Dreamfields Guesthouse

Battle at Kruger – Reunited at Dreamfields Guesthouse

Tina — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:28:46 +0000

We are very proud that David Budzinski and his wife Cheryl were staying with us before they went on another Safari with Frank Watts. David is the one who filmed the famous YouTube-Video “Battle at Kruger” in 2004, where their guide, Frank Watts, had the patience to wait just a bit longer than other safari vehicles and then “the battle” started.

National Geographic bought the rights of the video and made it into a 1-hour documentary where David Budzinski and Frank where interviewed.

Yesterday they met again at Dreamfields Guesthouse and hopefully they will have another outstanding safari experience in the Kruger National Park today.

If you are interested in staying with us and going on a game drive with Frank Watts, please contact us at info@dreamfieldsguesthouse.com.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Video of the Kruger National Park

Tina — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:58:41 +0000

This very interesting video of the Kruger National Park gives you information about the park, the animals, flora, fauna, camps and activities: Source SANParks

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Kruger National Park Flood Notice

Tina — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:33:30 +0000

Click here to find the most recent update ref. flood damage in the Kruger National Park.

Hippo Jessica helped during the floods

Tina — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:37:09 +0000

Jessica the Hippo, who was found after the floods in 2000 on the river bank, helped her adoptive parents to safety during the floods in January 2012.

The Joubert’s house was submerged by the rising water and Tony Joubert was trying to get his wife to dry land when Jessica started to push the boat with her snout to where her owner was. Jessica was pushing the boat upstream, against the strong current. “I could have fallen had she not guided me”. He said the hippo remained behind him all the time, giving him a welcome sense of security.

His house, which is on the banks of the river in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, was completely under water. They left their house to seek refuge in their car parked on higher ground. Then they decided to spend the night in their tree house on their property. All surrounding families were evacuated but the Jouberts refuse because they did not want to leave Jessica alone.

Source: Timeslive

Isn`t she amazing? Click here to read more about Jessica.

25 years for rhino poachers

Tina — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:35:11 +0000

Three rhino poachers from Mozambique had been found guilty at Phalaborwa Regional Court of illegal rhino hunting, and each sentenced to a maximum of 25 years’ imprisonment.

According to David Mabunda, CEO of SANParks, the accused were arrested on July 10, 2010 in Mooiplaas, Kruger National Park. “They were found with two freshly chopped rhino horns, an assault rifle, a hunting rifle and an axe.”

The poachers were found guilty on four counts – the illegal hunting of a rhino, possession of a prohibited firearm (automatic rifle), possession of a firearm (hunting rifle) and possession of ammunition.

Last year, 232 suspected poachers were arrested. Mabunda said: “The sentencing of these poachers is an indication that, as a country, we are taking more stringent measures in the fight against rhino poaching. I am glad the sentence is harsher than it has been in the past.”

For more information click here.

Have a drink inside a Baobab

Tina — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:41:09 +0000

The Sunland Baobab, near the sub-tropical town of Tzaneen, is the country’s biggest baobab. The Sunland Baobab has a circumference of some 47metres and stretches to a height of 22 metres. It’s so big there’s room enough for a small pub inside.
The Sunland Baobab, like all baobabs, is a source of great myth and legend. Limpopo province has adopted the baobab as its tourist icon, and the tree is also known as the upside-down-tree. Legend has it that the early San people believed the baobab tree offended God and as punishment, God planted the tree upside down. When you see a baobab tree in winter you will know what the San people meant. The branches look like roots pointing skyward.
Few trees embody the spirit of Africa quite like the baobab. In ancient times kings, elders and leaders held meetings under the spreading branches of huge babobabs, believing that the spirit of the baobab would guide them in making the right decisions for their people.
The scientific name for the baobab is Adansonia digitata.Baobabs are succulents, comprising 80% moisture which makes them very useful to both animals and humans. They provide shelter for a variety of creatures, including bush babies and fruit bats that pollinate the flowers. Baboons love the fruit of the baobab, and elephants browse the leaves and strip the bark for moisture.
If you’re exploring the attractions of the Tzaneen area, don’t miss the chance to see the Sunland Baobab, the country’s biggest which is is app. 200 km north of Hazyview.
The nearest Baobab from Dreamfields Guesthouse can be found between Tshokwane and Satara in the Kruger National Park.

Source: www.Southafrica.net

Skukuza before and after

Tina — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:46:53 +0000

We found these two pictures of Skukuza, the main camp in the Kruger National Park, on the Looklocal webpage and found them worth sharing. Even though the heavy rain stopped, many roads, camps and gates are still closed. To get an update about the situation in the Park, click here.

Heavy rainfall resulted in flooding in Kruger

Tina — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:52:44 +0000

A tropical storm has hit Mozambique and has resulted in flooding in Kruger and heavy rainfall in Hazyview! These pictures give an idea how affected the Kruger National Park is.
Click here for more information and updates about closed roads and camps.
More information to follow.

Rhino Poaching

Tina — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:14:54 +0000

Rhino poaching in South Africa is a very serious issue and unfortunately the killing increases!
According to the statistics 448 rhinos have been killed in 2011 (252 of them in the Kruger National Park) – far more than in 2010. And we already lost 18 rhinos in the second week of January 2012! This week eight carcasses with their horns missing were found in two sections of the Kruger National Park. In a follow-up anti-poaching operation Field Rangers came in contact with a group of suspected poachers from Mozambique who were fatally wounded.
Rhino poaching must STOP!!

Ten Hazyview Travel Must Do’s for 2012

Tina — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:40:04 +0000

Happy New Year! We hope you all had a wonderful relaxing festive season.
If you start planning your next holiday in Hazyview – these are the 10 must-do’s:
1. Spend at least one day in the Kruger National Park
2. Have a look through God`s Window
3. Visit the beautiful waterfalls along the Panorama Route
4. Meet the chief at the Shangana Evening Festival
5. Experience the thrill of Africa’s longest aerial cable trail
6. Feed, touch and ride an African Elephant
7. Go on a Hot Air-Balloon over the Sabie Valley
8. Enjoy the sparkling pool of Dreamfields Guesthouse
9. Have a filet steak at Pioneers Butcher and Grill
10. Finish the exciting day with a good glas of wine on the verandah of Dreamfields Guesthouse