Transfrontiers Safaris

Situation Profile

INTRODUCTION

The Transfrontiers Safaris experience
Every sense in your body comes alive as you slowly trace the passage of a pride of lion, track for track. It's hot and dusty and you can hear your own breathing as you watch your armed guide tense up ahead of you. A heard of impala snort their alarm - the lions are close. You can't see the big cats yet, your senses are heightened and you become aware of previously unnoticed scents. You have gone back in time - one with your ancestors who roamed these African trails.

Bruce and Judy Meeser, founders of the organisation, have 20 years of experience in the safari business and have strived to deliver the ultimate African bush concept to the individual traveller. Along with their efficient team and partner Bjorg Krane Bostad they have offered this unique experience to many groups over the years.

The African bush is home to TRANSFRONTIERS and it is with respect and honour that this company walks its pathways. This Safari is designed for the keen adventurer and there is little that compares with the thrill of meeting the Big 5 on foot in their own terrain.

About the Area
Transfrontiers Safaris are situated in the Northern Province, South Africa. This is where you find the main part of the Kruger National Park. (The southern part of the park is in the Mpumalanga Province).
Bordering the Kruger National Park you find numerous private game reserves. Some of these are privately owned while others are owned by the state, government or the province. Operations within these reserves are run by companies/lodges. Recently the private reserves neighbouring the Kruger National Park have been incorporated into what is called the Greater Kruger Park. The fences between the park and the private reserves have come down thus giving the animals an even larger area to roam.
Greater Kruger Park comprises an area of about 2.5 Million hectares of mainly low-veld. The park shares a long eastern border with Mozambique and is flanked by Zimbabwe in the North. Plans for a transfrontier/cross-border park are well underway which will make this a protected area of almost unsurpassed size and significance.
The private reserves of the Greater Kruger Park are sought after for smaller groups, open vehicle game-viewing, walking safaris and intimate bush camps. In the park itself the visitor is more restricted, but you are allowed to drive your own vehicle in the park. You are not, however, allowed to get out of the car except in designated areas, the same with camping and picnicking.
The Transvaal low-veld was for a very long time sparsely populated, which kept the area wild and pristine. Today it is home to about 2000 different forms of vegetation, 146 species of mammals (Including the Big 5) and 490 species of birds. In the past this hostile domain attracted colourful characters like ivory hunters and pioneer naturalists.
The African Ivory Route Safari tries to recapture some of this past. Communities of Venda and Shangaan people are still thriving and can be visited. Worth a visit is also Tulamela site in the very north of the Kruger Park. At this site the remains of a community which traded extensively in precious metals and ivory has been unearthed, and the findings give proof of a once successful and sophisticated society.
To the west of the park, you find the magnificent natural barrier of the Transvaal Drakensberg and the Blyde River Canyon which cuts its way through the Drakensberg forming a gorge which is the third largest in the world at 700m deep.
The upper Blyde River falls 150m over a distance of 8 Kilometres, thus providing thrilling grade 3 and 4 rapids almost continuously for rafting. Mini-rafting tours are available for the less adventurous that use the lower stretches of the river.

The Safari
Every walk is a book on it's own, with emphasis on information - wheter more or fewer animals are seen. However, we do realise that you are here to see wildlife, and an open 4x4 safari vehicle is used for viewing and photographic opportunities. Game drives are combined with an afternoon walk and night drive before returning to camp for dinner.

Scheduled walking safari packages are offered 3 times per week - every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. A maximum of 8 guests make up a trail to any one of the 4 camps, for safety reasons and ease of movement on the walks. Our headquarters/base camp is situated on a game farm 48km from the Orpen Gate to the Kruger National Park, near Hoedspruit. This is used as a meeting and overnight stop for most safaris, before departing on to a trails camp. The lodge is tented with en-suite bathrooms, and offers a swimming pool, bar, lounge area etc.

The Walks
An armed, experienced guide accompanies each trail. Average fitness is required for the walks as they can last up to 4 hours. Neutral coloured clothing and comfortable walking shoes are a must.

The Areas
We operate in the Manyaleti, Timbavati, Letaba and Makuya private game reserves adjacent to the Kruger National Park, with a camp in each of these areas.

The Bush Camps
The camps are small, intimate and open to the environment. Accomodation consists of 2-person walk-in tents with beds and linen - ablution facilities are separate. Dining/kitchen areas are serviced by a chef who provides you with a wholesome brunch and dinner each day. Teas/coffees and cereals are provided before the morning walks. A limited range of cold drinks and beverages are available.

THE ANIMALS
South Africa has among the world's greatest diversity of plant and animal species contained within one country and is home to many species found nowhere else in the world.The remarkable richness of South Africa's Biodiversity is largely the result of the mix of tropical and temperate climates and habitats occurring in the country.

At home in Kruger are more than 500 species of bird, 147 mammal species, 94 different reptile species, 33 types of amphibian and a magnificent array of at least 200 different types of tree.

The only way you can experience the magnificence of the bush is to come and experience it for yourself, and while you're at it, experience this country with its unique peoples, heritage and beauty - a world in one country.

Lion (panthera leo)
HABITAT:
Lions are more abundant in open plains where there is permanent water and plenty of grazing, and consequently, plenty of game.Lions are also found in semi-desert conditions like the Kalahari Desert. They are the most powerful of the African predators. With a swipe of one of his paws, Lion can break a Wildbeest's neck, and he can carry twice his weight in his powerful jaws.Lions, like any other Cat, can see at night like we, Humans, see during day time. This is due to the fact that their retina is lined by a tissue called "tapetum lucidum", that reflects back the light passing the rods of the retina.

HABITS:
Lions are the most social of the cat family. They live in prides consisting of one or two males, up to seven females and 14 or 15 cubs of different ages. Prides occupy territories that they defend against nomadic lions and other prides; this is done by the dominant male or males, by means of patrolling and scent marking.
At about 3 years of age, young lions are evicted from their pride; they normally stay together, always on the move, becoming nomads, until they take over some other pride, whose male as become too weak or old, sometimes killing all the existing cubs.
The female normally does all the hunting, usually at night, late afternoon or early morning. At a kill, the adults will eat first, with the male sometimes claiming it for himself, and, if anything left, the cubs will then take their turn. In times of scarcity this means very little food available for the cubs, and death by starvation.Scavengers, like vultures, hyenas and jackals, are attracted to lion kills in great numbers, and in some occasions a big group of hyenas will appropriate the kill of a small group of lions. The contrary also happens, with lions very often steeling from hyenas and jackals, and even climbing up a tree to appropriate a leopard's kill.
Adult males can weight up to 250 Kg and females about 150 Kg. Their lifespan is about 15 years.

DIET:
Lion's prey include mostly wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck, kudu, giraffe and buffalo.
They also tend to attack young elephant calves. In difficult times they will even go for small prey, like porcupine, with disastrous consequences for both.

BREEDING:
Breeding occurs all year round, with 2 to 6 cubs being born after a gestation period of about 110 days. The lioness normally leaves the pride to give birth to her litter, in a sheltered spot where she leaves them, while hunting. At this stage the cubs are very vulnerable, sometimes being taken away by scavengers, like hyenas, while their mother is away.
If, at any stage doubtful about her cubs safety, the lioness will find another hide, and will transport them, on her mouth, one by one, to the new location. Once the cubs are big enough to follow their mother, she will take them to the pride and introduce them to their father. This is another crucial time in the cubs life, as nobody can predict the reaction of the male.

Leopard (panthera pardus)
HABITAT:
Leopards are more commonly found along riverine forests and bushes. Although less common, they also can be found along open plains and savanna, mainly in hills and rocky outcrops.

HABITS:
Leopards normally hunt at night and dusk, staying in secluded spots during the day or lying in high branches of trees.
They are solitary animals by nature, only associating with a female for mating and staying with her only for a couple of days.Leopards are master of camouflage and they move silently trough the vegetation to attack their prey at very close quarters. The victim is normally killed with a bite on the back of the neck, and then taken up a tree, where the leopard will feed at leisure, away from scavengers.
Leopards are extremely territorial animals. Their life-span is about 15 years, and they can attain a mass of about 70 Kg.

DIET:
Leopards are the most successful hunters of the cat family. Their prey include Impala, Bushbuck, Warthog and also the young of Wildbeest, Kudu and Waterbuck. Rodents, ground birds, monkeys, baboons, frogs and fish, also make part of it's diet.

BREEDING:
The female gives birth to one to three cubs after a gestation period of about 105 days. The cubs are kept in secluded spots, like thickets and rocky crevices. They are much darker than adults.
Female Leopards are very dedicated mothers leaving their cubs only when hunting. Occasionally the mother will bring some small live animal to her cubs, so they can practice their hunting and killing skills.
At a age of about 2 years, the cubs will leave their mother and look for their own territory.

Elephant (loxodonta africana)
HABITAT:
Elephants are always associated with permanent water and abundant vegetation( an exception to this is the desert elephant from Namibia, who adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the area). Because elephants do not have sweat glands, water plays an important roll in helping them cool down.

HABITS:
Elephants are very intelligent and highly social animals. They live in herds, made up of the matriarch (the oldest animal in the group), her female calves and the youngsters. The herd can comprise between 6 and 30 animals, after what they split to form new herds, always maintaining contact with each other at water holes and feeding spots.
At 14 years of age, males leave the heard and associate with other bulls of the same age or older. Within the "bull area" hierarchy is well observed and understood by all bulls; if a group of bulls come across a cow in oestrus, the animal occupying the highest rank is the one to mate.
Males are much larger than females and their tusks are much longer and heavier.
Elephants have 6 sets of molar teeth; when the last set is lost, the animal is unable to feed and eventually dies. Their lifespan is about 50 to 60 years.

DIET:
Elephants eat practically any vegetable matter. Leaves, grass, reeds, roots, flowers, fruits, bark and even soil if the mineral content is high.They eat about 250 Kg of food and drink about 150 to 200 liters of water a day.

BREEDING:
Females are sexually mature at 12 years of age and are mated by visiting bulls. After a gestation period of 22 months, the cow gives birth to a single calf that weighs up to 130 Kg. The calf suckles for about 3 years.

Buffalo (syncerus caffer)
HABITAT:
Buffalo are extremely adaptable animals, being able to occupy open grasslands, wooded savanna and thickets.

HABITS:
Highly gregarious animals, Buffalo associate in herds of up to 1000 or more individuals.
Despite being very aggressive, and extremely dangerous animals, Buffalo are very peaceful amongst themselves. The dominant bull, normally is the oldest bull in the herd.
Both sexes have horns, but those of males are more robust and heavier. Males can attain a mass of about 800 Kg. and they have a life-span of approximately 20 years.

DIET:
Buffalo are exclusively grazers.

BREEDING:
Female Buffalo become sexually matured at the age of 5 years. The gestation period is 11 months, and one single calf is born.

White Rhino (ceratotherium simum)
HABITAT:
Open undulating woodland with plenty of grass and permanent water, is the ideal habitat for White Rhinos.

HABITS:
Being more sociable than Black Rhino, the White Rhino is commonly seen in groups of about 10 to 15 individuals, in a well organized social structure.
At the top there is the territorial bull who will defend, patrol and mark the territory.
One or more adult and several subadult bulls, may be allowed to live in this territory, provided they show submissive behavior in the presence of the territorial bull. He marks his territory by spray urinating, scattering his dung at the middens and grasping his feet along the ground. Cows and the other bulls, are not allowed to do this.
Fighting amongst White Rhino bulls, is a very noisy affair, but normally never fatal. They have very good hearing and a good sense of smell, but their eyesight is very poor.
Male White Rhinos can attain a mass of about 2500 Kg. and females about 1700 Kg. Their life-span is about 30 years.

DIET:
As a grazer they take any kind of grass, preferring the short ones.

BREEDING:
Sexual maturity is reached at about 6 years of age, and one calf is born once every three years, after a gestation period of about 16 months.
At birth the calf weights between 45 and 55 Kg.
On the move, the calf always precedes it's mother.

Black Rhino (diceros bicornis)
HABITAT:
Black Rhinos prefer densely wooded areas, with a lot of shrubs and plenty of water.

HABITS:
Black Rhinos are very solitary animals, with bulls associating with females only for mating.
Sub adults and youngsters stay with their mother only until the next calf is born, when they are driven off to find their own territories.
The Black Rhino bulls mark their territory by dragging their feet trough their dung, scattering it all over the place and by urinating on to bushes.
They are extremely aggressive animals. A charge by a Black Rhino, with is loud snorts, it's a terrifying affair. They readily attack predators including Man.
They are also shortsighted, but their sense of smell and hearing is very acute.

DIET:
Black Rhinos are browsers, eating leaves, fruit, flowers, but also eating herbs.

BREEDING:
Mating is always preceded by courtship behavior that includes snorting and sparring with the horns.
Mating is repeated several times during a period of 2 to 3 days, and may last about 30 minutes at a time.A single calf, weighing about 35 Kg. is born after a gestation period of about 15 months.
Contrary to White Rhinos, the Black Rhino's calf always follows his mother.
Adult males can weight up to 1200 Kg., females being slightly smaller. Their life-span is about 40 years.

FACILITIES

ACTIVITIES

Tours on offer from this vendor

ADDITIONAL INFO

Transfrontiers' Safaris
Transfrontiers Safaris offers a range of safaris and adventures of multiple days. The three trails described here are itinaries. Please consult us for other possibilities.
If you decide to join one of the walking trails, please have a look at the 'What to bring section' of this website, so you will be well prepared for a walking safari.
Due to safety regulations walking trails are not allowed for children under the age of 16.
Eastgate has daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town, Nelspruit has a daily flight from Durban.
A tip from our experienced rangers with regard to clothing; 'The high tech light weight clothing might be very comfortable to wear, there is however a fair chance it might get torn on a bush walk. It is our experience that the bush "fights" back in all possible ways.
Therefore we recommend to bring cotton shirts of a slightly more durable quality.'

What to bring along
· Luggage should be confined to backpack
· A warm jacket is essential for night drives
· Hat and neutral coloured clothing
· Sunblock and insect repellant
· Comfortable walking shoes
· Towel and toiletries
· Torch, binoculars, camera, and lots of film
· Raincoat