Cheetah Update at Blaauwbosch Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape
The cheetah walk & stalk encounters at Blaauwbosch continue to be one of the highlights of a stay at Blaauwbosch Game Reserve.
Blaauwbosch lies on the wide open Karoo plains of the Eastern Cape and is particularly known for its cheetah breeding project. Originally cheetah were relocated to Blaauwbosch from the Endangered Species Centre near Hoedspruit and released into the wild. Latest news on the cheetahs is that the dominant female cheetah and her four cubs are still together. The cubs are about a year and a half now and will probably start leaving their mother to venture off on their own within the next six months or so to hunt independently. The other female is still fairly shy but has provided for some good sightings for Blaauwbosch guests.
Shortly Blaauwbosch will exchange two male cheetahs with Lente Roode from the Endangered Species Centre. This is a vital aspect of the cheetah conservation project as it strengthens the genetic pool on the reserve and indeed throughout South Africa. The cheetahs at Blaauwbosch are monitored on a regular basis. Recording their movement patterns and their feeding behavior provides data to use in the long term management of the cheetah species. This information is shared with Blaauwbosch guests during their stay
As well as the cheetah encounters, Blaauwbosch also offer open-vehicle game drives to view the wide variety of game on the reserve including lion, buffalo, elephant, rhino, cheetah, zebra, antelope, abundant birdlife and rare flora.
Blaauwbosch is located just 1¼ hours drive from Port Elizabeth in the open plains of the Karoo, which is the perfect terrain for the agile cheetah. It has just seven spacious air-conditioned suites, all exquisitely decorated in an elegant, romantic style with generous bathrooms, dressing area and verandas with views of the Eastern Cape mountains - even from the bath! The main homestead has an open plan design giving a modern, yet slightly colonial feel. It’s very spacious with open fires, lots of sitting areas and a well-stocked library (with internet access). Outside there’s a furnished covered veranda overlooking the large swimming pool with its partially shaded sun terrace - perfect for the hot summer afternoons.