Discussion: Why Vurhonga is most definitely in South Africa + Hypothetical Vurhonga Remake

[radiant canopy]

Lets start with the Ndlopfu Gorge subregion of the reserve

• Ndlopfu is a Xitsonga word for Elephant
• Xitsonga is also known as Tsonga
• The speakers of that language live in 4 countries: South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique & Zimbabwe

Using the same website (https://www.xitsonga.org/dictionary/xitsonga?-=x) It is safe to say a lot of the names for areas on Vurhonga come from the Tsonga language

Speaking of the Tsonga, you get a few side missions from a character named Maria Mboweni and according too the in-game codex she is part of the Tsonga People

Another group of people mentioned in both codex entries and missions are the San aka the Bushmen who are only found in Southern Africa, with most of their population living in Botswana, Namibia & South Africa

Another thing that proves Vurhonga is in South Africa is another few codex entries

• Great Escarpment (its listed as Grand Escarpment in the Codex): This is a mountainous region that includes the Drakensberg Mountains
• South African Native National Congress and Sol Plaatje: Referenced in the Codex (Points of Interest: Sol Plaatje Hut)
• Nelson Mandela is also referenced (Points of Interest: Madiba’s Freedom)

As for the animals, lets assume Vurhonga is somewhere near the Drakensberg Mountains

• The Nearest Lesser Kudu Herd is around Ruaha National Park in Tanzania and that is around 3200 kilometres apart (give or take)
• Eurasian Wigeon only winter as far as Lake Victoria, which is almost 4000 kilometres away

(Screenshots of the In-Game Codex stuff were taken on my Xbox One)

Animal Range maps in order: Lesser Kudu & Scrub Hare

[radiant canopy]

Now while this thread was mostly to put forward evidence within the game pointing to Vurhonga being a South African reserve, I think I could get 2 birds with one shot and also post my ideas for a hypothetical Vurhonga remake
This is considering not only the country it it is but also other things like adding crocodiles (They do exist close enough to that part of South Africa to work) to making sure every part of the reserve has animals to hunt as talked about in the #1164299582314905640 The Keyword being Hypothetical

[rancid trout]

The reserve flag desperately needs to be updated to the South African flag.

[radiant canopy]

I did get a look at the flag after reading through the codex, and while it looks a bit different from the Kenyan Flag, it could use a few changes (The Kenyan Flag has Black on the top which I did not see on Vurhongas Flag)

(South African Flag)

And looking at the Vurhonga map, I can imagine the Southern areas to be decent Crocodile Habitat (After all Saltwater Crocodiles in Emerald can be found in the Mangroves)

[radiant canopy]

Discussion: Why Vurhonga is most definitely in South Africa + Hypothetical Vurhonga Remake

Other then Nile Crocodile, the main species I can think of right now are Nyala as being the Lesser Kudu replacer (Same Genus and only a 20kg differnce between the two, the Nyala also look more interesting). I would also say improving the Springbok TruRacs would be a good way to go just in general

[raw basin]

As a South African, I have to agree. Many of the names and political references are about South Africa too.

[arctic plinth]

I Think That Adding Helmeted Guineafowl, Fallow Deer, Pheasant, And Possibly Cape Shovelers And Other Waterfowl Rather Than Wigeon.

[radiant canopy]

And given how Vurhonga seems to be either in the Eastern Cape or KwaZulu-Natal, Fallow Deer could work well

[arctic plinth]

Yeah, I Feel Like A Decent Amount Of The Species Need To Be Switched Around. If They Make An Ethiopia Map, They Could Move Lesser Kudu There And Then Add Greater Kudu To Vurhonga. I Also Think That Black Wildebeest Are A Needed Species On The Map.

[radiant canopy]

And Tikamoon Plains from Way of the Hunter had both Blue and Black Wildebeest

I am compiling a species list at the moment and will be dividing the list into several categories based on which region they mainly live in: Map-wide Species, Vuxa Species (Fever Tree Forest, Mubedwa Nambu and Xibodlo Delta), Vurhonga Plateau Species, Dzonga Species (Central Savannah and Ku Navela Land) and N'Walungu Species (Bush Valley, Tingwenyeni and Ndlopfu Gorge)

[rancid trout]

Apparently Indian Peafowl were introduced to Southern Africa as well.

[radiant canopy]

I would like to see those on Te Awaroa

[rancid trout]

EC would be nice as well.

[radiant canopy]

A map of Vurhonga I am using for reference regarding my species list, just know that Cape Buffalo will be everywhere but the Vurhonga Plateau (gotta have a safe space from the Widowmaker)

[rancid trout]

I also think the outer shores should be opened up.

[radiant canopy]

Good Idea actually

[rancid trout]

Vurhonga doesn’t feel like a sprawling savanna,it feels more like a biodome made to look like South Africa.

[radiant canopy]

Yeah, I guess part of the Hypothetical Vurhonga Remake would be to increase the size of the area, though to be fair savannah is not going to be the defining feature. With an increase in area size it wouldn't be too difficult for the listed species to be relegated to specific regions or biomes

[rancid trout]

Perhaps the left side of the river could runoff while the plains and fever tree take its place.

[radiant canopy]

I would keep the southeastern corner mostly the same, but up the swamp/marsh by a bit to make it a hotspot for crocodiles

Though I could do that to the area you coloured in while expanding the savannah within Vurhonga's interior, making the coloured in bits a mix of swamp and fever tree forest

[rancid trout]

Currently the tan area is this awkward strip of land that’s completely dry and if you try to walk about half way your apparently leaving the reserve.

[radiant canopy]

I might have to hunt all over Vurhonga for the next few days so I can better get an idea of what I want to change and what I want to keep the same, might also help me better develop the species list, I do know the reserve will have to be bigger in area size to accomodate the changes (50% bigger possibly)

[radiant canopy]

Well I do have some ideas for what could change regarding the species on Vurhonga 2.0 (A hypothetical remake)

• For the Blue Wildebeest, the Crowned Wildebeest will not be gender locked (And neither will the Gold variant if that is the case)
• Springbok TruRacs will be improved, also the Black-Brown will be split into Copper Springbok and Black Springbok (According to the wiki they are both Black-Brown)
• Gemsbok horns will be made straighter (apparently they might be a bit too curved, and the only oryx species with curved horns are Scimitar-horned Oryx)
• Lions will get some remodeling and if it is possible, have the size of their skull (TruSkulls) and mane be determined by their level, for example a level 5 male would have a shorter, possibly scruffier mane then a level 8 or 9 male, and in addition a new rare or uncommon fur type for males called "Black Mane"
• Lesser Kudu would be replaced by the Nyala, though the Impala could also work as a replacement (Both animals would appear on this hypothetical Vurhonga 2.0) and the Eurasian Wigeon would be replaced by the Cape Teal (apparently they are also called Cape Wigeon so it would be fitting)

here are the Springbok Variations that are getting renamed, the first one would be the Copper and the second would be shortened from Black-Brown to just Black

[raw basin]

I really wish they had renamed the copper springbok when they did the truracks. It feels like a missed opportunity.

[timber void]

I doubt they would ever replace an entire species on a map due to the fact that it could possibly mess up lodges in some ways.

[raw basin]

I mean, that's kind of what they're doing with truracks. Those older versions become legacy trophies and are actually kind of special to have.

[viscid flame]

we could get something like giraffes or fallow deer on the map

[radiant canopy]

I am avoiding giraffes for the species list I am putting together, and depending on how I put the species list together for this "Vurhonga 2.0" either the Hippo or the Cape Buffalo will be the largest species on the map. As for Fallow Deer, as I like to say: It would have been a more realistic inclusion then the Lesser Kudu" (Especially after realizing Vurhonga is likely either in the Eastern Cape or Kwa-Zulu Natal, both provinces within South Africa, and both have populations of fallow deer)

[radiant canopy]

Well here is the Species list I came up with for this hypothetical Vurhonga remake

Starting with the species that are staying and one returning species

Species that are staying: 8

• Cape Buffalo - Class 9
  • Found everywhere but the Plateau
  • Truly fears nothing, will occasionally chase lions
• African Lion - Class 9
  • Mainly found in the Savannah though it may occasionally inhabit the wetter areas of the reserve
• Gemsbok - Class 8
  • Strictly a Savannah species
  • May turn aggressive on rare occasions
• Blue Wildebeest - Class 6
  • Strictly a Savannah species
  • Roams about in large herds
• Warthog - Class 4
• Springbok - Class 3
  • Strictly a Savannah Species
• Side-striped Jackal - Class 2
• Scrub Hare - Class 1

Returning Species: 1

• Fallow Deer
  • They do occur in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal (they were introduced there)
  • They would mainly exist on the Plateau and the nearby savannah
  • This would give Vurhonga its first Great One as a result

There are 17 species that I am including such as the Greater Kudu, Crocodile and Guineafowl

Species - Big Game: 7

• Common Nyala - Class 4
  • Replaces the Lesser Kudu
  • Sticks to the forested parts of the reserve
• Southern Impala - Class 4
  • Sticks to the Savannahs but can show up in other areas
• Nile Crocodile - Class 7
  • Found along the riverbanks and the swampy areas
• Chacma Baboon - Class 3
  • The one of the few Big Game Animals found on the Plateau, also found everywhere else in sizeable numbers
  • Males can turn aggressive and attack
• Plains Zebra - Class 8
  • Strictly found in the Savannah Areas (open areas)
  • Can be a bit aggressive, especially stallions
  • Scored by weight
• Greater Kudu - Class 6
  • Found in the more wooded areas of Vurhonga Savannah, but also occur in the Savannah
  • The largest animal on the Plateau
• Cape Eland - Class 9
  • A Massive Antelope, a large bull can reach up to 2200 pounds, making them bigger then Cape Buffalo
  • Despite this they can be elusive and hard to hunt
• Cape Teal
  • They will replace the Eurasian Wigeon
• White-faced Whistling Duck
  • Can also be added to Parque Fernando
• Helmeted Guineafowl
  • Found throughout the reserve
  • Can be shot while flying, but not a requirement
• Grey-winged Francolin
  • Found in the savannahs & Vurhonga Plateau
  • Same requirements as the Quail species
• Rock Hyrax
  • Only found on Vurhonga Plateau
  • Hunted in a similar manner to European Rabbit
• Vervet Monkey
  • Found all across the reserve
  • Very elusive once shot at
• Blue Duiker
  • Found exclusively in the wooded areas
  • Very elusive and very small
• Klipspringer - Class 2
  • Only found on Vurhonga Plateau
  • Very agile, especially on rocky terrian
• Created Porcupine - Class 2
  • Found in the more wooded areas, but generally lives anywhere
• Caracal Cat - Class 2/3
  • Found all over the reserve, but more common in the Savannah and up on the Plateau
  • Can scare Class 1 & 2 Animals alongside Springbok

[rancid trout]

Finally,some attention to the plateau!

[radiant canopy]

The Newer Big Game in order: Cape Eland, Greater Kudu, Plains Zebra, Common Nyala, Impala, Nile Crocodile & Chacma Baboon

The Small Game & Birds: Caracal, Cape Crested Porcupine, Klipspringer, Blue Duiker, Vervet Monkey, Rock Hyrax, Grey-winged Francolin, Helmeted Guineafowl, White-faced Whistling Duck & Cape Teal

[raw basin]

Really loving the GO fallow suggestion!

[junior crag]

If nyala is what I think it is then yeah we need

I'm all for bumping lesser kudu off but don't get rid of my diamond but for sure they belong on a Tanzania map alongside Thompson's gazelle and sable antelope

Eland is a hell yeah from me too big old thick tanky eland look ganrly

Greater Kudu is a must

Impala is a must they just are the poster example of a antelope

Zebra definitely

All the reworks and map changes I'm game for as well Honestly someone make it happen.

[marble bane]

I would love to see all of these species on Vurhonga, although there would definitely need to be a population reset and redistribution for everything else on the map

[radiant canopy]

Bump

[vestal yew]

@limber vale

[raw basin]

All this, plus giraffe. I would like to get my lesser kudu before they're kicked it off the map though. 😄

[junior crag]

Have fun bro they are tucked away in the thickest cover i hope you get lucky like I did

[marble bane]

Yeah tbh if there's one change I'd make to this idea, I'd remove the baboons and monkeys (because personally I don't find it very appealing to hunt primates) and replace them with the South African Giraffe (pictured below). Giraffes are such an iconic species of the African savannah (like Zebras and Lions are) and it would be so incredible to be trekking across the savannah and see a Giraffe in the distance, towering over everything else around it. There's nothing quite like it.

[radiant canopy]

I can see why people would want giraffe on Vurhonga, but in my personal opinion I would rather see Giraffe on a map with Elephants (So if an elephant focused map comes out for the game it better have giraffes)

[marble bane]

I get that. Personally though I just think Vurhonga is missing some of the wonder associated with the African savannah (which, for me anyway comes from seeing huge majestic animals like Elephant and Giraffe) and seeing Giraffes on Vurhonga would really help to sell that iconic African feel. Vurhonga has those big Acacia trees in the savanna, wouldn't it be cool to see Giraffes standing next to them and feeding from them? I think that would scratch that particular itch quite well.

But maybe a good compromise would be to get Giraffes on a new reserve alongside Elephants and then see them added onto Vurhonga later on as well. That way, maybe we can get two different species of Giraffes in the game? That would be interesting at least.

[raw basin]

I would definitely prefer giraffes over primates. Killing primates feels weird to me too. I'm not sure if I could hunt if they were added. I wouldn't object to it but I'd probably ignire them.

I don't care what map they put giraffes on but Vurhonga doesn't quite feel like South Africa without them and zebras.

[marble bane]

Yeah I generally agree with your sentiment. I'm not going to be angry if they add huntable monkeys or baboons or other primates to the game, but their similarities to humans seems just a bit troubling to me, even though they obviously aren't human and it's just a game. I think it could start to feel a bit like The Most Dangerous Game (where humans get hunted down for sport) if huntable primates got added. Maybe I just have a weak stomach. I'm just not sure how to feel about it I guess.

Either way, I agree that Giraffes seem like an obvious choice for Vurhonga if we're going to completely overhaul the reserve's animal roster.

[radiant canopy]

For why I included vervet monkeys and baboons: Vervet monkeys are considered a bit of a pest in South Africa (based on what I have been able to learn from the internet). Baboons I included because of their appearance being so different from many primates (also a bit of a pest species and large males can make for a considerable skull mount, which begs the question of why we don't have skull mounts yet) and both species could provide a good shooting challenge, and part of why I want giraffes on an elephant centric reserve goes back to my ideal elephant centric reserve being a land mostly covered in thick brush and dense woodlands. As for overhauling Vurhonga, my take on the species list for a Vurhonga remake does not have to be the only one (I mean there are a few different Canadian Arctic Reserve concepts now)

[raw basin]

My comment was meant as more opinion rather than criticism, just to be clear. Tbh, it's the baboon hunting that would weird me out more, probably because I'm quite familiar with them. The monkeys wouldn't bother me so much. But I feel the same about lions and they're probably about 70% of all my kills. It's just a game. I'm not overly sentimental about any of this. I definitely want those elephants! 😄

[alpine mason]

Just read the entire post, and I am all for it, but I think hyena would be a good option or leopard. Leopards are huntable but not everywhere in Africa I don't know exactly where.

[rancid trout]

South Africa,Tanzania, Zimbabwe,Namibia,Mozambique,Ethiopia,Zambia are the countries with the most stable leopard populations,therefore plenty of hunting,there are a few other countries Irc that allow leopard hunting but those are the main ones.

[alpine mason]

Then they definitely should be added, since if Vurhonga will move south this will be the only map that makes the most sense to have it.

[radiant canopy]

Based on discussions regarding elephants today, here is another species I could include for my Vurhonga remake species list as a Rare Species (meaning they won’t be common but do exist, a system I am using with my #1183613914773200906 ); Southern White Rhinoceros (Class 10)

[alpine mason]

They should definitely add them, would love to have them in the game, even if you aren't allowed to shoot them just to be carfull for their aggression

[marble bane]

Tbh if we'd get Rhinos on Vurhonga then I'd be fine with not getting Giraffes.

[marble bane]

Also, just to clarify, while I probably wouldn't hunt the monkeys and baboons if they were added, I also wouldn't be angry about them being added. Like ZensunniDrifter said, it's more of an opinion than a criticism.

[timber void]

While I would love rhinos, vurhonga wouldn't work because of the storyline on vurhonga.

[radiant canopy]

could be that they spawn after the conclusion of the story

Along with the fact that the dead rhino you find during one of the missions looks more like a Black Rhinoceros

[raw basin]

Someone gave a very good work around on that with white rhinos versus endangered black rhinos but it does feel like rhinos would have to be on a separate Africa map. Rhinos on a map about rhinos being poached is a little too weird for me.

[radiant canopy]

Fair enough

[raw basin]

Must have been you who said it Moosedragon? Too lazy this morning to scroll up.😄

[radiant canopy]

It was talked about a bit over on #1182833210497970269

[raw basin]

Ahh, yes. Thanks for the reminder!

[jovial portal]

It would make sense to put euro wigeons on Yukon then on vurhonga that's how dumm they are

[radiant canopy]

Bump because #1203008616802684959 is the perfect solution to the problem my hypothetical remake has: Where to put the Lesser Kudu once they are replaced/removed from Vurhonga

[nocturne zephyr]

I’m gonna bump this