Makuleke welcomes first giraffe in years

THREE giraffe were introduced into the Makuleke region of the Kruger National Park on April 7. It is the first time that giraffe have been introduced into this part of the KNP for some years. Giraffe numbers have been low in the Makuleke, the far northern region of the KNP, for various reasons, among these the presence of the Makuleke community pre-1969 and the political situation in South Africa during apartheid. The Makuleke region was used as a buffer zone between Zimbabwe and Mozambique at that time and as a result wild animal numbers dwindled, particularly those of high profile species. Wilderness Safaris, in collaboration with South African National Parks (SANParks), are in the process of relocating various giraffe to ‘restock’ the region. SANParks is using its expertise to administer the relocations, while Wilderness Safaris is paying for it. It costs about R9 000 to relocate one giraffe and between three and five are usually relocated at one time. Currently the region boasts an incredible amount of fauna, including the highest density of nyala in the KNP, lion, buffalo, elephant, hippo, baboon, and now giraffe. The flora is remarkably different to that of more southern parts of the KNP, having denser, forest-like vegetation. Wilderness Safaris is also completing construction of its newest property, Pafuri Camp, scheduled to open in July this year. The camp will have 20 thatched rooms built along the Luvuvhu River. Wilderness has signed a 45-year mutually beneficial lease with the Makuleke community, who were removed from their homeland in 1969 but reclaimed it following land restitution in 1997. The lease allows Wilderness to develop and run the camp in one of the most remote and untouched areas of the KNP, while the Makuleke benefit from skills development, job creation, training, and 8% of all lodge revenue. (Darren Sandras)