Bhejane Nature Training

19/03/2025

The best things in life are often the ones we overlook, the tiny moments that make life worth living.

13/03/2025

Did you know that the Mocker Swallowtail (Papilio dardanus cenea) has evolved to mimic the coloration and pattern of toxic butterflies, making it unpalatable to predators? This clever adaptation is called 'Batesian mimicry'!

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10/03/2025

As part of our Butterfly Course with Bhejane, we teach students the art of gently handling butterflies without causing harm. Our hands-on approach allows students to carefully hold and photograph these delicate creatures.

Once photographed, the butterflies are released back into their natural habitat, unless a specific specimen is required for our educational collection. This ensures the well-being of the butterflies while promoting learning and conservation.

10/03/2025

Natures phenomenon
We found the Tambotie trees bare without leaves, which is the wrong time of year.

Achaea catella

Species of moth, although an indigenous species, it’s indeed related to the fall army worm, aswell as to the cutworms which drive local gardeners to distraction.

📷
.guides.association.of.sa

09/03/2025

*Species:* Papilio nireus lyaeus

*Common Name:* Narrow Green-banded Swallowtail

*Host Plants:* Larvae feed on plants in the Rutaceae family, such as Citrus, Clausena, and Vepris.

*Conservation Status:* Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

*Interesting Fact:* The Narrow Green-banded Swallowtail is known for its striking green band on its hindwings, which is thought to play a role in mate attraction and territorial displays.

09/03/2025

Future Safari Guides in the Making!

Our Advanced 1st-year students are immersed in intensive training at MfulaWozi Wilderness, honing their skills in:

Tree identification
Birding
Animal tracking
Signs and spoor interpretation

Under the guidance of our experienced Bhejane instructors, they're learning the art of crafting unforgettable nature-guided experiences for customers.

As they prepare for their upcoming assessment, we're proud to see them grow into confident, knowledgeable, and passionate safari guides-in-training!

09/03/2025

*"Braaiing in the Bush"*

There's no better way to refuel after a day of exploring the wilderness than with a traditional South African wors braai!

Our Bhejane students took a break from their practical excursion in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park to enjoy a lekka braai at one of the rest camps. Nothing beats the taste of boerewors sizzling over an open flame, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature!

08/03/2025

Meet the master of disguise! This stunning female Diadem butterfly (Hypolimnas misippus) has evolved to mimic the appearance of the toxic African Tiger butterfly, deterring predators from taking a bite!

This clever tactic is called Müllerian mimicry, where a harmless species copies the warning signals of a toxic one to stay safe.

And don't worry, we're not harming our winged friend! Our expert taught us how to hold butterflies gently but correctly, supporting their delicate wings and body. This way, we can admire their beauty up close without causing them any harm.




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07/03/2025

Burchell's Coucal serenading us with its distinctive call while soaking up the sun on top of a bush.

Dominique Rabie

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06/03/2025

"FGASA Nature Guide Training in Full Swing!

Our 1st-year Bhejane Isitini students have completed an intense classroom module, covering:

Botany
Geology
Weather & Climate
Animal Behaviour
Biomes
Birding
Mammals
Ecology
Taxonomy
Wilderness First Aid (3-day course)

Now, it's time to put theory into practice! For the next 3 weeks, our students will be immersed in practical skills training at the breathtaking mFulaWozi Wilderness Private Game Reserve.

The adventure has already begun! Our students have been learning to identify animal tracks and signs, gazing at the stars and learning about constellations like the Southern Cross, and discovering a plethora of birds, plants, and animals.

Stay tuned for more updates from the wilderness!

📷 Dominique Rabie
📷 Byrone Botha
📷 Dylan Strider Panos

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05/02/2025

05/02/2025

Birding just got a whole lot smarter! Our 2nd-year students joined forces with eBird and BirdLife SA to learn about bird conservation, identification, and the power of citizen science.

Bhejane 2nd Year Students Join Forces with eBird and BirdLife SA

Last week, some our 2nd-year students had the unique opportunity to participate in a workshop with eBird and BirdLife SA representatives. The event, held on our campus, aimed to introduce students to the world of bird conservation, identification, and citizen science.

Led by experts from eBird, including Raphaël Nussbaumer, Cullen Hanks and Ian Davies from Cornell Labs in the USA, and John Kinghorn and Nandi Thobela from BirdLife SA, the students embarked on an interactive journey to learn about bird tracking, sound recording, and AI-powered identification.

Through a combination of theoretical sessions and practical fieldwork, students gained hands-on experience in using eBird and Merlin Bird ID to record and identify bird species. The group also explored the Kuleni area, practicing their sound recording skills using cellphones and specialized equipment.

The workshop highlighted the importance of citizen science in bird conservation, demonstrating how individual contributions can collectively make a significant impact on our understanding of bird populations and migrations.

We're excited to integrate the knowledge and skills gained from this workshop into our curriculum, inspiring the next generation of bird enthusiasts and conservationists. A huge thank you to eBird and BirdLife SA for sharing their expertise with us!

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30/01/2025

Stargazing Evening with Umoya ✨

25/01/2025

"It's official! A warm welcome to our new Advanced 1st-year students, Bhejane Isitini, meaning "rock" in Zulu!

Huge thanks to our 2nd-year students, Bhejane uMoya, for hosting an unforgettable orientation week, filled with fun, laughter, and Bhejane spirit!

We're thrilled to see our new students embark on this exciting journey, following in the footsteps of our pioneering group, Bhejane Impis, who have made a lasting impact in the safari guide industry.

To Bhejane Isitini, we wish you an incredible adventure, filled with growth, discovery, and unforgettable experiences! You're now part of the Bhejane Pride, and we're honored to have you on board!

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24/01/2025

The new Adv Year 1 group proudly showing off their totems after doing some introductions, showcasing some talents and being put in the spotlight after a long hot week in Zululand.

We were treated to music, poetry, art and some unique personal abilities. What a an amazing new group of people that we look forward to integratijg into the family of Bhejane Guides.

The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa

22/01/2025

Lion love!
Did you know that lions rest their heads on a lioness's back to show affection, strengthen social bonds, and even scent mark?

21/01/2025

Burchell's zebra (Equus quagga burchelli) is named after the British naturalist and explorer William John Burchell (1781-1863). Burchell was a prominent figure in the field of natural history and exploration, and he traveled extensively throughout southern Africa in the early 19th century.

During his travels, Burchell collected and described many new species of plants and animals, including the zebra subspecies that now bears his name.