Mabalingwe – Page 5 – Mabalingwe Nature Reserve Blog

Our Mabalingwe ECOTAINMENT Programme

Posted on April 4, 2017

In 2016, the Mabalingwe VRS Team launched an awesome new initiative – the ECOTAINMENT Programme. What a success it has been so far!

The programme was created to provide an extra activity for the younger Mabalingwe guests to enjoy. Something that would educate them, get them back into nature and simply give them the opportunity to have FUN.

A lot of work went into preparing for this programme – from buying and rebuilding the game drive vehicle, fondly known as the ECOBUG; to fixing and cleaning up the Huts used for some of the activities. Our most important task was appointing a nature loving and enthusiastic game ranger. And we found the perfect one! He is known by all as the ECOTAINER.

Our ECONTAINER, Hein Strydom, is a wonderful addition to the VRS Mabalingwe Team. He has truly brought the Ecotainment Programme to life. With lots of experience in wildlife and as a game ranger, as well as having a passion for sharing his knowledge about the trees, shrubs and animals, with those around him – Hein is an absolute gem. His love for the bushveld, way with children and knowledge of all that nature encompasses, has made the ECOTAINMENT programme a huge, smashing success.

To start off, Hein spent many days out in the Reserve clearing up and creating a walking trail, which has become a much-loved Mabalingwe addition. He also took time to identify and tag trees and shrubs along the way and even embarked on building benches and bridges on the trail. Hein went above and beyond to make the experience as enjoyable and interesting as possible for guests.

He has created two different ECOTAINMENT programmes – The Eco Cub Club (for children aged six to twelve years) and The Eco Teens Club (for ages of 13 and 16). Each programme offers exciting activities that are tailor-made for the various age groups. The activities include tree and shrub identification, animal tracking, spoor/dung identification, how to start a fire without matches, identifying different snakes and their venom, and so much more.

The programmes are about enriching our young Mabalingwe visitors as much as possible, in a safe and fun environment. It has been a fantastic success so far, and we are certain it will continue to be in the future. The VRS Team is committed to providing wonderful experiences for all who visit Mabalingwe. We will continue to improve where we can, to ensure our guests have a good time with us. We hope that Mabalingwe remains the place where our guests’ hearts lie.

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Mabalingwe’s Ultimate Homemade and Eco-Friendly Bug Repellents

Posted on March 1, 2017

Do you sometimes just feel the bushveld is calling and you must just go? The nature, the sunsets, the sounds, the wonderful memories that you have… with nature and the bushveld, come the cute and interesting “goggos”, bugs and a number of crawling and flying critters because naturally the bush is their domain. That however doesn’t mean you necessarily love and treasure the time spent with a fly, a mozzie or a spider in your room, kitchen, lounge and especially the bathroom. So we thought we would share our eco-friendly, homemade repellents with you – keeping the crawlies cosy in the bushes and you “snug-as-a-bug” in your Unit. And of course, you can use these remedies beyond the bushveld, in your own homes too.

Spider Repellent:

Did you know spiders abhor peppermint? Well, now you do. To keep the spiders happily outside, add ten to 15 drops of peppermint essential oil to a cup (250 ml) of water. Pop this into a spray bottle and spray on doorframes, windows, small cracks, ceilings and bathrooms, in your House/Chalet.

Ant Repellent:

Ants have a great sense of smell, but don’t like cinnamon, garlic and mint. If you have too many ants visiting you indoors, take a cinnamon stick, sliced clove of garlic and/or mint and place them in the problem areas (“blocking” their path); this will disperse their party and direct them back to the great outdoors. Keep doing this – the clever little ants will remember that your Chalet/Home isn’t the place to be.

General “Gogga”/Bug Spray:

Did you know that flies, mozzies, ticks and other creepy crawlies are not fans of basil? You can either invest in a basil plant/plant it all over your garden, or for a portable version … you can purchase basil essential oil, pour 20 drops and two cups of water into a spray bottle and TA-DA – your own bug repellent.

Anything Else?

Are there other ingredients that bugs in general, find unpleasant? Yes – eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, citronella and bay leaves (in any form).

There you have it… Mabalingwe’s Ultimate Homemade Bug Repellents. Do you have any eco-friendly tips on how to keep the bugs at bay? Let us know in the comment section below!

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The Ultimate Mabalingwe “Braaibroodjie” Recipe

Posted on March 1, 2017

Very little beats a tasty “braaibroodjie” at a family get-together. It is arguably one of the best sides to have at a braai. We thought we would share our Ultimate “Braaibroodjie” Recipe with you – this is a super-mega sandwich, if ever there was one!

What Do We Need?

One Loaf of Pre-Sliced Bread

Garlic Butter

Three Tomatoes

Spring Onion

100 g of Calamata Olives –Pitted

Salt and Pepper

Four Tbsps. Chutney

250 g Mozzarella – Sliced/Grated

Let’s Get Going!

On the “outside” of each slice of bread, spread the garlic butter. Flip it over and on all the “insides” spread a thin layer of chutney. Take half of the bread slices and set them apart for the tops of your sandwich.

Cut the tomatoes up into slices. Then place two pieces (or more) of the tomato on the bottom slice; add chopped spring onions, salt and pepper to taste; top this with some of the pitted olives and finish off with mozzarella slices (repeat with all bottoms).
Put the top slices of bread on as “lids”– to build the sandwich. Make sure that the chutney is face down – on top of the layered ingredients.

The sandwiches are ready to go on a hand grid and braai over hot coals, until the bread is toasty and the cheese melted.

AND THEN–ENJOY YOUR ULTIMATE MABALINGWE “BRAAIBROODJIE”!

*Recipe adapted from Food24.com

Get your Mabalingwe Checklist Ready!

Posted on February 22, 2017

Making the most of your Mabalingwe visit!

One of the most exciting parts of visiting a resort is finding out all the exciting activities you can do there that will make your trip that extra bit more memorable. If Mabalingwe is one of your travel destinations for the year, then this checklist is going to make your day!

Game Drives Made Easy

Posted on February 22, 2017

What’s a trip to a nature reserve without an exhilarating Game Drive? Being able to witness some of the earth’s most beautiful creatures in their natural habitat is one of the most wonderful experiences a person can have!

Most of us look forward to enjoying as many Game Drives as possible on our trip to a Game Reserve in order to see as much as possible! Whether it’s the icy morning drives looking for signs of the previous night’s animal activity, a midday drive looking out for the gathering at the watering hole or a beautiful sunset drive waiting for the wildlife to stir and come out of their hiding for a bit of fun, game drives are a MUST DO!