Getting to know the birds at Idwala - African Hoopoe

 The African Hoopoe (Upupa African) is one of the prettiest birds and are easily recognised around the lodge. The beautiful cinnamon colour of the upper body leads to a distinctive crown of feathers. The black and white barring on the wings and tail are conspicuos in flight. The short grass and bare patch at the bottom of the Idwala valley is ideal terroritory for the Hoopoe where insects and worms can be caught.

The Hoopoe’s long, slight de-curved bill is perfectly suited for this task. The call is a melodic trisyllabic “oop-oop-oop”. They like to nest in a tree or a wall but will not make their own hole. The Hoopoe is related to the kingfishers, bee-eaters and rollers. The Hoopoe is not a social bird and will be found singularly or in pairs. The Hoopoe is a small bird and only measures 25cm.

Keep your eyes out for the African Hoopoe next time you visit!

Photo by Philip

Idwala Spicy Biscuits - as Christmas Tree decorations

These biscuits are a great treat at Idwala and here we have adapted them for Christmas!

Yield 55 biscuits depending on size

250g butter

625ml brown sugar

2 extra large eggs

5 x 250ml cake flour

20ml baking powder

30ml cinnamon

15ml ground ginger

3 bicarbonate of soda

Preheat the oven to 160°. Grease one baking tray.

With an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs one by one and beat lightly after each addition. Continue to beat until the mixture is light and creamy.

In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, the baking powder, cinnamon, ground ginger and bicarbonate of soda.

Add the dry ingredients to the butter, sugar and egg mixture. Mix well. If the batter is a little dry, add a small amount of water. The dough should be firm and not sticky.

Roll out to 3mm thick and cut out the shape of your choice, using a cookie cutter.

Place the biscuits on the baking tray and bake for 8-10 minutes. The biscuits will be light brown underneath, but will be soft when they come out the oven. They harden as they cool so be careful not to take them out too late.

For the newsleeter, we used the elephant shape and decorated the biscuits with green royal icing and a silver ball for the eye. If you want to use the biscuits as decoration make them slightly thicker. When the biscuits are still warm, use a skewer stick to make a hole. You can use ribbon to hang the biscuits form the tree. 

Sarabi – the elusive lioness

Sarabi – the elusive lioness

Sarabi and her intimidating stare

Sarabi was born in the Welgevonden Game Reserve in the Waterberg biosphere. She was introduced to the reserve in November 2005 and was just under 4 years old. At the same time, another male lion was introduced but Sarabi isolated herself from him and the existing pride. It was in the Northern part of the reserve that she chose to to claim as her territory. Due to a lack of food she soon had to find a new area to claim as hers.

Early in 2006 she attempted to settle in in the area close to Idwala’s reception. The other lions ambushed her in one of the corners and launched a severe attack. Claudine and Philip heard the attack late one Sunday night. The next morning she was seen hiding under a tree, lying nearly motionless, in too much pain to move. This is when it was decided to intervene and the reserve vet was called in to assist. Philip assisted with process of sedating her and relocating her to the acclimatization enclosure. She received a treatment of antibiotics and 1 months rest. Sarabi made a full recovery and no such attack has happened since.

Sarabi is strong lioness weighing just over 210kg. Unusual for a solitary lioness she has been known to take out a fully grown eland on her own. Aptly named, Sarabi means “optical illusion” in Swahili. Made famous by the animated feature, the Lion King, Sarabi is Simba’s mother. Yet, despite the time spent on the reserve, Sarabi has not mated successfully. She did form an alliance with the big blonde male lion, but they were unsuccessful as a breeding pair.

Sadly, this beautiful lioness was relocated in June 2010 as part of a program to diversify the lion genes.

You can see quite clearly what a big lioness she was

How to keep Christmas Green

Have yourself a Merry Green Christmas! 

Here are Idwala’s top tips for an eco-friendly Christmas:

E-Cards from Dyer Island Conservation

1. The Christmas tree – plastic Christmas trees use various substances which are harmful to the environment. Therefore we recommendusing a potted tree or getting creative with dried trees or driftwood (great for anyone holidaying at the coast!). If nothing else, plant a tree in your garden and watch it grow during 2011 

2. Christmas cards – It’s unbelievable how many Christmas cards are sent out all over the world. Try to send an electronic greeting using many of the e-cards available online or buy cards made from recycled paper. If you receive Christmas cards, do the right thing after the big day, and recycle them. Send on of these cutepenguin Christmas cards and support a good cause too

3. Wrapping paper – Tons and tons of wrapping paper is sold around the world during the festive season. To help do your bit for the environment consider sending gifts that don’t need wrapping (like gift vouchers), using recycled paper and using string or ribbon instead of sticky tape 

4. Candles – for the big meal, if you’re using candles, consider buying soy, beeswax or vegetable-based candles. The paraffin candles commonly used are not good for your health or for the environment.

5. Batteries – try to give gifts that don’t use batteries or change over to rechargeable batteries. Batteries contain toxic chemicals, don’t biodegrade and are difficult to recycle.

6. Give the best gift – Of course, there is always the option to give the gift that keeps on giving. Your time spent assisting at a charity or environmental organization can make a big difference.

7. Lights – Twinkling away all day and night, fairy lights around the house and Christmas tree can take up a lot of energy. Remember to switch them off when they’re not being used. Keep an eye out for solar powered rope lights which are making their way into stores everywhere. 

8. Kitchen tips – while cooking that turkey or gammon, remember to take care when using the oven. When you want to check your food, remove from the oven and close the oven door. Standing in front of an open oven wastes heat and energy. Only load your dishwasher once it is full and run an economy program. And finally, buy organic. Don’t support the intensive factory farms and the horrible effects they have on the environment (and your health). 

9. Plan ahead – as you open your gifts think about the next Christmas. We suggest saving wrapping paper, ribbon, gift bags and unused Christmas cards for Christmas 2011. 

10. Buy a thoughtful gift – Think about the impact your gift has on the environment. Buy local, buy fair-trade and support companies who are doing more than their part to help save our earth. Spread the word – Give a book on a subject related to helping the environment. Buy someone a beautifully made cloth shopping bag so that they won’t be using plastic shopping bags.

Idwala Game Lodge wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2011