LIONS HAVE ARRIVED
Lapalala’s first four lions arrived safely on the morning of Tuesday, 18 December and are being kept in the predator bomas for the next few weeks. The translocation from Khamab Kalahari Game Reserve (a 12-hour drive by vehicle) was superbly managed by Hermann, our biodiversity manager. One large adult male and three young adult females were each loaded separately into four crates, designed by Lapalala. The animals were fully awake for the majority of the trip. The animals are prime specimens; beautiful lions that we are all looking forward to hear roaring on Lapalala.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURES & RAINFALL
DECEMBER Rainfall = 114 mm Min temp = 21.6 °C Max temp = 35.9 °C
STAFF CHRISTMAS PARTY 2018
Everybody enjoyed the anticipation of the year end and the arrival of the festive season. We held our annual Christmas staff party in Kolobe on 14 December. A good time was had by all and special thanks go to the cooks of the day – Jane Mafafo, Jermina Mangwane, Anifa Lekoto, Francina Mokwena, Selina Nkhumane, Andries Monareng, Stoffel Moatshe, Emma Stow and Vivienne Pepper. We enjoyed a wonderfully prepared Christmas meal, in traditional African style.
MORE VISIBLE EAST GATE
Our new East Gate is open and is located on the R518 between Mokopane and Marken. The gate now functions as one of our main entrance gates for guests. This month, we’ve placed a new, eye- catching sign post on each side of the gate to make the entrance more visible from the tar road.
AFRICAN WILD DOGS ON LAPALALA
The free-roaming, Waterberg wild dog pack spent a few days on Lapalala in December. The pack of 16 dogs was spotted near our southern boundary on the morning of
6 December. We found where the dogs had entered the reserve and closed the small gap in the fence in an attempt to keep the pack inside the reserve for longer. The dogs appeared to be extremely relaxed around people and vehicles, and allowed for some special sightings, including a dinner feast on a freshly caught Lapalala kudu female. The dogs stayed on Lapalala for a few days and have now moved off the reserve further south, which confirms that there is no such thing as a “wild dog-proof” fence.
BETTER COMMS WITH THE PACK
During the few days that the wild dogs were on the reserve, Lapalala’s veterinarian darted one of the adult females for the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) so that we could place a new satellite tracking collar.
This will enable us to track the movements of the pack. The EWT has initiated a project to track and share the pack’s whereabouts on a daily basis in an attempt to increase awareness of the threats these rare and endangered animals face. For more information visit the Waterberg Wild Dogs Facebook Page or contact Derek van der Merwe at derekv@ewt.org.za.
LEPOGO’S CLIFF-TOP LUXURY LODGE IN PROGRESS
Lapalala is moving swiftly towards the completion of an impressive and highly exclusive lodge development. Noka Camp
is the first lodge to be launched by Lepogo and will be situated on one of the most spectacular locations on the reserve. Set on a 100 foot cliff above the Palala River – surrounded by breathtaking views and original Bushman paintings – this 7-star lodge will be treating guests to a Lapalala experience at a whole new level. We look forward to the opening of Noka Camp.
A CHRISTMAS BABY IN LAPALALA
Proud parents, Hermann and Annemieke, are happy
to announce the birth of their daughter, Robynne Joan Muller. Robynne was born on 25 December in Rietondale, Pretoria, weighing 3 230 grams and measuring 51 cm. Both Annemieke and Robynne are doing very well and dad is head-over-heels!
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
This beautiful male leopard, who doesn’t seem to care too much about the flashing of our camera, has been seen near Selous on several occasions during our survey. This same leopard, recognisable by its unique pattern of spots, has also been seen on previous surveys. It can therefore be confirmed that it is a resident leopard on the reserve.