SV - can you check on these?

Old Aug 24th, 2010, 03:57 PM
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SV - can you check on these?

Hi SV. I have been unable to find anything "bad" about these places. Just checking if you know anything. Thanks in advance. I can't find much info about most.

Thanda and Thula Thula. Thula Thula is where the elephant whisperer is, and they also did a lot to help the animals at the Baghdad Zoo. No info on Thanda at all.

Entabeni Game Reserve. It is attached to Legends Golf Resort. They have comprehensive ranger training here, so I'm hoping they do the right thing.

Bayete Zulu. It's part of the Zulu Rhino Reserve that WWF supports (one of my faves). The info on their website about how they started the reserve was so honest and open about the trials and tribulations of stocking the reserve, that I just feel if someone is that honest, they must be pretty good. It's at the top of the price range, though. The reserve does allow hunting, but it seems to be needed at times.

Let me know if there's anything I should be concerned about.
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Old Aug 24th, 2010, 04:05 PM
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I went to Thanda last Sept. and I must warn you it's a very small reserve(if you can call it that) and it is not "wilderness" if that's what you're looking for. It's also a huge draw for honeymooners and it is romantic with lovely chalets, etc. I, however, was there alone but it turned out great since the two mornings I was there, no one showed up for the a.m. game drive and also for one of the aft. drives when it was very cold and windy. So, I was able to just follow two lion brothers all afternoon instead of racing around looking for the Big Five and in the a.m., we just went looking for the wild dogs which are on the reserve and collared for research.

Sorry I'm not SV and the Thanda I visited was in SA, so if this has been no help, disregard!
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Old Aug 24th, 2010, 04:30 PM
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Thanks mm. You're the first to have any feedback on Thanda. I'm pretty sure we are talking about the same place. Thanda was just expanded to 14,000 hectares so it's now much bigger than the 6000 when you were probably there. Why do people spend that kind of money and not do the game drives?! We've had the same experience and I don't get it. It sounds like you like the accommodations but the game was so so. Thanks. (sv is well versed in the conservation side of things. Just asking her if there is anything I should be aware of) I appreciate all responses!

Why don't my tags post?
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Old Aug 25th, 2010, 10:37 AM
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Sorry christabir - I saw your question rather late........

The elephant whisperer and Thula Thula is without question a good venue! No animal and volunteer exploitation. Decent people!
I don't know that place myself but of course did some research on the owner. It's on my to-do-list as well!

Thanda is a very upmarket lodge with great accommodations - different styles.
I haven't heard anything bad about them.
As far as I can estimate it's more a bout lifestyle than wildlife.
I would suggest that venue to someone as kind of "introduction" to Africa. Very civilized but certainly far fr4om being "wild".
But again - it's decent!

I have know knowledge on Bayete. Regarding the hunting: It's HARVEST and if you don't bother - well, then go. You know my attitude but I am "special" anyway ;-)

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Old Aug 25th, 2010, 10:45 AM
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Regarding THANDA - game drives or skipping game drives at high-end places:

We know that also from the SINGITA venues. Some people obviously appreciate that special attention and spa experiences and only do game driving occasionally as kind of "add-on".

I also don't get it.....

If you consider KZN - why not PHINDA? Or have you been there?
Great accommodation options, 6 (or was it seven?) different eco systems, very good wildlife (despite the management team jeopardized a lot of cheetahs in 2008 when they released a couple of male lions without further thinking about the consequences. Sh$$ happens - but sadly those cats paid the pricetag )

Happy planning!

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Old Aug 25th, 2010, 10:57 AM
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I knew I could count on you sv! We're both a little "special".

If you find out anything about the other places, please let me know.

Phinda is out of our price range. Thanda tented is surprisingly inexpensive and if we can get the 2 for 3 special in June we will probably do it. Might be a nice place for the last few days to wind down before going home to the rat race.

You might be interested in this:
http://www.bayetezulu.co.za/thereserve.html
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Old Aug 25th, 2010, 03:17 PM
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Thank you christabir.

Regarding bayetezulu: Mkuze is HUNTING! Certainly not in their concession - a rhino re-habiliated in the concession by Karen Trendler is a guarantee there itself is no hunting going on! But you should know about it - in case you run into one of those wackos just kick him where it hurts most ;-)

http://www.kznwildlife.com/index.php...e-Hunting.html

MKUZE FALLS LODGE http://www.mkuzefalls.com/ which probably falls also in your range would be interesting - but: They pack the cars to full capacity if they are fully booked as they only have a certain number of cars!
Regarding hunting in Mkuze I got that info by the GM of Mkuze Falls Lodge when I asked about a certain PH:

"Herewith I can confirm that we do not conduct any hunting at Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve. We have been specializing successfully in photographic safaris for more then 15 years.

I would like to point out that Mkuze is about 80 km east of Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve and there are lots of areas in that region where they might have hunted."

As you consider the Waterberg Area you might have a look at MAKWETI in Welgevonden
http://www.makweti.com/
I know the owners (south African born wife and American husband) who are extremely sensitive about their place and the management team is awesome! Accommodation is wonderful as are the meals! Extremely homely athmosphere but sophisticated!


Welgevonden's wildlife management is not ideal but comes close in SA terms:
http://www.welgevonden.org/conservation/lion.htm

I don't know anything about Entabeni but I am very curious as I could see a white lion in one of the pics.
Ranger Training doesn't mean anything!
If the golf course is tempting in combo with game drives then just ask them to confirm about the hunting.



Now the choice is yours....

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Old Aug 25th, 2010, 03:55 PM
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Thanks again.

I know there is a section of the Zululand Rhino Reserve has a section where they allow hunting. I'm just not sure how I feel as the WWF is very involved and doing some great work. All of us love Sabi Sands and it would not exist except for their hunting past.

I have some time to decide so I will look into it further.
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Old Aug 26th, 2010, 11:35 AM
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Christabir

You are right and I wont further argue regarding the hunting. Kruger NP was founded and protected in order to "conserve" the game and cats for the then ELITE to kill those animals.

Hunting then and now it's quite different.......as I expect humans to develop and educate which the trophy hunters surely haven't.

Enjoy your further research!

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Old Aug 26th, 2010, 05:05 PM
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Human nature hasn't changed a bit. There is a whole new elite in emerging markets and it is causing big problems in areas you and I hold dear. "Culling" and trophy hunting are very different. I just wish I knew where the line is drawn. Taking out the prize specimens has weakened the gene pool in many species - predator and prey. Some call it the fastest change in evolution in history. (except for the dinosaurs)

I am trying to find out where Entabeni's white lions are bred and what happens to the tawny cubs. Lionaid has positive info, so I'm hoping that it's legit.

Thanks again.
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Old Aug 28th, 2010, 01:07 PM
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christa

Please share you findings with me: kaetzchen2004atgooglemail.com. I would highly appreciate gathering more info. I am not only chasing bad reputations. I would also love to get positive feedback once in a while.

And yes - emerging markets are threatening the countries - not only the trophy hunters. Also the growing middle class which now can afford to pay for those myths rhino horn (or better hair) has healing power and tiger penises and bones provide strengths.

It's really scary.

Thank you!

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Old Aug 28th, 2010, 03:38 PM
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SV - we are really close to an itinerary for this next trip. It's been eye-opening, for sure.

I will post it all on my other thread on Sunday. Thanks so much for your help. I'll let you know if I learn anything new.
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