On the 21st July 2014, we received our letter from the DETEA which congratulated us on our formal registration and formation of the Amohela ho Spitskop Conservancy.
There have been vast changes in the years from 2002 when we moved here to today. At Spitskop we have seen the return of endemic small and larger game and wildlife with much joy and en-joy-ment. A stunning Vaal Rhebuck male has walked to us from surrounding mountains and hilly areas and feeds on the lower grasslands each early morning and evening, and two beautiful females have joined him. Well, kind of! Rut is in April, so he mostly grazes on his own on the southern side while the females graze in the grasslands to the west of the cottages. Hah! wait until April when he will just be madly IN LOVE and follow those ladies everywhere - and imagine small rhebuck babies, YAY!
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We are hoping to get going with the perimeter game fencing of the Conservancy possibly round October so as to prevent poaching and keep our creatures in a protected environment.
With the Conservancy now registered we will be working on the grassland biome extensively, improving natural grazing, eradicating invasive plants, and generally improving the grassland biome of Spitskop.
That wonderful innovation of the Little Five of Africa, which brings people into the important area of “little things” and not only the Big Five, was a touch of magic: Elephant Shrew, Buffalo Weaver, Leopard Tortoise, Lion ant and the Rhino Beetle. We don’t have all of these but will be working on our own Spitskop Little Five…or six…or seven!!!
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And then we will have The Spitskop Big 5. At the moment we have Vaal Rhebuck, grey duiker, steenbuck, and will be introducing Springbuck and Blesbuck next year, then of course we have the Spitskop “Middle Earth Creatures”: yellow mongoose, ground squirrel, meercat, polecat, porcupine, scrub hares.
Stay at Amohela ho Spitskop
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Amohela is a 310ha Retreat, nestled in a stunning valley between Ficksburg and Clocolan in the Free State. The self catering cottages have open fires, comfy couches, well equipped kitchens, and magnificent views.