Simbavati Cederberg Ridge owner, Kate Bergh, shares the benefits to selecting our Full Board and Activities option
When Simbavati Cederberg Ridge opened its doors, we naturally wanted to accommodate people who were passing through the Cederberg, as well as those coming to spend a few days at our wilderness lodge. So we offered a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast rate.
However, this does not suit most guests best, and many of them don't realise it until they stay. If you're staying for longer than 1 night and planning on enjoying some activities while you take in the Cederberg splendour, the Full Board and Activities option is ideal.
Benefits of booking Full Board & Activities
It’s the best value for money, if you plan on doing excursions during your stay rather than to book Dinner, Bed & Breakfast and pay for activities and lunch when you arrive
You get first choice in the activities
There is less to pay when you’re on holiday, as you’ve paid more in advance. (We even have a drinks supplement so that you can pay for that ahead of time as well, if you wish)
Some Value Adds are included in the Full Board and Activity rate, such as the complimentary use of E-Bikes and ad hoc yoga classes
We take care of your stay. You don’t have to research what there is to do in the area. Simply select which planned activities you feel like doing each day. Fewer decisions makes for more down-time
The extra cost of booking Full Board and Activities is much less if you stay for 3 or 4 nights. Our long stay offers are 50% off your 3rd night's stay or stay 4 nights but only pay for 3 nights
Linger a little longer
The lodge is an inviting place to relax and unwind. The Cederberg beckons to be explored and the views are an allure to stay and breathe for a while. That’s why we encourage longer stays of 3 nights or more.
Though we have enough activities to entertain guests for 4 night stays or longer, we will gladly swap out a morning or afternoon activity for a 30 minute treatment in the spa.
We compare the Cederberg to the rest of the Western Cape during winter, sharing the top reasons to visit this wilderness in the cooler months of the year.
IT'S WARMER
Daytime temperatures are typically 5°C warmer than Cape Town with a sunny Cederberg winter’s day averaging at around 21°C-23°C. Cederberg's winter is much shorter than elsewhere in the Cape, typically spanning from mid/late May and ending in early August.
IT'S DRIER
Cederberg rains do fall in the winter but its classified as a semi-arid area, with only 180mm of rain per year. The region gets only one third of the amount of rain Cape does Town, at most.
IT'S GORGEOUSLY GREEN
Winter in the Cederberg is beautiful and green. It's described as a rejuvenating time of the year, where the landscapes seems to flourish. Colours change from browns to vibrant greens, the flowers bloom, and crisp air adds to the refreshing sense that winter brings.
Simbavati Cederberg Ridge owner, Kate Bergh says, "The jagged sandstone rock formations of the Cederberg, with their burnt orange colour, are even more striking at this time of the year surrounded by the vibrant veld. It is quite simply, a beautiful place to visit."
ACTIVE DAYS
During a Cederberg winter your days are not ruled by the hot African sun and its limitations on your schedule. The milder, temperate climate means time can be spent comfortably exploring the great outdoors.
Savour a lie in followed by a leisurely breakfast and then head out for a long walk. Alternatively, you can enjoy an excursion in the morning and a bike ride in the afternoon sun.
KEEPING COSY
Early mornings are cold, but Simbavati Cederberg Ridge is a lodge built to withstand both the summer heat and the winter morning cold. Underfloor heating and log-burning fireplaces make the suites very cosy. The main lodge also has a fireplace in the library, dining room and sitting room, for when it is a little chilly.
FLOWERS&FYNBOS
Cederberg celebrates an early spring, compared to the rest of the Cape. Depending on the rains, the spring flowers bloom from late July to September, along with the early flowering fynbos.
There is a magic in experiencing the spring flower spectacle while the rest of the country is still in winter-mode.
An escape to Simbavati Cederberg Ridge and the rugged splendour of Cederberg's wilderness is always a good idea, but is especially appealing in wintertime.
Childhood memories lead to the greatest inspiration
"South African cuisine is all about heart and home,” says Simbavati Group Executive Chef, Garth Davids, whose passion is creating good honest food in a farm to table style.
He shared a favourite personal recipe with us, representing his journey from humble beginnings as a young boy growing up in the Cape Town suburb of Mitchell’s Plain, to the Chef he is today.
What did Chef Garth’s childhood taste like?
Chicken liver, a staple dish in his mother’s household, was usually served with a “smoortjie” – a sauce prepared with sauteed onion and tomato or sometimes mayonnaise. Toffee apples were also a much-loved treat in his neighbourhood and were usually enjoyed with his friends on the walk home from a cricket match. Finally, he fondly recalls the basket of fruit, always available on the kitchen counter and the scent of the fruit that greeted him when he returned home.
Chef Garth chose to combine these ingredients to bring these childhood memories to life through this recipe.
RECIPE
Chicken liver and brandy Parfait, burnt apple served on toasted brioche, truffle onion puree, mixed berry coulis and toffee apple
Preparation:
Ingredients For the chicken liver parfait:
250g chicken livers (deveined and cleaned)
15ml olive oil
80g finely chopped onion
80g chopped apples
5g rosemary
5g garlic
50ml brandy
200g soft butter
Method:
Add olive oil to pan along with the onions, garlic and rosemary
Sauté until onions are translucent, then add in the chopped apples and cook for 10 mins
Add the brandy and allow alcohol to evaporate
Remove mixture from heat and set aside.
In a separate pan heat up oil until pan is nice and hot slightly smoking, then add your chicken livers and cook until medium rare not all the way through
Remove from heat and add to apple and onion mixture
Place mixture into a blender on medium speed and slowly add the soft butter. bit by bit, until all the butter is incorporated
Once the butter is incorporated, remove from blender and strain through a sieve
Line a container with cling wrap and pour strained mixture into container and allow to set in fridge for about 4 to 8 hours
Ingredients for the onion puree:
2 white onions sliced
¼ teaspoon truffle oil
5g garlic
5g thyme finely chopped
50ml fresh cream
30ml olive oil
Method:
Place all ingredients into a pot and cook very slowly until onions are soft and caramelized
Once mixture is ready, blend until smooth and add in the truffle oil
Place into a squeegee bottle.
Ingredients for the baby toffee apples
1 can baby apples (Liberty or Goldcrest brand)
200g white sugar
50g glucose
50 ml water
Method:
Add sugar, glucose and water into a sauce pan and bring to a boil, once mixture is boiling turn the heat low and cook very slowly
Do not stir sugar with a spoon, Rather gently swivel the pan around or side to side to keep mixture from burning
Heat the sugar to hard crack stage (156 degrees Celsius)
Once sugar reaches temperature, remove from heat, take skewer sticks and pierce them into the apples
Dip each apple, one by one, until each apple is fully coated
Leave apples to harden
Ingredients for mixed berry coulis:
2 cups frozen mixed berries
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
5g cornstarch
Method:
Place berries, water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil until sugar is dissolved
Add cornstarch and cook for 10 mins until mixture thickens and cornstarch is completely cooked out
Place mixture in a blender and blend until smooth
Pass mixture through a sieve to remove berry seeds, then place in a squeegee bottle
Ingredients for the burnt apple:
1 whole apple peeled and sliced into wedges
Method:
Place sliced apples into a tray and blow torch until apples are charred.
If you do not have a blow torch you can hold them over an open gas flame to give them a charred colour.
To Assemble:
Slice store bought brioche bread and toast until golden brown.
Place in the center of the plate, quenelle the chicken liver pate’ and place on top of brioche.
Pipe four small dots of onion puree on and around the brioche, place the burnt apple and toffee apple on either side of the parfait. Place small dots of berry coulis around the brioche and lastly garnish with fennel shoots.
Let us do the cooking
If you’d prefer Chef Garth to cook for you, performing some of his culinary mastery, stay with us at Simbavati Cederberg Ridge where the food offering is as memorable as the setting.
Growing up in a family that loves nature and wildlife, I have a long history of travelling for leg-numbing hours in the back of the land-rover. We kids had special beds and an assortment of books and games to keep us entertained. And let’s admit, quiet too. All as we headed for some new and suitably adventurous destination to go camping.
Our arrival at the camp would be a mix of excitement and groans. No scampering to a pool. We had to get set up first before it got dark, or before we could go out for an activity. But there were evenings around the campfire with stories until late into the night. Then we would head to bed - only to lie awake listening. And sometimes being terrified of the noises around us. But that's invariably part of the excitement and good for new stories for the next day! These are still some of our fondest memories growing up.
These days, of course, there is the option of coming to a safari lodge, where everything is organised ready for you. Families on safari have much less to think about, let alone do. We take care of your welcoming tent, your meals and your game drives, giving you much more time to relax.
And that's what one should get out of family trips away - an opportunity to make memories, have fun. And, most importantly, reconnect as a family. All the while, having a safe environment for kids to relax and be kids. And for adults to have a little pampering.
Families on Safari - the crucial question of age
So what age should your kids be for a safari? The ideal age to safely appreciate game drives on safari is from around 8 years or older. That's why we chose to set the limit at Amani and Camp George to eight years old. However, we are a little more flexible at River Lodge and have happily hosted kids of all ages. The same goes for Homestead where there’s no minimum age either. One does need to consider exactly where you go, though. Many safari lodges have a minimum age limit, mainly for safety reasons. If you have young kids on a game vehicle, the guide will not go as close to some predator sightings for obvious reasons. Plus remember that in the Kruger, malaria is a consideration, especially in our summer months.
For game drives, children need to be over 6 to take part in shared game drives at River Lodge. Sometimes it is possible to pre-organise a private game drive vehicle (at an extra cost per day). This gives more more flexibility to a family safari as you can go for shorter drives, which really helps for little ones with a smaller attention span.
How do the kids stay amused at Simbavati?
Our family-friendly lodges try to be flexible and tailors activities according to the kids - their ages, interests and weather. The options are varied, both indoors and outdoors, ranging from crafts, nature hunts, track mouldings, elephant dung cricket, card and paper making. All the way to seasonal delights of frogging and mud wallowing - yes dirt equals fun!
For older kids, there are nature walks, baking with the chefs, macro photography, learning local languages to a junior tracker or ranger course. Which of course comes with a badge or certificate.
At River Lodge in the Timbavati, there's even a Cubs Club. This is equipped with TV, DVD’s, games, archery practice area, books, maps and a discovery nook with bugs, bones, dung & identification tools. So everyone gets something! But each lodge has a refreshing swimming pool and some can even do spa treatments. Camp George and Amani have fenced in gardens which means that kids have space to play, without anxious parents.
[post_title] => Tips on Families on Safari
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It was just another chilly morning in the bush. As usual, we had our coffee and tea around dawn while we waited for the sun to rise. Just enough for us to see what was going on in the gradually lessening shadows. We left in the morning on foot and nothing was out of the norm. It was the same wonderful landscape we walked in everyday. But today something happened that we thought we would never experience.
As we left camp we started to make our way towards a small dam just to the side of camp. This is usually what we do in the morning as we go to the water to see what animals have been visiting. So just as usual, we walk towards the small dam not thinking much, as it's only an 8 minute walk from camp.
We walked through a small mopane thicket and turned left onto the dam road. That's when we just stopped dead in our tracks. Straight ahead of us were two lion cubs playing around the water. Wow! We just stood still watching the cubs for a moment or two, when we started to think…where is the mother?
It didn't take long before we managed to spot the lioness. Unfortunately, she had already spotted us first. Everything at that point just went utterly quiet. When we saw the lioness lying in the bush to the left of us, and the cubs straight ahead, we knew what was coming. We slowly started to walk backwards to give some space between us and the lioness. That's when we heard this loud noise, it sounded just like somebody was on a Harley Davidson. The lioness was warning us that we better not get any closer.
We didn’t need telling. But before we could back away more, she came bolting towards us. People always tell you that you shouldn't run in the bush. I found out that day that, at the speed that the lioness was charging towards us, you dont even have time to think about running. Luckily, she stopped about three metres from us.
So she just wanted to make it clear that she didn't have the intention to harm us. She just wanted to warn us to stay away from her cubs, like any mother would do. After she warned us with a mock charge, she turned around and trotted towards her cubs. She picked one of them up in her mouth and the family made their way back into the bush.
We left the lioness with her cubs and moved away to find that there were lots of vultures in the sky not too far from camp. We started to walk that way trying to see what was going on. On the way there we bumped into a hyena that appeared to be searching for something. We just watched him for a bit to try and figure out what he was looking for. Then the wind picked up and we got this smell of something rotten in the bush.
At that moment we realized why we found the lioness and cubs by the dam. They’d made a kill somewhere around our camp, but where? We tried to follow the smell but the wind would drop and the smell would disappear. That's when we heard that sound of a Harley Davidson again.
Straight in front of us, under the weeping wattle tree, were four lionesses and the two cubs. Busy devouring a wildebeest. We just stopped and watched them for a minute or two. However we decided not to chance our luck with these cats anymore, but to rather head back to camp.
That astounding walk is a moment in time that will never be forgotten. Yes, we cannot forget the rush of fear when she charged us. But equally memorable was the beauty of a good mother nurturing and protecting her young.
[post_title] => Lioness on Foot in the Timbavati
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When the change in seasons comes, so does the change in weather. The climate plays a big part in the movement of wildlife. Below I describe the safari cycle of life so that you can immerse yourself in the story.
Dry Winter Months
June through to October are the driest months of the year, although you only truly start seeing the bush drying up from June or July. August, September and October are when the bush is at the driest. The temperatures you’ll experience through this part of the year are from 15 – 26 degrees celsius. Most of the trees lose their leaves, 95% of bush changes colours to browns & greys. Water sources start to dry up. In the driest months where you have only one water source, you’ll have a higher concertation of animals around it compared to the wet months. When there’s a lot of water around animals don’t have to travel far and can be more dispersed.
Some of the best sightings I have heard of have been in September. Here’s an example: One of my guides was in a sighting of a male leopard in a tree with a fresh impala kill and two hyenas at the bottom of the tree waiting for the scraps of the impala to fall down for them to scavenge. A couple of minutes later three lioness approached this sighting. The guide’s jaw dropped to the ground because you don’t see three predators in a single sighting every day! The next moment the hyena and lion were in a standoff (It’s always amazing to see the interaction between species). All the while the leopard was unmoved by this commotion below and carried on feasting on his impala kill. Lucky guide and lucky guests!
The Wet Season
The other half of the safari cycle of life is the wet season (November through to March) which falls in Spring and Summer of the southern hemisphere. Once the first rains fall, within a week or two, the crunchy dry golden bush starts to transform. Little green shoots start to pop up everywhere and it’s always a happy sight to see this regeneration.
December through to the end of February is the hottest time of the year. We see temperatures of 40 degrees celsius + and ranges of 40 -60% humidity. Game drives leave earlier in the mornings and later in the afternoons to accommodate the high temperature. Mostly, when it’s so warm, you’ll find almost all animals have a siesta or hide away in shady areas in the middle part of the day. Most predators will only become active in the cooler hours, preserving their energy to hunt for prey from dusk to the morning.
Although the days are hot and humid, there’s always fun to be had. This weather is perfect for spending the days at the swimming pool, watching birds or enjoying a few cocktails and dining under the African sky, full of stars.
[post_title] => The Safari Cycle of Life through the Seasons
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Our ‘Secret Seven’ wildlife species in Africa are rarely seen and elusive animals. Well, the name says it all.
These are the most secretive animals and even many frequent visitors to National Parks and wildlife reserves haven’t been fortunate enough to see them all. The secret seven comprise aardvark, African wild cat, civet, large spotted genet, pangolin, porcupine and serval.
In a lifetime career working in the bush I’ve been lucky enough to see six of our Secret Seven. But one I am yet to see in all my years..
The main reason these guys are such a rare ‘spot’ is due to the fact that they are mostly nocturnal, solitary and shy animals. Let’s run through our list so that you’ll be ready to share in the excitement if you do spot one. It’s usually quite a fleeting sighting and they are certainly camera-shy!
Aardvark
Afrikaans Name: Erdvark
This animal has long ears, a long pig-like snout and a very thick tail. Their skin is almost bare and of a yellow-grey colour while the hair on the legs is generally darker in colour. Plus their hindquarters are also much heavier than the front quarters and their shoulders are much lower than the crop. Their limbs are extremely powerful and the feet, especially their front feet, have strong claws adapted for digging and for breaking into anthills. The aardvark is very adaptable and occurs in areas where the soil is not very compact and where a sufficient number of termites are.
Male aardvarks are slightly more heavily built than the females. Both are generally solitary. They range widely seeking food, with those noses of theirs held close to ground as their sense of smell is amazing. They are nocturnal (active at night) and usually sleep in a hole that they fill up behind them.
Speaking of their holes. You may be surprised that they have three holes with three different uses:
Hole 1: They live in this hole as well as give birth to their young in this hole. They give birth to a single young and they are born from July to September after a gestation period of +-7 months.
Hole 2: This acts as a temporary shelter from bad weather or unexpected weather or if they travelled a bit too far they will seek shelter before moving back to hole 1.
Hole 3: A small excavation for seeking food.
They can dig at unbelievable rates. Sometimes when they are done with their holes, if they are in good condition, then other animals will move in! They'll make & shape them into dens or shelters for themselves. All and all, you can call the Aardvark the architect of bush.
African Wild Cat
Afrikaans Name: Vaalboskat
The second of our secret seven wildlife species is a slender animal resembling a grey house cat! Their colour varies from grey to dark grey, from reddish to dusky red stripes on their legs and tail. African wild cats are larger than small spotted cats and they usually have more spots. These cats can easily interbreed with domestic cats, but the cross-breeds will have shorter legs and lack the reddish tinge on the back of their ears which African wild cats are known for, however the cross-breeds will have a red nose instead of the normal black nose. You can find these cats everywhere, provided there is sufficient dense thicket, tall grass and rocks for shelters.
These shy, cunning animals are usually solitary, except for mating season when one or more males will be around a single female. 2 to 5 young are born any time of the year with the peak being between September and March, after a gestation period of +-2 months. They are mainly nocturnal. But you may be lucky and see them in the late afternoon at sunset. They are very territorial and both sexes will defend their areas. Although these cats are mainly terrestrial they are very good climbers, especially if they are being pursued. They also sometimes hunt from trees. I have been very lucky to have seen them, but only 2 individuals in my career.
African Civet
Afrikaans Name: Siwet
This cat-like animal is a whitish-grey with indistinct spots on the forequarters and regular black spots which merge into stripes on their hindquarters. Their legs are black and their tail white, bushy and ringed with a black tip. These animals prefer woodlands with thick undergrowth. They also like to be in well-watered surroundings. African civets are exclusively nocturnal and are most active during the early hours of the evening or just before sunrise.
They are mainly solitary animals. Civets can climb trees but they mostly move on the ground, you will find these guys usually along footpaths and walking purposefully with their heads held down. They are extremely shy animals. If you disturb them, they will either stand motionless or lie down on the ground. Depending on good camouflage rather than fight. One to four young are born between August to December after a gestation period of +-2 months. These animals can live up to 12 years if they don’t get killed by lion, leopard or pythons.
I have been lucky enough to see four individuals and the last one was my best sighting; a civet being chased by a leopard! He survived due to the fact that the leopard wasn’t hunting or anything. It seemed that they just accidentally walked into each other in tall grass. Personally, I think the leopard got just as much of a fright as the civet.
Large Spotted Genet
Afrikaans Name: Grootkolmuskejaatkat
The fourth one in the secret seven roll-call is a rather small, cat-like animal. The large spotted genet are white or greyish-white with dark spots and stripes. Their tail is long and dark with white rings. The species has been split into the Large spotted genet with black spots, stripes and rings. And the Rusty-spotted genet with rust-brown stripes and spots. These animals like to be in well-watered areas with sufficient undergrowth.
Usually solitary animals, but they can sometimes be found in pairs. They are nocturnal animals and will emerge a few hours after sunset. During the day they sleep in old aardvark holes (our architect of the bush, remember?), spring hare holes or sometimes they will sleep in hollow tree stumps. They are mainly terrestrial but will either take shelter or hunt in trees. Their movements are watchful and furtive and when they run they keep their heads down and their tails horizontal.
These animals love dog pellets so people that live on farms where they keep dogs have to keep the dog food inside or they end up stealing the dog pellets.
Porcupine
Afrikaans Name: Ystervark
These guys are the largest rodent in the region. Their bodies are covered in quills, spines and flattened black bristles. Quills are generally black and white and very distinctive.
Porcupines are usually solitary but three or more can be found using the same shelters. Sometimes at the holes you will find bones which the porcupines drag to the shelters where they gnaw on the bones for calcium.
These guys are very adaptable and you can find them everywhere except in forests and desserts. So you may see them away from conservation areas. Indeed they are the worst enemy to veggie gardens and agricultural lands and cause a lot of damage.
They can travel long distances looking for food at night. These guys might look slow but they can run really fast if being pursued by a predator. Speaking of dangerous encounters for porcupine, they are pretty feisty. The quills by the neck and hindquarters are longer and thinner. They raise these up to make the porcupine look bigger and more fearsome to its enemies.
Quills cannot be shot out or released as folklore says, (cool though that would be). They actually back up into the predator where the quills will stick and remain in the predator. Lions and leopards struggle after an altercation between them and a porcupine as the quills cause infections and festering sores, making it difficult to hunt, eat or even drinking water, so they become weak and easy targets to their own enemies. Some people working in the bush actually refer to porcupines as the serial killer of the bush.
Serval
Afrikaans Name: Tierboskat
The serval is a slender animal with long legs, a rather small, rounded head and large ears. Colour varies from dull white to light golden-yellow with black stripes down the neck and irregular black spots on the body. The serval is sometimes confused with a young cheetah cubs as they look very similar. Yet so different if you know what to look for. Servals prefer thicker, more humid types of woodland with sufficient shelter and water.
These animals usually forage alone, although pairs sometimes hunt together, even in swampy areas. They are mainly nocturnal but you may see them in the early morning and late afternoon. They can run fast for short distances. At night they range far in search of food, using roads and footpaths to avoid difficult terrain. Although they are excellent tree climbers they are mainly terrestrial. These guys can live up to +-12 years unless their predators like lion and crocodile get to them first.
Pangolin
Afrikaans Name: Ietermagog
And last, but not least, in our secret seven line-up is probably the animal that most keen safari visitors would LOVE to see. These guys have got very hard, dark grey-brown scales which cover the body like roof tiles, their defining characteristic. It’s a very odd animal. You very rarely see them, being even more elusive than the other secret seven clan.
Pangolin walk on their hind legs with the front legs held off the ground, only touching now and then. The front feet have long, curved claws which are used to dig. They like sandy soil in dry fairly humid types of savannah with adequate shelters.
Pangolin are usually solitary animals and move about noisily as they brush against bushes and branches. They are also mainly nocturnal but you can occasionally see them during the day. If they suspect any intrusion they will stand on their back legs supported by their tails. When threatened they will roll themselves into a ball. They live in old Aardvark holes and hunt for food at night. They eat mainly ants and sometimes termites. Intriguingly they also emit a really foul odour when threatened.
These guys can live a good life of over 12 years in the wild and have no natural enemies. Their worst enemies are humans, unfortunately. Sadly they are the most trafficked animals in the world, mainly sought after for their scales. Again, another sad story of ignorance, greed and misinformation about non-existent health benefits. This animal has evaded me watching to catch a slighting for 9 years and going. So Mr Pangolin, watch out! Our cat and mouse game ain’t over just quite yet. I’ve still got my eyes open and I will see you soon!
So as the sundowner drinks come to an end, and the night drive begins, keep your eyes peeled for one of these secret seven gems.
So what sort of things are we looking for when on a walking safari? At Simbavati Trails camp, or any bush walk for that matter. Since we are part of the Timbavati Game Reserve, which is part of the Greater Kruger area, we do have free-roaming game including the Big 5. But, when we are out walking in the bush, they are not our primary focus.
Our main aim at Simbavati Trails Camp is to concentrate on everything you miss while being on a vehicle. Feeding signs of animals, the smell of wild herbs, the touch of grass or the taste of wild fruit. And of course to have the ability to hear everything without having a diesel engine making a noise.
As trails guides, we love teaching people about the smaller things, the tracks and the uses for trees and wild herbs. We have a mix between riverine and mopane thicket with little crests that have open clearings. One of the most amazing things about Trails Camp is the very little light interference from other camps so things like sunrise and sunsets are some of the best when visiting Trails. Staying at a walking camp like ours not means a little exercise. It also provides the chance to rest the mind and take it back to basics. To how man used to be and how we still are to this day. If only we can let go of distracting pings and devices!
Tracks and Signs and the meaning behind them
Because Trails is located in a remote part of the reserve where we are the only active presence on a full time basis, the tracks we find are always amazing. The ability to tell guests about them. And to make them a part of a story that is written in the ground is always fun. Plus it gives the guests a deeper understanding of animal behaviour. And a deeper understanding of what trail guides look for whilst walking through this incredible bush.
We wake up knowing that, even if the bush was quiet, or it was windy, the tracks that we find will always have a story to tell. This is why we normally refer to roads and elephant pathways as our local newspaper. All we have to do is lend our voice to interpret what the bush has to say. The ability to trail the animal and predict the movement all comes from reading the tracks. And thinking like the animal. Thinking about what the animal might need or want will not only give you a greater understanding of your surroundings and animal behaviour. But you could end up catching a glimpse of the animal itself.
Birds to look out for on a walking safari
Timbavati hosts an incredible amount of bird life. We can expect to see over 350 different bird species, depending whether it’s a good rainy season or not. Birds return after winter from all over the world. Such as European Bee eaters that migrate to Europe during our winter. Or the woodlands kingfisher who migrate north of the equator. Or even the Amur Falcon, returning from the UAE.
We are very fortunate to see these birds, but we also get amazing rare birds on the odd occasion. Such as the painted snipe or the golden pipit or even the African Skimmer. Plus we are always on the lookout for new species as well. Birds that might have been pushed off course because of wind. Or they may just been exploring. We won’t be surprised to spot rare birds like Western Osprey or Pel’s fishing Owl. Because the Timbavati has the environment they like. We just need to be lucky enough to spot them. It’s always right place; right time
[post_title] => What to look out for on a walking safari
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There’s a spring in everyone’s step, the bees start buzzing, temperatures start rising and the rains are almost done. It’s that time of year again here in the Western Cape when the days eyes (Daisy’s) are abundant and there are so many more flowers.
Murphy (famous for his ‘law’) may be happy because this time last year the world was closed and the flowers bloomed amazingly. Unfortunately for most visitors longing to see our famous Blooming Desert, they could not get here to see the carpets of colour that were around. This year, though, there's been quite a bit of rain throughout the area and it's been another good year for the flowers.
Clanwilliam is a central town where all the flower routes are reachable, and can be done in a day. Even in and around the town itself there are some amazing spots to see not just the daisies but lots of little flowers that get overlooked because they are not in abundance or are quite small. It is worth doing some of the trails in the area to get to see these small beauties as they are the hidden treasures.
At Simbavati Cederberg Ridge, even just on our property itself there are some walking/ hiking trails that can reveal some of these hidden gems, due to the different terrains and altitudes. This time of year one need not worry about high temperatures and can be out longer during the day to be able to admire these flowers.
Below I’ve put together a list of flowers that I enjoy seeing when out and about during the Spring flower time.
Bulbine praemorsa: Flowers from June – September, it’s average height is 40 – 60 cm
Lachenalia mutabillis: Flowers between July – September, only gets to about 10 – 45 cm
Pauridia capensis: Also known as the Peacock flower, flowers between July – October and gets to 10 – 30cm in height.
Moraea miniata: It flowers between August – September and grows to 15 – 60 cm
Ferraria variabilis: Not a big flower because it only gets up to 20 cm and flowers between August – November.
Disperis capensis: A very pretty and proud looking flower which grows to 50 cm and flowers between July – September
Oxalis purpurea: This one stays close to the ground and flowers from May – September. A common name is the Ground Dutchess Sorrel.
Leucospermum vestitum: One of the Pincushion family, the flower heads get to 50 – 70 mm in diameter and flowers between July – January.
Melianthus major: Quite a large prehistoric looking plant growing up to roughly 2 meters and flowers August – September.
Euryops speciosissimus: This is a special one because it’s found in a small stretch of the Western Cape and its common name is the Clanwilliam Daisy. It can get up to 2 meters in height and flowers between August – November.
I’ve been out and about and due to the rains we’ve had the flowers are coming out fast and furious. Hoping that this year we will get to share the flowers of the region with more people than last year and if you are in the area I hope you will keep an eye out for these ten.
Happy flower hunting!
[post_title] => Spring Flowers in the Cederberg
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A great lineage was left behind by an exceptional female leopard known as Ntombi.
Ntombi was a very relaxed individual. But, as do we all, she aged and was forced to the south by younger, stronger competitors.
Before she moved on, she had two cubs, both males. Both the cubs made it to adulthood which reflects the success of this female leopard as a mother. One of the males is now known by us as Ntima, meaning ‘black’, because of his dark nose. He carved out a piece of territory within his birth area.
When I started working at Simbavati 3 and half years ago this was generally the leopard we got to see most frequently when out on game drives. Ntima is an absolute legend and definitely as relaxed as his mother. At the age of around five, he was the dominant male in our part of the Timbavati. Over the next few years, he grew both physically and in confidence. Though he has expanded his territory beyond our boundaries in order to continue spreading his genes, we still see him on a regular basis.
I remember one of many incredible sightings I had with him. We went out on a morning game drive, not knowing what to expect, and that's the best part of it… The sound of hyena close by attracted our attention and we came across Ntima who had caught a warthog and was busy dragging it to a nearby tree. Before he could hoist it, 3 hyenas stole his hard- earned meal.
Stoical, Ntima stuck around in the area, hoping to reclaim his prize. His patience paid off as the hyena got startled and left the warthog for only a few seconds. Ntima saw the moment of opportunity, came running in and claimed it back. Three hyena hot on his tail, he made it to the safety of a Marula Tree and could feed in peace. Today, he’s a very experienced leopard and in the prime of his life. Stay tuned for an update on his own lineage.
[post_title] => Leopards of the Timbavati - Ntombi
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There are over 350 species of bird in the Timbavati. All so beautiful and interesting in their own way. But I have to confess, having the good fortune to view these birds on a regular basis, there are a few that stand out for me.Given its proximity, you can also spot these birds in the Klaserie as well. Why not see how many of these birds you can spot on your safari visit?
African Skimmers
The African Skimmers are sought after birds as they are mostly found in the Okavango Delta. We have been spoiled as every year we have a pair that comes south to the Timbavati to breed. These special birds are classified as endangered. They have suffered habitat loss, exploitation and disturbance. Construction of Lake Kariba resulted in loss of important breeding sites both up and downstream of the dam wall. They prefer large river systems and lakes of the Okavango Delta with unvegetated sandbanks where they build their nests. They then skim over the water looking for small fish. This is one of the rarer birds we see in the Timbavati and each year we always cross our fingers hoping that they will return the following year.
Lappet-faced vulture
The Lappet-faced vulture is our largest and most dominant vulture. When looking up in the sky you can always tell that it’s a vulture just by the sheer size of their wings. This is a massive bird with an incredible wingspan of 2.8m which makes it the biggest vulture in South Africa. It's not often that we get to see them. But recently we saw one close to an elephant carcass just waiting for its turn to go and feed. These guys don't mind being a little patient as they can eat the skin, tendons and ligaments that are too tough for other vultures. They very seldom eat the meat. Just like all vultures within South Africa, this bird is currently listed as vulnerable. Again due to loss of habitat and susceptibility to being poisoned by farmers. That’s why it is so important that wildlife sanctuaries like the Timbavati, and the Greater Kruger Park exist.
Greater Painted Snipe
The Greater Painted Snipeis beautiful just like most other birds but its the breeding behaviour that makes them stand out from the rest. These are polyandrous birds. With 1 female mating with up to 4 males in one season. The males are the ones that will sit on the nest to incubate the eggs and thereafter take care of the young. You will find these birds in most waterside habitats, where there’s exposed mud among the vegetation, either alone or in pairs.
Ground Hornbills
Ground Hornbills look like some sort of prehistoric bird, but one that stills roam the earth today. But we have been lucky to have multiple sightings at all of our lodges of these magnificent birds. They are generally an uncommon resident and are listed as vulnerable in South Africa with a big concern about their falling numbers. Due to habitat loss you usually only find these vunerable birds in the larger reserves such as the Timbavati or Klaserie in the Greater Kruger. Or in protected and uninhabitated remote areas. They also get persecuted for breaking house and car windows when hammering at their own reflections in territorial aggression.
Brown-headed Parrot
The Brown-headed Parrot is always amazing to see in the wild as most people have the perception as a parrot being in a cage. Or in places like the Amazon rainforest. They are uncommon in South Africa except in the Kruger National Park. You can find these birds easily when the combretum trees start to flower as that's one of their main sources of diets. However they can also drink nectar from other flowering trees.
White-crested Helmet Shrike
The White Crested Helmet Shrike has very beautiful eyes, with an impressive yellow eye-wattle that resembles a flower. The interesting thing about these birds is that they live in group structures, moving almost as one unit through the bush. They are what we call ‘’cooperative breeders’’. This means that, instead of just the parents looking after the hatchlings, these birds have a team helping them. This ensured that all new-born chicks will survive.
African spoonbills
Spoonbills are water birds and very interesting to observe as their bill’s shape makes me think they could come from “Alice in Wonderland”. They wade through the water with a bill that looks like an odd-looking spoon. Their bill will be wholly or partly submerged and sweeps from side to side, snapping prey. They sometimes submerge their heads to probe the mud on the river banks.
Lilac Breasted Roller
And lastly the Lilac Breasted Roller is probably one of the most beautifully-coloured birds in the bush. Its name Roller comes from their impressive aerial display which can be on show at any time of year. The male flies up high to about 20m-50m and then tips forward and dives down with its wings closed. They then roll from side to side in the latter part of the descent. All of this effort is just to get the attention for a suitable female.
The Lilac Breasted Roller is a common resident of the Timbavati and often allows for some amazing photography opportunities. As they can remain motionless for prolonged periods, often perched on dead branches. Giving our guests the time to get that PERFECT shot.
Tips for Birding in the Timbavati
Bring a pair of good-quality binoculars. This is vital for all game-viewing and not just birding in the Timbavati. Your guide will have a pair to lend you but you don’t want to have to wait whilst binoculars are shared around.
Bring one of the well-known bird books on Birds of Southern Africa. Or download the app on your phone (though its quite pricey.)
To be honest, we find the bird books are easier to navigate than most apps. And that’s important when you may only have a short time to view the bird and identify it.
Again your Simbavati ranger will have a bird book, but it is good to have your own and not have to wait as the book is shared around the vehicle. It also allows you time to read around the subject to identify similar birds and their distinguishing features.
Birding in the Timbavati is generally more rewarding in the Summer months with the migratory birds coming from the northern Hemisphere. But you can see many favourite birds all year round.
As I mentioned, many of the birds in the Timbavati and Klaserie areas suffer from habitat loss. It is important to keep in mind that we are visiting these animals' homes, so it is up to us to protect them. To ensure their survival so the next generation of bird lovers will also have the opportunity to experience these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat.
[post_title] => My Favorite Birds in the Timbavati
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At Simbavati we are passionate about our community and our long-term goal is to see the community around us thrive both economically and socially.
For this reason, we have partnered with Eco Children, a local non-profit organisation focusing on improving education in the area.
Who are Eco Children?
Eco Children focuses on hands-on environmental education and whole school development and work with primary schools in the area. They help schools better their infrastructure and the overall teaching conditions, in order to improve education and empower learners to break the cycle of poverty they have been born into. For more info, watch this video.
What do they do?
All schools in the Bushbuckridge, Acornhoek area are quintile 1 schools, meaning learners do not pay school fees, and are reliant on the government for subsidies. These subsidies are not sufficient to maintain infrastructure and, most of the time, these schools do not have safe or sufficient restrooms for learners, and derelict kitchens and classrooms.
One of the first things Eco Children do when they partner with a school is establish a thriving vegetable garden and build a classroom – these are called an Eco Village. Learners and teachers are closely involved in establishing these facilities and take complete ownership of them after construction.
In the garden and classroom learners are taught about the environment, the value and potential of the natural beauty that surround them and the importance of conservation. Vegetables grown in the garden are essential to supplement daily lunches that are served at the school as part of the government’s school feeding scheme – for most learners, this is the only meal they receive all day.
Eco Children also work with schools to improve essential infrastructure such as restrooms, kitchens and classrooms. Once these basics have been covered, they move on to the next phase of building a library at the school and establishing a successful programme to encourage reading and improve literacy.
Other projects that have developed from this basis, include capacity building and training for teachers, bursary programmes, the Kit-a-Kid programme and more.
How can you get involved?
Guests at Simbavati can enquire about visiting one of Eco Children’s projects to learn more about the organisation and the community or visit their website at ecochildren.co.za. Daily volunteer excursions can be organised or, if you would like to support the organisation with a donation, it will be deeply appreciated. Some of the projects to which your donation will go, are listed below.
Every year, Eco Children help hundreds of children purchase a full school uniform – for some, the first new set of clothing they have ever owned. We have seen first-hand how something as simple as a school uniform can give a child the pride and confidence to work harder and improve themselves. For R350, you can sponsor a full school uniform and give a child that boost to help them change their life.
Research has shown that the majority of grade 3 learners in South Africa are unable to read for meaning. This is a deeply concerning statistic and something that Eco Children takes extremely seriously. Eco Children has built six libraries at local schools and put thousands of books on their shelves. They have also established successful reading programmes at the schools to encourage reading and improve literacy. The biggest challenge with this project is getting enough books to fill the shelves of every new library. Any new or used children’s books or donations to purchase books, is sure to make an immense difference to every child who sets foot in their school’s library.
Did you know that the Cederberg region of South Africa is the only place in the world where Rooibos tea is grown? Other countries (and even other areas in South Africa), have tried and failed, so it is rather unique in this regard!
Rooibos tea is one of the most important industries of this mountainous area with the tea being exported all over the world.
Countries which particularly love Rooibos tea include Germany, the USA and France. With the tea-loving Brits also importing significant quantities.
So what is all the fuss?
What sets rooibos apart, besides its delicious taste, are its many health benefits… and there are plenty!
High in anti-oxidants – this aids in fighting cancer and other diseases, boosts the immune system and reduces aging (hooray!)
It is completely pure and natural as it contains no additives, preservatives or colourants.
Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, and is considered a low tannin beverage
It’s for these reasons that you’ll find rooibos extracts being used in a lot of health and beauty products, from face cream to dietary supplements.
For the complete history of rooibos, check out this longer blog post. We give the history highlights here.
Our guests at Simbavati Cederberg Ridge are always intrigued by the fact that it is indigenous to the area.
Where it all began
The story of Rooibos started over 300 years ago when the indigenous bushmen of the area, the Khoisan, harvested the leaves from the Aspalathus Linearis plant. The leaves were used as herbal remedies for many ailments, and they loved for their delicious, aromatic taste.
And then in 1772, a European botanist Carl Thunberg observed the way this clever indigenous tribe climbed the mountains to find wild rooibos plants. His captivation with this practice revived a more widespread interest in the tea drink.
It is also worth noting that early Cape-Dutch settlers started drinking rooibos tea as a cheaper alternative to the very expensive black tea from Europe. That tea had to be imported by ship, so rooibos was a great substitute!
Fast forward 200 years to 1904 when Benjamin Ginsberg appeared on the scene. He was a young Russian immigrant, (often called the father of commercial Rooibos Tea), who joined his tea-trading father on the farm Rondegat in the Clanwilliam district of the Cederberg. Ginsberg had a fascination with the plant and began marketing the drink as a ‘Mountain Tea’ – a herbal alternative to tea.
But in 1930 Dr le Fras Nortier, the local doctor and amateur botanist, was the first to discovered the secret of germinating Rooibos seeds, and together with Olof Bergh, a commercial farmer, they started a new cultivation method
Soon the production of Rooibos began on a much larger scale along the slopes of the Cederberg mountain range.
Since then there have been many innovations, including using it in baby creams, developing green Rooibos tea and within making the very first tea espresso in the world. (So now you can have a Rooibos expresso or a Red Cappuccino.)
So how is Rooibos tea actually made?
Traditionally, the bunches of leaves were rolled into hessian bags and brought down from the mountain by donkeys.
The leaves and fine stems were then chopped with axes and bruised with mallets before being left in heaps to ferment. Once fermented, the Rooibos was spread out to dry in the hot African sun, ready for use as a thirst-quenching drink.
In a way, not much has changed in this whole process, although the methods are now far more refined and mechanised.
Rooibos is typically harvested in the hot summer months of January to April.
Special machines collect the Rooibos, which is then delivered to the factory. Here it is graded according to length, colour, flavour and aroma. This guarantees a high quality across all grades suitable for packing into teabags or loose-leaf form.
The last step is the screening, blending and steam treatment, using state-of-the-art equipment. After all this, the finished product is packed in special bags or boxes ready for dispatch to customers all over the world, for further processing and blending.
Experience rooibos during your stay at Cederberg Ridge
Many guests at Cederberg Ridge have been charmed by the story of rooibos tea. So to give them the full rooibos experience, we offer our guests a guided rooibos tea farm tour that includes a tea tasting. We also have a variety of delicious rooibos teas to taste at the lodge and to purchase from our lodge shop. A stay at Simbavati Cederberg Ridge wouldn't be complete without it!
[post_title] => History & process of Rooibos tea farming
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