Nov 09 2020
Off

Hippos @ Sibaya Lake – Sodwana Bay ~ South Africa

By Sodwana Bay

The hippopotamus is recognisable by its barrel-shaped torso, wide-opening mouth revealing large canine tusks, nearly hairless body, columnar legs and large size; adults average 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) and 1,300 kg (2,870 lb) for bulls and cows respectively. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances. Source: WikiPedia See if you can spot the Baby! [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb_QqCS11sE[/embedyt] Below is a picture of our Second encounter with Hippos… This time were able to find not just 1, but a whole pod of Hippos with babies as well… They were basking close to the Shoreline. At first we thought it was a carcass, but upon closer inspection found out it was a pod of Hippos! Our Second encounter with Hippos… This time were able to find not just 1, but a whole pod of Hippos with babies as well… They were basking close to the Shoreline. At first we thought it was a carcass, but upon closer inspection found out it was a pod of Hippos! Fun facts about the Hippo’s of Lake Sibaya: Lake Sibaya has the second largest population of Hippos in Kwa-Zulu Natal! Unfortunately this number is decreasing due to poachers, erosion and loss of habitat! We need to protect these gorgeous creatures, especially with Lake Sibaya been a world heritage site and a wetlands park protected area! Have any suggestions? Try stay clear of these unpredictable animals! Although it is amazing to find a hippo and see them in their natural habitat, you definitely don’t want to be to close to them, if you find a hippo to close to land or outside the water rather stay in your car or put some distance between you and the hippo, before admiring these majestic animals… They will charge if spooked or feel threatened… Think of a Hippo as a miniature Elephant! Hippos are the third largest land mammal after the Rhino and Elephant! I always thought a hippo was bigger than a Rhino – Guess I was mistaken… Interestingly enough hippos are more closely related to dolphins, whales and porpoises among other mammal sea creatures! Hippos can hold their breath up to 5 minutes underwater, which is quite impressive for such a heavy animal! Hippos spend up to 16 hours a day in the water! They try stay mostly in water to keep their skin cool and moist… Although Hippos are actually not great swimmers! They mostly stay in shallow waters where they can submerge to the point where only their eyes and nostrils breach the surface, the don’t go much deeper than what they can stand, the deepest a Hippo will go is how deep it can bounce off the surface and reach the water surface to breath…. Meaning don’t underestimate shallow waters, keep your eyes open for strange movements in the water! It is certainly not recommended to swim in a Hippo or Crocodile infested lake or any water bed! If the crocodiles don’t object to your presence the Hippos certainly will… Hippos are very social animals, but also a close community… They don’t just let anyone join in on their group especially if they have young! Hippos Schools usually consist of about 10 – 30 members per School, although some Schools have been reported to have almost 200 individuals in 1 school… Never the less – Hippos are not sexist like most other herding/pack animals  they don’t mind having males and females in their herd… Although there is always an alpha male that should never be challenged and always respected! Hippos are nocturnal grazers, every night in the coolness of the dark skies hippos will start grazing on grass. An adult Hippo can eat up to 35 kg in a single night and travel up to 10 km just to get their fill! Now that’s devotion. Hippos can live up to 3 weeks without food and although mostly herbivore – It has been observed that hippos eat carcasses of dead animals as well including dead hippos! Female Hippos pregnancy lasts about 8 months in total! That’s almost as long as a human pregnancy… The calf will suckle on it’s mom for the first 8 months of it’s life and will reach maturity between 5-7 years… The average life span of a hippo is 35 years! Our factual sources for this article came from: Sodwana Bay Information, WikiPedia and Live Science

Nov 09 2020
Off

Nile Crocodile @ Lake Sibaya – Sodwana Bay

By Sodwana Bay

Characteristics and physiology: Adult Nile crocodiles have a dark bronze colouration above, with faded blackish spots and stripes variably appearing across the back and a dingy off-yellow on the belly, although mud can often obscure the crocodile’s actual colour. The flanks, which are yellowish-green in colour, have dark patches arranged in oblique stripes in highly variable patterns. Some variation occurs relative to environment; specimens from swift-flowing waters tend to be lighter in colour than those dwelling in murkier lakes or swamps, which provides camouflage that suits their environment, an example of clinal variation. Nile crocodiles have green eyes. The colouration also helps to camouflage it; juveniles are grey, multicoloured, or brown, with dark cross-bands on the tail and body. The underbelly of young crocodiles is yellowish green. As it matures, Nile crocodiles become darker and the cross-bands fade, especially those on the upper-body. A similar tendency in coloration change during maturation has been noted in most crocodile species. Source: WikiPedia Watch the Nile Crocodile in action below! Don’t forget to like, subscribe and hit the bell icon to get notified of each new video! Its FREE!!! [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJTWkdjcXJw[/embedyt] Below is a picture of our Very First encounter with a rather large Nile Crocodile. We kinda disturbed it with the drone and the croc in the photo was fleeing into the water to get away from the noise! Compared to our first Nile Crocodile this Croc is still a baby! Much smaller than the first croc this one was a little more confident and stayed a little longer before retreating to the water, allowing the drone to get a really good closeup of this croc! Fun Facts about the Nile Crocodile: If you ever visiting Sodwana Bay, find out where Lake Sibaya is and make a day trip out of it! If you look hard enough you might be able to find a living log floating in the water or basking on the shoreline! Lake Sibaya is home to 2 highly aggressive marine animals – The Nile Crocodile and Hippos! So unless you can still see your feet in the water and don’t see any signs of Hippo or Crocodile activity, don’t swim in the Lake! Here is something we can all learn from the Nile Crocodile – Respect your elders! Nile Crocodiles are one of the few crocodile species that like to socialise… They don’t mind sharing an extra large meal or a school of fish. As long as there is enough they not picky who shares a meal with them… As long as you respect the hierarchy. The oldest and largest male always gets first debs on everything, the best piece of meat, fish and even the best basking spot. Sometimes the younger males can get a little cocky and challenge the alpha. That is a really poor choice on their part, since often times the younger male will be seriously injured or even killed in the fight…. Come on, everybody knows you don’t take on something that is bigger and stronger than you! Nile Crocodiles are the second largest crocodiles in the world and also the second largest reptile! They come short of the Salt Water crocodile that is the largest Reptile in the world… Most people already know this, but the crocodile is considered to be a living dinosaur that became smaller as it evolved! Well I feel privileged to have been able to see a living dinosaur in its natural habitat! Nile Crocodiles have been recorded in 26 different countries in Africa. That s a lot of habitat to fill… The IUCN has not declared these crocodiles as endangered just yet as they are so vastly spread and while in some area these crocodiles are thriving in other areas they are going extinct. Unfortunately Lake Sibaya’s crocodiles are being poisoned by a pesticide that is designed to cull malaria! Crocodiles can regenerate their teeth. I guess when you such an aggressive apex predator you do tend to loose a couple teeth along the way! Crocodiles have cone like teeth that make it much harder to loosen their grip, not to mention their powerful jaws! Crocodiles are also super fond of death rolls drowning their prey in the water, which I can imagine sometimes can take a tooth or 2 down with it!   It seems like the more southern the Nile Crocodile is, the smaller it gets… This is quite strange! In the most southern part of Africa the Nile Crocodiles only grow up to 4 m long! Well maybe we just over eager, but I think our Croc was around 5 m long. The Nile crocodile is the most common crocodile in Africa, since it is very widespread over the whole continent… Once again the Saltwater Crocodile is the only one to top the Nile Croc, since it is even more widely spread! Since the Saltwater crocodile can live in saltwater and freshwater, although it still prefers Saltwater – hence the name! Here are all the countries and places you will be able to find these rather large crocs –  Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Gabon, Angola, South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Sudan, South Sudan, Botswana, and Cameroon. The Nile crocodile’s current range of distribution extends from the regional tributaries of the Nile in Sudan and Lake Nasser in Egypt to the Cunene of Angola, the Okavango Delta of Botswana, and the Olifants River in South Africa and of course the largest fresh water Lake in South Africa – Lake Sibaya. Be super careful in any unknown water space… Crocodiles are not picky when it comes to water to inhabit as long as its freshwater… Crocodiles are known to inhabit – brackish waters, lakes, fast or slow moving rivers, dams and estuaries… From time to time although very rare these crocodiles have been sited in the sea close to shorelines… All crocodiles posses salt glands, but oddly enough these glands are absent in alligators and caimans! While crocodiles are actually quite slow moving on land (very rarely reaching speeds of 18km/h) in…

Nov 04 2020
Off

We are taking back what was stolen – OUR LIVES!

By Sodwana Bay

Our Jericho – Breaking down the walls… I seriously thought that I would have handled this much better but to be honest, this head-on collision really ripped me to core.  Yes, we are supposed to be grateful that we walked out of the crash without any major injuries. The sad thing which saddens me the most is how after the crash we were just shunned… what has this world come to – I am sure there was humans evolved – Now We are just a case number, a sad statistic of the blatant  disrespect of the guilty.   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8WjmClafFI[/embedyt]   This video is where we said “Enough is enough!” – We are important – We are Human – We are not going to be a statistic anymore – We are Rising up! We are marching around our Jericho’s walls. We taking our lives back and moving on. We must believe that God will take care of all our needs… the evil one has stolen again but God will give back a 1000 fold… God is our provider. God is our vengeance… Lord, we pray in your mighty name for understanding to all who is involved. We tear down – break – kick – cut down any lies and deceit in your name. We lay the other driver at your feet – you know how scared this young man must be at the moment. We ask that the TRUTH will be revealed! We bind the minds of those who are lying and trying to be deceitful! We pray for your mercy and grace to be sufficient to wipe our shame… We pray this in your mighty name = In name of Jesus Christ! AMEN! Amen Amen!   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLXQ9CQLR4uYt2cybCMp58dxy-6n2ygY2v[/embedyt]

Nov 03 2020
Off

Ma Shop

By Sodwana Bay

Great news! The Ma Shop in Mbazwana has moved to a new shop opposite Build IT in a quaint little center where bolt and nut shop is. This shopping center is the new place to be, whether looking for a few loose screws, got an electrical problem, feed for your livestock, or maybe your thinking of doing a traditional wedding… This is the place to go! They are the second shop on the left, just behind AK spares, go visit them, say hi and congratulate them on their new move! While you at it, order a special cake just to show your support!? Checkout this great Isibaya Lion at Ma se Shop! Now available and ready for a new home!!! – https://sodwanabayinformation.co.za/shop/isibaya-lion/ For more info about Sodwana Bay check out our website – https://sodwanabayinformation.co.za. Also Please feel free to contact us on our Whatsapp Business nr: 065 298 7938 or send us an email: info@sodwanabayinformation.co.za. While you at it follow the link to join our Sodwana Bay WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/L4vfNUDjS3EIrcRyIFgekc and get promotions and exclusive content hot off the press!

Apr 10 2020
0

List of Hospitals in South Africa

By Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay Clinics and Hospitals Sodwana Bay at present does not have any Hospital facilities. You will either have to drive to Mseleni Hospital which is about 35km or you can visit a Doctor in Mbazwana. If you want to be admitted at a Private Hospital your closes option will be Richards Bay. View our list of important numbers of Clinics and Hospitals in the surrounding areas of Sodwana Bay. Mbazwana Doctors: Dr Okosela Shop 12 Ithala Ctr, Sodwana Bay Rd Telephone‎:  +27(0)35 571 0056 Dr. Nkosi Sodwana Bay Medical Centre, Mbazwana Main Road, Mbazwana Telephone‎:  +27(0)35 571 0592 Mseleni Hospital: Telephone‎: ‎+27 (0) 35 574 1004 Email‎: ‎Mseleni.PRO@kznhealth.gov.za Fax‎: ‎+27 (0) 35 574 1559 Website: http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/mselenihospital.htm Richards Bay Hospital: The Bay Hospital – 035 780 6111 Address: 6 Kruger Rand Road, Richards Bay Central, Richards Bay, 3900 Website: https://www.netcarehospitals.co.za/Hospital/Netcare-The-Bay-Hospital   Also browse the list of all Hospitals in KZN below. Hospitals in  KZN: A Addington Hospital Dr M Ndlangisa 16 Erskine Terrace South Beach, Durban Tel: (031) 327 2000 Fax:(031) 327 2387 Mthetheleli.Ndlangisa@kznhealth.gov.za Appelsbosch Hospital Mr TL Gwele From PMB, take Greytown road and then take Wartburg rd. Go past Wartburg, do not turn at Dalton, carry on until you reach the sugar mill, then turn right and pass Fawnleas, Glenside, Montebello and Appelsbosch Supermarket (on left). Then look for sign for Appelsbosch hospital Tel: (032) 294 8000 Fax: (032) 294 0126 thando.gwele@kznhealth.gov.za B   Benedictine Hospital Mr BR Khumalo 3950 Main Road, Nongoma Tel: (035) 831 7000 Fax:(035) 831 0740 Bonginkosi.Khumalo3@kznhealth.gov.za Bethesda Hospital Ms S Nkonyane N2 North to Mkuze, left at T-junction, 3 km to Ubombo, turn right and go 18 km Tel:(035) 595 3100 Fax: (035) 595 1973 nkonyane.sibongile@kznhealth.gov.za C   Catherine Booth Hospital Mrs TR Vezi N2 North from Gingindlovu to Amatikulu Sugar Mill, turn right and travel 12 km along gravel road through sugar cane and banana fields until you reach the hospital.  The route is well sign-posted. Tel: 035 474 8407 Fax: (035) 474 7694 Tholakele.Zulu@kznhealth.gov.za Ceza Hospital Mr SP Zulu Go to Ulundi , from King Dinizulu Highway go about 20 km’s North to Ceza hospital. Tel: (035) 832 5000 Fax: (035) 832 0027 zodwa.mncwango@kznhealth.gov.za Charles James Hospital Dr S Ntshanga (acting) No. 6 Sompukane Road, Ezimbokodweni 4125. (Old south coast main road) Tel: (031) 905 4222/3 sbongile.ntshanga@kznhealth.gov.za Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital Ms MZ Khanyile Lot 92, Hlubi Street,Nquthu Tel: (034) 271 6400 Fax: (034) 271 0234 zodwa.khanyile@kznhealth.gov.za Christ the King Hospital Mrs SW Maseko 3276  Peter Hauff Drive, Ixopo Tel: (039) 834 7500 Fax 086 539 2800 Siphiwe.Maseko@kznhealth.gov.za Church of Scotland Hospital Mrs B Dlomo On the Greytown road go through Greytown and look for a board saying Tugela Ferry. Turn left at that board and go on until you reach Tugela Ferry town. On the left and right you will see shops. Look for board on your right saying hospital. Tel: (033) 493 1000 Fax: (033) 493 1124 bukeliwe.dlomo@kznhealth.gov.za Clairwood Hospital Dr NBL Gwala 1 Higginson Highway, Mobeni Tel: (031) 451 5000 Fax: (031) 462 1993 njabulo.gwala@kznhealth.gov.za D   Don McKenzie Hospital Mrs T Khanyile 10 Zulu Reserve road, Botha’s hill Tel: (031) 777 1155 Fax: (031) 777 1717 tiny.khanyile@kznhealth.gov.za Doris Goodwin Hospital Mr A Ndlovu Edendale road, next to Edendale hospital Tel: (033) 327 3500 Fax: (033) 398 1050 andrew.ndlovu@kznhealth.gov.za Dundee hospital Mrs TT Vilakazi 121 Mckenzie Street, Dundee 3000 Tel: (034) 212 1111 Fax: (034) 212 3245 Teresa.Mkhize@kznhealth.gov.za Theodorah.Vilakazi2@kznhealth.gov.za E Edendale Hospital Mrs NT Nxaba Main Road, Edendale Tel: (033) 395 4911 Fax:(033) 395 4060 nelisile.nxaba@kznhealth.gov.za E.G & Usher Memorial hospital Ms N Binase Corner of Avenue & Elliot Streets, Kokstad Tel: (039) 797 8100 Fax: (039) 727 2564 nomawethu.binase@kznhealth.gov.za Ekombe Hospital Dr BP Zungu From Melmoth proceed to Nkandla, before your reach Nkandla watch and take the turn off to Eqhudeni and Vuleka. From there drive about 30 km until you take the turn off to Eqhudeni, then you’ll drive 5 km to Ekombe Hospital Tel: (035) 834 8000 Fax: (035) 834 8012 Bonginkosi.Zungu@kznhealth.gov.za Ekuhlengeni Psychiatric Hospital Miss NS Padayachee Old South coast road, Umbogintwini Tel: (031) 905 4775/6/7/8/9 Nalini.Padayachee@kznhealth.gov.za Emmaus Hospital Mrs MAN Mzizi 3340 Cathedral Peak Road,Winterton Tel: (036) 488 1570 Fax: (036) 488 1330/ 488 1156 Ndileka.Mzizi@kznhealth.gov.za Eshowe Hospital Mr. PN Sangweni From N2 North take the Dokoweni off-ramp. Follow signs to Eshowe (30 km).  Take the second entrance to Eshowe, Kangela St. Hospital is 1,8 km from this entrance on the left hand side Tel: (035) 473 4500 Fax: (035) 474 4914 Nhlanhla.Sangweni@kznhealth.gov.za Estcourt Hospital Mr MP Bekenya 3310 Old Main Road, Estcourt Tel: (036) 342 7000 Fax:(036) 342 7116 thembile.hlongwa@kznhealth.gov.za Mthandazo.Bekenya@kznhealth.gov.za F Fort Napier Hospital Mr S Mthethwa 1 Devonshire Road, Napierville PMB Tel: (033) 260 4300 Fax:(033) 345 5730 truelove.ngcobo@kznhealth.gov.za G General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital (formerly Stanger Hospital) Dr N Vabaza Cnr of King Sharka & Patterson Street, Stanger Tel: (032) 437 6000 Fax: (032) 552 2767 noxolo.vabaza@kznhealth.gov.za G.J. Crookes Hospital Mrs TC Wanda 4180 Hospital Road, Scottburgh Tel: (039) 978 7000 Fax: (039) 978 1295 Grey’s Hospital  Tertiary Dr K Bilenge 3200 Townbush Road, PMB Tel: (033) 897 3000 Fax: (033) 897 3398 ben.bilenge@kznhealth.gov.za Greytown Hospital Ms KJ Mngadi Go to Greytown and take Bell street and ask for hospital that is next to township Tel: (033) 413 9400 Fax: (033) 413 2809 khanyi.mngadi@kznhealth.gov.za H Hillcrest Hospital Mrs MM Mkhize 50 Hospital Road, Hillcrest Tel: (031) 761 5880 Fax: (031) 765 3712 thulile.gordon@kzhealth.gov.za Hlabisa Hospital Mr S Mkhwanazi (acting CEO) 60 Saunders Street Hlabisa Tel: (035) 838 8600 Fax: (035) 838 1117 sihle.mkhwanazi@kznhealth.gov.za I Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital Dr T.T. Khanyile 800 Bellair Road, Cato Manor, Durban Tel: (031) 240 1000 Fax: (031) 240 1050 thandeka.khanyile@ialch.co.za Itshelejuba Hospital Mrs TM Vilakazi N2 North, about 30 km past Pongola and +- 70km from Piet Ritief Tel: (034) 413 4000 Fax: (034) 413 2545 thembi.vilakazi@kznhelth.gov.za K King Dinuzulu Hospital Complex Dr Z Dlamini (acting) Corner of Dr R D Naidoo drive and Viola Road  Sydenham Durban Tel: (031) 242…