Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Wildlife




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Wildlife and Ecology


Landscape \| Game \| Birds \| Invertebrates \| Reptiles \| Fish and Amphibians
Flora \| Habitat \| Conservation

Landscape

The Kwandwe Private Game Reserve stretches along the lush banks of the Great Fish River. The main lodge buildings and glass and thatch chalets have been built along a steep cliff edge overlooking the river. The 15 800 hectare land includes vast plains, deep valleys and gorges filled with spekboom, aloe and euphorbia and is characterised by undulating hills covered in sub-tropical thicket, also known as valley bushveld.

Game

The massive and ambitious wildlife reintroduction programme at Kwandwe is now virtually complete, with all of the large mammals historically known to occur here, once again roaming free.

For the first time in over 100 years, Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, Buffalo and Black Rhino wander free in this reborn wilderness. Giraffe, Zebra, Greater Kudu and several other antelope are resident and regularly seen. Of particular interest are the many unusual nocturnal mammals which are regularly encountered on night drives; these include the comical Aardvark, termite-eating Aardwolf, Bat-eared Fox and Springhare.

This is also the home of the sociable and entertaining Suricates (or Meerkats) which live in close-knit family groups.

Birds

Kwandwe supports a great diversity of birds with over 200 recorded species. Several of South Africa's rare and endemic birds occur here.

Kwandwe means "Place of the Blue Crane" in the local Xhosa language and these graceful and sadly threatened birds are seasonal breeding visitors.

Resident species in the bush clumps and thickets include Bokmakierie, Karoo Robin, Acacia Pied Barbet and Chin-spot Batis. When the abundant aloes are in flower between July and September, hundreds of nectar-feeding sunbirds - Greater Double-collared and Malachite dominating - visit the spectacular blooms.

Ground-dwelling birds are well-represented, with Kori and Stanley's Bustard, Southern Black Korhaan, Helmeted Guineafowl and Spotted Dikkop all regularly encountered. In well-wooded areas, the Black-headed Oriole, Knysna Woodpecker and Narina Trogon may be encountered. Birds of prey flourish with Jackal Buzzard, Rock Kestrel, African Fish Eagle, Black Eagle and Secretarybird among those most frequently seen.

Kwandwe means "Place of the Blue Crane" in the local Xhosa language and these graceful and sadly threatened birds are seasonal breeding visitors.

Invertebrates

Interesting insects abound, with colourful grasshoppers particularly abundant during the warmer months. Nectar-feeding bees and wasps are prolific when aloes and euphorbias are flowering. Butterflies include the African Monarch, Citrus Swallowtail and African Migrant.

Reptiles

A variety of small lizards and four species of tortoise are present in rocky areas and bush clumps. Several species of snakes (most are harmless) occur but they are rarely encountered. The large Nile monitor is regularly seen sunning itself on the banks of the Great Fish River, but will quickly dive for cover when approached too closely. At night, look out for nocturnal geckos hunting around lights.

Fish And Amphibians The Great Fish River is home to Banded Tilapia and Chubbyhead Barb, as well as the predatory Sharp-toothed Catfish which has invaded the system from the Orange River. Frogs are more readily heard than seen, but Common River Frog, Raucous Toad, rattling Frog and Plaintive Rainfrog are among the 17 species thought to occur in dams, rain pools and the river itself.

Flora A great variety of plants occur, with numerous succulents being among the most interesting. Flowering aloes are at their spectacular best during the dry winter months. Common trees include the Karoo Boerbean, Sweet Thorn, Jacketplum and Karoo Shepherd's Tree. A stroll around the lodge surrounding will reveal a host of fascinating miniature plants, and several species of lichen.

Kwandwe, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Habitats

The Great Fish River is home to Banded Tilapia and Chubbyhead Barb, as well as the predatory Sharp-toothed Catfish which has invaded the system from the Orange River. Frogs are more readily heard than seen, but Common River Frog, Raucous Toad, rattling Frog and Plaintive Rainfrog are among the 17 species thought to occur in dams, rain pools and the river itself.

Conservation


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Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, one of the continent's southernmost game reserves lies in the heart of South Africa's Eastern Cape; a district rich in history and blessed with abundant natural beauty.

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Wildlife and Ecology