Author: Shelby Anderson

My Rhino, My Love

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After hearing about a good friend’s torment and anguish at being witness to the spotting and photographing of tooooo many rhino carcasses in the last few week, I decided on Tuesday to go and look for ‘my’ rhino. To me, this is so pertinent now, with all the killings happening and the savage poaching of so many of these magnificent creatures all over the country. 11021248_10202531451927475_6543983027804864930_n

 The story behind ‘my’ rhino:

 15 years ago John Mc Claren, Ernst Greyling and I became the first people to ever witness  and record the birth of a baby white rhino. We knew the mother, whom we named Ouvrou,  was pregnant, but were not sure how far or when she would give birth. So there we  embarked on a 1 year journey into the life of a 30 something, massive mommy rhino and  her rhino family. Being the matriarch of the crash, it was initially easy to follow her as we  would just look for the herd, and we would be sure that she would be in there somewhere.  She was also clearly identifiable by her impressive, magnificent 1.135m horn. What a sweet majestic gentle creature she was. After about 3 months she eventually got used to these 3 nosey people following her every move. The guys would do the day shift and i would do the night shift, sometimes accompanied by one of the guys. This was a hard, trying and emotional time for all of us, but thankfully we were all determined to make sure Ouvrou and her baby would have the best possible chance and we would be able to get the footage.

She eventually gave birth to a healthy, happy little (about 40kg 😉 ) female baby in the freezing cold, very early hours of the morning of the 2nd July 1999. Strangely, she did not move away from the heard and the bull just happened to be in attendance. What an honour and privilege to witness and film this first hand with my own eyes. (all be it with a normal video camera, but it did the job). The baby was named Shelby, and her name later changed to Emuva, which means ‘backwards’ in Zulu, as she was a breach birth (Bum out first). Her name was then changed again to “Scar”, due to a prominent scar on her horn. DSC_0147 (2)

 Sadly and tragically, Ouvrou was poached 3 years ago. 🙁  She and the calf she had with her at  the time were shot from a helicopter. The savage poachers then proceeded to hack off her  magnificent horn, almost taking off her whole face!! What a sad sad day for me and all those who had the privilege of getting to know this old girl. (Note…this was not the only rhino  poached on this reserve.  It was a well-planned and sophisticated operation and more than  likely an inside job!, which is still supposedly being investigated??)

 Thankfully  “our” baby, now named Scar, who by that time was about 11 years old, was  unharmed. I have followed  her progress as she has reached maturity and seen her grow into  a wonderful mother herself, already having had 4 healthy calves. Hopefully, L-rd willing, I will  be able to witness one of her births and pray that she and her babies will be safe.  Keep  checking our posts to follow her progress. 

 

Above: Recent photo of Scar, just before she was dehorned.

nTHAMBO TREE CAMP. Klaserie. Hoedspruit.

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So my idea of a ‘tree camp’ is a tented camp in the trees.   I wasn’t far wrong.  As I drove into the camp, I was delighted to see that the tents were indeed up in the trees, on high stilts, overlooking an open plain teaming with wildlife, including rhino!  Those who know me can just imagine my excitement.  (Have to add….on my way into Klaserie I spotted 2 male lions!! When I got to camp I casually  mentioned this, to which everyone went ‘ya, ya’, as they would . images To convince them that I REALLY did see 2  lions, we went out on a drive later on and I showed them where I  saw the lions, and low and behold…there  they were!!!  Ha ha ha  to them!!  )

 nThambo Tree Camp http://www.nthambo.com/ is named after the founder and owner of the camp, Lucas van  der Merwe.  The local  people called him nThambo because apparently he was very thin! IMG_0022

  I was greeted by the staff of nThambo, among them, Lily and Hendri,  who welcomed me with a warm wet  cloth, to wipe away the sweat  and dust from my brow  and a cool drink.  (I remember, years  ago  when I first started doing what I do, a staff member at one of the lodges handed me a wet cloth and I had NO idea what to do with it …. I looked around anxiously to see what everyone else was doing!! We have come a looooong way)

The guys showed me to my stunning tent in the trees.  I was so impressed by how the tents were actually erected on these long gum poles and the attention to detail in all the tents.  Spacious bathrooms at the back of the tents, comfortable beds, breath-taking views of the bush from the small veranda and just the general peace I felt being there. IMG_0059 The rest of the lodge is JUST as stunning.  

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  It is amazing how quickly one can ‘connect’ with  other people who have the same interests  and  loves that you do.  When I arrived there were  already guests at nThambo who had  been there  for a few days already.  A couple who’s family had  sent them to nThambo as a  thank you for all they  had done for them immediately introduced  themselves and the  chatting and ‘catching up’  was instant.  I then met Mike and Fiona from the UK who  frequent nThambo often and Fiona is an expert at photographing wild dogs.  

The food was delicious, the tent beautiful, so comfortable and ‘safe’ feeling, and the company fantastic.  Thanks to all the staff at nThambo, as well as Brett from Sun Destinations http://www.sundestinations.co.za/ for this fabulous experience.  As I always say…I will be baaaaack!! 

SHELBEWHERE Facebook page

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It is imperative that you ‘like’ the Shelbewhere page on FB to be able to partake in the upcoming competitions. We would LOVE your comments and input. [social_link style=”default” type=”facebook_account” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shelbewhere/214926458517917?ref=hl” target=”on” ]  Happy liking 😉 

NDZUTI SAFARI CAMP. Klaserie

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A few weeks ago I was honoured to be invited to stay at nDzuti Safari Camp by Brett Thomson, the CEO of the famed Sun Destinations Group,  http://www.sundestinations.co.za/  to see what they do, how they do it, and meet the extraordinary people who own and run their camps. Map-of-Kruger-Camps

nDzuti (meaning shadow) Safari camp is ideally situated on the Klaserie Game Reserve, between Timbavati  and the Greater Kruger Park. The fabulous thing is, there are no fences between the reserves, so animals,  including the Big 5, are free to roam as they please, which makes Klaserie an awesome wilderness to see  some of the best animal sightings. 62818ha of prime pristine, untouched (well in some areas) bushveld! IMG_0070

 Finding my way to Nzuti was relatively easy.  As Bruce, the  owner and manager of the camp said “just look for the huge  cell phone tower and the follow the signs!” J  After passing  him along the way, I knew I was on the right track and  eventually pulled into nDzuti.  I was greeted by a very  enthusiastic staff member, names Alfred, who offered to take  my luggage to my room.  I ALWAYS get embarrassed when they do this because I am normally away for 3 to 4 days and I DON’T PACK LIGHT!! (Unless I am flying of course 🙂 ). So there poor Alfred was, dragging my luggage to my room, being very polite as he went!

The first thing that caught my eye was the large wooden deck, the sparkling swimming pool and the lush green lawns surrounding the camp.  As the area is in a drought at the moment, this was surprising. It was 39 degrees by that time, so the first thing I did was kick off my shoes and walk on the green wet grass.  (See Dr Elbreght, I was ‘grounding’ J)

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The camp in built as a huge rondaval, with all 4 rooms on the outsides of the circle.  The heart of the camp is the kitchen/dining/lounge area where guests are free to relax, read a book or have drinks, when they are not lounging at the pool or sitting in the shade of the beautiful indigenous trees. Meals, weather permitting are normally in the boma, next to the pool. Breakfast is served under the trees.IMG_0081

After my frolic on the lawn, Nomisina showed me to my room and gave me THE ‘pep talk’ J (how things work and what to do and not to do in my room) What a wonderful light airy room.  Twin beds, neatly made up with white linen, a lovely BIG on-suite bathroom and my own entrance from the outside. All the rooms are similar, all with their own entrance.

THE PEOPLE

Bruce and Judy Meeser are the owners and managers of nDzuti Safari Camp. www.ndzuti.co.za.  Bruce, a laid -back, informal, walking encyclopedia of the bush is a legend in the area. He has been in the wildlife and hospitality industry all his life. DSC_0031 As he explained to me when we were on the game drive, he was ‘born in the bush’. His knowledge of everything bush related is unsurpassed.  This I was witness to when we were on a game drive and he suddenly slammed on breaks to show us lion tracks in the sand. I, who claims to be a bush baby, did not see them! L . Bruce even told us how old the tracks were. He made us all get out the game vehicle to inspect the tracks and then proceeded to ask us questions!! What a wonderful experience.

With us on the drive was David.  Now David is what the industry refer to as a “landrover jockey” 🙂 See extract from Ted Botha’s blog below for the explanation of a ‘landrover jockey…:)   “The person who takes you around on safari is not a ranger, but a guide, normally one from the camp where you are staying.  The quality of the guide usually determines the quality of the safari. Some people call their guides rangers, and some rangers call guides Landrover jockeys.”  http:/www.tedbotha.com/articles/the-unsafari.html   ( love Ted Botha’s articles). David gave us an excellent explanation of why there are termite mounds in the bush, how deep they go (blady deep), the trees that grow out of termite mounds (I THINK it’s the jackal Berry J) and the heat that come out of the aeration tunnel.  We were encouraged to climb onto the mound to feel the heat coming out of the ‘termite chimney’.  I can attest to the fact that this termite mound was definitely active! DSC_0009DSC_0002

 And all this while, Judy was at the camp cooking  up a storm for us.  Again, as Bruce relates “Judy is  the academic”.  She knows all about the trees and  grasses and insects. Unfortunately I did not go out  with Judy on a game drive, but have it on good  authority that she is a field guide of note. While  having drinks and dinner around the fire, Judy told  me about their life in the bush, the harrowing stories during the early day, the not so nice things they had to do, like culling, and the amazing highlights. Their highs have been high and their lows have been low but they would not change a thing.  Judy, you need to write the book! BTW, it was at this time that we saw a rhino, across the riverbed, close to where we were sitting!! WOW. 

  What a privilege it is for me to meet such wonderful interesting people, who do things that  we could only dream of.  Thanks again to Brett, John, Bruce and Judy for this privilege.  I  will be baaaaaack!

Seen on my way out. Judy, there are still dung beetles :)

Seen on my way out. Judy, there are still dung beetles 🙂

 

 

A little about SHELBEWHERE

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SHELBEWHERE is a site I created, to share with those out there about the places I visit and the people I meet in my capacity as an accommodation assessor/consultant, an artist, mother and conservationist.

We aim to make this a site that tourists and visitors from all over the world can visit and get an idea of what they can expect from the places and establishments I showcase, when visiting our beautiful country. Companies and establishments can advertise on the site and tourists can partake in the accommodation competitions we hold in partnership with the listed establishments.   

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3 of my 5 gorgeous sons.

ABOUT ME

 I have been blessed with 5 awesome sons and live on a gorgeous farm in the heart of  the Cradle of Humankind.

 I have MANY passions….far too many for most people to handle. 😀  I am passionate  about my sons, art, wildlife, old houses, antiques, tented bush camps, empowering  women to be financially independent….

 My life motto’s:

 “Its much easier to apologize than ask for permission”  😉

“What you see is what you get”

“You can do and be anything you want to be with the right amounts of passion, enthusiasm   and drive”

 

Everybody has a story

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Today, on my way back to the farm, I picked up a familiar figure in the area, bent over and hobbling slowly up the dusty sand road.  His name is Madala Paul.  As you may well know, I love talking to people and hearing their stories.  Well in a matter of 10 minutes, I almost got Madala Paul’s whole life story  🙂 Paul has lived on the next door neighbour’s farm for 48 years.    His is a rugged 79 years old who originally comes from Rustenburg and was very proud to tell me that he is “big now”, meaning old.   He has worked for Mr Richard since 1967 and lost his dear wife 2 years ago.  He never said ‘she died’.  In his words… ” its been 2 years since she was put in the ground”. During our conversation he recited and remembered exact dates and even days.  He told me that his wife died on a Monday and it was the 11 March 2013.  (Flip, I cant even remember my childrens’ year of birth sometimes!!) Madala Paul has 3 children and 2 grandchildren who live in Dobsonville. He was at pains to tell me that his oldest child could not have children which was very sad for her and the family.  I asked him if he thinks he has had a good life.  His reply… “yes mam, its been a good life”.

How often do we take the time to just chat to total strangers and hear their stories? Not often, but when we do, its always an enlightening time. Madala Paul, may you have a healthy longer life.