Blog - Hartenbos Private Game Lodge

A Little Fighter: The Story of Zuri the Giraffe

2025-09-24T00:00:00+02:00

Every new birth on the reserve is a celebration of life, but sometimes nature presents challenges that remind us of both its fragility and its resilience. Earlier this year, we welcomed a giraffe calf into the world who was born with severely contracted tendons in her front legs.

From the very beginning, we knew she faced an uphill battle. A giraffe calf must be able to stand and walk within hours of birth in order to nurse from her mother and keep up with the herd. For this little one, those simple first steps weren’t possible. Without intervention, she wouldn’t have been able to feed, and her chance of survival in the wild would have been almost zero.

That’s when our team stepped in. Our priority was to make sure she was safe, comfortable, and given every possible chance at life. Working alongside wildlife specialists and veterinarians, we immediately started therapy to stretch and support her tendons.

Using heated PVC pipes, they molded them over frozen giraffe limbs to create perfectly shaped orthopedic casts, then cut, smoothed, padded, and applied them with precision. This is what wildlife veterinary medicine really looks like—hands-on, innovative, and straight from the field. Quick thinking, bush skills, and species-specific care come together in moments like this to save lives.

It was not always easy. At times she grew frustrated, and long hours were spent encouraging her, supporting her as she attempted to stand, and making sure she was fed and hydrated. But with every day came progress—small victories that meant the world.

The first time she managed to stand on her own, wobbly but determined, everyone was overcome with joy. Soon after, she took her very first steps. What a moment it was to watch her walk for the first time, knowing the odds she had overcome.

Today, this brave calf is thriving. She still requires monitoring and care, but her improvement has been nothing short of remarkable. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of conservation work—not only protecting wildlife in their natural habitat but also stepping in when life needs a helping hand.

We are deeply grateful for the incredible work and dedication shown by wildlife vet Josephine Skaarup and Hein from VetX Legacy Wildlife Services. Their skill, compassion, and innovation made this success story possible.

We look forward to watching this little fighter grow tall and strong, just as every giraffe is meant to. She is living proof that with compassion, dedication, and teamwork, even the smallest and most fragile lives can overcome extraordinary challenges.

Benefits of visiting Mossel Bay in the Winter

2023-06-18T00:00:00+02:00

The peninsula of Mossel Bay lies at a unique confluence between the warm Indian Ocean and the Outeniqua mountains creating a shallow bay where whales, sharks, seals, and dolphins frolic. The town boasts over 320 days of sunshine per year and receives most of its rainfall at night – allowing for maximum activity during the day, from surfing to whale and dolphin watching.

Like in most cities around the world, winter is low season in Mossel Bay (and most destinations), meaning you’ll have more of the town to yourself and won’t have to compete with hordes of travelers for entry to exhibits, endless traffic or long ques at restaurants. Not to mention the fact that accommodation and flights are cheaper than in peak season. Better yet, Winter is the time to save on plenty of specials and packages on offer, giving you more for less.

By the way, did you know that the magic really happens during Winter? This is Whale season and you only get to witness the bay being graced with the gentle giants of the ocean during Winter and Spring.

We have put together a list of 5 fun activities that will keep you busy during your Winter Mossel Bay break:

1. Romonza boat based Whale watching

The Romonza is the ONLY registered passenger boat along the South African Coast to take up to 50 passengers to observe the largest mammals on earth close up. A special qualified whale guide will be on board during every trip. Includes a free ticket for a trip around Seal Island with 4000 seals with a comfortable departure – from the Mossel Bay Harbour.

2. Bartholomew Diaz Museum Complex

Bartolomeu Dias was a Portuguese explorer who landed close to the site of the current Dias Museum Complex. He was the first European to sail around the southernmost tip of Africa in 1488, before, setting up the route from Europe to Asia later on. He named Mossel Bay “Angra dos Vaqueirosâ” (the Bay of Cowherds). At the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex, you can learn about his life, adventures and see some replicas of his ship.

The Bartholomew Dias Ship replica

The ancient milkwood tree at the Museum is believed to be the country’s very first mailbox. It was first used as a post box in 1500 by a Portuguese sea captain named Pêro de Ataíde lost much of his fleet in a storm off the Southern Cape. Before returning to India, he wrote a message reporting the damage and warning of rough waters and he tucked the message in a boot dangling from a milkwood tree near a spring where sailors often drew water. Miraculously, the message was retrieved by its intended recipient, Joao de Nova, the very next year.

Today a large post office box shaped like a giant boot has been constructed beneath the tree, where people can send letters anywhere in the world and receive a special stamp.

The Post shoe

3. The Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse

The 19th-century Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse is a circular cast-iron towner painted in white. Its southern shores are lined with awesome cliffs that loom above the thundering surf below and the relentless force of the elements has cut out massive caverns. Ancient Khoi found shelter in the Cape St. Blaize Cave and an archaeological dig revealed that early dwellers of the cave might have largely survived on the abundant shellfish. The lighthouse was erected in 1864 and until recently, it was one of the only two lighthouses manned 24 hours daily on the South African Coastline.

You can also enjoy a bite to eat at the quaint restaurant at the lighthouse. Step into the light at Cape Saint Blaize Restaurant, where dining meets adventure and history. Guests have the opportunity to climb up into the lighthouse tower and experience the beautiful ocean views from the top, while also learning about the rich history of the lighthouse and its role in guiding ships safely to shore.

4. The Diaz Express

The Diaz Express has routes on the existing Transnet rail network in the Garden Route region of South Africa. The train between George and the seaside resort of Mossel Bay. The train offers unsurpassed scenery, history, visits to quaint crafts shops and art galleries with gastronomic experiences.

The Diaz Express passing through Great Brak River

5. ATKV Hartenbos heated indoor pool

Come rain or shine, what is a seaside holiday without some sort of water fun? The heated indoor pool at the ATKV Hartenbos is a familiar family-favourite activity during the colder months. With it's temperature ranging between 30 – 35°C, makes it perfect for those slightly days. Enjoy the sea view while you are making use of the pool and spend the day relaxing with friends and family.

Wildlife Facts - Golden Wildebeest (Gnu)

2022-02-10T00:00:00+02:00

Golden Wildebeest were first referred to as “Red” or “Yellow” Wildebeest by pioneer breeders. The decision to change the name of these colour variants was as a direct result of false accusations made by Nature Conservation officials that game farmers created these animals by cross-breeding Black and Blue Wildebeest. Wildebeest hybrids (Black and Blue Wildebeest Crossbreds) were also referred to as Red Wildebeest by Nature Conservation officials.

Due to extensive DNA sampling and research done by Dr Antoinette Kotze, the Yorks could clearly show that no Black Wildebeest genes occurred amongst any of their Wildebeest herds.
By disproving this accusation, Barry York (founding member of Golden Breeders) decided to distance himself from any further confusion and founded the name “Golden Wildebeest”. This name was soon adopted by all in the wildlife industry.

Golden to copper or bronze in colour.
They have a long copper mane, beard and tail tussle.
Both sexes carry horns and are of similar size and colour, thus making it difficult to distinguish the bulls from the cows. The most obvious difference is that males have thicker horns and horn-bases.
Size: Shoulder height 135 - 150cm. Weight 180 - 250kg.
Territorial group animals 20-1000, active during the day but prefer shade during the hot hours of the day.
They have a typical "tar" smell coming from glands on the front feet which is also used for marking of territories.
Prefer to graze on short green grass.
Calving season is November to December.

Come and meet them at Hartenbos private Game Lodge.

Wildlife Facts - Bontebok

2022-01-27T00:00:00+02:00

This is a plains antelope, preferring short-grass plains within the vegetation typical of the fynbos plant kingdom.
Bonteboks and blesboks share a similar adult-colored pattern wherein the dark dorsal hairs contrast with the high, white stockings and posterior.
Bonteboks have dark, shiny, brown-purple dorsal hair, whereas blesbok dorsal hair is boring and chromatic.
This is a seasonal breeder. Ewes become sexually active at two years of age. The rut takes place between January and mid March. Single calves are born during September and October after a gestation period of 238 - 254 days.
Gregarious and diurnal. Rams are territorial and during the breeding season will defend a small nursery of two to eight females and their young. Young males congregate in large bachelor herds.
The Bontebok name stems from the colouring and originates from the Dutch settlers who arrived in the 1600's. A subspecies of the Blesbok, the two have interbred a great deal and there is a view among some conservationists that there are no true strains of either left.
After they were on the brink of becoming Extinct, which was due to excess hunting and encroachment, the Bontebok National Park was established in 1931 for their conservation.
At that point, only 17 bonteboks existed within wildlife.
Currently, bonteboks are Extinct from wildlife and are presently raised on game farms. Due to previous conservation efforts, the population of this white and brown species has recovered to 2,000 members living on varied reservations throughout South Africa, including Hartenbos Private Game Lodge.

Come and meet them at Hartenbos private Game Lodge.

Wildlife Facts - Waterbuck

2022-01-18T00:00:00+02:00

If males are not holding a territory, they tend to form a bachelor herd for survival.
Cows (females) and calves form a nursery herd and females will remain in the natal herd. Female have a gestation period of 9 months and give birth to one calf (although twins have been recorded).
Female waterbuck communicate with their calves using bleating or snorting.
Waterbuck have a lifespan of 11-15 years.
Males are the only ones that will have horns, which are long and curved with ridges or rings along them to help with slipping when fighting for territory.
As soon as young males start developing horns (at around 7-9 months of age), they are chased out of the herd by territorial bulls.
They have been known to evade predators by rushing into water as the predatory cats, such as lions and leopards, are very reluctant to get themselves wet – even if it means missing out on a meal.
The trademark white ring around the waterbucks’ hindquarters is used as a “follow me” sign. If one of the group spots a predator and runs, the rest know where to follow to avoid becoming dinner for one of the hungry cats.
Waterbuck have a lot of hair around their necks neck making them look as if they should be living in much colder climates, but there is a functionality to this hair as it is all hollow.
The hollow hair allows for extra buoyancy when swimming, helping the waterbuck to keep their heads above the water.
Its shaggy coat is reddish-brown to grey and becomes progressively darker with age.
Males are darker than females.
There is a cream-colored patch (called "bib") on the throat.
The long, spiral horns, present only on males, curve backward, then forward, and are 55-99 cm (22-39 in) long.
They are typically silent animals but will use alarm snorts for vocal communication.
They feed on a variety of grasses and may occasionally browse leaves from certain trees and bushes.
Waterbuck are polygynous breeders; this means that one male mates with more than one female.
During the mating season, the skin of the waterbuck secretes a greasy substance with the odor of musk, giving it the name "greasy kob". This odor is so unpleasant that it repels predators. This secretion also assists in water-proofing the body when the animal dives into the water.

Come and meet them at Hartenbos Private Game Lodge

Glamping - The rise of a popular travel trend

2022-01-13T00:00:00+02:00

Like the name suggests it is a combination of Glamorous and Camping. Some even call it Glorious Camping, Boutique Camping or Luxury Camping. It has become a very popular travel trend Internationally that can be described as the perfect "marriage" between luxury and nature. Instead of a night on the ground in a sleeping bag, you can opt for unique accommodation, such as a luxury tent, equipped with all the comforts of home.

The word has only been around since 2007, but dates back to more than one thousand years to the Native Indian tribes from America, living in Teepee's.

The yurt — Nomadic tribes and Huns warriors lived in yurts, dating back roughly 600 BCE, which are circular tents that provide protection from strong winds. The portability of yurts allowed tribes to move when needed with their herds, about 4 times a year or more. The structures could be quickly setup and the lightweight material was ideal for transporting.

Some Mongolians live in yurts today, although modernized yurts with wood frames tend to be relatively permanent, unlike traditional yurts. Across the world, modern yurts offer eco-friendly living and tourism solutions.

The History and evolution of Glamping:

Although the real origins of glamping is still unclear, it is believed that In Scotland, John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Atholl, put together what could be called the first luxury camping site in the U.K. for King James V and his mother in the Scottish Highlands—filling the tents’ interiors with luxurious furnishings and adornments from his own palace.

Back in Europe, The Field Of The Cloth Of Gold was the site of a three-week diplomatic summit in northern France held for King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France, with the goal of fostering friendship between the royals and an alliance of the two countries. The site was named after the extravagant décor used to outfit the summit’s tents and became a display of the young kings’ wealth and power. The kings dined on lavish feasts, hosted jousting tournaments, and the grounds included red wine fountains. In true Renaissance fashion, the summit was not merely a meeting for diplomacy, but rather a spectacle of grandeur.

Then it is also said that the Turkish Ottomans would set up extravagant tent cities as a mobile palace for the sultan. These luxurious tents were complete with silk fabrics, embroidery, expensive rugs and furnishings*.

Fast forwarding to the early 20th Century, President Theodore Roosevelt ventured into the great outdoors for a widely publicized camping trip in 1903 with conservationist John Muir in Yosemite. The trip both sparked the conservation movement and popularized the appeals of camping - restoration, escapism, and recreation.

Shortly after, African safaris became the popular adventure of choice for wealthy American and British travelers. Often, these trips were made for society’s upper crust to try their hand at shooting game, largely the “Big 5,” i.e., lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and Cape buffaloes.

Despite their desire to get down and dirty and go hunting, these travelers were not willing to sacrifice the comforts of home for the thrill of the hunt—which meant the safari tents they stayed in were well-equipped with the luxuries they were accustomed to, including everything from electric generators, to folding baths, and cases of champagne.

Glamping in the 21st Century:

Back in 2007, when, according to Google Trends, people began searching for the word “glamping,” with most of these searches coming from Ireland and the U.K. By 2010, glamping began to take off; by 2013, it had seen a major rise in popularity in the U.K.; by 2014, it started to make a name for itself in the U.S.; and by 2016, “glamping” was officially added to the dictionary.

Today, glamping is more popular than ever and on a global scale. Glamping bridges the raw beauty of the great outdoors with the luxury of modern amenities and hospitality - a form of escapism travelers have sought for centuries. Spacious safari tents immersed in the wild and furnished with the comforts of home, like plush beds to sleep soundly, take the ‘rough’ out of roughing it. The unexpected combination of “rugged luxury” connects glampers with nature in the most comfortable way possible.

Baby boomers and millennials are looking for a change in the way they typically travel, and glamping fits well for both—baby boomers, because they have a disposable income, are looking for comfort, and they’ve already done it all; millennials, because they’re always looking for unique experiences.

Although traditional glamping is typically done in canvas tents or yurts, the term has evolved to include pull-behind campers, teardrop campers, tepees, gypsy wagons, tree houses and log cabins. Essentially, it’s any semi-permanent structure that allows you to sleep outside with features beyond that of a simple tent.

If you enjoy the great outdoors and camping, but your partner does not take kindly to backpacking, sleeping bags, bugs and no “facilities,” then glamorous camping may be an answer for you.

Hartenbos Private Game Lodge offers the most idyllic glamping experiences where you will find luxury double and family glamping tents where you can relax, unwind and get immerged in nature with modern living facilities. Book your Garden Route glamping experience with us today!

Reasons to choose glamping over normal camping:

You still get to enjoy nature in all it's glory with the same camping "feel"- Just more comfortable.
No need to travel with your own tent or heavy equipment.
Modern food preparation facilities.
Keep the lights on with electricity provided.
Get connected with free Wi-Fi.
Sleep on a comfortable bed - no more sleeping bags or inflatable mattresses.
Enjoy en-suite bathroom facilities
Enjoy braai facilities as you would a cozy campfire.

Wildlife Facts - Eland

2022-01-06T00:00:00+02:00

They are great jumpers, despite their huge size, and can clear a two-metre fence with ease.
Listen closely and you’ll hear a distinct clicking sound as they approach. This is thought to come from their hooves, which splay apart and click back together under the animals’ great weight.
A tuft of black hair grows out of the male’s prominent dewlap, the loose fold of skin that hangs down from the neck.
It was both food and spiritual inspiration to the prehistoric hunter-gatherer peoples of southern Africa. And it features prominently in rock- and cave-art across the region. Today place names such as Elandsfontein and surnames such as Mpofu (‘eland’ in Zulu) suggest how central to the region’s culture this antelope once was.
They browse more than they graze, feeding in areas where shrubs and bushes provide the leaves they prefer and using their horns to bring twigs and branches into reach.
The common eland is better adapted than cattle to the African environment, and is easily domesticated. It has been farmed for its meat and milk in both South Africa and Russia. A female can produce up to 7kg of milk per day, which is richer in fat than cow milk.
The social organization of the eland is somewhat different from that of other antelopes. The older the male is more solitary, while younger animals may form small groups.
Males are also more sedentary than females, who may travel widely, especially during the dry season. Females and young are found in loosely cohesive groups.
Females with young calves come together in nursery groups. After the young are weaned at about three months, the mothers rejoin the female herds and the calves remain together in the nursery group.
Calves spend a lot of time grooming and licking each other, developing bonds even stronger than those of calf with its mother.
With year-round births, some adult females are always present in a nursery group and they defend all juveniles present, not just their own.
Juveniles usually remain in the nursery groups until they are almost two years old when they begin to wander off and join other loose groupings of their sex.

Come and meet them at Hartenbos Private Game Lodge.

Wildlife Facts - Zebra

2022-01-06T00:00:00+02:00

There are three different species of zebra, the plains zebra, Grevy’s zebra and mountain zebra, all three species are native to Africa.
They can run up to 65km/hour.
Their stripes are unique like fingerprints - The question on everyone's lips - Are they white or are they black? Zebras have black skin with white stripes!
New born foals can stand after 6 minutes, walk after 20 minutes and run after 40 minutes.
a Herd of Zebras are called a Dazzle.
Zebras have several ways they communicate with one another, including the facial expressions of wide-open eyes and bared teeth. They also bark, bray, snort or huff to get their point across.
They spend most of their day eating grass, and sometimes leaves, shrubs twigs and bark, too. Their teeth are well adapted for grazing, with sharp incisors at the front of their mouth to bite the grass, and large molars at the back for crushing and grinding.
Zebras can sleep standing up as they have locking joints, stopping them from falling over. This makes it easier to escape predators.
As they migrate to new feeding grounds, ‘super herds’ may form consisting of thousands of individuals. They may team up with other grazers on their travels, too, such as antelope and wildebeest.
Within a herd, zebras tend to stay together in smaller family groups, made up of a dominant male, several females (called ‘mares’) and their young (called ‘foals’). When they are between one and three years old, males (or ‘stallions’) leave to join ‘bachelor herds’ (all-male groups), where they stay until they’re old enough and strong enough to compete for females.
As elegant and peaceful as they are, don’t be fooled – zebras can be aggressive animals, too! Stallions fight for females with piercing bites and powerful kicks that are strong enough to cause serious damage – and sometimes even kill!
Their fierce fighting skills and strong social bonds help to protect zebras from predators.

Come meet them at Hartenbos Private Game Lodge.
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Wildlife Facts - Springbok

2021-12-01T00:00:00+02:00

Springbok are widely distributed throughout South Africa and is also the National Animal of South Africa.
They are highly gregarious and move around in large herds. In previous times they used to trek in herds of thousands. Herds consist of rams and ewes with young lambs and sub adults and bachelor herds (young and old rams). Territorial rams will try and keep herds of ewes in breeding season and defend them against other rams until they move on away from one ram’s territory to graze in another ram’s territory.
The Springbok is one of South Africa’s most successful game farm animals to breed.
Traditionally they prefer the colder inland plato, Karoo and especially the Kalahari region with shrub, bush, open short grassveld and shrubveld, as well as open arid plains. Springbok is very adaptable and they have shown that they readily adapt to most habitats.
Male (Ram) Mass: Can weigh up to about 41 Kilograms
Female (Ewe) Mass: Can weigh up to about 37 Kilograms
There are some Springbok that are totally black or totally white.
When disturbed, Springbok commence running and bound and leap (repeatedly) into the air with stiff extended legs, with the males or rams raising the hairs of the dorsal crest extending from the back to the tail (the rams). These bounds may reach 2 to 3 meters and this leaping is known as “pronking”. This “pronking” could also be seen when the rams are rutting and defending their territories and female herds against other rams with the intention to impress the females or ewes.
Lambs are born mainly in summer and during the rainy season, from November to February in the northern parts of the country and some during July in Cape areas, but it could often be any time of the year depending on the area or region, availability and supply of food and climate. Newly born lambs are hidden away for a few days under tall grass or shrubs.
Their lifespan is up to 10 years.
The Springbok is the legendary emblem of South Africa's official national Rugby Team - The Springbucks

Come and meet them at Hartenbos Private Game Lodge