections including full day beach and bush experiences to Cape Vidal as well as night drives providing the opportunity to see the endemic Setaro Dwarf chameleon and the frequently spotted nocturnal leopard and hyaena. Guided Walks Explore the Park’s splendour at your own pace under the guidance of an experienced ranger. Taking a walk along one of iSimangaliso’s many designated walking trails is the best way to see the magnificent game animals that call the Park home. The absence of a noisy 4×4 safari vehicle ensures that the animals won’t be disturbed – and being accompanied by one of our highly trained armed guides ensures peace-of-mind, just in case you should happen to encounter any of the park’s predatory inhabitants. Horse Riding Take a tour of iSimangaliso’s unspoiled beaches or explore its game reserves on horseback. The Eastern Shores offers a fantastic equestrian

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Emdoneni News

8 Tips to get the Most from your Game Drive

1) Understand how a game drive works Some people like to live in suspense and take life as it comes. If that’s you, you can skip this part! Others get more from an experience if they understand how it works… Broadly speaking private game lodges offer open vehicle game drives with anything from 4-6 people (at the most expensive lodges) up to 10 people on a game vehicle, usually somewhere in between. There is a place for one person next to the ranger (more on that later) and then three rows of seats usually each one a little higher than the last. The drive usually lasts around 3 to 4 hours depending on what you see and there’s a break for morning coffee/tea and for evening sundowners which is also an opportunity for a bush loo stop. Usually the ranger will be in radio contact with other vehicles. Either belonging to the same lodge and/or neighboring lodges traversing the same area. This is a good thing because more eyes out in the bush mean more sightings and everyone wins. But of course there is an etiquette involved here! A private game reserve doesn’t want 10 vehicles converging on a sighting all at once. As this disturbs the animals, the tranquility of the bush and throws your chances of getting a stunning photo badly off-kilter. So when a vehicle comes across a major sighting such as one of the so-called Big Five, or wild dog cheetah etc, they spend a few minutes enjoying the sighting in peace before radioing in to other vehicles. There then follows a delicate ‘dance’ between the rangers as to who heads to the sighting next depending on their distance away. Usually two and not more than three vehicles are allowed at a sighting at any one time. If you are second to a sighting, you cannot immediately go in front and take the best vantage point thus ruining the experience for the original vehicle. However as they move off, your ranger can move the vehicle into a better spot for photos. Your ranger will try to ensure that all people on the vehicle can get a decent photo. Please keep in mind that depending on the terrain, the animal’s behavior and the lighting, this is not always possible… Sometimes you may find yourselves in a sort of ‘queue’. Of course a good ranger will not make this obvious to you and will occupy the time discussing other things. The private game lodges generally stick to the reserve roads but are allowed to go off road to follow a major sighting. However whether they do so or not depends on the terrain. It might look fine to you but they will know that there is major ‘donga’ (sharp steep cleft in the bush uncrossable) for example. In an “ideal” game drive, you will have a mix of good, sometimes even exciting sightings with plenty of time to just appreciate the animals, lots of discussion with your ranger and also the chance to learn about other aspects of the bush such as plants, birds, how to track animals, how to know which animal passed on the basis of their dung etc. However not every game drive is an epic one just as not every day will be the best day ever. Some drives are quiet. Sometimes this is because of the weather – a strong wind or a cold front affects animals as much as humans. Sometimes you’re just not lucky! 2) Bring the right kit I go into this in some detail in our What to Wear guide but as far as the actual game drive goes, try to have the following: • Camera – See next point • Binoculars – the best you can afford and ideally one for each person • Sunblock • Wide brimmed hat for summer, and woolly beanie for winter • Animal and bird books – usually on sales in the lodge shop if you don’t already have • For bush loo stops – some tissue & a bag to put it in afterwards, hand sanitizer • Layers of clothing for late autumn to spring • Mosquito repellent for summer • Water (if the lodge doesn’t provide it) For families • Simple animal check-list – great for keeping kids motivated • Access to photography whether it is a disposable camera or borrowing your camera phone • Binoculars – ideally one for each family member – have I said that before? Shall I say it again • Dried fruits if your kids are likely to get hungry (though snacks are provided at the break) 3) Sit in the middle of the vehicle This gives you the best of all worlds. You are high up so animal sightings are good, but not so far back that you can’t ask questions of the ranger. However each seat has pros and cons. The front seat is ideal for older less mobile people and in winter, it is definitely the warmest. But your sightings are not nearly as good because you don’t have the height. The first seat is ideal if you like to ask a lot of questions and you have an unobstructed view to the front (my preference). The middle row gives you greater height but you can still hear the ranger. The back seat is a love it or hate it experience. My husband reverts to being a naughty schoolboy at the back of the bus (much giggling and in-jokes with the kids). It is definitely the bumpiest option and also the coldest in winter but you do have the added advantage of being able to look over your shoulder at what is behind the vehicle – ideal if a line of animals such as a pack of wild dogs has just walked from the front to the back. 4) Ask Questions This does what it says on the tin. The more you ask, the more you learn. Some rangers have

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Emdoneni News

7 Benefits Of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a treatment approach which is growing in demand and popularity. It was once considered an alternative or fringe approach, but it is now becoming much more mainstream. More importantly, now that massage therapy is considered a mainstream treatment option, many insurance companies provide coverage for treatment sessions. This form of therapy involves hands-on techniques to increase circulation, relieve tension, reduce stress, relieve anxiety, improve sleep, and promote relaxation throughout the entire body, as well as many other benefits. The body’s soft tissue areas include the muscles, tendons, connective tissue, etc. If someone is tense and in need of a release, or they have been injured and have extensive muscle and/or nerve tissue damage that plagues their body, massage therapy might be worth exploring. Here are some benefits of massage therapy. 1. It Is Relaxing – When the body is tense and under stress, it produces unhealthy levels of the well-known stress hormone, cortisol, which can contribute to weight gain, sleeplessness, digestive problems, and headaches. Massage therapy has been shown to decrease cortisol levels in the body. This enables the body to enter a recovery mode. Moreover, this form of therapy also triggers lasting feelings of relaxation, improved mood, and reduced stress levels. 2. It Reduces Stress – Not only can massage therapy help with stress relief, but regular massage sessions over a prolonged period of time can boost energy levels, reduce pain, and stimulate individuals on physical as well as emotional levels. 3. It Can Help Lower Blood Pressure – Regular massage therapy sessions have been found to reduce blood pressure levels. In fact, some long-term studies have shown that a consistent massage program can reduce both systolic (upper number) and diastolic (lower number) blood pressure. Moreover, it can also reduce cortisol levels within the body. Furthermore, consistent massage sessions can also reduce trigger sources for anxiety, hostility, tension, and depression. In turn, lower blood pressure levels can also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and/or kidney failure, as well as many other health issues. 4. It Promotes Muscle Relaxation – The purpose of massage therapy is to target the source of the body’s pain via eliminating tense muscles, increasing flexibility, and providing relaxation to the affected muscles as well as the body as a whole. Massage also promotes circulation to the affected or injured muscles, which increases nutrients and oxygen to the damaged tissues. In turn, this increased activity to the affected sites reduces stiffness and edema (swelling) in the muscles and joints, as well as increases flexibility to help reduce pain. Moreover, this form of therapy also releases endorphins (pain-killing hormones), which boost the dopamine and serotonin levels in the body. These hormones assist the body in many ways–physically as well as emotionally. Case in point, they promote healing, pain management, and feelings of euphoria, as well as help to calm the nerves. 5. It Can Help Improve Circulation – The long-term benefits of massage therapy are not to be underestimated. Improved circulation is part of a snowball effect that occurs in the body as a result of receiving regular massage therapy on a consistent basis. This is because proper circulation brings damaged, stiff, and tense muscles the rich blood supply they need to promote healing. Moreover, massage also promotes improved circulation via the use of hands-on pressure, which moves the blood through the damaged and congested areas of the body. In turn, the release of this same pressure causes new blood to flow into tissues. Furthermore, the squeezing, twisting, and pulling action of the massage technique also removes lactic acid from the muscle tissues. As a result, this action improves the lymph fluid circulation, which carries metabolic waste products away from internal organs and muscles. In turn, this results in lower blood pressure levels and improved overall body function. 6. It Can Help Improve Posture – Many Americans experience back, neck, and muscle pain from a variety of sources. However, the primary cause of this pain results from poor posture. In fact, chronic back pain, which is the number one reason for missed work days and second most common cause of disability, is often the result of incorrect or poor posture while standing and/or sitting. Moreover, being overweight, poor posture, and repetitive or overuse movements can also contribute to the strain on the back and other potential problem areas. As a result, the added strain often causes spasms, pain, and tense muscles in the hips, glutes, back, neck, and legs. Massage therapy can help get the body back into proper alignment. In fact, improving one’s posture can be one of the most beneficial and relaxing aspects of massage therapy. Massage allows the body to relax and loosen the muscles made tense and sore via bad posture. In turn, this allows the body to position itself in its organic and pain-free posture. As part of a consistent massage therapy program, the body’s muscles are loosened and relaxed. Moreover, the joints have greater freedom, flexibility, range of motion, and pressure points are relieved. As a result, the body is able to position itself in an organic and healthy posture. In short, massage therapy helps to correct the positions and movements developed over time as a reaction to pain. 7. It Can Help Strengthen the Body’s Immune System – Regular massage sessions provide many benefits to the human body. It is a well-known fact that individuals who experience high levels of stress are more vulnerable to illness and injury. When stress is combined with sleep disturbances and poor nutrition, the impact is directed at the body’s immune system. Its ability to naturally protect itself against infections, pathogens, and bacteria is greatly reduced. Some might wonder how massage therapy benefits the immune system. Studies have indicated that regular massage sessions not only help reduce stress, but can also boost the immune system’s cytotoxic capacity (activity level of the body’s natural “killer cells”) and enhances the body’s ability to deliver nourishment. Moreover, massage therapy can be a great addition to any exercise program. Much

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