Kambaku our iconic imageSituated on the farm 356 Olifantshoek, the Lodge has been developed over more than a decade. Our new logo was designed in 2016 with Kambaku's image, depicting the rich elephant history of the Magaliesberg that so few people are aware off. Please follow the story below and we will also be blogging soon about Olifantsbrug (Elephant’s Bridge), Olifantspoort (Elephant’s Port) and lastly Olifantsnek (Elephant’s Neck)
Out of the Magnificent 7 we chose Kambaku for his beautiful name, impressive tusks and overall profile. We just love Kambaku! |
The Magnificent Seven Tuskers of South Africa |
Why is the logo of Balule Bush Lodge an African Elephant (Loxodonta Africana) when there are no elephants on the lodge?
Balule Bush Lodge is situated in an area known as Olifantshoek (directly translated meaning Elephant’s Corner).
Following the R24 towards Rustenburg one will pass through Olifantsbrug (Elephant’s Bridge), Olifantspoort (Elephant’s Port) and lastly Olifantsnek (Elephant’s Neck).
The Magaliesberg Mountain Range stretches 120 km from Rustenburg in the West to Bronkhorstspruit in the East and forms a natural barrier between the cool highveld to the South and the lower lying and warmer bushveld to the North.
In early years up to the early 1900’s this area was home to huge elephant herds. The Magaliesberg were also teeming with rhino, buffalo, giraffe and many species of antelope. Even today the Magaliesberg still abounds in wildlife.
When one follows the Magaliesberg from Rustenburg to Pretoria one also realizes that there were only a few places where wild animals and especially elephant and buffalo, could cross the majestic Magaliesberg in order to migrate from south to north and back during the dry winter and wet summer months.
Olifantspoort, Hartebeespoort and Wonderboompoort were amongst other places the 3 most popular natural areas where wildlife could cross the mountain and history shows that massive elephant herds were seen by the early pioneers at these natural ports. Just at the other side of the Magaliesberg when one travels on the R24 through present-day Olifantsnek, one will find Hunter’s Rest Protea Hotel. Hunter’s Rest also has a rich history dating back to 1840 when hunters from all over the world were hunting in Africa. These natural ports became a good place for hunters to “ambush” elephants as they were crossing the Magaliesberg.
In the world renowned Kruger National Park and more specifically the Letaba Rest Camp, one would find an elephant exhibition in the Elephant Hall. This elephant exhibition is a proudly South African heritage. In this exhibition one is left in awe at the size of the biggest elephants (tuskers) that ever lived in Southern Africa and collectively these great tuskers are known as the “Magnificent Seven”.
Being a proudly South African Lodge and keeping with the rich elephant history of the Magaliesberg, all chalets at Balule Bush Lodge are named after the “Magnificent Seven” while the elephant on the logo of Balule Lodge is the famous “Kambaku”.
Keeping with the “magnificent seven” theme, the pub at Balule Bush Lodge is known as the Explorer’s Bar where one would find the pictures and life stories of the “magnificent seven” Victorian explorers like Livingstone, Stanley, Speke and Burton as well as of the “magnificent seven” modern-day SA explorers like Kingsley Holgate, Riaan Manser and Johan Badenhorst.
The Magnificent Seven Elephants are:
Dzombo (c.1935–1983)
João (date unknown)
Kambaku (c.1930-1985)
Mafunyane (Carcass discovered 16th November 1983)
Ndlulamithi (c.1927–1985)
Shawu (October 1982)
Shingwedzi (c.1934-1981)
Following the R24 towards Rustenburg one will pass through Olifantsbrug (Elephant’s Bridge), Olifantspoort (Elephant’s Port) and lastly Olifantsnek (Elephant’s Neck).
The Magaliesberg Mountain Range stretches 120 km from Rustenburg in the West to Bronkhorstspruit in the East and forms a natural barrier between the cool highveld to the South and the lower lying and warmer bushveld to the North.
In early years up to the early 1900’s this area was home to huge elephant herds. The Magaliesberg were also teeming with rhino, buffalo, giraffe and many species of antelope. Even today the Magaliesberg still abounds in wildlife.
When one follows the Magaliesberg from Rustenburg to Pretoria one also realizes that there were only a few places where wild animals and especially elephant and buffalo, could cross the majestic Magaliesberg in order to migrate from south to north and back during the dry winter and wet summer months.
Olifantspoort, Hartebeespoort and Wonderboompoort were amongst other places the 3 most popular natural areas where wildlife could cross the mountain and history shows that massive elephant herds were seen by the early pioneers at these natural ports. Just at the other side of the Magaliesberg when one travels on the R24 through present-day Olifantsnek, one will find Hunter’s Rest Protea Hotel. Hunter’s Rest also has a rich history dating back to 1840 when hunters from all over the world were hunting in Africa. These natural ports became a good place for hunters to “ambush” elephants as they were crossing the Magaliesberg.
In the world renowned Kruger National Park and more specifically the Letaba Rest Camp, one would find an elephant exhibition in the Elephant Hall. This elephant exhibition is a proudly South African heritage. In this exhibition one is left in awe at the size of the biggest elephants (tuskers) that ever lived in Southern Africa and collectively these great tuskers are known as the “Magnificent Seven”.
Being a proudly South African Lodge and keeping with the rich elephant history of the Magaliesberg, all chalets at Balule Bush Lodge are named after the “Magnificent Seven” while the elephant on the logo of Balule Lodge is the famous “Kambaku”.
Keeping with the “magnificent seven” theme, the pub at Balule Bush Lodge is known as the Explorer’s Bar where one would find the pictures and life stories of the “magnificent seven” Victorian explorers like Livingstone, Stanley, Speke and Burton as well as of the “magnificent seven” modern-day SA explorers like Kingsley Holgate, Riaan Manser and Johan Badenhorst.
The Magnificent Seven Elephants are:
Dzombo (c.1935–1983)
João (date unknown)
Kambaku (c.1930-1985)
Mafunyane (Carcass discovered 16th November 1983)
Ndlulamithi (c.1927–1985)
Shawu (October 1982)
Shingwedzi (c.1934-1981)
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