KwaZulu-Natal, located in the east of South Africa, is a spectacularly picturesque province. It is a popular region for holiday makers, both locally as well as internationally. Relaxing options include taking in the sun, sea, and sand or exploring the lush forests, abundant wildlife and diverse culture.

 A must-see is the breathtaking Oribi Gorge which is approximately 27 km long, 4 km at its widest point and 400m deep. This gorge is situated 120 km south of Durban and 20 km west of Port Shepstone which makes it a perfect day or weekend getaway.  

 

I have visited the area a few times and always enjoy it, that is why I want to share this with you.

Oribi Gorge is the eastern gorge of two gorges that cuts through the Oribi Flats (flat sugarcane farmlands); the western gorge was formed by the Mzimkulu River. Rocks of over 1,000 million years are found at the base of the cliffs but if you think that is extreme then think again as the highest gorge swing can be found here. Plunging down 33 storeys  (100 m) next to a waterfall makes this an exhilirating stop-over activity for many adventurers and brave souls, and yes I was brave enough to make the jump. Other activities in the area include hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, zipslide, photographic opportunities, jumping off Lehr’s waterfall, and white water rafting. 

The nature lover can visit the Lake Eland Game Reserve and experience the diversity of four distinct ecosystems: Bushveld, Grasslands, Wetlands and Coastal Forest. Giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and a range of antelope including eland, mountain reedbuck, and bushbuck can be spotted. Birdwatching is also an amazing experience as there are more than 250 listed species in the area. The flora of the area is a diverse tapestry of grassland, thorn trees and proteas, mixed with semi-deciduous forests and riverine bushveld comprising 500 plant species.  

 There are so many activities to choose from it becomes difficult to decide which to do. To help you make your decision, here is a list of different nature related activities that are available around Southern Africa.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is a recreational activity to observe and/or study various bird species. This can be done by spotting birds with the naked eye or using a device that can enhance your view, such as binoculars. The activity often involves identifying birds by ear as many species are hard to spot and are thus easier to identify by their calls. Many birds have very distinctive calls, such as the Grey Loerie or Kwêvoël.

Big Five Game

According to hunters, the Big Five, refer to the five most difficult animals to hunt on foot in Africa. Today the term is widely used by tourists who want to see these magnificent animals. The Big five include the Lion (Panthera leo), African Elephant (Loxodonta africana), African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer), Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicomis), and the Leopard (Panthera pardus)

Canopy Tours / Treetopping
Discover an entire new world in the forest canopy by sliding on a zipline between platforms high up in the forest. It is very safe (as long as it is done with a reputable provider), educational and breathtaking. Guides strap you in a full body harness and other safety equipment then attach you to a cable with a pulley which gently glides you between platforms. This experience can take up to three hours.

Elephant Back Riding & Safaris
What better way to experience wildlife than to get up close and personal? Elephant encounters and elephant back riding is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about these majestic animals. Touch, interact, feed and take a walk with them in the bush. Learn about their daily routines, anatomy, and personalities. For an added experience, ride on an African elephant. Seated on a canvas-covered saddle mounted behind an experienced elephant handler, this is a twist to the general game watching as the elephant moves through the bush

Fly fishing
An ancient method of fishing, mostly focused on catching trout or salmon. Artificial flies are cast with a fly rod and a fly line. Artificial flies are created by tying hair, fur, feathers, and other natural or synthetic materials onto a hook with a thread. Imitative flies resemble natural food items. Attractive flies trigger instinctive strikes by employing a range of characteristics that do not necessarily mimic prey items. Proper casting, regardless of technique, requires pauses in both directions (forward and backward) to allow the entirety of the line to unfurl parallel to the water’s surface.

Game Capture Tours
Do you want an exhilirating conservation adventure? Game capture is a thrilling experience and involves the tracking of, darting and relocation of many types of game, including the Big 5. It can include supporting the team with the game capture, setting up enclosures for holding wildlife, camping in the bush, observing the specialized activity of darting wildlife, and release of captured game to new reserves.

Horse Riding

Horse riding trails in South Africa are as diverse as the terrain. If you are comfortable on a horse, you can ride among some big game in a game reserve, if not then take a brisk canter along a beach, through
vineyards, or through magnificent mountains. Horse rides range from an hour to multi-day treks, depending on how much time you have available.

Hunting

The practice of pursuing animals for food, recreation, or trade. In modern use, the term refers to regulated and legal hunting. Hunted animals are referred to as game animals, and are usually large or small mammals or gamebirds. Guns are generally used for hunting, but the use of compound bows have also become quite popular as a recreational hunting activity. Although recreational hunters may choose to be selective hunters, many people hunt to enjoy the outdoors, as well as the thrill of tracking an animal.

Shark Cage diving – Great Whites
Unquestionably one of the major attractions for adventure and adrenaline seekers to the Cape. Sharks are one of the most feared creatures by man. Is it just because people do not understand sharks and their role in this world? Globally, every year there are thousands of people who travel to see sharks and return educated, fascinated, and respecting these creatures. It is a thrilling experience to come so close to one of the most powerful creatures on this planet (as well as to their extremely sharp rows of teeth and strong jaws!)

Shark Diving
Who said anything about cages? Aliwal Shoal in KZN is the popular location for diving with the Spotted Raggedtooth Shark. The best time for diving with these sharks are from the end of June until the end of November each year, where numbers of between five and up to 30 could be sighted, each at least 1.8m in length. It is an incredible diving experience when one is accepted by the raggies and allowed to quietly witness their natural behaviour.

Star Gazing
Unquestionably the oldest scientific hobby on earth. It is a scientific trend dating back to the ancient philosopher, Plato. Prior to the invention of the telescope (in the 17th century), stargazers required no special equipment but their own eyes and a clear view of the sky to appreciate the magnificence of the infinity. Many star gazers don’t just stop at star gazing, they continue to learn in great detail the working principles of the universe and its elements. Astronomy is not just about gazing at stars and planets at night. There are also solar or lunar eclipses, viewing the occasional comet, identifying the constellations, spotting meteors, viewing the sun at daytime and much more.

Turtle Tours
Turtles are generally secretive animals and are therefore not regularly sighted. Turtle tours will provide you with this rare opportunity to gain a greater understanding of these fascinating creatures. The Elephant coast is known as “turtle country” where different turtles can be found, including the Leatherback, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, Green Turtle, and the Hawkbill. Only the Leatherback and Loggerhead breed in these waters, and during January and February the baby turtles hatch and head back to sea.

Wildlife Safaris

Africa is well known for its remarkable wildlife and magnificent natural areas and eco-systems. Game drives are the most widely used methods of viewing game, but other options include watching game by horseback or being guided through the bush on foot. Wildlife safaris provide wonderful opportunities for photos or videos as you watch the animals and birds.

More nature activity descriptions to come soon:
Aquarium Diving & Snorkeling
Birds Of Prey Encounters
Camel Rides
Crayfishing
Eco Adventures
Fishing
Foot Safaris
Game Trekking
Marine Mammal Encounters
Pelagic Bird Tours

Generally a person’s daily routine looks something like this – get up just before sunrise, get ready for work, get stuck in traffic on the way to work, meetings, stress, work, work, work, somewhere in between have a quick lunch, back to work, stress, work, meetings and work, eventually get in the car, get stuck in traffic on the way home, maybe stop at the shops to pick up a few things for dinner, cook, eat, clean up, watch a bit of tv, bath/shower, go to bed, only to continue the same routine the next day.

My suggestion is to bring a bit of nature into your daily routine, so here are a few options that you can apply at home and at work:

1) TRANQUILITY

Water and water features have always been associated with peace and tranquility. Get hold of a small water feature. The sound of the water trickling down will bring a calming affect to you and the other people in the room.

Another option is to get a fishtank. It is quite calming to just sit and watch the fish swim around – don’t know why, but it works. When you get tired or stressed just take a few minutes to chill by watching the fish.

NOTE: Whether it is for the office or for home, you will have to plan ahead because fish need care and attention. It needs food daily and the tank needs to be cleaned regularly. There is also the problem of the office being empty over weekends. So, measure up the pro’s and cons and if you decide to implement it in the office, draw up a task sheet of who is responsible for the fish on which days.
 
2) NATURE
Ok, so maybe you don’t want pets in the office or at home because you already have way to much to do. Go fully natural then! Or should I say go wild!
Birds are everywhere. We don’t notice them because our minds are occupied with a whole lot of other stuff but they can provide the same effect as the fishtank. I’m not saying you should get a birdcage – not at all – I don’t like bird cages. What I am saying is to attract the birds in your area to make regular stops at the office or in your garden at home.

The easiest way to do this is to put up a bird feeder and water, and even a bird bath. Most birds, including sparrows, pigeons, doves, weavers, finches, waxbills, and many others feed on seeds. You can buy seed mixes from any petshop. If you want to attract more birds you can plant fruit-producing trees or plants. The fruit will attract birds such as the greay loerie, mousebirds, bulbuls, and barbets and the nectar from certain flowers will attract sunbirds, and many other fruit eating birds.

My TRANQUILITY and NATURE
I am very lucky that I get a triple dose of nature daily. Where I sit and work, the fishtank is directly behind me, so I can just turn my chair around and have a quick time-out, and in front of me is a giant north-facing window looking out on the garden. There are a variety of plants, a birdfeeder, birdbath, and of course a large water feature. There’s also two benches where I can just sit and enjoy being outside.
This is probably a big reason why I don’t tense up too quickly – I get my daily fix of nature!

I’m sure you are able to name the members of the Big 5, but do you really know anything about them?

Where did the name ‘Big 5′ originate from?
According to hunters, the Big Five, refer to the five most difficult animals to hunt on foot in Africa. Today the term is widely used by tourists, traveling from across the globe, who want to see these magnificent animals.

LION - Panthera leo
The biggest cat native to the continent, and the only African big cat to live in prides. The predatory feline is also widely referred to as the ‘King of the jungle’, although they are more abundat in open plains where there is permanent water and plenty of game. Lions can also be found in the Kalahari Desert.

These animals have immense power as they can easily bring down a Wildebeest and can carry twice its weight in its powerful jaws.
Generally the females do most of the hunting, even at night as they have great night vision. This is due to the retina being lined by a tissue called “tapetum lucidum”, that reflects back the light passing the rods of the retina. Their prey include mostly zebra, waterbuck, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest and kudu, but will eat other animals if given the opportunity.

Adult males have a distinct heavy mane around the neck and shoulders. They outweigh females by plenty as they can tip the scales at 250 kg with females weighing in at around 150 kg. A lion’s life span is about 15 years.

AFRICAN ELEPHANT - Loxodonta africana
Elephants are very intelligent and social animals. There are two distinct species; the African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) and the African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana). Elephants are generally found in areas with permanent water and abundant vegetation (an exception to this is the desert elephant from Namibia, who adapted to survive in these harsch conditions). It is almost difficult to comprehend that these majestic creatures are herbivores, consuming around 250 kg of food and 150 - 200 litres of water each day. Their diet include leaves, grass, reeds, roots, flowers, fruits, bark and even soil if the mineral content is high.

The elephant has very thick, almost hairless skin, a long, flexible trunk, two tusks of ivory, and large fan-shaped ears. The elephant can grow up to 13 feet high at the shoulders and can weigh over six and a half tons. Males are much larger than females. Males also have longer and heavier tusks. Elephants have a lifespan of around 50 to 60 years. Their herds can consist of up to 50 members and is led by an old female (the matriarch).

At 14 years of age, males leave the herd and associate with other bulls of the same age or older. Females are sexually mature at 12 years of age and are mated by visiting bulls. After 22 months, the cow gives birth to a single calf weighing up to 130 kg. The calf suckles for about 3 years.

AFRICAN BUFFALO - Syncerus caffer
Of the big five, the buffalo is seen as the biggest threat to humans as it reportedly causes more death among hunters than any of the other big five members. Despite being very aggressive and dangerous animals, buffaloes are very peaceful amongst themselves. Buffalo may be found in large herds of up to thousands. Older bulls sometimes live solitary lives; they can become dangerous and aggressive when approached.

Buffalo are exclusively grazers. Males can weigh up to 800 kg and have a life span of around 20 years. The dominant bull normally is the oldest bull in the herd. Both sexes have horns, but those of males are more robust and heavier. Females become sexually matured at the age of five years. After 11 months a single calf is born.

Buffalo are exremely adaptable animals, being able to occupy open grasslands, wooded savanna and thickets.

BLACK RHINOCEROS - Diceros bicomis
Africa hosts two rhino species; the Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicomis) and the White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), both species have two upright horns on the snout. The White Rhino is much bigger and heavier than the Black Rhino. The Black Rhino prefers densely wooded areas whilst the White Rhino prefers grassland areas.

Black Rhinos are solitary animals, with bulls associating with females only for mating. Mating is always preceded by courtship behaviour which includes snorting and sparring with the horns. Youngsters stay with their mothers only until the next calf is born, when they have to find their own territories. A single calf weighs around 35 kg and is born after a gestation period of about 15 months.

These large, thick-skinned animals are herbivores. They are browsers, eating leaves, fruit flowers and herbs. They are short sighted, but their sense of smell and hearing is very acute. Adult males can weigh up to 1,2 tons with females being slightly smaller. The life span of a rhino is around 40 years. The Black Rhino is an endangered animal.

LEOPARD - Panthera pardus
Leopards are difficult to find due to their secretive nature. They rest in trees, thick cover or caves. They are silitary animals by nature, only associating with a female for mating and staying with her only for a few days. The female births one to three cubs after a gestation period of about 105 days. The cubs are kept in a secluded spot, with the mother only leaving the cubs alone whilst hunting. Leopards are extremely territorial animals. The male’s territory overlaps those of several females. They become aggressive when surprised or cornered, especially with cubs in attendance.

Leopards are the most successful unters of the cat family. Leopards are masters of camouflage and move silently through the vegetation to attack their prey from close range. The prey is killed with a bite on the back of the neck and then taken up a tree so the leopard can feed out of range of scavengers. Their diet includes Impala, Warthog, Kudu, rodents, monkeys, and fish among other animals. They weigh in at around 70 kg and their life span is about 15 years.
 
SOUTH AFRICAN CURRENCY

South Africa is so proud of calling it the home of the Big Five, that these magnificent animals hav been made part of the currency, by printing a member of the Big Five on each of the bigger denomination bills.
R10.00   -  Rhino
R20.00   -  Elephant
R50.00   -  Lion
R100.00  -  Buffalo
R200.00  -  Leopard

I hope that I could help you learn a bit more about these magnificent creatures. The Big Five can be seen in many reserves around the country. The best time for game viewing is in winter, when the bush isn’t as dense. If you haven’t seen the Big Five, or if you haven’t done so in a while, I would suggest you take the time to appreciate these animals.