Ticking off the Big Five: ACAP Meeting of Party delegates to be taken on game drives in South Africa next month

The Sixth Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MoP6) to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels ( ACAP) will be held in the Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre, Skukuza Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa from Monday, 7 May to Friday, 11 May 2018.

The Second Circular for the meeting gives information on three social events for delegates arranged by South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs.

On the evening of Monday 7 May South Africa will host MoP6 delegates and accompanying persons to a ‘bush braai’ (barbecue). The braaivleis will be held in the bushveld (sub-tropical woodland) outside Skukuza where it should be possible to view some of the park’s mammals and birds that are active at dusk and night.

On Thursday 10 May South Africa will host delegates on early morning and evening game drives within the park. The drives will provide opportunities to observe wildlife, including some of the big game animals (think Africa’s “Big Five”- African Elephant, rhinoceroses (Black or White), Lion, Leopard and Cape Buffalo - but there are around 150 mammal species listed for the park) as well as the park’s abundant birdlife (over 500 species have been recorded).

On the evening of Friday 11 May South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs will host delegates and accompanying persons to a ‘boma’ (originally a stockade for domestic animals) dinner within the Skukuza Rest Camp.

Skukuza is a fenced camp within the Kruger National Park with large grounds where visitors can walk freely for exercise and to birdwatch. Outside the camp visitors are required to remain inside their vehicles on account of the many dangerous animals that freely roam the park.  Delegates are also advised to consult their medical practitioners before travelling for advice on the use of prophylactics because the Kruger National Park lies within a malaria zone. The use of insect repellents at dawn and dusk is advised as is the wearing of long-sleeved shirts and long trousers during the evenings.

Documentation for the meeting in ACAP’s three official languages of English, French and Spanish is available on this website.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 April 2018