Own a home in the African wild

The Leadwood Observer

VOLUME 1 | FEBRUARY 2013

Welcome to our first edition of The Leadwood Observer. We hope you enjoy reading all the latest news! We would like to thank all of those who have contributed to our first edition and would like to invite our readers to send contributions to us on a regular basis.

A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers but borrowed from his children
John James Audubon

Our first house on Leadwood ... Patrick Jordan moves in.

Hi fellow Leadwooders, Im writing to you as the first resident of Leadwood. Ive just spent my first week on Leadwood Big Game Estate after my home was completed on the Friday 31st January. The builder was slightly ahead of schedule and therefore Ive spent the week without curtains which has been magical as I am woken every morning by the sun streaming through our windows and warming Mariepskop mountain, it is truly invigorating.

I never expected the pleasure I would get from waking up to be greeted by Impala, Giraffe and a multitude of birds outside the windows followed by a short 20 minute drive to work. The drive home every evening is filled with the anticipation of a visit from Elephant, Lion or Rhino and a variety of other animals with the added benefit of arriving home to see the setting sun and the silhouette of the Drakensberg mountains.

The assistance I received from the Leadwood team was amazing and I would like to thank everyone for their support in the move. I look forward to welcoming many others to the estate including Chris Martin and Kevin Leo-Smith, whose homes should be completed by May this year. I would like to thank the Development team for making it possible to live in such a beautiful environment. Patrick Jordan

Welcome to Glen Poole a new addition to the Leadwood Team!

Glen worked at Mbali tented camp (part of Motswari) from 1981 to 1983 and fell in love with the Lowveld, and Shona (his wife of nearly 29 years) who was working at Motswari at the same time.
At the end of 1983, we decided to leave for the big city (JHB), determined to return to the Lowveld as soon as possible. We have been back virtually every month for the past 30 years, searching for that elusive property that we could eventually call home. As time went by, and the private game farms adjoining the Kruger National Park grew in popularity and price, we were worried that we were doomed to remain City Bound forever, caught in the inevitable race against time and money. We settled for a small bokkieplaas just outside of Johannesburg, yet still yearned for the Lowveld. The constant, monotony of the old hamster wheel we were caught up in, finally stopped with our discovery of Leadwood Big Game Estate, and the real people involved with its development and sales. Leadwood Big Game Estate, with its breathtaking views, massive riverine trees and bush, took our breath away. We moved to Hoedspruit within a few months of buying into the Estate, and I have joined the sales team of Jordan Properties, where we have been made to feel at home, and part of something really worthwhile. We see a great future for The Blue Canyon Conservancy, and feel privileged to be involved in making this Reserve an exciting Landmark in Southern Africa. At last we are HOME!

Chris Martin Exposed

Chris Martin, a Leadwood homeowner, is a qualified field guide trainer and wildlife photographer.

We share some excerpts from an article recently published in the UK, in Outdoor Photography magazine (February edition) which features Chris work as a wildlife photographer in Southern Africa. Please view the whole article on our website www.leadwood.net. This magazine has one of the largest global audiences of any outdoor / wildlife photographic magazine so getting a 2 page spread on my work has to rank as one of my life moments to date. Chris Martin

NS Can wildlife photography help with the conservation of animals? Absolutely. Theres a definite responsibility on the shoulders of people who do what I do, to spread the conservation message. Of course, I want to sell and publicise my work, but I also provide images free of charge to several conservation institutions, such as WWF and Born Free. CHRIS top tips I never go on a shoot without my Land Rover. I couldnt do my work without it. Its my vehicle of occupation, and spend half my life in it. My one piece of advice is learn about your subject so you can anticipate its behaviour. Anticipation in wildlife photography is everything. Something I try to avoid is manipulating the environment just for the shot. As a photographer, your ethics need to remain high.

Blue Canyon Conservancy Game Ranch Management Report Tim Parker

Rainfall
January proved a very wet month with heavy rains, upwards of 200mm in some areas, experienced across the conservancy. The rains made many sections of the reserve impassable and for much of the month the fenceline road was closed with only foot patrols by the anti-poaching team being possible.

Preparing for the introduction of two new black rhinos!

Construction on bomas for the introduction of two black rhinos have commenced. These will soon be ready for occupation. The rhino boma is situated close to Khaya Ndlovu Manor House. Owners are invited to view the black rhino once they are in their new home (we will let you know when this happens). There will be a fee of R100 per person for viewing these rhinos this fee will be a donation which will be used towards the cost of introducing the black rhinos to the Blue Canyon Conservancy as well as to protect these rhinos which are a very valuable addition to the Conservancy.

BCC Anti Poaching Unit

The Blue Canyon Conservancy added a new dimension to their anti poaching efforts with the launch of a mounted anti poaching unit. Five retired racehorses arrived in early August last year to embark on a new career with the conservancy, after galloping their hearts out on race-courses throughout Southern Africa, winning 33 races between them. They have adjusted admirably to their new role, although the first giraffe sighting did cause more than a few anxious moments! Competitive by nature, the horses were horrified to discover a species on Gods earth taller than them and instantly declared a futile war over height! No amount of craned necks and pricking ears would secure this contest and naturally the horses lost hooves down! The horses are stabled at Khaya Ndlovu Manor House from where the 20 kilometre morning patrols set off, almost daily. Overnight stops are confined at present to the Eastern border of the conservancy, as we await midge and predator proofed stabling in other areas. The anti poaching guards have become competent riders after a crash course in equitation and enjoy the elevated field of vision their mounts provide, whilst they look out for any criminal activity on the conservancy. Their presence has created a far-reaching awareness within the local community, hopefully deterring any illegal intent and all the time protecting our precious and vulnerable rhino. They are able to check out inaccessible areas and obviously cover much larger distances, than they can on the foot patrols, with no noise or disruption to the environment. Six months have passed since the horses arrived and giraffe encounters now offer little more than a furtive glance. The zebra herds however, invoke a bit more curiosity as the horses stand with puzzled stares presumably pondering over why they never change out of their pyjamas! Lisa Harris

Anti-poaching We would like to thank Pieter Janeke, one of the owners of the Conservancy, for his very generous monthly donation this donation has assisted in the financing of five extra field rangers which will serve to strengthen the anti-poaching effort.

We are the voice of wildlife. They cannot speak for themselves

Bruce McCloskey

Leadwood Footprints

Brent Leo-Smith saw these Lions on Leadwood and took these very special photos. He reported that they had actually left footprints in the newly laid foundations of their home.

Glen Poole took a drive on Bloubank, and saw some dehorned Rhino a mother with her calf.

There is a family of giraffe near the dam, with their babies. I actually noticed that one of the babies still had his umbilical cord, it was dried out but it was definitely still attached. I also saw the one baby lying down which I have never seen before. Theyve been there in the same area for the past 2 weeks that Ive noticed. Cherilynn Janse van Rensburg

We have a hippo in the dam at Leadwood. Ive been told that he will eventually move on to deeper waters when needed. But for the time being, hes really enjoying Leadwood. Cherilynn Janse van Rensburg

Photograph of a frog and boomslang Photographing and gradually learning more and more about the ecology of the lowveld...theres nothing I enjoy more.
Lawrence Morgan Raptors View Come up with a caption for this picture and you could win a dinner for two at Khaya Ndlovu Manor House when you are next in Hoedspruit. E-mail your caption to cherilynn@jordanprops.co.za

Competition Rules 1. Compeition closes 31 March 2013. 2. The judges decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. 3. No substitution or cash redemption of prizes is permitted.

Leadwood Big Game Estate has now completed the launch phase. As from 1 March 2013 the price for a 1-ha freehold title stand will be from R1.2m incl. VAT.

For Sale 10 Traversing rights on Bloubank

Bloubank is a magnificent farm situated within the Blue Canyon Conservancy. It is 3,000 ha in size and is a southern neighbour of Leadwood Big Game Estate. These traversing rights are highly prized two have already been sold. The price for these traversing rights is R3,500 pm per individual vehicle for a limited period of 3 years. These rights may also be syndicated, however the rights have to be attached to one vehicle. Should you have any queries regarding purchasing a traversing right please contact Patrick Jordan on 072 698 0515. Dont miss out on this fantastic offer. What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on
Henry David Thoreau For anyone wanting to know what is happening in the Hoedspruit area Hoedspruit has its own website www.web@hoedspruit.co.za No. 1 Safari Junction, Hoedspruit, 1380, Limpopo, South Africa | PO Box 1622, Hoedspruit, 1380 Tel: +27 (0) 15 793-0471, Fax: +27 (0) 15 793-0472 | Email: info@jordanprops.co.za | Web: www.leadwood.net