CAUTION: ALL ANIMALS, BIRDS AND REPTILES ARE WILD AND DANGEROUS

One Field Guide Booklet per vehicle FREEAdditional guides R26.00

Please check your ticket, and keep a copy for verification purposes

Field Guide

“ The difference in Bushveld Experience”

Welcome

2

INDEX

Disclaimer Indemnity

Introduction

General Information

Reserve Rules

Reserve Gallery

Animal Facts

Booking Information

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4-5

6-7

8

9-11

12-19

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INDEMNITY

CAUTIONRight 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 TimesMain Gates lock at

8h00 - 17h0017h00

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 onPage 8

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INTRODUCTION

Only one and a half hours drive from Johannesburgand 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 occasionsand luxurious lodges for all seasons.

Ramela Ranch - nestling close to the Olifant’s riverwith 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 todayoffers you magnificent acommodation,

uncompromising beauty and unparalleled service.

Ramela Ranch Consists of;

“Dikwena Lodge”

Dikwena Lodge has eight bedrooms, two conferencerooms and a chapel for wedding ceremonies as wellas 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 barfacilities. In addition it offers a conference venue.

Arotin Game Lodge

Arotin Game Lodge has 7 ultra luxury bedrooms andsuite, conference room and function halls with a

beautiful garden and swimming pool. 5

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GENERAL INFORMATIONWe 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 oroffice 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 andrefreshments;- 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

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Game Drives

Spectacular game drives are offered, by prior arrangement to enable guests to experience the peace and tranquillity of unspoiled natureand, 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 yourwedding. The romantic setting makes for an unforgettable event, exchanging vows, a lifetime memory. Ramela Ranch, for the romanticat 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.

RESERVE RULES

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 keepsuch in your possession at all times.

The chalets are strictly for residents only. Under no circumstanceswill 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;

Offenders may be removed from the premises and/orbe prosecuted. Please note that our vehicles always have the right of way.

RIGHT OF ADMISSION RESERVED

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9

Photo

Gallery

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Cheetah10cm

Acinonyx jabatus

Colour: Yellow tan, Brown, Black SpotsWeight: 40kg - 65kgSpeed: 112 km/hDiet: Carnivore

Although they are not consideredto be part of the “Big Cat Family” as they cannot roar, Cheetahs areone of Africa’s most renowned for their immense speed when in chase. Capable of reaching speeds of 112kphin short periods, the Cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world.

LionPanthera leo

Animal Height: 0.75m Animal Height: 1.2m

14cm

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White RhinoCeratotherium simum

30cm

Animal Height: 1.8m

Colour: Range from yellowish brown to greyWeight: 1440kg - 3600kgSpeed: 42 km/hDiet: Herbivore

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 DogLycaon pictus

9cm

Animal Height: 0.65m

Colour: Red, black, brown, White &yellow Weight: 18kg - 36kgSpeed: 72 km/hDiet: Carnivore

African wild dogs live in packs that areusually dominated by a monogamousbreeding 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.

Colour: Yellow tan, Brown (Mane of male)Weight: 150kg - 259kgSpeed: 80 km/hDiet: Carnivore

The Lion is one of the four Big Cats in theGenus Panthera.Lions are the only cats that lives in groups,bcalled prides. All of a pride’s Lionesses are related and femalecubs stay with the group as they age. Female Lions are the pride’s primary hunters.

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Weight: 54kg - 113kgSpeed: 48 km/hDiet: Herbivore

Giraffe

The Giraffe has an enormously longneck which allows it to exploit the leaves and vegetation that are to highup for other animals to find. Despite their length, the neck of the Giraffeactually contains the same numberof bones as numerous other hoofedmammals but they are simply longerin shape.

Giraffa camelopard alis

Animal Height: 4-6m

Black Backed JackalCanis mesomelas

Animal Height: 0.10m

6cm

Colour: White, Tan, Brown, GreyWeight: 6.8kg - 11kgSpeed: 32 km/hDiet: Carnivore

Jackals are very territorial and jackalshave no hesitation in defending theirmarked territory. Jackals have a widerange of vocal sounds that arespecific to each jackal family meaningthat is rare for families of competingjackals to come into accidental contact with one another.

WarthogPhacochoerus aethiopicus

5cm

Animal Height: 0.70m

Colour: Black and WhiteWeight: 230kg - 270kgSpeed: 65 km/hDiet: Herbivore

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.

Animal Height: 1.5m

9cm

Hartmann ZebraEquus hartmannii

Colour: White, Tan, Red, Brown, BlackWeight: 550kg - 1930kgSpeed: 48 km/hDiet: Herbivore

Hartmann Zebra mix freely with groupsof other grazing animals. The significanceof this being that the combined sharpsenses of a group of animals help detectpredators. Hartmann Zebras have broadblack stripes with an on off creamy colourbetween them. The black stripes on theanimal sides do not meet on the belly

4cm

Animal Height: 0.50m

SteenbuckRaphicerus campestris

Colour: Reddish Brown, WhiteWeight: 12kg - 14kgDiet: Herbivore

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.

Yellow MongooseCynictis penicillata

3.5

cm

Animal Height: 0.60m

Colour: Yellowish, Tawny, GreyWeight: 450g - 800gDiet: Carnivore

Colour: Brown - GreyWeight: 530kg - 625kg Speed: 56km/hDiet: Herbivore

Colour: Dark Brown to Olive Weight: Weighs up to 500kg Speed: 35km/h(Swimming) 17km/h(Land)Diet: Carnivore

Cape BuffaloSyncerus caffer

Animal Height: 1.5m

Nile CrocodileCrocodylus niloticus

Animal Length: 2.5m - 5m

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When the Yellow Mongoose feel threatenedthey will growl and secrete from their analglands. They can also bark, scream and purr although they are mainly quiet andusua l l y commun ica te th rough ta i l movements.

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.

The diet of the Nile crocodile is mainly,fish but will attack almost anythingunfortunate enough to cross its path.One unusual characteristic of thisfearsome predator is its caring nature as a parent. Where most reptiles lay their eggs and move on, mother andfather crocs ferociously guard theirnests until the eggs hatch.

WaterbuckKobus ellipsiprymnus

Animal Height: 1.3m

8cm

Bat-eared foxOtocyon megalotis

Animal Height: 0.2m

Colour: Redish brown Weight: 250kg - 270kg Diet: Herbivore

Colour: Ashey Grey, Black Weight: 3kg - 4.5kg Diet: Carnivore

Colour: White, Black Weight: 140kg - 300kgDiet: Carnivore

Colour: Orange, black, white Weight: 109kg - 227kgSpeed: 60km/hDiet: Carnivore

8cm

White TigerPanthera tigris tigris

Bengal TigerPanthera tigris

Animal Height: 1.3m

8cm

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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

This specific Tiger is neither an albinoor a separate subspecies of the tiger.They are simply white coloured andhave black stripes that makes them special. The white tiger is a good swimmer but a very poor climber.

Despite their fearsome reputation, mosttigers avoid humans, however a few that are sick and unable to hunt normallybecome dangerous man-eaters. Tigersuse their distinctive coats as camouflage.They lie in wait and creep close enough to attack their victims

Colour: Ivory / white Weight: 150kg - 259kgSpeed: 80km/hDiet: Carnivore

Colour: Bluish Gray / Grayish Brown Weight: 185kg - 249kg Speed: 65 - 80km/hDiet: Herbivore

Colour: Brown, White Weight: 55kg - 80kgSpeed: 70km/hDiet: Herbivore

Colour: Pale Yellow, BlackWeight: 3.5kg - 19kgSpeed: 64km/hDiet: Carnivore

White LionPanthera Leo

14cm

Animal Height: 1.2m

Blue WildebeestConnochaetes taurinus

Animal Height: 1.3m

9-1

0cm

BlesbuckDamaliscus dorcas phillipsi

Animal Height: 0.95m

6.5

cm

Animal Height: 60cm

5cm

ServalLeptailurus serval

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The white lions are not Albino’s as pigmentation is present which is apparent in the eyes (blue colouredeyes), lips and paw pads. Theircolouring is the result of recessivegene.

The name Blue wildebeest derives fromconspicuous silvery-blue sheen to itsshort haired hide, differentiating this species from the plainer black wildebeest.Probably the most conspicuous featureof the blue wildebeest are the large horns shape like parentheses, extendingoutward to the side and then curvingup and inward

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 aseasonal 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 usingsight, the Serval locate their prey in the tallgrass or reeds primarily by hearing. To kill their prey, Servals use a high leap tostrike, preventing it’s escape. The Servalare most active in the early mornings and evenings.

Colour: Reddish Brown to chestnut,white Weight: 440kg - 900kgSpeed: 40km/hDiet: Herbivore

Colour: Reddish / Fawn Weight: 40kg - 80kg Speed: 90km/hDiet: Herbivore

Colour: Light Brownish - Grey to tan,Black, White Weight: 220kg - 300kgDiet: Herbivore

Colour: Grayish Brown Weight: 1.5kg - 2.25kg Diet: Carnivore

ElandTaurotragus oryx

Animal Height: 1.7m

14cm

ImpalaAepyceros melampus

Animal Height: 0.9m

Animal Height: 1.2m

GemsbokOryx gazella

10cm

Banded MongooseMungos mungo

Animal length: 55cm (with tail)

6cm

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The Eland is the slowest antelope with a peak speed of 40km/h that tires themquickly. However they can maintain a 22km/h trot indefinitely. Elands arecapable of jumping 2.5m from standingstart 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. Th is is done by performing a high kick of their hind legs.They can jump distances of more than10m, and 3m high.

Gemsbok are hunted for their spectacularhorns that average 85cm in length. Froma distance, the only outward difference between males and females are theirhorns, and many hunter mistake femalesfor males each year. In males these horns are perfectly straight where femaleshave longer, thinner horns

Banded Mongoose feed primarily on insects, myriapods, small reptiles andbirds. They forage in groups but eachmembers search for food alone. They forage in the morning for several hoursand then in the late afternoon and thenrest in the shade.

Colour: Cinnamon, White Weight: 450g - 650g Diet: Herbivore

Colour: Reddish - Fawn, Black Weight: 120kg - 150kg Speed: 55km/hDiet: Herbivore

Colour: Yellow tan, black, white Weight: 60kg - 80kg Speed: 65km/hDiet: Carnivore

Colour: Chestnut , Brown Weight: 10kg - 14kgDiet: Herbivore

Animal Length: 425-470 mm

Red HartebeestAlcelaphus caama

Animal Height: 1.35m

9cm

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Cape Ground SquirrelXeris inauris

The Cape Ground Squirrel has black skin with a coat that is of short stiff hairs without underfur. When perceivingsomething 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-WesternSouth Africa. Territorial Bulls often present themselves on prominent moundsand mark their territories with dung piles.

LeopardPanthera pardus

8cm

Animal Height: 0.45m - 0.8m

Leopards are graceful and a powerfulbig cat. The leopard are so strong andcomfortable in trees that it often haulsits kill into the branches. Leopardsare strong swimmers and very much at home in the water, where they sometimes eat fish or crabs.

Red DuikerCephalophus natalensis

Animal Height: 0.4m

3.5

cm

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.

Colour: Black(male), WhiteGrey(Female) Weight: 63kg - 145kg Speed: 90km/hDiet: Herbivore

Colour: Dark Brown, Tawny, GreyWeight: 40kg - 43kg Diet: Carnivore

Colour: Yellow Brown to Grey Brown Weight: 11kg - 13kgDiet: Herbivore

Colour: Brown coat with slightblue tinge, white underside Weight: 4kg Diet: Herbivore

10cm

Brown HyaenaHyaena brunnea

Animal Height: 0.8m

KlipspringerOreotragus oreotragus

Animal Height: 58cm

+-2

cm

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Brown Hyenas have social hierarchy comparable with those of wolves withan Alpha male and Alpha female. BrownHyenas maintain a stable clan hierarchythrough ritualized aggressive displays and mock fights. They typically foragealone, and do not maintain a territory.

Klipspringers eat plants growing inmountains and rocky terrain. They neverneed to drink, since the succulents theyconsume provide them with enough water to survive. Klipsringers in breeding pairs rather than herds. The pairs mate for life and will spend mostof their life in proximity to each other.

Blue DuikerPhilanthomba monticola

1.5

-2cm

Animal Height: .35 m

They are the smallest of the antelope family. Blue duiker live mainly in rainforests, where they eat fruit, flowersand leaves. Blue duiker are nocturnal and solitary or form mating pairs. They are very territorial animals, patrolling theborders of their territory with their dungand excretions from glands above theirhooves and under their eyes.

OstrichStruthio camelus

Animal Height: 2 - 2.8m

With their acute eyesight and hearingOstriches can sense predators from faraway. When threatened, ostriches run away, but they can cause serious injuryand death with kicks from their powerfullegs.

16.5

cm

BOOKING DETAILS

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.

071 869 8590079 887 9053

www.mfgroup.co.za

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