June saw the arrival of the busy holiday period, with constant flurries of activity on the reserve.
Recorded sightings included some amazing rarities such as cheetah, honey badger, caracal, porcupine, snouted cobra, and the leopard with two cubs.
The Ingwelala fleet was expanded during the month to include a new JCB tractor-loader-backhoe (TLB), as well as hydraulic tipper-trailers for the two tractors. River crossing maintenance continued throughout the month, and renovations of Elephant Pan Hide are officially underway.
In conservation news, bush walks have also officially opened again!
July brings the onset of a new rainfall season, marking the end of the record-setting 2025/2026 rainfall season. Temperatures remained mild throughout the month, with minimal rainfall recorded. Unpredictable wind gusts were experienced, and with dense veld conditions and the veld beginning to dry out, the Fire Danger Index remained “Dangerous” for the month.
Extreme caution is advised when making any fires. Do not leave any fires unattended. Please ensure all fires are extinguished and adequately covered with a steel fire drum at bungalows and bomas.
For your interest, a summary of our climactic figures from the month is below.
Lowest Temp: 6.6°C (Avg: 10.1°C)
Highest Temp: 28.8°C (Avg: 25.9°C)
Rainfall for the month: 0.5mm
(Avg: 3.8mm)
Year-to-date (July to June): 1258.5mm
Fire Danger Index: Dangerous*
*FDI: With exceedingly high biomass following the heavy rains, and unpredictable wind gusts, the Fire Danger Index remains dangerous despite the green veld conditions. Please remain extremely cautious.!
Images courtesy of Tessa Woollgar and Aimee LangenhovenArrival of new heavy machinery and equipment
It is with great excitement and extreme gratitude that the Ingwelala fleet welcomes a new JCB tractor-loader-backhoe (TLB) and two hydraulic tipper-trailers for use with the tractors! These new additions have been secured to reduce strain on the existing fleet and resources, to assist with heavy-duty operations, and to enable internal completion of specialised tasks - particularly in the wake of the record-setting flooding events of the 2025/2026 rainfall season. The combination of the tipper-trailers and TLB allows the team to save valuable time, energy and resources, reducing strain and creating new opportunities.
Conservation staff received training in safely hitching and operating the hydraulic tipper-trailers with the two tractors in the fleet, while two internal TLB operators, Dave and Ruan, received extensive training from JCB and Bell representatives in operating and maintaining the TLB. The benefits of this new equipment are already evident with multiple large-scale tasks completed in the short time they have been on-site.
Ingwelala staff would like to thank the dedicated Board Members, and all Ingwelala Members, for making these upgrades possible! These additions immensely enhance the value, capabilities, precision, efficiency and quality of Ingwelala, and will serve important purposes in conserving, maintaining and upgrading Ingwelala over time. The horizons of what is possible and achievable have truly been broadened, and we look forward to achieving important milestones with these new additions.
Ingwelala would also like to thank the dedicated trainers from Laeveld Trekkers, Bell and JCB for the training provided to staff on-site, and a special thank you to Peter Dittberner from WBHO for assisting with the sourcing and delivery of the TLB.
Images courtesy of Josh Hibbett and Tessa Woollgar
2012 flood level sign board
Following damage to the previous flood level sign board, a replacement January 2012 flood level sign board and cairn have been built and installed opposite the Ingwelala entrance gate during the month.
This sign board is an indicator of the level of the swollen banks of the N’hlaralumi River during the historic 2012 floods, during which multiple dam walls upstream failed in succession. This caused widespread and devastating damage in a very short time frame and resulted in the highest-recorded flood level in Ingwelala’s history.
Interestingly, with new records for annual rainfall, monthly rainfall and daily rainfall being set during the most recent floods in early 2026, because there were no collapsing dam walls, the flood level was not as high as in 2012.
Images courtesy of Tessa Woollgar
River Crossings
During the month, more river crossings were opened, with most river crossings now open and serviceable. Those already open were also serviced again where necessary.
River crossings that remain closed are not yet serviceable, and as such should please be avoided. Please note that updated maps indicating closed river crossings are available on site.
Valuable time and resources were once again dedicated to recovering stuck vehicles from open river crossings. This serves as a gentle reminder to please ensure that your vehicle is in low range 4X4, and that the hubs are locked to engage diff lock. Slow and steady momentum is required through the wet patches to ensure you cross safely.
Please also avoid heavy acceleration in the wet patches and on the banks of the crossings, as this causes erosion from wheel-spinning and may dig the vehicle into the soft soil. Ensure that you remain on the compacted and established track.
Images courtesy of Josh Hibbett and Aimee Langenhoven
Elephant Pan Hide: upgrades and renovations
During the month, more river crossings were opened, with most river crossings now open and serviceable. Those already open were also serviced again where necessary.
River crossings that remain closed are not yet serviceable, and as such should please be avoided. Please note that updated maps indicating closed river crossings are available on site.
Valuable time and resources were once again dedicated to recovering stuck vehicles from open river crossings. This serves as a gentle reminder to please ensure that your vehicle is in low range 4X4, and that the hubs are locked to engage diff lock. Slow and steady momentum is required through the wet patches to ensure you cross safely.
Please also avoid heavy acceleration in the wet patches and on the banks of the crossings, as this causes erosion from wheel-spinning and may dig the vehicle into the soft soil. Ensure that you remain on the compacted and established track.
Images courtesy of Josh Hibbett
Tennis court maintenance
During the month, the tennis court was closed for resurfacing and routine maintenance.
This was a time-consuming project, as the court needed adequate time to dry sufficiently between the newly applied surface layers, and to settle after the final layers and lines were applied.
The court is now looking as good as new and has been incredibly popular following its re-opening!
Thank you for your patience and understanding while the tennis court was out of service, and we wish you many happy hours, and tennis matches on the court!
Security update
Roadblocks form a crucial part of overall security operations and will continue to be performed within the UPNR. During the month, a roadblock was undertaken on the Argyle Road. These roadblocks are aimed at ensuring that no vehicles entering or exiting the UPNR are concealing or carrying any illegal contraband, including unauthorised animal products (scat / dung / animal parts), indigenous or exotic fauna and flora, and any other illegal or unauthorised items. This also forms an important part of ensuring that vehicles on the public road are in a safe condition, and that wildlife, Members, and stakeholders can be kept as safe as possible.
During these roadblocks, vehicles are searched thoroughly by the UPNR security team, which entails all occupants being required to exit the vehicle for the full search to be conducted. We would like to thank all Members and stakeholders for their patience and understanding as each vehicle is searched during these operations - it is greatly appreciated and allows staff to perform these duties timeously and with ease.
Images courtesy of Aimee Langenhoven
Staff members of the month
This month, our staff member of the month is Thabo Mahumane.
Thabo is a new member of the conservation team and has proven his versatility in his ability to jump into any task that may be required, whether in camp or out in the field!
Thabo can usually be found in the field, with duties including operating the tractors, maintenance on the electrified fence, assisting with job cards, and more.
Thank you, Thabo, for your dedication and unwavering willingness to learn, contribute and perform to the best of your abilities.
Building Projects
John Llewellyn, represents the Building Committee at reserve level regarding all building related issues to members bungalows. Members are welcome to call Reception ahead of their visits to enquire what building related disturbances may be encountered in the vicinity of their bungalows.
Current building projects are listed below:
- #87: Refurbish outside shower and door replacement.
- #139: Demolish and rebuild.
- #207: Re-thatch and internal renovations.
- Elephant Pan Hide: Renovations.
- Laundry soakaway servicing extended.
- Minor maintenance:#46, #57, #92, #143, #163, #185, #209.
Words by Tess Woollgar. Images courtesy of Heitle Booysen, and as noted on individual photos or sets of photos.