| I was recently privileged to visit the Game Ranch | | | | an open-air one, with meals being taken around the |
| called Egerton, near the town of Hopetown in the | | | | fire in the evenings, and with accommodation sleeping |
| Northern Cape. Hopetown, of course, is a little-known | | | | 25 in 5 large en-suite chalets. The ambience and |
| town, but it is a fact that the very first Diamond | | | | peacefulness of this camp have to be experienced to |
| found in South Africa was discovered here in 1852. | | | | be believed. |
| Of course the town of Kimberly, better known as | | | | What about the Wild African Game? Of course, a |
| the main source of South African diamonds, is only a | | | | visit to an African Game Ranch would not be |
| mere 90 or so miles North of Hopetown. | | | | complete without the African Game. Here Egerton |
| Nothing could have prepared me for the stunning | | | | does not disappoint; with 12 different species, |
| beauty of the place. I was quite overwhelmed. Set | | | | including African Oryx (Gemsbuck), Red Hartebeest, |
| on the banks of the mighty Orange (now being | | | | Burchell's Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Springbuck, Impala, |
| changed to "Gariep", a San name) River, this | | | | Mountain Reedbuck, Steenbuck, Grey Duiker, |
| magnificent piece of Africa was captivating from the | | | | Warthog, Kudu, and of course the Magnificent |
| first moment I arrived. My hosts were Peter and | | | | African Buffalo. |
| Linda Roux, the owners of the Ranch, and I could | | | | Egerton is home to a highly successful Buffalo |
| not have been in better hands. From the moment of | | | | Breeding Project. In fact, there is a dedicated 750 |
| my first welcome drink, I was made to feel | | | | acre breeding camp situated in the middle of |
| completely at home; very soon Peter took me on an | | | | property providing a secluded and interference free |
| orientation drive around the property, and a sizable | | | | breeding area for these high value animals. Surplus |
| one it is! | | | | Buffalos are captured on a yearly basis for selling and |
| Extending for some 7,400 acres, it has nearly 6 miles | | | | relocation to other game farms. |
| of Orange River frontage. In addition, this part of the | | | | Naturally, no African Game Ranch would be complete |
| river has the only "White Water" for about 50 miles | | | | without the Trophy Hunting. Egerton is no exception, |
| in any direction, with rapids that are quite a challenge. | | | | and has become well-known for producing hunting |
| In fact, Egerton has been home to the first South | | | | trophies of the highest quality, and the property is |
| African Rafting Championships and Kayak Rodeo. | | | | registered with a certificate of adequate fencing, |
| A rustic Guest Camp is located on the river bank, at | | | | entitling year round trophy hunting. |
| set of the rapids. This camp is, in true African style, | | | | |