Two excursions into northern Pondoland (February and March 2019)

Photos (unless stated otherwise) and text by Tracy Taylor

18/02/2019

A party of nine met at the traffic lights at Port Edward at 7 am and set off in two off-road vehicles.

On the way Sinegugu, our very knowledgeable guide, entertained us with explanations on lobola and how to go about acquiring permission to build a homestead. He also shared his knowledge of the area, as well as his hopes, dreams and concerns for Pondoland.

Our first stop was a short one at the Mnyameni River where we feasted on Syzygium cordatum and Eriosemopsis subanisophylla fruits. Along the banks we saw Leucadendron pondoense, Syzygium pondoense and Syzygium sp nov. The latter has a different  vernacular name from the more common Syzygium pondoense and the local people eat the fruit of both.

Eriosemopsis subanisophila

Syzygium cordatum

Then we moved on towards our final destination. The roads were badly corrugated and washed away. A 4x4 is definitely needed. While driving we were very lucky to see a breeding pair of Ground Hornbill with a chick.

We parked at the top of the hill and walked down towards the Majuleni River where some explored the surrounding grasslands while others went to explore one of two caves where we saw shards from clay pots estimated to be 1500 years old. We saw Delosperma vinaceum and Hibiscus penduculatus near the caves.

 

Sinegugu discusses the cave with Maggie

Hibiscus pedunculatus

We then walked up out of the valley and back into grazing land. The area is beautiful with gorgeous views but the damage from grazing and frequent burning is evident. We made our way to the edge of the mountain like goats and ate lunch. While we admired the view we made the decision to go back and explore the forest below and see the waterfall we could hear but not see. After lunch we made our way back to the top where we were picked up by Nkosinathi Wandini and Thanduxol Ntshangase (Chief Marine Inspector) and taken back to the cars.

 

Christine, Mark and Phillipa sheltering from the sun

Uschi, Dorothy, Maggie, Sinegugu and Tracy

The lunchtime view

Participants: Christine T, Colin T, Dorothy M, Maggie A, Mark G, Phillipa M, Sinegugu Z, Tracy T, Uschi T.

01/03/2019

For our second visit we had a smaller group. We picked up Sinegugu on the way and headed for the Majuleni forest. We took the same route this time, stopping to take photos of and admire a Disa nervosa. When we reached the spot where we were to start walking we were joined by three men from the surrounding homesteads. One stayed with the cars and Dumisa Sonjica and Ngqweqwe Dimani accompanied us to the forest.

 

Disa nervosa

Sinegugu discussing the route with Dumisa and Ngqweqwe

Dorothy, Christine, Mark and Philippa drove to the edge of the forest and Uschi, Sinegugu, myself and two of the men walked down through the grassland, which is very over grazed. It was an extremely hot day. Armed with bush cutters and garden shears we set off clearing a path through the unspoiled indigenous forest. Not a single invasive in sight. 

Sinegugu explained that the falls we were heading to had no name and that although he had grown up in the area, he had never seen the falls. We climbed through the undergrowth, over boulders and some of us managed to avoid the Smilax anceps.

Along the way Uschi caused a lot of excitement when she found a Colubrina nicholsoni. The identity was subsequently confirmed by Prof. Braam van Wyk. Another exciting sighting is what we think is Maytenus species A, still to be confirmed by Prof. van Wyk. We also saw Plectranthus hilliardiae in the shade.

Colubrina nicholsonii (Photo D McIntyre)

Plectranthus hilliardiae

As we got closer, we could hear the waterfall and after scrambling down into the river bed and over some enormous boulders, we were rewarded with the sight of the waterfall. The fall is made up of one main stream and two smaller ones. We ate lunch and explored the surrounds. Here we saw Impatiens hochstetterii and Stenoglottis fimbriata.

Our guides leading us to the falls

Uschi, Dorothy, Sinegugu and Tracy on the way to the falls (Photo P Makepeace)

Impatiens hochstetterii

Stenoglottis fimbriata

At last - the "no name" falls

A frog who joined us for lunch

After lunch we headed back through the forest and out onto the grassland. It was a wonderful experience. There is something so special about exploring a seemingly untouched piece of forest.

Heading back from the falls

Participants; Christine T, Dorothy M, Mark G, Phillipa M, Sinegugu Z, Tracy T, and Uschi T.