Londolozi Wildlife and Ecology

Bird Life

Bird diversity is high, with over 40 species of raptor including Hooded Vulture, Secretary Bird, African Fish Eagle, Bateleur, Brown Snake Eagle, Dark Chanting Goshawk and Giant Eagle Owl. Cuckoos, Rollers, Kingfishers, Hornbills, Shrikes, Starlings and Weavers are well represented. Some common birds along the Sand River are the Paradise Flycatcher, Heuglin's Robin, Collared Sunbird and Green Pigeon.

Open water channels and pools are favoured by Pied Kingfisher and African Black Duck. Reedbeds are populated by Burchell's Coucal, Redfaced Cisticola and various Weavers. Some common savannah birds are the Green Spotted Dove (formerly called the Emerald Spotted Wood Dove), Woodland Kingfisher, Blue Waxbill, White Helmetshrike, Lizard Buzzard, Yellow-billed Hornbill and Lilac-breasted Roller.

Fish and Amphibians

Open channels and pools are also favoured by fish such as Sharptooth Catfish, Bowstripe Barb and Mozambique Tilapia. There are over 20 varieties of frog including Broadbanded Grass Frog, Snoring Puddle Frog, Tremolo Sand Frog and Golden Leaf-folding Frog.

Flora

Groves of Wild Date Palm grow on the outer fringes of reedbeds. Jackalberry, Tamboti, Brack Thorn, Knob Thorn, Flame Creeper and Sycamore Fig are among the trees that flourish in the forest along the river. The forest is green all year round. Red Bushwillow and Marula dominate the crests and slopes while Knob Thorn, Leadwood, Tamboti and Magic Guarri are abundant on the flats. The distinctive scent of the Potato Bush permeates river banks in spring.

Arid-adapted plants provide a sparse covering on rocky outcrops, forming a distinct habitat to which certain plants and animals are restricted. Distinctive trees include the Largeleaved Rock Fig, cactus-like Candelabra Tree, purple-stemmed Common Star Chestnut.

Habitats

The principle habitat of Londolozi is bush savannah and a thin band of evergreen riverine forest along the Sand River. The watercourse of the Sand River is lined by swathes of sand - from which the river derives its name. It is the artery that sustains the region's wildlife. Three other river-associated habitats can be distinguished, each with characteristic species: open water of channels and pools, reedbeds and riverine forest along the river. These forests are green all year round. Rocky outcrops also create a unique habitat for flora and fauna alike.

Conservation

The Londolozi Model, demonstrating the sustainable multi-use of wildlife, was the blueprint on which the principles of Conservation Corporation Africa (CC Africa) were founded. The basic principles that guide all CC Africa endeavours are "Care of the land, care of the wildlife and care of the people".

Londolozi is in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, adjacent to the world-renowned Kruger National Park, in the heart of the South African Lowveld. The fence between the two reserves that had blocked wildlife movement for thirty years was finally taken down in 1990. The uninhibited movement of buffalo, elephant, zebra, leopard, buffalo, white rhino and other species became a reality.

Sabi Sand is now part of a huge conservation area and one of the richest wildlife regions on the continent. The "big five", especially leopard, are relaxed when approached by vehicles, allowing for unsurpassed photographic opportunities.

Londolozi has become known for its far-sighted methods of land and wildlife rehabilitation as well as community involvement programmes. For example, the intense erosion and bush encroachment evident in the early days was effectively managed, leading to the restoration of the area's historic open grasslands. This in turn encouraged the return of plains game that had largely disappeared. Bush clearing has many spin-off benefits.

Londolozi strives to be ecologically sustainable in every aspect of its operation - from tourism activities to project management

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