We have been having frequent visits from one of our resident crocodiles opposite the lodge. As the ambient temperature decreases in the winter, these crocodiles are prone to sun themselves on exposed sandbars in order to improve their thermoregulation. Crocodiles will often choose the warmer of two mediums - air or water - to control their body temperature. In this photo you can see how this croc is opening his mouth while facing the afternoon sun to expose the blood vessel-rich tissue inside the mouth. This will rapidly increase body temperature. Throughout the day you might see crocodiles opening and closing their mouths and changing their orientation to the sun in order to keep their bodies at the required (and fairly constant) temperature.

The Mogalakwena River Lodge was twice nominated for the 2006 "Business and Arts South Africa" (BASA) awards, for its sponsorship of the SYNERGY Contemporary Bead Art Exhibition. The River Lodge won the category for 'First Time Sponsor" (an accolade it shares this year with the South African Police Service). The River Lodge was also one of four nominees in the category 'Sponsorship by a small business'.

Dr Elbe Coetsee had this to say about SYNERGY: "The exhibition celebrates the work of renowned artists in collaboration with rural and urban bead studios - a true reflection of diverse artistic talent and heritage of the country. The participants have been chosen for, above all, their passion and dedication to the growth and development of South Africa."

The exhibition was inspired by the innovative way in which a decade of democracy has developed in South Africa.

The sponsorship of SYNERGY (rural part) is one of the many ways in which the River Lodge supports Business in the Arts. Since 1994 the Mogalakwena Craft Art Development Foundation has been creating jobs, providing craft art training, and preserving craft art skills and northern Limpopo culture. The Foundation employs about 30 local artists and through an association with Haldane Martin, employs several more weavers for the production of the ZuluMama Chair.