Life in a Backpackers: Tanzania suspends park chiefs after rhino killings...

Life in a Backpackers: Tanzania suspends park chiefs after rhino killings...: DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Four senior wildlife officials and dozens of game wardens have been suspended in Tanzania after poachers ...

Tanzania suspends park chiefs after rhino killings

DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Four senior wildlife officials and dozens of game wardens have been suspended in Tanzania after poachers killed two critically endangered rhinos in the Serengeti park, a minister said.

The acting director of the country's national parks authority and the Serengeti's chief warden were among those suspended pending investigation, said Hamisi Kagasheki, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism.

A female rhino, among a group of five rare East African black rhinos moved to the Serengeti from South Africa in 2010, and her calf were killed a month ago for their horns.

The animals had been fitted with electronic chips and were being protected by an elite ranger unit.

Kagasheki said 28 game wardens had also been suspended, while five suspected poachers had been arrested.

"Justice will be done for those found to have no involvement in this issue. But for those found to be involved in one way or another, the law will take its course," he said on Tuesday.

"I am aware that there is a network of poachers ... I know that it exists. But we can't operate in fear, we have to start from somewhere."

He did not give any further details on why the wildlife officials and wardens had been suspended.

Rhino poaching has surged since 2007, fuelled in part by a growing demand in countries such as Vietnam and Thailand for rhino horn, used in traditional medicine.

Rampant poaching in the 1960s and 1970s in the Serengeti saw the population of East African black rhinos in Tanzania drop from more than 1,000 to just 70.

The rhinos killed last month were bred from a group moved from the Serengeti to South Africa in the 1960s to prevent the extinction of their sub-species.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete personally received the first five of 32 rhinos from South Africa, leading local conservationists to name the animals "JK's rhinos".

The remaining 27 rhinos are expected to be returned to their native country in stages.

 

How can people be so cruel? All the people that poach knows that what they are doing is wrong and its all for nothing!! Just so some old ass can get it on..and its note even true. Rhino horn is the same thing as nails and hair, why don’t they just bit their nails and consume some hairballs (and hopefully choke on it) Every time I see this in the news I get instantly upset!! This is BULL SHIT!!! WHY???

Sad Regards

Jana Fourie :(

www.mufasabackpackers.com

Loving Africa by Jana Fourie: Volunteer safaris in the Kruger Park

Loving Africa by Jana Fourie: Volunteer safaris in the Kruger Park: Volunteer work in South Africa. Scheduled volunteer safaris We have two scheduled 10 day volunteer safaris every month. These depart o...

Life in a Backpackers: Volunteer Safari

Life in a Backpackers: Volunteer Safari: Volunteer safaris in the Kruger Park Volunteer work in South Africa. Scheduled volunteer safaris We have two scheduled 10 day v...

Volunteer Safari

Volunteer safaris in the Kruger Park

Volunteer work in South Africa. Scheduled volunteer safaris
We have two scheduled 10 day volunteer safaris every month. These depart on the 3rd day and the 17th day of every month.  So the safaris will take place from the 3rd to the 12th inclusive and the 17th to the 26th inclusive.
Non-scheduled Safaris for volunteer work and volunteer safaris in South Africa
Non-scheduled volunteer safaris can be designed to suit individual groups. These may take place as follows:

• Minimum number of volunteers is six for volunteer work
  
• Minimum number of days is eight, of which four are spent doing volunteer work on the volunteer safaris

These volunteer safaris in South Africa can be arranged to depart on any day of the month.
Tariffs on request.
TEN DAY SCHEDULED VOLUNTEER SAFARI PROGRAM
DAY ONE : Collection from Johannesburg Airport or hotel/hostel and transfer to Tremisana Game Lodge in time for our Sunset Drive on open Landcruisers. Use spotlights to identify nocturnal species. Transfer to the Cheetah Inn for dinner and overnight.
DAY TWO : Orientation at Cheetah Inn. After breakfast, we are transferred to nearby Acornhoek, where we are introduced to the staff and community at the project at which we shall be assisting. We shall commence our volunteer work – be it building, painting, planting, teaching or other outreach activity. A packed lunch is provided. Dinner and overnight at Cheetah Inn.
DAY THREE : Drive to the project and continue with block-making/ painting/ planting, teaching or other outreach activity. Dinner and overnight at Cheetah Inn
DAY FOUR :Full day in Kruger Park on Viva Safaris open vehicles. You will have a fantastic opportunity to view the Big Five in this exceptional wildlife paradise. Our specialist guide will share his knowledge of the numerous animals and birds that frequent Kruger.

DAY FIVE : Early morning Bush Walk with our armed ranger. Relax around the pool, play minigolf or volleyball. Afternoon visit to Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre. You will meet up with orphaned and injured animals and learn a great deal about conservation.
DAY SIX : Transfer to your project, where we continue building walls or continue painting or other activity.
DAY SEVEN : Transfer to the project where we continue to build / paint/ plant or do other volunteer work.
DAY EIGHT : Adventure fun day to remember. We are driven to a centre that offers us white-water rafting, high ropes courses and quadbiking.
DAY NINE : We complete our outreach work. After lunch we have an official handover of completed new room to the school or parish.
DAY TEN : Return to Johannesburg. On the way we visit the Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondawels viewpoint. Airport/ hostel/hotel dropoff by 17h00.
Notes :
The above program is negotiable, but we suggest that it be adhered to as closely as possible. Our tariff includes all breakfasts and dinners; all transfers and all activities. Packed lunches are supplied for you from days two to nine inclusive.You will spent all your nights at Cheetah Inn if you do not sleep atCheetah Inn we will inform you.
You will need money for lunches on days one and ten. In addition, you may want to buy drinks, curios and other personal items.
Accommodation is on a sharing ( generally two per room ) basis.
TARIFF PER PERSON is calculated at US $80 per day, so the 10 day safari will cost US $800.

Volunteer Projects

At this point, we have identified four projects that will benefit from volunteer work.
These are :
1. SHILEKHISI PRIMARY SCHOOL
2. MARIA ASSUMPTA PARISH
3. GREEN VALLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL
4. FUNJWA PRIMARY SCHOOL
The projects have been selected so as to offer volunteers with different skills the opportunity to help these deserving people. Not every volunteer may be physically strong enough to take part in building operations, so we have provided alternative activities. Please read about these activities under each of the project links.
The projects have been chosen with two criteria in mind :
Urgency of needs and safety of our volunteers:
We had personal contacts with each project through various previous involvements with each of the principals of the establishments. We have personally been to the schools and parish and have first-hand knowledge of the situation in all four projects. While there are many more potential projects in Acornhoek, indeed all over South Africa, we have selected these projects because we know that the needs are urgent. Once these needs have been satisfied, we may well include additional worthy projects in the future.
Safety considerations for our volunteers are paramount:
We have checked out any potential trouble-spots and will be monitoring the situation constantly. All four projects are located in areas where there have been no previous security problems. Our staff will drive all volunteers to the project localities and will remain with the volunteers all day. The communities are well aware of the benefits that they are enjoying through the work of our volunteers. They will also do everything in their power to ensure that all volunteers are made to feel very welcome and that no harm befalls them.

For more info on this volunteer safari visit us on www.mufasabackpackers.com or email us on jana@mufasabackpackers.com or on juan@mufasabackpackers.com

Hope to hear from you soon

Regards
JANA :)

Life in a Backpackers: Hellooo :)

Life in a Backpackers: Hellooo :): Wow I can’t believe it is the 22 nd of March already. I guess it’s true what they say time flies when you’re having fun. It’s a very ...

Life in a Backpackers: Hellooo :)

Life in a Backpackers: Hellooo :): Wow I can’t believe it is the 22 nd of March already. I guess it’s true what they say time flies when you’re having fun. It’s a very ...

Hellooo :)

Wow I can’t believe it is the 22^nd of March already. I guess it’s true what they say time flies when you’re having fun. It’s a very chilled day, we need days like this just to get ready for the storm that’s coming but trust me one day is enough!!

The last 2 weeks was just brilliant we had loads of guests and loads of fun. Last Monday we had a proper guide’s night. Lots of laughs, everyone had the famous Mufasa hat on....Vikings mmm jip thats us. Louise sang a song for Toini and o my woooorrrd...  love that friend of mine but please Lock keep it shut!! But it made good video material. I can’t post it because she will surly kill me!!

We were running up and down from last week Sunday with Africa Travel company’s clients, they stay here before and after tours. What a fantastic group! Everyone in the group was great, even yesterday after they left the Overlanding truck had a problem and they had to come back to Mufasa to wait for a new truck before heading off to the Kruger National park. Instead of complaining they were having a ball at the backpackers. They surely decided to make the most of their tour!! I just love people like that, it truly makes this job worth doing!

Okay so here is my bad stresssss moment for the week, about an hour ago a client emailed me asking where he must be for his pre departure meeting. And I was like O MY WORD you are in the wrong country. He is in the country were the tour ends not where it departs. After all the Itineraries pre departure info as well as the booking form that he filled in, he still went the opposite way. So now my mission is to get a transfer for him so that he can be on time in the right country for the tour he booked. I was told a couple of months ago by a tourist there is no problems in Africa only solutions.. So I’m keeping the faith, I know it will all work out! :)

Two days before the weekend, wonder what interesting things will come our way! I just hope this silly little flu of mine will hit the road. I can’t even donate blood because of it, I’m already a week overdue, that sucks because if I don’t get rid of it I will only be able to donate agin in 12 weeks, I will be doing a private Kruger soon and well...that’s malaria area.

So it’s almost dinner time and after that it will be me and the PVR got to catch up on some series!

Hope you all have an awesome Thursday night, chat to you soon!

Jana xx

Life in a Backpackers: Mufasa Backpackers

Life in a Backpackers: Mufasa Backpackers: Mufasa Backpackers Johannesburg Backpackers Johannesburg Mufasa backpackers Johannesburg provides one night free accommodation at Mufa...

Mufasa Backpackers

Mufasa Backpackers Johannesburg

Backpackers Johannesburg

Mufasa backpackers Johannesburg provides one night free accommodation at Mufasa Backpackers Johannesburg  and one night free accommodation in a township with any tour book excluding day tours
Mufasa Backpackers Johannesburg Location:  Benoni, South Africa Mufasa Backpackers Johannesburg, the Backpacker that provides budget accommodation in Benoni, a safe clean secure lodge with day safaris and tours. 20 min from the OR Tambo international airport. Free airport pick up.

Starting From: R 130.00

Send an enquiry

Email us on juan@mufasabackpackers.com or click on www.mufasabackpackers.com 

 Jana :)

Life in a Backpackers: Hey everyone :)

Life in a Backpackers: Hey everyone :): Kruger National park I took it on the last private Kruger Okay I said I will post something every day but I have been a bit busy o...

Life in a Backpackers: Hey everyone :)

Life in a Backpackers: Hey everyone :): Kruger National park I took it on the last private Kruger Okay I said I will post something every day but I have been a bit busy o...

Hey everyone :)

Kruger National park I took it on the last private Kruger

Okay I said I will post something every day but I have been a bit busy on www.mufasabackpackers.com that is the main website and yeah it is allot of work all the time!!

So we have a couple of private Kruger tours running in the next 3 months not with other companies with us Pinky and the Brain so if you are interested let me know we have a couple of spots open. Come on you want to...I know you do just drop us a mail on juan@mufasabackpackers.com or jana@mufasabackpackers.com and we will get back to you immediately. Or if you want to go on any other tour in Africa visit us on www.mufasabackpackers.com (all links will open in new tabs)

Okay so you want to know what happened in the last couple of days. Well let me start with right now. Ray is busy telling me about his experience in the South of England, something about cooking and kitchen management (Ray is a tour guide). And I’m waiting for Sophy she is one of my best frennys also a tour guide!! Coz it is Strawberry Daiquiri night!!

We were mostly busy on the website, had a bunch of Norwegian students here they were cool but man did they take long in the post office. I think South African Post offices should really get some new technology. They had to wrap everything in brown paper before the post office would accept it. It was annoying to all of us, especially to them because they thought it would be the same as in Norway . Well at least they are trust worthy and you always get everything delivered.

Today Thor also one of the guides left for Cape Town he is doing an Agents weekend in Cederberg. I think he will have a ball!

That’s about what happened in the last days, o yeah Louise came to visit she use to be one of our guides but she will always be part of the MaD HoUsE and the family. We are getting ready for the weekend not much happening at the moment hopefully it will pick up in the next few days.

I will keep you posted 

Regards

Jana :)

About this blog and Mufasa

Hey guys,

I decided to create this blog because of the fact that I live and work in a Backpackers. Before I came to Mufasa Backpackers I never knew what a Backpackers was! To tell the truth I thought a backpackers was a place where locals would stay coz guest houses and Hotels were a bit to steep with their prices. MAN WAS I WRONG!!!!

I absolutely love it! Its not locals its tourist from all over the world. From now on I prefer staying in Hostels rather than in Hotels :)

I have to say Mufasa Backpackers is definitely a bit different than other backpackers...Its our home and everybody that visits us becomes part of the family.
Let me intreduce myself and the rest of the family. 

Juan van Rensburg (the bosss) Webmaster/tour guide/marketing/and world domination he is the brains behind all our domains.

Toini van Rensburg (the other bosss) Reception/accounts/booking and all the other important things coz she is the smartes person we know! Like keep us in check and making sure the backpackers runs smoothly.

Jana Fourie (that’s me :) )Webmaster/tour guide/booking agent/reception/the ever so dangerous bar/and well I guess Im the pinky in all the domains because I have not yet figured out world domination.

We have room for 80 guests from En suite to private rooms to Dorms. We also have a camp site and a couple of private Huts. Swimming pool a big outside bar as well as a bar inside with an entertainment area (pool table darts ext)

We are also booking agents and most of our guests is going on a overlanding tour or Kruger National Park safari. If you want to do a private tour we offer that as well! We have over a 100 day tours in Johannesburg. All of these tours departs daily so if you book it you will get it! And if it is something you would like to see and we don’t offer it we will customize it for you.

So this is what we do and who we are. Stay tuned and I will most definitely write about all the adventures and funny experiences life in a backpackers!

For all Tours in Africa please visit our web site www.mufasabackpackers.com

And if you would just like some info on Africa visit my blog Loving Africa by Jana Fourie

Feel free to post your own experience of a backpackers here or on our site in the group Backpackers Lounge.

Regards

Jana