March proved to be a very busy month in the field as we focused our efforts on veld rehabilitation, maintenance of the airstrip surface, and upgrades in the Workshop department.
Final renovations were also completed at Sibon, which was re-opened during the month, and a giraffe that broke through the electrified fence kept the team busy with repairs.
Rainfall for the month was recorded as 24.51mm, while temperatures have been dropping consistently through the month. On the 31st of March, a flash flood caused the Nhlaralumi River to flow, coming down fast, and with an immense amount of water! This was an unexpected surprise and is the third time this year that the river has flowed bank to bank.
Our Fire Danger Index was fluid between the “Very Dangerous” and “Moderate” levels and was at the “Moderate” level by the end of the month. The veld is still incredibly dense, and mostly green, and as such we urge you to be cautious when making fires.
Lowest Temp: 18.6°C (Avg: 23.2°C)
Highest Temp: 36.0°C (Avg: 31.5C)
Rainfall for the month: 24.51mm
(Avg: 42.5mm)
Flash Flood: Nhlaralumi River
On the 31st of March, a flash flood came rushing our way following heavy rains upstream of the Nhlaralumi River. On site, we measured only 8.1mm of rain, but upstream there was an excess of 100mm of rain in under four hours! This caused the Nhlaralumi River to come down in force, flowing strongly, and providing quite the surprise ending to the month.
We got the initial report from King’s Camp that the river was moving our way just after 08h00, and shortly thereafter Members were treated to the impressive sight and sound of the river roaring towards them at Farmhouse Crossing, while in a wild dog sighting! It took just under one hour after the initial report for the water to reach, and flow over, the main causeway on Argyle Road, as everyone was left frantically outrunning the oncoming flood and trying to get back to the “correct” side of the river before it was too late!
The tar road and causeway were totally inaccessible for most of the morning, but once the river had slowed down the road could be reopened. The Conservation team was quick to clear the broken electric fence and remove the built-up debris on the causeway, following which that could be driven easily. All river crossings on the reserve, though, are still inaccessible and may remain that way for a while as the water levels continue to subside.
A substantial amount of damage was caused to electric fence at the river crossings, which will be attended to in April when the crossings become accessible again. Luckily, though, the overhead wires at the river crossings mean that the electric fence still has power and will continue to work, but the stretches that were washed away will need to be replaced.
It was certainly one of the most impressive sights and sounds to see a full river roaring towards us, and was the perfect, thrilling way to end the month. Members even caught a glimpse of a lucky Scrub Hare that managed to swim frantically to safety and escape the unexpected flood that had swept it off the bank.
Projects of the month:
Veld Rehabilitation: Savanna biome
As the Conservation team, our core areas of concern revolve around the care, preservation and conservation of the natural habitat at Ingwelala. This includes the preservation of specific habitats, biomes and ecosystems, which is a top priority for us. Our biggest focus in this regard is the preservation of savanna biomes: areas between grasslands and woodlands, where we should have a mix of grasses and some trees. To preserve and rehabilitate the savanna biome, we need to actively manage the plant populations in targeted areas where previously open plains have become overgrown and encroached by specific species of plants.
The species we target are from the Grewia family, commonly known as the Raisin bush, of which Ingwelala has various species and varieties. These plants form part of a phenomenon called “Indigenous bush encroachment”, where there is a change in the balance of the types of plants within an ecosystem. This is particularly evident with woody plants of certain species that will spread rapidly and outcompete other native vegetation. In South Africa there are over 40 species that are currently listed as contributors to this phenomenon. Species that are considered encroachers in this area include the Grewia family and Mopane trees (Colophospermum mopane), but regionally Sicklebush (Dichrostachys cinerea), Red Bushwillow (Combretum apiculatum) and Silver Cluster-leaf (Terminalia sericea) are also listed.
Indigenous bush encroachment can have severe knock-on effects, as not only does it reduce visibility and open space, but it can cause changes in native plant communities (especially grasses), which can compromise biodiversity through changes in food availability and resources. This can also have a severe effect on fires, and fires can have a more severe impact on these areas in return, as grasses that may be outcompeted during bush encroachment are usually fire-tolerant and able to recover quickly, while woody plants and other grasses are not. This could cause a change in how fires move through the bush and has the potential to leave those areas completely barren for extended periods should fires move through, as the encroached areas will not recover as quickly.
Ultimately, this phenomenon, if left unmanaged, has the potential to change the entire ecosystem of an area. To aid with this, we do Grewia thinning. In 2024 we cleared 55 hectares in the vicinity of Serengeti Plains. Following the rains, that area has shown massive improvement and is now looking healthy and open, as it should (see images below). This month we have continued this project, targeting 137 hectares of land across multiple properties on Ingwelala which have become encroached over time.
Although the onset of this project was delayed with the heavy rains throughout February, we have managed to clear 56 hectares during the month, which encompassed some northern sections of Buffelsbed, a small area around Sibon camp and a small area close to Reception. The areas that have been completed will be noticeable by the numerous brown Grewia plants that have been cut. Although it may not look much more open yet, the true results will show themselves over time as the vegetation thins out and the grasses re-establish themselves.
If you are unfamiliar with the process and what it entails, here is a breakdown of what the team does during this project:
- A large, three-wheeler machine (outsourced), the operator and project supervisor assist us on the ground to cut the Grewia plants’ stems as close to the ground as possible in selected areas. This is done using the large circular saw on the front of the machine, which can be adjusted to change the height above the ground. The machine moves with impressive accuracy, and it is easy to clear only Grewia plants in this process.
- While the machine is working in the bush, the tyres also simulate a similar effect to a herd of buffaloes moving through, assisting to churn the soil and open pathways through the area that allow more sunlight. This assists existing grasses with space and growth.
- The conservation team follows behind the machine spreading the cut plants out and revealing the base/stump of each plant. The cut stumps are sprayed with a blue solution (a high salt solution mix with a biodegradable blue dye). The salt solution prevents coppice (re-growth) if sprayed quickly and efficiently, which has the best results if sprayed within half an hour of the plant being cut. The blue dye serves the purpose of knowing which stumps have been sprayed and which have not, so that we do not unnecessarily repeat a spray or miss a spray for a cut stump. This blue colour will fade over time.
- Over time, the area rehabilitates to allow more savanna grass species to re-establish, and the cut plants slowly degrade while simultaneously serving the purpose of ground cover and protection for the grass species (less risk of herbivory and compaction by animals while they are re-establishing and growing).
This process takes a lot of time and physical effort, and may not look perfect just yet, but we are excited to see the true results over time as the areas slowly rehabilitate themselves. We are aiming to clear certain areas on Argyle at the beginning of April, following which the team will return to Buffelsbed to complete the thicker blocks there.
We would like to thank the Bush Clearing Solutions team, as well as the Conservation team, for their efforts thus far.
Snake Handling Course
Five of our staff members have recently attended the basic snake handling course presented at the Hoedspruit Reptile Centre. This course encompasses the basic biology and theory of snakes and snake handling, and then the physical capture, handling and release of snakes safely (after a thorough practice session with ropes to get used to where to safely grab the “snake”, how to handle the tools safely and efficiently, and practice the overall procedure of safe capture, handling and release!).
The staff members that attended the course for the first time were Manfred Mashele, Difference Mokoena and Nico Ras, and Dave and Adél Annandale attended as a refresher course. All five staff members passed the course with flying colours, bringing our total number of staff with safe snake handling experience and qualifications to nine - an impressive number that is certainly needed where we are!
On the day, each person safely conquered the handling, capture and release of a Southern African Python, a Boomslang, a Puffadder, a Snouted Cobra and a Mozambique Spitting Cobra. We have included some very impressive action shots below for your enjoyment, and to show the size of some of these snakes! We would like to congratulate all on their outstanding achievement - it could not have come at a better time considering the amount of snakes that have been captured and relocated recently!
Upgraded trailers
During the month, a new utility trailer was built, and the existing Workshop low-bed trailer was underway with refurbishments. The new trailer has been built by Ruan using recycled materials. This has created a mobile workshop space to easily house and move the small generator, essential tools and a compressor, with space to load other necessary items should they be required. Those essential items for a mobile workshop are now ready and available for use anywhere on the reserve at short notice.
The Workshop low-bed trailer has also undergone minor welding work, new paint-work and extensive structural work. Structural work included the addition of new fenders, lifting the light boxes at the rear of the trailer and the addition of skids to prevent the trailer from being damaged when it is lowered. Final outstanding additions include new springs, added reflectors, new LED lights, upgraded cabling and better lighting for the number plate. This is all being done in the interests of additional safety when towing Member vehicles. Thank you to Ruan, Ephraim, Nelson and Dave for your efforts.
New Oil Containment Area
During the month, the addition of a new used oil containment area has been taking shape. This will serve as an area where used oil can be stored safely until it needs to be removed and has been chosen specifically for the purpose of safety and keeping the oil out of reach of wildlife.
We would like to thank N’tsiri Game Reserve for very graciously assisting us with moving our oil containers from the Workshop into this new space using their TLB.
We are excited to see the end result once this area is completed! Thank you as well to everyone else involved through this process.
Malaria spraying
As one of the wettest wet seasons in Ingwelala’s history comes to an end, and we welcome the busy April holidays, it was once again necessary to do a thorough malaria spray of all infrastructure across the reserve. As usual, this included all bungalows, building sites, offices, staff accommodations, the workshop, all bomas and sites on the reserve, and all communal areas.
The vast majority of this has been completed, with only handful of sites outstanding, which will be completed within the first week of April. We would like to thank you for your patience during this period, especially in camp. We know this process can be noisy, but it is an essential part of keeping our area safe, particularly after such an extensive wet season. Thank you to the Conservation Team for their hard work.
Airstrip Maintenance
With more than 400mm of rain measured during January and February, the ground has become fully saturated, and our water table is extremely high. As a result of this, seep lines have been actively flowing across the reserve and marsh/wetland plants are growing in abundance where they have not grown before. Unfortunately, included in this was the Ingwelala airstrip, which after so much rain had to be closed for a period of nearly two weeks for maintenance.
This included filling newly eroded areas and removing new plant growth on the surface, as well as simply allowing time for the surface to dry adequately before it could be properly compacted and smoothened out. We are happy to report the airstrip was re-opened on the 15th of March, and we would like to thank you for your patience during the period when it was closed. Luckily, no flights had been arranged during that period and none had to be rescheduled.
Electric Fence Repairs
With more than 400mm of rain measured during January and February, the ground has become fully saturated, and our water table is extremely high. As a result of this, seep lines have been actively flowing across the reserve and marsh/wetland plants are growing in abundance where they have not grown before. Unfortunately, included in this was the Ingwelala airstrip, which after so much rain had to be closed for a period of nearly two weeks for maintenance.
This included filling newly eroded areas and removing new plant growth on the surface, as well as simply allowing time for the surface to dry adequately before it could be properly compacted and smoothened out. We are happy to report the airstrip was re-opened on the 15th of March, and we would like to thank you for your patience during the period when it was closed. Luckily, no flights had been arranged during that period and none had to be rescheduled.
Staff Member of the Month
This month we honour Afrika Ndlovu as our Staff Member of the Month.
Afrika has been at Ingwelala for 32 years and is a dedicated member of our Workshop team who is always willing and ready to assist. Initially, Afrika also assisted the Conservation team!
With a multitude of talents and a love for his job and people, it is easy to see Afrika’s passion for his work! Thank you, Afrika. We appreciate you so much.
Dates to Diarise for April
Here is a quick reminder of upcoming events during the April long weekend, should you wish to join us for any of them:
- 18 April: Contemplate Wild - technology in conservation
- 19 April: Wildlife Safety Solutions - snakes and scorpions (live animal demonstration)
- 20 April: Members vs Staff soccer match
The two conservation talks will be hosted in the Members Area, while the soccer match will take place at Vuka Ingwe in the afternoon. Please chat to Selinah at the fuel station if you’d like to play in the soccer match! Supporters are always welcome.
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 (major) building projects are listed below:
- Bungalow # 5 Dannhaus Builders, Approved Dec 24, rethatch, internal renovations, new gazebo.
- Bungalows #57, #123, # 163 still in progress, all Chameleon Builders.
- Bungalow # 129, Rethatch, internal renovations and new fire pit.
- Bungalow # 158, Dukes Construction, approved Feb 24, demolish and rebuild.
- Nyala house: Mpumalanga Roofing & Projects; Duke’s Construction; Complete roof replacement and internal renovations.
Notes from the Conservation Team
We have had an incredibly busy few months following the substantial rains throughout 2025. The veld is looking amazingly thick and green, and we are blown away by just how tall the vegetation is (see images below - people and machinery hidden behind Wild Foxgloves!).
Considering the current veld conditions, we unfortunately will not be able to open Bush Walks yet - it is simply too thick and is thus considered unsafe. We will keep you updated on the progress of the timeline and are hopeful to re-open them soon.
We’d also like to thank you for your patience during these very busy past few months while our largest (and noisiest) projects have been underway. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to the coming winter months in the bush!
Josh and Tess
Words by Tess Woollgar, images courtesy of Heitle Booysen, Tess Woollgar, Josh Hibbett, Ruan du Preez , Dave and Adél Annandale.