Origin of Camp Names

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Richprins
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Origin of Camp Names

Post by Richprins »

A nice article by Elize Parker, with some new pics from Lowvelder archives:


Where did this Kruger camp get its name from?
Names of the camps in the Kruger National Park evoke strong images when mentioned. Here are the origins of some of these names.
7 hours ago
KNP

SKUKUZA – Ever been driving around the Kruger National Park and wondered where did this camp get its name from? We investigated a few that intrigued us:

1. A river of sand
Letaba Rest Camp is situated on the bend of the Letaba River. The camp is midway between the southern and northern boundaries. The name means “river of sand”. The riverbed is an excellent location for game viewing, particularly elephant.
Letaba Camp in the forties

2. Dedicated to Eileen Orpen
Orpen Rest Camp is situated on the western border of the KNP. It derived its name from the surname of the donor of the land, Eileen Orpen. It is an area of scattered trees and wide-open plains populated by the three big cats. You can also look forward to encounters with wild dog.

3. Water for Africa
Talamati Bushveld Camp is situated in a large open valley. Talamati is a Xitsonga word that means “lots of water”. Despite the meaning of the name, the river is actually dry. The clay soil acts as a giant sponge holding a vast reservoir of underground water. The vegetation there is lush all year round and attracts grazers.

4. Elephants forever
Sirheni Bushveld Camp nestles on the edge of the KNP’s northern plains.The Mphongolo River flows close by. Sirheni is a Tsonga word that means ‘cemetery’. There is an elephant graveyard at a site near to the camp. From the camp’s bird hides a wide variety of game and birds can be watched.

5. The Sweeper
Skukuza is a Shangaan word meaning either ‘he who sweeps clean’ or ‘he who turns everything upside down’. It is the biggest camp in the Park. Some Krugerholics even call Skukuza the “capital” of the Republic of Kruger! It is close to the Kruger Gate and an excellent springboard to the rest of the Park.


6. Striped donkeys abound

The name of the Punda Maria rest camp was given in 1919 by the first ranger to be posted to the area, Captain JJ Coetser. He mistakenly named his post Punda Maria in the belief that this was the Swahili name for zebra, the first big game he saw on arrival. The correct Swahili name is actually ‘punda milia’ or striped donkey. When the error was pointed out to him, he chose to retain the name, in honour of his wife, Maria. Many years later, Park officials corrected the name, and for a while the rest camp was known as Punda Milia, but in 1981 it was changed back to the original. In this part of the Kruger you are also close to Thulamela, ancient city with a special meaning to its name.


http://lowvelder.co.za/370423/where-did ... name-from/


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Re: Origin of Camp Names

Post by Mel »

Interesting! ^Q^


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Very. :yes:


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Where did this Kruger camp get its name from?

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Names of the camps in the Kruger National Park evoke strong images when mentioned. Here are the origins of some of these names:


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Re: Origin of Camp Names

Post by ReneeDegutis »

A nice article by Elize Parker, with some new pics from Lowvelder archives:


Where did this Kruger camp get its name from?
Names of the camps in the Kruger National Park evoke strong images when mentioned. Here are the origins of some of these names.
7 hours ago
KNP

SKUKUZA – Ever been driving around the Kruger National Park and wondered where did this camp get its name from? We investigated a few that intrigued us:

1. A river of sand
Letaba Rest Camp is situated on the bend of the Letaba River. The camp is midway between the southern and northern boundaries. The name means “river of sand”. The riverbed is an excellent location for game viewing, particularly elephant.
Letaba Camp in the forties

2. Dedicated to Eileen Orpen
Orpen Rest Camp is situated on the western border of the KNP. It derived its name from the surname of the donor of the land, Eileen Orpen. It is an area of scattered trees and wide-open plains populated by the three big cats. You can also look forward to encounters with wild dog.

3. Water for Africa
Talamati Bushveld Camp is situated in a large open valley. Talamati is a Xitsonga word that means “lots of water”. Despite the meaning of the name, the river is actually dry. The clay soil acts as a giant sponge holding a vast reservoir of underground water. The vegetation there is lush all year round and attracts grazers.

4. Elephants forever
Sirheni Bushveld Camp nestles on the edge of the KNP’s northern plains.The Mphongolo River flows close by. Sirheni is a Tsonga word that means ‘cemetery’. There is an elephant graveyard at a site near to the camp. From the camp’s bird hides a wide variety of game and birds can be watched.

5. The Sweeper
Skukuza is a Shangaan word meaning either ‘he who sweeps clean’ or ‘he who turns everything upside down’. It is the biggest camp in the Park. Some Krugerholics even call Skukuza the “capital” of the Republic of Kruger! It is close to the Kruger Gate and an excellent springboard to the rest of the Park.


6. Striped donkeys abound

The name of the Punda Maria rest camp was given in 1919 by the first ranger to be posted to the area, Captain JJ Coetser. He mistakenly named his post Punda Maria in the belief that this was the Swahili name for zebra, the first big game he saw on arrival. The correct Swahili name is actually ‘punda milia’ or striped donkey. When the error was pointed out to him, he chose to retain the name, in honour of his wife, Maria. Many years later, Park officials corrected the name, and for a while the rest camp was known as Punda Milia, but in 1981 it was changed back to the original. In this part of the Kruger you are also close to Thulamela, ancient city with a special meaning to its name.

https://lowvelder.co.za/370423/where-di ... name-from/
Hello,

As a linguist, I'm always obsessed with origin of names and words in general. Particularly, when a word is new to me and has a specific spelling or pronunciation.
I've been looking for the origin of Skukuza, but didn't find anything till I came across this forum topic. Thanks for sharing.

Best regards,
Renee Degutis


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Richprins
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Re: Origin of Camp Names

Post by Richprins »

Hello and a warm welcome, Renee! \O O0

Lots of scarce info all over here! :-0


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Re: Origin of Camp Names

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Welcome on board Renee! 0/*


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Re: Origin of Camp Names

Post by ReneeDegutis »

Richprins wrote: Thu Nov 22, 2018 9:10 am Hello and a warm welcome, Renee! \O O0

Lots of scarce info all over here! :-0
0/*
I especially like such info :-0 You never know when you happen to need it :-)
Welcome on board Renee! 0/*
0/* Glad to become a part of the community!


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