SOUTH AFRICA ~ Mountain Zebra National Park ~

... A fantastic National Park postcard of one of the smaller parks in South Africa... the scenery is beautiful and the setting tranquil... the park has a great history... today the park is home to a large breeding herd of the Cape mountain zebra... not long ago this species was endangered... local farmers in the area donated mature individuals from their land to form the first population in the national park, which numbered only six individuals.... now the park has over 700 animals and is able to restock other areas from their large population... it feels so good to post about a conservation success story...ヅ Thanks a lot Retha!!【ツ】

This 28 000ha National Park is situated in the Eastern Cape and it was first proclaimed in 1937 to save the cape mountains zebra from extinction.

Mountain Zebra National Park is home to herds of zebras, Black rhinos, buffalo's, springbok, blesbok, Black wildebeest, eland, Red hartebeest and gemsbok. Cheetah's were introduced in 2007 and lions in 2013.

The park is named after the the Cape mountain zebra. These zebra differ from the plains or Burchell’s zebra, by having narrower stripes, absence of shadow stripes and orange facial coloration.

The park is also a habitat for approximately 270 birds species.

Stamp:

Crafts
(Issued 27-10-2010)

SOUTH AFRICA ~ The Big Five ~

... Beautiful postcard... always impressive the "Big Five" on one postcard...the opportunity to see wild animals in their natural habitat must be awesome and a dream for a lot of us, including me... maybe someday シ... and with fantastic matching stamp...sent by my dentist ✿... Héééél erg bedankt Jef and Frieda (♥‿♥) !!

"For nature lovers a sighting of one of the "BIG 5" causes great excitement. The experience of sighting all five of these formidable creatures is truly a rare privilege."
The African continent is the only place in the world where big game still roams freely. The Kruger National Park area and the neighboring private game reserves are famous for the incredible possibilities seeing the Big Five up close.

The term "Big Five" is reminiscent of the old safari hunting days. The members of the Big Five were chosen for the difficulty in hunting them and the degree of danger involved, rather than their size.

The animals behind the The "Big Five"' are Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffalo's and Rhinos.

Countries where all the members of the big five can be found include Botswana, Zambia, Uganda, Namibia, Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Malawi.

Stamp:

Airmail - The Big 5
(05-05-2010)

SOUTH AFRICA ~ Informal Settlements ~

... Panoramic postcard view coming from Ravindra who's travelling in South Africa...Enjoy your stay ^__^  Thanks a lot!!

With nice 3D Dinosaurs stamps stamp!
 (Issued 02-11-2009)

Photo: © Mark Skinner A shanty town or informal settlement is a settlement of plywood, corrugated metal, sheets of plastic, and cardboard boxes. They are usually found on the periphery of cities, public parks, or near railroad tracks, rivers, lagoons or city trash dump sites. Sometimes called a squatter, informal or spontaneous settlement, shanty towns often lack proper sanitation, safe water supply, electricity, hygienic streets, or other basic human necessities.

 Shanty towns are mostly found in developing nations, but also in some parts of developed nations.

SOUTH AFRICA ~Nelson Mandela~

... wonderful and special postcard of one of the most inspiring man in history...a true gem and precious card for my collection...Mr Nelson Mandela is a man who always saw the importance of peaceful freedom fighting...he treated everyone with the utmost respect and always believed in the goodness of people and dedicated his life to fight the social injustices in his country...Thanks a million Rayno!!

With nice tiny Airmail postcard Buffalo stamp 2001 unfortunately not postmarked.

              "I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestations.  I have fought it all during my life; I fight it now, and will do so until the end of my days." Nelson Mandela
- Nelson Mandela was the first South African President who was elected in a completely
  democratic election.
- Nelson Mandela was an activist against apartheid, and he was the leader of the armed wing of the
   African National Congress.
- Nelson Mandela spent twenty-seven years in prison, many of those years were spent on Robben Island.
- Nelson Mandela won the Nobel prize in 1993.
- Nelson Mandela was born in Mvezo on July 18 of 1918.
- Nelson Mandela’s original name was Rolihlahla Mandela.
- In his spare time, Nelson Mandela studied to become a lawyer.
- Nelson Mandela has honorary degrees from more than 50 international universities.
- Nelson Mandela retired from Public life in June 1999.
- The United Nations declared his birthday, July 18, Nelson Mandela International Day. This was
   the first time the UN dedicated a particular day to a person.

South Africa ~Hermanus-The Whale Crier~

WOW!! What a great end of the week! :) Received three lovely cards today... Again a nice US map card with this time all the states and their capitals. Another amazing beach card. The film "The Beach" with Leonardo the Caprio was filmed on this location. I think it must be a dream destination.... I received already a few beaches and each time I think this must be the most beautiful but then I got an even more beautiful...
But I must admit the card that made me the most happy is the whale card!! :):). I've seen a documentary on TV about those " Whale Crier" and now I have a card from him sent from South Africa.



Hermanus is home of the world's only Whale Crier. The Whale Crier's kilp horn was heard in Hermanus in August 1992. When he spots a whale he blows on his kelp horn....

SOUTH AFRICA

Tallest of all animals, their hight enables them to reach the top-most thorns of the 'Kameeldoorn'. But for a kick and quick turn of speed they would become easy prey for the lion.

Varying greatly in size, colour and profusion of mane, these cubs will growe to an average weight of 226 kg.

SOUTH AFRICA ~African Traditions~

SOUTH AFRICA ~African Traditions~
Originally uploaded by gerda_dager

Sent by Giseal. Tribal life. Glimpses of a rich tradition.

SOUTH AFRICA ~Voortrekker Monument~

Standing on the summit of a hill just beyond Pretoria this monument commemorates the fortitude, courage and transigence of the Voortrekkers (Pioneers).

SOUTH AFRICA ~Wild Treks~

Mac Mac Falls, Ndebele woman, Elephant, Blyde Canyon, Cape Town.

SOUTH AFRICA ~Bushmen~

Bushmen following spoor. With hunting skills handed down through the generations, these Bushmen will track an animal and bring it down using poisoned arrows,clubs and spears crafted by hand.

SOUTH AFRICA ~Dolphins~

From Gisela. Dolphins are often seen leaping and surfing through the swells and breakers along South Africa's coastline.

SOUTH AFRICA ~Lephalale~

Lephalale is widely known as a peaceful and tranquil town in the heart of the bushveld. Its a coal mining town in the Limpopo province of South Africa north of the Waterberg Massif.

SOUTH AFRICA ~Call of Africa~

Call of Africa!