THE SHINGWEDZI RIVER
Asked which is their favourite rest camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP), many will immediately respond with Shingwedzi. This is not strange given the large trees, the open sandy riverbanks, the waterholes and just the all-pervasive tranquillity of it all. This is a huge testament to a seasonal river that has suffered its fair share of abuse beyond the borders of the Park.
The source of the Shingwedzi River is in the region of Thohoyandou and Malamulele and, together with a number of lesser tributaries, the upper reaches drain the plains to the south-east of the Soutpansberg.
The section of the Shingwedzi within the Kruger Park has five major tributaries. These are the Shisha, Dzombo and Hlamvu, all with their origins in the Park, and the Mphongolo and Phugwane, which originate on the plains to the west of the Park.
« Salomon Joubert (Dr SCJ Joubert) started his conservation career in 1964 as a postgraduate student in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin and was appointed to the Kruger National Park as Junior Ranger at the end of 1964, stationed at the remote Klipkoppies Section on the Mozambique border (due east of Letaba). In 1967, he was granted study leave to do a BSc (Hon) (Wildlife Management) degree at Pretoria University.
In November 1967, he was transferred to the Research
