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| GONDWANA GAME RESERVE RACES FORWARD |
Gondwana Game Reserve, the first natural Big Five game reserve in the Western Cape based on the size and carrying capacity of the reserve allowing for free ranging predators, is racing forward in preparation for the grand opening later this year.
Gondwana Game Reserve located in the Garden Route of the Western Cape, 15km west of Mossel Bay is well under way with preperations for the grand opening later this year. Recently, two desert black rhinoceros’ were relocated from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve to Gondwana and are currently in holding bomas. They will be released onto Gondwana within the next two weeks.
During the months of October and November, Gondwana has exciting developments planned which will include the reintroduction of a pride of lion – three females and one male, a breeding herd of cape buffalo and a herd of elephant onto their 10 000ha reserve.
Over the past two years, Gondwana has been actively releasing indigenous wildlife onto the reserve. Herds of springbok, eland, kudu, red hartebeest, burchell’s zebra, bontebok and rare and endangered Cape mountain zebra can now be seen across its plains and Fynbos covered hills.
Thatching of the Fynbos Camp main lodge and safari suites was completed in September and this month sees the completion of the internal finishes. The staff housing is currently being renovated and once complete there will be 16 individual units, each with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, lounge and veranda. For staff with children, family homes with two bedrooms were upgraded last month.
Electrification of the perimeter game fence was not a quick task, but its completion this past month ensures that Gondwana’s game are secure within the reserve. Hard work pays off and this rang true when the game drive road network was fully expanded in September, which will allow for access to magnificent game viewing for the guests.
In addition to game drives Gondwana will be offering horseback safaris, and in October specially bred trail horses will arrive on the reserve. Guests will be able to enjoy many walking trails and bird watching in the bird hides, which are to be completed in November.
Mark Rutherfoord, Director of Gondwana Game Reserve is heading up all the conservation efforts at the reserve and is available for interviews with media. He invites those wishing to cover any stage of the exciting releases onto Gondwana, to contact Southern Spoor Marketing on +2711 469 5082/3/4/5 or info@southernspoor.co.za
Contact Gondwana Game Reserve on 044 889 0287 or gondwana@mwebbiz.co.za, or visit http://www.gondwanagamereserve.com/ for more information.
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| ENDANGERED BLACK RHINO RELCOATION TO GONDWANA GAME RESERVE |
Due to open in December 2008, Gondwana Game Reserve continues to make a significant contribution to wildlife and habitat conservation. As part of its rehabilitation efforts and introduction of wildlife into the area, Gondwana is proud to announce the purchase and relocation of two Desert Black Rhinoceros’ (Diceros bicornis) from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Gondwana has been actively releasing indigenous wildlife onto the reserve over the past two years. Herds of springbok, eland, kudu, red hartebeest and rare and endangered Cape Mountain Zebra and Bontebok are some of the species that can be seen across its plains and Fynbos covered hills.
Gondwana’s Black Rhinos will be released onto the 10,000ha reserve, located in the Garden Route, 15km west of Mossel Bay within the coming month. Mark and Wendy Rutherfoord together with hospitality developers Red Carpet Leisure envisage Gondwana to be the first truly authentic Big Five safari destination in the Southern Cape. Gondwana’s location against the backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains has a remote feel provides for easy access to the Garden Route’s beaches and golf courses and is only 3.5 hours from Cape Town. The terrain consists of open grasslands, undulating valleys and indigenous Fynbos not found anywhere else in the world.
This relocation of Black Rhinos into another suitable habitat is an important undertaking for Gondwana and their conservation efforts. The Black Rhino is a critically endangered species and has been put onto the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. During the last century, this rhino has suffered the most drastic decline in total numbers of all rhino species and presently only 3600 are left in the world. Intensive anti-poaching efforts have had encouraging results since 1996 and numbers have been recovering slowly.
This week, the rhino were tracked and darted from helicopter and put in holding bomas. The black rhino is a particularly aggressive species and relocating them is an extensive process. Time spent in the boma allows them to wean onto transition foods so that when they are transported to Gondwana these foods can be used to settle them into their new home. The time in the boma helps relax these wild animals for their journey down to the Cape and relocation into a new habitat, which is naturally suited to them and their browse diet.
Zoologist and black rhino specialist, Alison Kennedy-Benson, is monitoring the transition and coordinating the boma training, relaxing the animals and ensuring the food transition is working. The animals are adjusting well and responding positively to the continued verbal reinforcement of Alison. They will be transported to Gondwana and stay in bomas for a further 10-21 days prior to release, in order to monitor their well-being and adaptation process. The rhino’s critical endangered status makes all of these precautions necessary.
Mark Rutherfoord, Director of Gondwana Game Reserve is heading up all the conservation efforts at the reserve and is available for interviews with media. He invites those wishing to cover any stage of this exciting process, especially the release onto Gondwana, to contact Southern Spoor Marketing on +2711 469 5082/3/4/5 or info@southernspoor.co.za
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| SNEAK PREVIEW OF GONDWANA GAME RESERVE |
With only four months to go before the opening of Gondwana Game Reserve, construction of Fynbos Camp is well under away and the first safari units are almost complete. The contemporary African suites have been luxuriously appointed in natural, earthy tones, complemented with romantic touches such as fireplaces and open-plan bathrooms. Opening rates for Fynbos Camp start from R3000 per person sharing per night, including accommodation, all meals, all local drinks and two game drives per day..
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| Lehele Lodge |
In April 2009, Gondwana will be launching Lehele Lodge, a conference venue that will feature a reception area, lounge and bar, a library with interactive flora and fauna multimedia, restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining areas, a rock pool and an outdoor lounge. Lehele was named after the grey rhebok, an antelope species that has always naturally inhabited Gondwana’s fynbos-covered hills.
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Game update |
The majority of game will be released in August, September and October, including the Big Five and other species. A lion relocation from Tswalu in the Kalahari will be filmed on capture and release. Watch this space for news.
Contact Gondwana Game Reserve on 044 889 0287 or gondwana@mwebbiz.co.za, or visit www.gondwanagamereserve.com for more information.
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| BIG FIVE GAME RESERVE TO OPEN IN THE WESTERN CAPE IN NOVEMBER |
The much anticipated opening of Gondwana Game Reserve, the first natural Big Five game reserve in the Western Cape based on the size and carrying capacity of the reserve allowing for free ranging predators, has been set for 01 November 2008.
Bookings are well under way for the luxurious Fynbos Camp, the first lodge to open at Gondwana. Fynbos Camp will offer two types of five-star accommodation including fifteen superior Khoi San inspired rooms 50m² in size, and ten 100m² luxury suites. Both types of accommodation have sweeping views of the verdant Outeniqua mountains, and the Khoi San rooms overlook two water holes which are already frequented by the abundance of wildlife that has been introduced onto the reserve over the last two years.
The malaria-free game reserve encompasses 10 000 hectares of undulating landscape set against the commanding backdrop of the Outeniqua mountains. Much of the reserve is home to indigenous Fynbos which has been conserved to remain in its natural state. Over 1000 head of game has been introduced and the reserve experienced a successful first breeding year, with many of the species dropping young this season, including kudu, eland, zebra, gemsbok, wildebeest, springbok, blue crane and many more. The Big Five will be introduced over the next few months. In addition to fully inclusive packages including accommodation, meals and game drives, Gondwana will offer day and night game drives to day visitors.
Located 3.5 hours from Cape Town near Mossel Bay, Gondwana Game Reserve is situated in the heart of the Garden Route, providing easy access to the region’s pristine beaches and world-class golf courses. Mossel Bay and the surrounding areas have been proclaimed to have the world's second most moderate climate, next to Hawaii, by the Guinness World Book of Records.
Executive director of the hospitality management group Red Carpet Leisure, Russell Smith, comments: "Gondwana has received tremendous support from both the travel trade and the public. The introduction of Gondwana to the Western Cape will truly make this province and enviable one: home to South Africa's arguably most beautiful city, Cape Town, the scenic Garden Route with its pristine beaches, winelands that produce some of the world’s best wines, the world’s best golf courses and an authentic African safari destination to complete the experience.""
Opening rates for Fynbos Camp start from R3000 per person sharing per night, including accommodation, all meals, all local drinks and two game drives per day. Contact Gondwana on 044 889 0287 or gondwana@mwebbiz.co.za, or visit www.gondwanagamereserve.com for more information.
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| GONDWANA GAME RESERVE INCREASES CONSERVATION AREA TO 10 000 HECTARES AND OPENS TO THE PUBLIC IN OCTOBER |
Pre-opening activities at Gondwana Game Reserve in the Western Cape have stepped up a notch leading up to the opening later this year. Thirty seven kilometres of gravel road has been laid providing easy access to Mossel Bay, only 25 minutes away. The perimeter game fence has been extended to enclose an additional 2 000 hectares of pristine veld, increasing the size of the private game reserve to 10 000 hectares. The fence is currently being electrified prior to the arrival of the Big 5, which will be introduced during the winter.
Yet barely any trace of this activity is visibly noticeable, in keeping with Gondwana's goal of preserving the reserve's natural landscape. The development has been undertaken with the utmost care to the surroundings (only in previously disturbed lands), and only impacts 0.006% of the entire property, leaving this pastoral setting as it was prior to development. It is evident that the wildlife has not been disturbed by these activities, with nearly every species dropping young this season – kudu, eland, zebra, gemsbok, wildebeest, springbok, blue crane, and many more.
Owners Mark and Wendy Rutherford together with hospitality developers Red Carpet Leisure envisage Gondwana to be the first truly authentic Big Five safari destination in the Western Cape based on the size and carrying capacity of the reserve allowing for free ranging predators.
Gondwana's location against the backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains has a remote feel yet is easily accessible to the Garden Route's beaches and golf courses and is only 3.5 hours from Cape Town. The terrain consists of open grasslands, undulating valleys and indigenous Fynbos not found anywhere else in the world. A variety of flowers bloom throughout the year, creating a continuously varying and striking landscape, and attracting many endemic species such as the Cape Sugar Bird and Orange Breasted Sunbird.
Fynbos Camp, a five star lodge, is currently underway and will open this October. Luxury accommodation will consist of 25 superior rooms and 10 deluxe suites overlooking two waterholes with intimate rock pools for swimming and sundowners. The Khoi San inspired design is a new concept for bush lodges and guests will have 180 degree views of their spectacular surroundings from their private suite.
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| GONDWANA GAME RESERVE RELEASES AN ADDITIONAL 200 HEAD OF GAME IN THE LAST MONTH |
Conservation efforts throughout the country to rehabilitate land to its original state and introduce animals that were indigenous to that land are evident throughout regions such as KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, but few successful attempts have been made in the Western Cape. Gondwana Game Reserve will be one of the first natural Big Five safari destinations in the Western Cape based on the size and carrying capacity of the reserve allowing for free ranging predators.
More than 200 head of game was released in the last month culminating with 60 gemsbok and 20 wildebeest released last week. In total, 60 black wildebeest, 53 red hartebeest, 38 eland and 60 gemsbok have been released since June. All the game came from the North West Province and was caught and released directly onto Gondwana within 24 hours. The gemsbok were transported with rubber tubes on their horns for their own safety, as their horns are extremely sharp and dangerous and gemsbok tend to be more aggressive. The pipes are cut and loosened prior to release from the truck and will fall off in due course. The gemsbok should utilise the more arid areas on the game reserve. They are primarily roughage feeders and are able to digest a diet high in fibre. 75% of the gemsbok's diet consists of grasses and forbs, but may include 25% browse and fruits. The gemsbok can occur in herds of 10 to 30 and form nursery herds of 3 to 4 cows with their young.
The red hartebeest are also primarily grazers, but will forage on fruit and browse material. It is the first animal to lose condition if the veld deteriorates, and are thus a good bio indicator. They are also a social animal found in large herds. Both the gemsbok and red hartebeest are capable of surviving for long periods without water.
The eland is the largest of the spiral horned antelope. They are mainly browsers but will utilise grazing material when the grass is green and has high levels of protein. They are gregarious but shy animals and usually occur in small herds. The bulls form bachelor herds in non-breading season, but join mixed herds in mating season. They are non-territorial and should occupy the whole reserve.
The black wildebeest, also commonly known as the white tailed gnu, came from the Eastern Cape, as did the Cape mountain zebra. Both species underwent a 'hard release' which means they were let go directly from the truck onto the Gondwana Game Reserve and were not kept in a boma or holding enclosure setup on either property. They were caught, loaded, driven 550km and released all within seven hours reducing stress levels on the animals.
It is estimated that Gondwana Game Reserve will be able to sustain a total of 120 black wildebeest, of which 75 will be introduced this year. Black wildebeest naturally have a high reproductive rate and they should play a large role as a prey base for the lions anticipated to be released in the beginning of 2008.
The first lodge at Gondwana will be called Fynbos Camp and is expected to open in early 2008. Luxury accommodation will consist of 25 superior rooms and 10 deluxe suites overlooking two waterholes and the Outeniqua Mountains.
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| MORE GAME AT GONDWANA |
Due to open in early-2008, Gondwana Game Reserve has continued with the release of approximately an additional 500 head of game onto the 7 500ha reserve located in the Garden Route, 15km west of Mossel Bay. 41 black wildebeest were released onto the reserve on Sunday May 6 and 18 rare and endangered Cape mountain zebra were recently introduced as well.
The black wildebeest, also commonly known as the white tailed gnu, came from the Eastern Cape, as did the Cape mountain zebra. Both species underwent a 'hard release' which means they were let go directly from the truck onto the Gondwana Game Reserve and were not kept in a boma or holding enclosure setup on either property. They were caught, loaded, driven 550km and released all within seven hours reducing stress levels on the animals.
It is estimated that Gondwana Game Reserve will be able to sustain a total of 120 black wildebeest, of which 75 will be introduced this year. Black wildebeest naturally have a high reproductive rate and they should play a large role as a prey base for the lions anticipated to be released in the beginning of 2008.
Gondwana plans to introduce a total of 25 Cape mountain zebra into a protected walking area on the reserve free from predators, along with other endangered species such as the bontebok. The Cape mountain zebra is a true signature species as they are indigenous to the area and well suited to the terrain. They can be differentiated from normal plain/Burchells zebra by a small dewlap on the neck, the lack of a shadow stripe between the white and black stripes, the continuation of stripes all the way down its legs, a distinctly white belly, as well as larger ears.
Gondwana's diverse habitat is very suited for both these species. The black wildebeest are short grass grazers and prefer open grassy plains, whereas the Cape mountain zebra will forage in kloofs and thickets together with open plains. Their hooves are smaller than other zebra making them quite agile in mountainous terrain. The black wildebeests' thick, dark coat insulates the animal better than its cousin the blue wildebeest making it well suited for the Western Cape/ Karoo climate.
The first young born from the wildlife introduced last winter have just been spotted on the reserve in the last few days. These species include springbok, eland, red hartebeest, and kudu. In addition, the naturally occurring grey rheebok have flourished in the larger reserve with over 100 currently residing on Gondwana. Cape buffalo and rhinoceros will be introduced later this year, followed by the rest of the Big Five before opening.
Owners Mark and Wendy Rutherford together with hospitality developers Red Carpet Leisure envisage Gondwana to be the first truly authentic Big Five safari destination in the Western Cape based on the size and carrying capacity of the reserve allowing for free ranging predators.
Gondwana's location against the backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains has a remote feel yet is easily accessible to the Garden Route's beaches and golf courses and is only 3.5 hours from Cape Town. The terrain consists of open grasslands, undulating valleys and indigenous Fynbos not found anywhere else in the world. A variety of flowers bloom throughout the year creating a continuously varying and striking landscape, attracting many endemic species such as the Cape Sugar Bird and Orange Breasted Sunbird.
The first lodge at Gondwana will be called Fynbos Camp and is expected to open in early 2008. Luxury accommodation will consist of 25 superior rooms and 10 deluxe suites overlooking two waterholes onto the Outeniqua Mountains.
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| GONDWANA GAME RESERVE CONTINUES WITH GAME RELEASE PROGRAMME |
Due to open in mid-2007, Gondwana Game Reserve has commenced with the initial release of approximately 1 000 head of game onto the 7 200ha reserve located in the Garden Route of the Western Cape, 15km west of Mossel Bay. The 58km perimeter game fence has already been completed, and the first phase of species introduced includes springbok, eland, red hartebeest, bontebok as well as breeding herds of kudu and the rare and endangered Cape mountain zebra. This species is truly indigenous to this area, as their smaller hooves make them more suitable to the mountainous terrain. In addition, there are over 100 naturally occurring grey rhebok on the reserve which have flourished since the wildlife rehabilitation programmes were initiated. Cape buffalo and rhinoceros will be introduced in early 2007, followed by the rest of the Big Five before opening.
Hospitality developers Red Carpet Leisure and partners Mark and Wendy Rutherford envisage Gondwana to be the first truly authentic Big Five safari destination in the Garden Route based on the size and carrying capacity of the reserve allowing for free ranging predators.
Gondwana's location against the backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains has a remote feel yet is easily accessible to the Garden Route's beaches and golf courses and is only 3.5 hours from Cape Town. The terrain consists of open grassland, undulating valleys and indigenous Fynbos not found anywhere else in the world. A variety of flowers bloom throughout the year creating a continuously varying and striking landscape, attracting many endemic species such as the Cape sugar bird and the orange breasted sunbird. Most of the butterfly species found in the Western Cape are highly specific to the Fynbos vegetation and the insects associated with it (the myrmecophilous relationship "love of ants"). They are under severe threat due to habit loss, however will indirectly benefit from Gondwana's holistic veld management.
The first lodge at Gondwana will be called Fynbos Camp and is expected to open in September 2007. Luxury accommodation will consist of 25 superior rooms and 10 deluxe suites overlooking two waterholes and across a valley onto the Outeniqua Mountains.
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