#emdonenicheetahproject

Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project Protect Wildcats

Africa has undoubtedly seen the population of different animal species decline. Currently, Africa’s cheetah charts stand at roughly 70 000 less than 100 years ago, with South Africa’s count at approximately a thousand Wildcats, if not less. These concerning facts are accompanied by environmental hazards that result from our day-to-day routines that often involve overusing natural resources. Emdoneni Lodge and Spa with Cheetah Project, a family-run hospitality establishment in Hluhluwe (St Lucia World Heritage Site) in Kwa-Zulu Natal, offers an educational rehabilitation programme to help protect wildcats. The establishment’s owners strive to educate guests and day-visitors about daily conservation and the importance to sustain essential resources. “We live in and are surrounded by nature every day”, says co-owner and Cheetah Project lead, Louis Nel. “Conservation is the act of preserving or protecting the environment, and at Emdoneni Lodge, it’s what makes us ‘tick’. Louis’ business partner and wife, Cecillie adds that “without biodiversity, we would not have been able to continue offering guests organic and educational experiences”. In addition to challenges posed to preserve SAs unique fauna and flora, there are many pressing issues concerning the country’s wildlife that should not be overlooked. SA is no stranger to violent acts against animals and battles against poaching and illegal animal petting remains rife. It’s a daily reality where ‘underground’ hunting clubs go as far as raising game and wild animals for the purpose of hunting. “Animal cruelty among our wildlife is, therefore, becoming more and more of a reality, and it’s important to continue creating awareness about such inhumane acts”, says Louis. Emdoneni Lodge consistently works toward providing a safe ecosystem for a small number of ambassador cats that are cared for by experienced wildlife rehabilitators. Louis, his family, and staff have come to love each cat and have even become attached to their personalities. “It’s clear that the animals we protect crave our attention”, says Cecillie. “As much as we would like to enable guests to closely interact with them, unfavourable perceptions about petting that likely resulted from the violence that has spurned from illegal hunting groups, we don’t allow it. Interestingly, before we put this rule in place, guests have said that after touching a cheetah, they felt a physiological upliftment.” Cecillie’s remark can be backed by research recorded by Science Magazine journalist, Elizabeth Pennisi. In a recent article, Pennisi argues that social touch with animals have a calming power on humans, and Pennisi also notes that wild animals seem to enjoy being caressed too. In support of World Environment Month (June 2017), Emdoneni Lodge and Spa with Cheetah Project owners, Louise and Cecillie Nel encouraged South Africans to add the following easy-to-follow eco-friendly tweaks to their routine: Saving water should be second nature: After the Western Cape kick started World Environment Month with level four water restrictions, water is without a doubt a scarce commodity. It can be easy to add water-saving to a routine cycle such as simply doing a full load of washing rather than leaving it half-empty Recycle more water: With many guests who go through Emdoneni Lodge’s doors, every drop in the bucket counts. We try to maximise water saving by capturing unused water and a separate irrigation system, where we repurpose water for your gardens. Adding to the first point; learn the technique of ‘speed showering’: A geyser uses both water and electricity so shortening your shower session by a few minutes can give back double your guarantee. Fact: minimising shower time with one minute can save up to 600 litres water per month! Garden smartly: Keep to indigenous trees and plants when adding to your garden. Native plants are suited to growing in their own region, naturally latching onto the eco-system to benefit growth and oxygen production. Time for groceries? Opt for reusable fabric shopping bags: plastic bags can take up to ten centuries to decompose…enough said…. If you find yourself in the Hluhluwe region, feel like taking a road trip (just under a three-hour drive from Durban), or plan for a proper break away with family and friends to the east coast, Emdoneni Lodge and Spa with Cheetah Project is stripping 20 percent discount off when booking online. For more information visit www.emdonenilodge.com. Credit: http://www.tourismtattler.com

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Emdoneni News

Exciting Emdoneni

I discovered Emdoneni a few years ago. My sister was out from the USA and I wanted to give her a truly South African experience. And she wasn’t disappointed. By Tim Lombard. There’s something special about seeing a wild animal up-close. At Emdoneni, you get the chance. As part of the Cheetah Project, where they carefully rehabilitate wildlife and then release them into the wild, we get to experience monitored interaction with cheetah, caracal, serval and African wildcat. Emdoneni Lodge, with Cheetah Project, is a high quality lodge and is situated on a small game farm. It is accessible for any vistitor who still wants to experience the luxury of a bush environment and also be close to the main attractions such as Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Reserves and St Lucia World Heritage Park. This intimate, beautiful, multi-award wining lodge is the ideal location from which to explore the wildlife and coastal reserves in Zululand. We got to experience the abundance of our wildlife and the scenic splendors of this rich and diverse region during game drives offered at Hluhluwe/iMolozi Game Rerserves, guided and non-guided walks done at the lodge, cultural excursions close by and relaxing bot cruises at Lan St Lucia. The kids got to enjoy the facilities at the lodge too, with a swimming pool, jungle gym and play area. They even have their own kiddie’s menu, which was a real bonus for our fussy children. It’s now my third time and. And it won’t be my last. Do yourself a favour and experience Emdoneni’s owner-run lodge. You won’t regret it.

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Emdoneni News

Visit a Zulu Cultural Village and experience the Zulu culture first hand

Zulu Cultural Village The Zulu culture in the province of KwaZulu-Natal is one that has shaped the local history and heritage to a large extent. Visitors will, no doubt, want to experience it in a hands-on way, becoming part of the experience. The Zulu Cultural Village invites people from all over the world to get a taste of this ancient people and the customs and beliefs that have provided its foundation. Even the modern society has strong ties to this history, making it relevant even to the South African youth. In addition to the customary hospitality offered by the Zulu folk, visitors will also get a glimpse of the traditional arts and crafts and the import of the techniques, colours and patterns used in their creation. Basket weaving and beading are two very important art forms in the Zulu culture, and are both used to convey messages in a symbolic way, using the colours and patterns. For example, certain designs are used for wedding celebrations, others for the funerals and still others for various social and domestic roles. While women create these artworks, the men busy themselves with making drums, spears and shields. Purchasing any of these goods allows visitors to take a small piece of the Zulu culture home with them, and supports the local community. This experience also includes a drumming session, in which visitors will experience the depth and power of this rather simple instrument. Music is an important part of the heritage, history and worship of this nation, and is, therefore, a very important part of its culture. By allowing guests to be part of this, the Zulu Cultural Village shares a very important part of the South African identity with people from every corner of the planet. Tasting the locally brewed beer, which is characterised by its rich fullness and consumed as part of daily life and customary celebrations, will leave visitors to the Village with fantastic memories of time spent with the locals.

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Emdoneni News

MAKE WORLD ENVIRONMENT MONTH LAST BEYOND JUNE WITH EMDONENI LODGE AND SPA WITH CHEETAH PROJECT

For many South Africans, June has been a stormy month with extreme weather conditions and newly declared disaster regions. The month has been a poignant reminder of the importance to support and care for each other. June, being World Environment Month, also reminds us to continue to help preserve and replenish our natural surroundings and animal life. The annual month event, which is an extension to World Environment Day (5 June), now moves into its 44th anniversary year after being established by the United Nations Environment Programme in England in the 1970s. Africa has undoubtedly seen the population of different animal species decline. Currently, Africa’s cheetah charts stand at roughly 70 000 less than 100 years ago, with South Africa’s count at approximately a thousand wildcats, if not less. These concerning facts are accompanied by environmental hazards that result from our day-to-day routines that often involve overusing natural resources. Emdoneni Lodge and Spa with Cheetah Project (www.emdonenilodge.com), a family-run hospitality establishment in Hluhluwe (St Lucia World Heritage Site) in Kwa-Zulu Natal, offers an educational rehabilitation programme to help protect wildcats. The establishment’s owners strive to educate guests and day-visitors about daily conservation and the importance to sustain essential resources. “We live in and are surrounded by nature everyday”, says co-owner and Cheetah Project lead, Louis Nel. “Conservation is the act of preserving or protecting the environment, and at Emdoneni Lodge, it’s what makes us ‘tick’. Louis’ business partner and wife, Cecillie adds that “without biodiversity, we would not have been able to continue offering guests organic and educational experiences”. In addition to challenges posed to preserve SAs unique fauna and flora, there are many pressing issues concerning the country’s wildlife that should not be overlooked. SA is no stranger to violent acts against animals and battles against poaching and illegal animal petting remain rife. It’s a daily reality where ‘underground’ hunting clubs go as far as raising game and wild animals for the purpose of hunting. “Animal cruelty among our wildlife is therefore becoming more and more of a reality, and it’s important to continue creating awareness about such inhumane acts”, says Louis. Emdoneni Lodge consistently works toward providing a safe ecosystem for a small number of ambassador cats that are cared for by experienced wildlife rehabilitators. Louis, his family and staff have come to love each cat and have even become attached to their personalities. “It’s clear that the animals we protect crave our attention”, says Cecillie. “As much as we would like to enable guests to closely interact with them, unfavourable perceptions about petting that likely resulted from violence that has spurned from illegal hunting groups, we don’t allow it. Interestingly, before we put this rule in place, guests have said that after touching a cheetah, they felt a physiological upliftment.” Cecillie’s remark can be backed by research recorded by Science Magazine journalist, Elizabeth Pennisi. In a recent article, Pennisi argues that social touch with animals have a calming power on humans, and Pennisi also notes that wild animals seem to enjoy being caressed too. In support of World Environment Month, Emdoneni Lodge and Spa with Cheetah Project owners, Louis and Cecillie Nel encourage South Africans also continue the initiative the month associates, and add the following easy-to-follow eco-friendly tweaks to your routine: Saving water should be second nature: After the Western Cape kick started World Environment Month with level four water restrictions, water is without a doubt a scarce commodity. It can be easy to add water-saving to a routine cycle such as simply doing a full load of washing rather than leaving it half-empty Recycle more water: With many guests who go through Emdoneni Lodge’s doors, every drop in the bucket counts. We try to maximise water saving by capturing unused water and a separate irrigation system, where we repurpose water for your gardens. Adding to the first point; learn the technique of ‘speed showering’: A geyser uses both water and electricity so shortening your shower session by a few minutes can give back double your guarantee. Fact: minimising shower time with one minute can save up to 600 litres water per month! Garden smartly: Keep to indigenous trees and plants when adding to your garden. Native plants are suited to growing in their own region, naturally latching onto the eco-system to benefit growth and oxygen production. Time for groceries? Opt for re-usable fabric shopping bags: plastic bags can take up to ten centuries to decompose…enough said…. If you find yourself in the Hluhluwe region, feel like taking a roadtrip (just under a three-hour drive from Durban), or planning for a proper breakaway with family and friends to the east coast, Emdoneni Lodge and Spa with Cheetah Project is stripping 20 percent discount off when booking online.For more information and reservations, visit https://www.emdonenilodge.com. For updates, travel tips and news, follow the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/emdonenilodge), Twitter (https://twitter.com/EmdoneniLodge), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/emdoneni/). About Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project: Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project is a three-star establishment located in Hluhluwe (St Lucia World Heritage Site) in Kwa-Zulu Natal, with a range of hospitality experiences that includes accommodation, spa and wedding offerings. The Emdoneni Cheetah Project is foundational to the lodge. It is a rehabilitation initiative to help conserve wild cat species including the cheetah, caracal, serval, and African wildcat. The protection programme comprises the successful breeding from a small number ambassador animals before releasing their fully-grown offspring into the wild. Since owners, Louis and Cecillie Nel established Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project in 1995, it has developed from a seven to 44-room lodge (soon to develop further spa and accommodation facilities). The Nel family is passionate about contributing to South Africa’s hospitality industry and refer to the lodge being a ‘human institution’ that strives to not only revitalise but educate guests on the importance of environmental and wildlife conservation. Awards: Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice Awards (2015 – 2017) and Certificate of Excellence; Luxury Travel Guide Global Award (2015 – 2017)

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Cat Rehabilitation, Emdoneni News

Cat Releases

Emdoneni Cheetah Project is a unique project in Zululand, a project that is not focused on the quantity of cats held, but on the quality of existence for the few cats we have and giving their offspring the opportunity to be rewilded and to live a free life back in their natural environment, caring and hunting for themselves. In South Africa there are very few institutions of this nature that are willing to depart with their cats without being remunerated for them. Emdoneni‘s policy has always been not to sell any of our cats and that the aim of the project is to rehabilitate areas in Zululand and other areas that these cats were previously indigenous too, but became extinct. Up to date, 17 serval cats has found their home back into the wild from Emdoneni, our first cheetah is in the process of being rewilded and was donated to Gondwana Game Reserve in the Cape. This cat’s market value is around R130 000 today, but we chose to release her free of charge, as this is what we stand for. In addition, 11 caracal and 2 African Wild Cats has also been released in back into the wild on various private game reserves in Zululand. Rewilding is a slow process, after the kittens are born, the mother has to raise them for almost 8 months and then they will stay at the project until about 14 months, until they are capable of being released. To put this in prospective for people to understand, these specific cat’s food, veterinary cost, camps, water supply, etc. until the day they are released, are fitted by the project. The reasoning behind doing 2 daily tours at the project is to raise funds so that the project can be self-funded. Many people visiting the project do not see or realize the work and efforts to run a project like this and the financial implications to do so. We have never had one negative comment about or animal husbandry and over the last year have improved the projects facilities, for example size and quality of camps, veterinary rooms, new freezer room and food preparation facilities, etc. This is all funded by visitors, including the running cost of food, salaries, veterinary bills, etc. We see the guided tours as a necessity to keep the project alive, as other institutions rely on donations and others rely on the sale of their offspring to fund their projects, not mentioning animals that are being bred for hunting purposes. 1. Wildcat release Another successful release! Our first 2 African Wildcat released in Zululand. They were born of Apple and Khaya, our resident African Wildcats. They were raised naturally by their mother until they were 6 months old. We then isolated them in a wilding enclosure until now. They were successfully released on a private game reserve. 2. Serval release Grasslands and savannah of iSimangaliso – optimal habitat for serval survival (Read more) 3. Zera release Zera is currently in a 3 hectare area and she is adapting well to her ever increasing world. Zera was bought at a high expense from a breeder. When she arrived at Emdoneni she was really sick, malnourished and in a sad state… with the necessary love, medical care and attention she pulled through and became this amazing very special cheetah. She spent a couple of years with us whilst planning her release.

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