Welcome CAUTION: ALL ANIMALS, BIRDS AND REPTILES ARE WILD AND DANGEROUS One Field Guide Booklet per vehicle FREE Additional guides R26.00 The difference in Bushveld Experience Field Guide Please check your ticket, and keep a copy for verification purposes
INDEX Disclaimer Indemnity Introduction General Information Reserve Rules Reserve Gallery Animal Facts Booking Information 3 4-5 6-7 8 9-11 12-19 20 2
INDEMNITY INDEMNITY RIGHT OF ADMISSION RESERVED Each person enters the Reserve at his / her own risk. The owner, management and employees are not responsible for any damage, injury or loss of any nature sustained by a visitor, guest, contractor or any other person and / or their property. Please read Reserve Rules on Page 8 CAUTION Right of Admission Reserved - Remember at all times that the animals, birds and reptiles are wild and dangerous. - Do not feed tease or disturb the animals. - Speed limit 20km/h - Do not alight from your vehicle - There are many venomous snakes in the area. All enclosures are electrified Opening and Closing Times Entering Times Main Gates lock at 8h00-17h00 17h00 3
INTRODUCTION Only one and a half hours drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria lays a serene Nature Estate, 6km from Loskopdam, 44km from Middelburg Mpumalanga. We like to call it perfection, and so would you!! A classical venue for all occasions and luxurious lodges for all seasons. Ramela Ranch - nestling close to the Olifant s river with the Selons River as part of the one border, is a great getaway. We are committed to the conservation of the fauna and natural environment. Ramela Ranch is an ideal conference venue and the perfect setting for a wedding. From humble beginnings Ramela Ranch today offers you magnificent acommodation, uncompromising beauty and unparalleled service. 4
Ramela Ranch Consists of; Dikwena Lodge Dikwena Lodge has eight bedrooms, two conference rooms and a chapel for wedding ceremonies as well as function halls. The Lodge is situated in a beautiful garden with a swimming pool and dam where everyone can enjoy the lovely birdlife. Mbidi Lodge Mbidi with it s entrance 3km from Loskopdam has an a-la-carte restaurant as well as breakfast and bar facilities. In addition it offers a conference venue. Arotin Game Lodge Arotin Game Lodge has 7 ultra luxury bedrooms and suite, conference room and function halls with a beautiful garden and swimming pool. 5
GENERAL INFORMATION We Offer: A protected, fenced-in day visitors area which boasts: -Excellent braai facilities (grids are available to rent at Kiosk); -Ablution facilities; -A curio shop where you will definitely find that special gift for someone or indulge yourself; -A Kiosk where you can get snacks, cold drinks, ice cream, crisps, wood, etc; -Keep the family busy at the swimming pool and jungle gym; -A thatched Lapa which is ideal for parties of more than twenty people. Why not book here for your next family or office get together? -Order from the Restaurant menu. Catering for special occasions can also be arranged by booking; -A walk on the wild side and walk through our animal crèche; -A children s playground & Restaurant, that offers trampolines, jungel gyms, maize s, swings and obstacle courses; -A fully licensed restaurant and bar serving meals and refreshments; - A bottle store; - School tours at special rates; Special Events & Activities -Conference facilities. -Corporate Functions. -Please contact the Information and booking office at 071 869 8590 / 079 887 9053 to find out about the special events we may have on weekends or public holidays. -Weddings 6
Game Drives Spectacular game drives are offered, by prior arrangement to enable guests to experience the peace and tranquillity of unspoiled nature and, of course, wild life. This is truly a magnificent experience. Game drives afford guests and visitors the opportunity to observe, among many others, buffalo, sable, roan, impala, zebra, blesbuck, bluewildebeest, waterbuck, rhino and redheartbeest as well as abundant bird life in their natural habitat. Snake / Reptile Park: Close to the animal crèche is the snake and reptile park where shows are conducted on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Public Holidays. These shows are very educational and the professional handlers handle from brown house snakes to puff adders and the like. Valuable information concerning possible snake or reptile bites or other reptile related injuries can be obtained from these shows. Visit our snake / reptile and view the snakes / reptiles with additional educational written information at each enclosure. Animal crèche Our Reserve built a nursery / crèche for all young endangered and orphaned animals. A picture can be taken with the cubs or pups at an extra charge. Please enquire at the crèche on the availability of species of animals. Cheetah Run Our crèche staff explain some of the behaviours of one of Africa s most iconic animals, the cheetah. Romeo the cheetah does a short run to show the speeds this majestic cat can reach. Sunday Lunch Eat like ROYALTY every Sunday. Enjoy the outdoors and nature by joining us for a traditional Sunday braai / buffet at the WILDFIG Restaurant. Weddings to remember The stone thatched chapel lends romance, charm and warmth to your wedding. The romantic setting makes for an unforgettable event, exchanging vows, a lifetime memory. Ramela Ranch, for the romantic at heart, makes the perfect setting for the ultimate fairy tale wedding. The bride and groom will be pampered with a complementary bridal suite and sumptuous breakfast. 7
RESERVE RULES RIGHT OF ADMISSION RESERVED Each person enters at his/her own risk. The owner, management and employees are not responsible for any damage, injury or loss of any nature sustained by a visitor, guest, contractor or any other person and/or their property. Tickets must be produced on request. Please keep such in your possession at all times. The chalets are strictly for residents only. Under no circumstances will Day Visitors be allowed into the Chalets. It is an offence to: - remain on the premises after normal business hours unless part of a private function or as a resident; - drive faster than 20km per hour in the reserve; - drive a vehicle in such a manner as to cause an obstruction; - alight from the vehicle at any place other than indicated; - remove any barricade erected on the premises; - stay over night in any camp without advance booking and paying the prescribed fee; - be in the possession of any kind of weapon, trap or poison on the premises; - disturb or damage any plant or animal in any way; - deliberately or negligently cause a veld fire; - make a fire anywhere other than the places set aside therefore; - bring any live animal on the premises; - litter the premises; - post up or deface anything on the premises; - cause nuisance or disturbance; - advertise, stage a public entertainment venture or collect money on the premises; - undertake a sight-seeing trip through the reserve without paying the prescribed fees; - leave the roads; - leave the fenced-in areas on foot; - play loud music; - play ball or other games between braai s - please use open spaces; 8 Offenders may be removed from the premises and/or be prosecuted. Please note that our vehicles always have the right of way.
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10cm 14cm Animal Height: 0.75m Animal Height: 1.2m Lion Acinonyx jabatus Panthera leo Cheetah Colour: Yellow tan, Brown, Black Spots Weight: 40kg - 65kg Speed: 112 km/h Colour: Yellow tan, Brown (Mane of male) Weight: 150kg - 259kg Speed: 80 km/h Although they are not considered to be part of the Big Cat Family as they cannot roar, Cheetahs are one of Africa s most renowned for their immense speed when in chase. Capable of reaching speeds of 112kph in short periods, the Cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world. The Lion is one of the four Big Cats in the Genus Panthera.Lions are the only cats that lives in groups,bcalled prides. All of a pride s Lionesses are related and female cubs stay with the group as they age. Female Lions are the pride s primary hunters. 30cm 9cm 12 Animal Height: 1.8m White Rhino Ceratotherium simum Colour: Range from yellowish brown to grey Weight: 1440kg - 3600kg Speed: 42 km/h Rhinos have sharp hearing and a keen sense of smell. They may find one another by following the trail of scent each enormous animal leaves behind. The White Rhinos front horn averaging a length of 90cm but can get up to 150cm Wild Dog Lycaon pictus Animal Height: 0.65m Colour: Red, black, brown, White & yellow Weight: 18kg - 36kg Speed: 72 km/h African wild dogs live in packs that are usually dominated by a monogamous breeding pair. The female has a litter of 2-20 pups, which are cared for by the entire pack. These dogs are very social, and packs have been known to share food and to assist week or ill members. Social interactions are common, and dogs communicate by touch, actions and vocalization.
6cm Giraffe Giraffa camelopard alis Animal Height: 4-6m Colour: White, Tan, Red, Brown, Black Weight: 550kg - 1930kg Speed: 48 km/h Animal Height: 0.10m Black Backed Jackal Canis mesomelas Colour: White, Tan, Brown, Grey Weight: 6.8kg - 11kg Speed: 32 km/h The Giraffe has an enormously long neck which allows it to exploit the leaves and vegetation that are to high up for other animals to find. Despite their length, the neck of the Giraffe actually contains the same number of bones as numerous other hoofed mammals but they are simply longer in shape. Jackals are very territorial and jackals have no hesitation in defending their marked territory. Jackals have a wide range of vocal sounds that are specific to each jackal family meaning that is rare for families of competing jackals to come into accidental contact with one another. 5cm 9cm Animal Height: 0.70m Warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus Weight: 54kg - 113kg Speed: 48 km/h Animal Height: 1.5m Hartmann Zebra Equus hartmannii Colour: Black and White Weight: 230kg - 270kg Speed: 65 km/h Warthogs are adaptable and are able to go long periods without water, as much as several months in the dry season. When water is available, warthogs will seek it and often submerge to cool down. These sturdy hogs are not among the world s most aesthetically pleasing animals - their large, flat heads are covered with warts which are actually protective bumps. Hartmann Zebra mix freely with groups of other grazing animals. The significance of this being that the combined sharp senses of a group of animals help detect predators. Hartmann Zebras have broad black stripes with an on off creamy colour between them. The black stripes on the animal sides do not meet on the belly 13
4cm 3.5cm Animal Height: 0.50m Steenbuck Raphicerus campestris Colour: Reddish Brown, White Weight: 12kg - 14kg Animal Height: 0.60m Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata Colour: Yellowish, Tawny, Grey Weight: 450g - 800g A Steenbuck Zigzags as it runs, often stopping a way off to look back. They can be found in a wide variety of habitat but prefer short grasslands with shrubs for cover. When the Yellow Mongoose feel threatened they will growl and secrete from their anal glands. They can also bark, scream and purr although they are mainly quiet and usually communicate through tail movements. 14 Animal Height: 1.5m Cape Buffalo Syncerus caffer Colour: Brown - Grey Weight: 530kg - 625kg Speed: 56km/h Cape Buffalo are said to have killed more Big Game Hunters than any other animal in Africa and are one of Africa s most dangerous animals. The Cape Buffalo need to drink every day, so are often found close to water and never in the desert. Animal Length: 2.5m - 5m Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus Colour: Dark Brown to Olive Weight: Weighs up to 500kg Speed: 35km/h(Swimming) 17km/h(Land) The diet of the Nile crocodile is mainly, fish but will attack almost anything unfortunate enough to cross its path. One unusual characteristic of this fearsome predator is its caring nature as a parent. Where most reptiles lay their eggs and move on, mother and father crocs ferociously guard their nests until the eggs hatch.
8cm Animal Height: 0.2m Animal Height: 1.3m Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus Colour: Redish brown Weight: 250kg - 270kg Bat-eared fox Otocyon megalotis Colour: Ashey Grey, Black Weight: 3kg - 4.5kg Despite its name, the waterbuck does not spend much time in the water, but will take refuge there to escape predators. The waterproofing secretions of the waterbuck s sweat glands produces an unpleasant odor in it s meat, unless the animal is skinned carefully. The Bat-eared fox is an insectivore that uses its large ears to locate its prey. 80-90% of their diet is harvester termites. The Bat-eared fox has a reversal in parental roles with the male taking on the majority of the parental care behavior 8cm 8cm White Tiger Panthera tigris tigris Colour: White, Black Weight: 140kg - 300kg Animal Height: 1.3m Bengal Tiger Panthera tigris Colour: Orange, black, white Weight: 109kg - 227kg Speed: 60km/h This specific Tiger is neither an albino or a separate subspecies of the tiger. They are simply white coloured and have black stripes that makes them special. The white tiger is a good swimmer but a very poor climber. Despite their fearsome reputation, most tigers avoid humans, however a few that are sick and unable to hunt normally become dangerous man-eaters. Tigers use their distinctive coats as camouflage. They lie in wait and creep close enough to attack their victims 15
14cm 9-10cm White Lion Panthera Leo Animal Height: 1.2m Colour: Ivory / white Weight: 150kg - 259kg Speed: 80km/h Animal Height: 1.3m Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus Colour: Bluish Gray / Grayish Brown Weight: 185kg - 249kg Speed: 65-80km/h The white lions are not Albino s as pigmentation is present which is apparent in the eyes (blue coloured eyes), lips and paw pads. Their colouring is the result of recessive gene. The name Blue wildebeest derives from conspicuous silvery-blue sheen to its short haired hide, differentiating this species from the plainer black wildebeest. Probably the most conspicuous feature of the blue wildebeest are the large horns shape like parentheses, extending outward to the side and then curving up and inward 6.5cm 5cm Animal Height: 0.95m Blesbuck Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi Colour: Brown, White Weight: 55kg - 80kg Speed: 70km/h Animal Height: 60cm Serval Leptailurus serval Colour: Pale Yellow, Black Weight: 3.5kg - 19kg Speed: 64km/h 16 The Blesbuck are shy and alert. They can rely on speed and indurance to escape predators. Blesuck are not very good jumpers. The Blesbuck is a seasonal breeder, with rutting from March - May. Birth peak during Nov - Des. Females give birth to a single calf per breeding season. Instead of trying to locate their prey using sight, the Serval locate their prey in the tall grass or reeds primarily by hearing. To kill their prey, Servals use a high leap to strike, preventing it s escape. The Serval are most active in the early mornings and evenings.
14cm Animal Height: 1.7m Eland Taurotragus oryx Colour: Reddish Brown to chestnut, white Weight: 440kg - 900kg Speed: 40km/h Animal Height: 0.9m Impala Aepyceros melampus Colour: Reddish / Fawn Weight: 40kg - 80kg Speed: 90km/h The Eland is the slowest antelope with a peak speed of 40km/h that tires them quickly. However they can maintain a 22km/h trot indefinitely. Elands are capable of jumping 2.5m from standing start when startled. Impalas can reach running speeds of about 90km/h to escape their predators. When escaping from predators, they can release a scent from their glands on their heels, which can help them stay together. This is done by performing a high kick of their hind legs. They can jump distances of more than 10m, and 3m high. 10cm 6cm Animal Height: 1.2m Gemsbok Oryx gazella Colour: Light Brownish - Grey to tan, Black, White Weight: 220kg - 300kg Animal length: 55cm (with tail) Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo Colour: Grayish Brown Weight: 1.5kg - 2.25kg Gemsbok are hunted for their spectacular horns that average 85cm in length. From a distance, the only outward difference between males and females are their horns, and many hunter mistake females for males each year. In males these horns are perfectly straight where females have longer, thinner horns Banded Mongoose feed primarily on insects, myriapods, small reptiles and birds. They forage in groups but each members search for food alone. They forage in the morning for several hours and then in the late afternoon and then rest in the shade. 17
Animal Length: 425-470 mm 9cm Cape Ground Squirrel Xeris inauris Colour: Cinnamon, White Weight: 450g - 650g Animal Height: 1.35m Red Hartebeest Alcelaphus caama Colour: Reddish - Fawn, Black Weight: 120kg - 150kg Speed: 55km/h The Cape Ground Squirrel has black skin with a coat that is of short stiff hairs without underfur. When perceiving something at a threat, ground squirrels will emit a whistle-like call as an alarm call. The Hartbeest preferred habitat is the dry, arid regions of Namibia, the Kalahari, Southern Botswana and North-Western South Africa. Territorial Bulls often present themselves on prominent mounds and mark their territories with dung piles. 8cm 3.5cm Animal Height: 0.45m - 0.8m Leopard Panthera pardus Colour: Yellow tan, black, white Weight: 60kg - 80kg Speed: 65km/h Animal Height: 0.4m Red Duiker Cephalophus natalensis Colour: Chestnut, Brown Weight: 10kg - 14kg 18 Leopards are graceful and a powerful big cat. The leopard are so strong and comfortable in trees that it often hauls its kill into the branches. Leopards are strong swimmers and very much at home in the water, where they sometimes eat fish or crabs. The red duiker are territorial with mated pairs defending territory. Usually one fawn is produced each year. They eat fallen fruit, plus foliage and insects.
10cm +-2cm Animal Height: 0.8m Brown Hyaena Hyaena brunnea Colour: Dark Brown, Tawny, Grey Weight: 40kg - 43kg Animal Height: 58cm Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus Colour: Yellow Brown to Grey Brown Weight: 11kg - 13kg Brown Hyenas have social hierarchy comparable with those of wolves with an Alpha male and Alpha female. Brown Hyenas maintain a stable clan hierarchy through ritualized aggressive displays and mock fights. They typically forage alone, and do not maintain a territory. Klipspringers eat plants growing in mountains and rocky terrain. They never need to drink, since the succulents they consume provide them with enough water to survive. Klipsringers in breeding pairs rather than herds. The pairs mate for life and will spend most of their life in proximity to each other. 1.5-2cm 16.5cm Blue Duiker Philanthomba monticola Animal Height:.35 m Colour: Brown coat with slight blue tinge, white underside Weight: 4kg They are the smallest of the antelope family. Blue duiker live mainly in rainforests, where they eat fruit, flowers and leaves. Blue duiker are nocturnal and solitary or form mating pairs. They are very territorial animals, patrolling the borders of their territory with their dung and excretions from glands above their hooves and under their eyes. Animal Height: 2-2.8m Ostrich Struthio camelus Colour: Black(male), White Grey(Female) Weight: 63kg - 145kg Speed: 90km/h With their acute eyesight and hearing Ostriches can sense predators from far away. When threatened, ostriches run away, but they can cause serious injury and death with kicks from their powerful legs. 19
BOOKING DETAILS 071 869 8590 079 887 9053 www.mfgroup.co.za Please note: For any donations contact our office. There will also be a donation box available at every cage. Our staff don t handle money on the premises. 20