Rhino Paoching does not stop

So far over 138 rhino have been poached in 2011 across the country and 82 successful arrests have been made.
On Saturday, 23 Apr 2011 SANParks rangers and members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), came across two groups of suspected poachers while on patrols in the various parts of the Kruger National Park. Three rhino carcasses were also discovered during these patrols.
One of the suspected poachers was fatally wounded, one wounded and arrested and the third arrested. Three firearms were recovered during the arrests.

The Kruger National Park is 10 km from Dreamfields Guesthouse.

Source: SANParks

Public sightings

We always like to remind you of the SANParks webpage: Public sightings. The winning pictures of each month of the year are just amazing! They were not taken in the Kruger National Park, close to Dreamfields Guesthouse, but we are positive that they will follow!

Kruger Park bans liquor in its public areas

From now on, security personnel at all the gates to the Kruger National Park will search people for liquor and no day visitor shall be allowed to enter the park with liquor.
The restrictions will not apply to overnight visitors who will be allowed to bring in own alcohol for consumption in the privacy of their booked accommodation and the restaurants. Like day visitors, overnight visitors will be bound by the same rules of not drinking in public.

The decision to introduce this policy was made in order to eliminate the growing unacceptable behaviour by visitors who misbehave in the park when they are intoxicated. This is actually nothing new but just ensuring that the provision the country’s Liquor Act are also enforced in the park; says the KNP HOD: Public Relations, William Mabasa.

Although in operation throughout the year, the gate quotas are mostly reached on long weekends and public holidays. Secure your accommodation and book your game drives in advance.

Photo: Gallery of shame

Kruger National Park: Phabeni Gate

Dreamfields Guesthouse is close to 3 entrance gates to the Kruger National Park. The closest gate is Phabeni Gate, which is still called “the new gate”. Phabeni is already open to the public since December 2002, and offers an easy access to the entire southern region.
Phabeni Gate is situated 10 km east of Dreamfields Guesthouse, on the Phabeni River close to where this river joins the Sabie River.
The name Phabeni is a Sotho word meaning “place of shelter or cave”. Made to simulate a Swazi kraal, the central focus of the gate complex is the main hut, where the gate’s reception area is located.

Best season to visit the Kruger National Park

Many guests of Dreamfields Guesthouse ask about the best season to visit the Kruger National Park. It depends, although many people will tell you that the dry season is best for game viewing, this is not necessarily the case. Both wet and dry seasons have advantages and disadvantages:
Dry season (May-October)
The dry season in Kruger has several advantages – temperatures are generally very pleasant, few insects are present, vegetation is not too dense, allowing for easier game viewing, and waterholes and river pools attract large quantities of animals and birds. The disadvantages of the dry season are shorter days, cold nights, dry and dull landscapes, and fewer bird species and young animals present.
Wet season (November-April)
Although rainfall is very unpredictable in the Kruger National Park, November to April are generally considered the wet months. Despite the heat, these months can be very productive and enjoyable. Many animals give birth to their young, migrant bird species visit the Park, the vegetation is lush, green and very colourful, making it ideal for photography. Days are longer than in the dry season, giving you more time to search for animals. Obvious disadvantages of this time of the year are the high temperatures, large quantities of insects, and thick vegetation which can make game viewing difficult.

You reach the Kruger National Park within 10 minutes from Dreamfields Guesthouse.

Source: Go!

Kruger National Park Day Tours

We thought we might share a few pictures we received from guests staying at Dreamfields Guesthouse last week. Through us they booked a Kruger Park Full Day Safari with Frank Watts, the guide of “The Battle at Kruger”, one of the most popular videos on YouTube, and had some amazing sightings (not everyone is as lucky!)!
Thanks to Vicki & Sean

Another day in the Kruger National Park

The peak season is over and after all the guests of Dreamfields Guesthouse checked out we took the chance and went for the whole day to the Kruger National Park. Unfortunately we have not been lucky with cats but we saw the rare Black Rhino!














And we had to wait until a small herd of elephants left the road, they were taking their time but we love watching these amazing creatures. Watch out for the little one that is protected by the older ones!

Kruger National Park History

Obviously the Kruger National Park is the main attraction for the guests of Dreamfields Guesthouse. A good reason to find out a few facts about the history of the finest Game Parks in the World:
The Park was first proclaimed in 1898 as the Sabie Game Reserve by the then president of the Transvaal Republic, Paul Kruger, to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld. He first proposed the need to protect the animals of the Lowveld in 1884, but his revolutionary vision took another 12 years to be realised when the area between the Sabie and Crocodile Rivers was set aside for restricted hunting. This area remains at the core of today's Kruger National Park.
After the Anglo-Boer war Scottish born James Stevenson-Hamilton was appointed the park’s first warden on 1 July 1902. In 1903, Stevenson-Hamilton oversaw an extension of the Sabi Reserve twenty kilometres or so back towards the Drakensberg Escarpment. He was also put in charge of a new Reserve established that year, the Shingwedzi, comprising an additional half a million hectares of land to the north of the Sabie. On 31 May 1926 the National Parks Act was proclaimed and with it the merging of the Sabie and Shingwedzi Game Reserves into the Kruger National Park.

In 1927 three cars entered the Park. Two years later there were 850 cars visiting. Over the next 50 years some 150 000 people visited the Kruger National Park annually. Today there are 700 000 wildlife enthusiasts who visit the Park every year!

Picture and more information: Kruger2canyons.com

Kruger Statistics & Animal Numbers

Here are some very interesting facts about the Kruger National Park – only 10 km from Dreamfields Guesthouse:







Animal Numbers
• 1982 species of plants
• 53 species of fish
• 517 species of bird
• 35 species of reptiles
• 148 species of mammals
• Black Rhinoceros: 590-660
• Blue Wildebeest: 11 500
• Buffalo: 37 500
• Bushbuck: 500
• Cheetah: 120
• Crocodile: 4420
• Eland: 460
• Elephant: 13 700
• Giraffe: 9000
• Hippo: 3100
• Impala: 120 000
• Kudu: 9500
• Leopard: 1000
• Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest: 50
• Lion: 1600
• Mountain Reedbuck: 150
• Nyala: 300
• Zebra: 26 500
• Roan Antelope: 90
• Sable Antelope: 290
• Spotted Hyena 3500
• Reedbuck: 300
• Tsessebe: 220
• Waterbuck: 5500
• Warthog: 3500
• Wild dog: 120
• White Rhino: 10 500

S Joubert's book - The Kruger National Park a History -
• 7373 km Roads (1994)
• 881 km Tar Roads
• 1618 km Gravel Roads
• 4216 km Firebreak Roads
• 658 km Other Road

Source: KNPearth.co.za

Baby elephant attacked by crocodil - Telegraph

It is already a few days ago but still worth publishing: A baby elephant was saved by its herd after being caught by the trunk by a crocodile. This happened in the Kruger National Park, only 10 km from Dreamfields Guesthouse.

The Wilds of Kruger and the Smoke that Thunders

Dreamfields Guesthouse is happy to offer you this wonderful tour which combines some of the best scenery and wildlife experiences in Africa, combining not only the wonderful wildlife paradise of the Kruger National Park in South Africa, but the glories of Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi in Zimbabwe and the magnificent Chobe Game reserve in Botswana.

Day 1 (Wed): Depart at 12h30 from Hazyview in one of our specially adapted open safari vehicles and enjoy your first game drive. Our professional guide showing you some of the secrets of this world famous game reserve, which is the size of Wales, or Israel. Late in the afternoon you will return to Dreamfields Guesthouse. In the evening we will transfer you to one of the top restaurants in Hazyview.

Day 2 (Thu): Your guide will pick you up early for a dawn game drive departure, remember the early bird sees more game! Experience this incredible reserve from the comfort of your open game drive vehicle whilst looking for the “Big 5”and all the other exciting inhabitants of one of Africa’s premier reserves. We will stop at one of the Park’s picnic sites or Camps for breakfast (provide by Dreamfields Guesthouse) before continuing well fed, on the game drive. Another stop for lunch (own account) will be made. You will return to Dreamfields Guesthouse in the afternoon where you can relax at the sparkling pool. In the evening we will transfer you to one of the top restaurants in Hazyview.

Day 3 (Fri): Enjoy an early morning game drive before transferring to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for the flight to Livingstone Airport in Zambia. This day must be a Monday, Wednesday or Friday so that we can use the new direct Airlink flight. On arrival you will be met by Thompsons Touring/Wilderness Safaris and transferred to the David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa situated on the Victoria Falls or Mosi-Oa-Tunya, “the Smoke that Thunders”. Enjoy a late afternoon sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi, get up close & personal with its’ hippo’s & crocodiles! Dinner at the hotel.

Day 4 (Sat): Early departure for the Botswana border (80km) arrive at the scenic Chobe river for an exciting river cruise, excellent game viewing and world class birding, sometimes we get REALLY close to Elephants who seem to completely ignore the boats. Return to Chobe Lodge for an al-fresco lunch experience. After lunch, board a specialized 4x4 safari vehicle for a game drive in the Chobe game reserve, expect lots of elephant and buffalo, return to the lodge after a great game drive for the transfer back to your hotel. What a day! Relax over a delicious dinner at the hotel, sip an ice cold Gin & Tonic and pretend to be one of the hardy early pioneers of the area!!

Day 5 (Sun): Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then put your walking shoes on and depart on a guided tour to the spectacular Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-Oa-Tunya-“the smoke that thunders”. The first European to see the falls and to name them after his queen, was the intrepid missionary and explorer David Livingstone who saw the falls in November 1855 and was so enraptured by their beauty that he wrote in his journal that ”scenes so lovely must have been gazed down upon by angels in their flight”. Afternoon at leisure or enjoy one of the many adventure activities or short tours available in the area.

Day 6 (Mon): At leisure until our reluctant departure for the airport by 11pm, for the 14h30pm flight to OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg

Rates on request.

Rhino Poaching - News

A suspected rhino poacher who was discovered during a regular patrol on Wednesday has been killed by rangers at the Kruger National Park and another one was wounded.
On Thursday two Kruger National Park rangers were injured when they were hit by a rhino as they tried to arrest another group of poachers.
The poachers entered the Park from Mozambique.
Over 230 rhinos have been killed this year and almost 200 people arrested for poaching. Dreamfields Guesthouse hopes that the injured rangers will get well soon and have a lot of success in the future to stop this pointless killing.
Source: SANParks und News24

Safari with the guide of the "Battle of Kruger"

Now bookable through Dreamfields Guesthouse: Regent Safaris with Frank Watts! The Safari Guide featured in 'Battle at Kruger', the most watched wildlife clip in the history of YouTube and now a National Geographic documentary, is guiding the Open Vehicle Safaris and sharing his wealth of experience with guests. With over 20 years experience, 17 years in the Kruger National Park, we believe Frank will add value to our guest’s experience and enthrall you with his passion and knowledge of the bush and its inhabitants.

Kruger National Park: Public sightings

It is always worth to check the beautiful pictures taken by visitors of the Kruger National Park: Public sightings.

Dreamfields Guesthouse is only 10 km from Phabani Gate to the Kruger National Park. Guided safaris can be arranged prior to your arrival or you just go in your own car. We help you to plan your route and a map can be purchased at Dreamfields Guesthouse.

Kruger National Park: Day visitors

With only 10 km to the nearest gate, Dreamfields Guesthouse is the ideal base for day visitors to the Park. There is a maximum threshold of day visitors who can enter the Park and especially on public holidays and long weekends access could be denied. It is recommended to enter the Park when the gate opens at 05:30 (in summer) or 06:00 (in winter), early mornings are usually the most productive game viewing periods.
Dreamfields Guesthouse will provide you with a packed breakfast that you can enjoy at one of the day visitor areas in a rest camp or just stop at one of the waterholes.
Plan you trip-the Kruger National Park is massive tract of land and frequently visitors try to cover too much ground. A map of the Park can be purchased at Dreamfields Guesthouse and we are happy to assist you planning your tour. Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, sunscreen lotion, a hat and the map (which also gives you information about mammals and birds).
Rules:
Speed limits: 50 km/h on tar roads, 40 km/h on gravel roads – no off-road driving.
Other than in the designated areas, visitors must remain in their vehicle. No part of the body may protrude from a window or sunroof.
To ensure that you see all the animals you want, have a look at the board in the various receptions to track the latest game spotting.
If you want to cool down: A swimming pool is available at Skukuza day visitor site.

Rhino poaching

Did you know that 139 rhino - five black and 134 white rhino - had been poached on private land, provincial reserves and in the Kruger National Park between January 1 and July 16 this year? That make nearly 1 rhino per day – only to get the horns!
We support “Stop Rhino Poaching”, add your voice and register!

Week of free access to SANParks

A majority of South Africans are not accessing the national parks, a good reason to run a week-long campaign giving free access to the national parks from 13-17 September 2010 for the 5th time. The free access will be applicable to all the national parks managed by SANParks, with the exception of Boulders in Table Mountain National Park. The free access is granted to all South Africans upon presentation of the ID book and is not valid on any commercial activities.
The objective of this campaign is “to cultivate a sense of understanding and pride in South Africans, of their natural, cultural and historical heritage which is the basis for the established theme “Know Your National Parks”.
Dreamfields Guesthouse offers 4 star accommodation only 10 km from Phabeni Gate to the Kruger National Park..

Kruger National Park: Skukuza Castle Half-Marathon

This years Skukuza Half-Marathon takes place on the 07th Aug 2010. This is a very special event – running through the unfenced Kruger National Park! It is likely to spot impala, warthogs or even buffalo. But nothing to worry, armed rangers are close by.
With the 09th August being a public holiday, it is hard to find accommodation in or close to the Park on that weekend. Dreamfields Guesthouse is fully booked on the night before the event due to return guest, participants of the Marathon, but has got availability from the 07th August.
Dreamfields Guesthouse wishes all the participants good luck!

Kruger National Park: Four suspected rhino poachers arrested

On Saturday, 10 July 2010, rangers found a newly killed rhino carcass with horns already chopped off! The four suspected poachers were found immediately after; unfortunately the young rhino female could not be saved in time. The four suspects, who are all of Mozambican origin, camped in the park overnight. This happened near Manyeleti Dam, about 2 hours north-east of Dreamfields Guesthouse. Source: SANParks

One up for the Animals of Kruger

Two suspected poachers have been arrested and a third is believed to have been killed by a lion in the Kruger National Park (KNP) last week.

According to the two that were caught, they went into the park on the night of March 12 to set up snares to catch animals, they returned the following night to see if they caught anything. On their way back they came across some hippos, which charged them and they ran in different directions. Two of them got out of the park safely.
Rangers found a human skull in the Pretoriuskop section of the park on Saturday. It was believed the third man had been caught and eaten by a lion.

The two men were arrested in Mkhuhlu village, where they lived, near Hazyview. They were known and wanted by the police for poaching.

Source: News24