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WILDLIFE SAFARIS AT MADIKWE
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Reborn wilderness: Set in South Africa's North West Province, Madikwe was established in 1991 when a number of mismanaged farms were bought by the government to be amalgamated into a vast protected area. Following habitat restoration work, a massive reintroduction programme dubbed 'Operation Phoenix' returned all of the large mammal species known to occur in the region historically. Madikwe Safari Lodge is set in game-rich savanna, where Africa's great predators again roam free. Positioned at the ecological junction between the bushveld and the Kalahari, Madikwe comprises five distinct habitats which are home to a rich diversity of plants, birds and other wildlife.
- Ecological cross-road of bushveld and Kalahari
- Excellent night viewing including brown hyena and springhare
- 'Big Five', including both black and white rhinoceros
- Resident packs of endangered wild dog
- Over 350 bird species, including several Kalahari specials
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Madikwe Habitats:
The wooded plains of Madikwe are punctuated with rocky inselbergs of balancing boulders, and a low range of quartzite hills. Productive acacia savanna dominates the Reserve, with Scented-pod Thorn, Umbrella Thorn, Red Thorn and Black Monkey Thorn, and swathes of sweet pasture grasses attracting substantial numbers of herbivores, as well as their predators. Broad-leaved woodlands occur on the Dwarsberg Hills, while open grasslands occur on former agricultural lands. The Marico River, with its narrow ribbon of tall trees, forms the eastern boundary of the Reserve. The rocky hills are sprinkled with hardy Ficus, Croton and Pappea trees.
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Mammals at Madikwe:
In addition to the characteristic large mammals of the African savanna, Madikwe is also home to several species typical of the dry Kalahari (and at the eastern fringe of their natural distribution). Large numbers of elephant, giraffe and impala occur alongside oryx, springbok and red hartebeest. Several prides of lion share the Reserve with leopard, cheetah and wild dog. Both spotted and brown hyena are resident and may sometimes be seen together. Over 20 black rhinoceros occur in Madikwe's wooded thickets. Night drives often reveal lesser bushbaby, springhare, black-backed jackal and other nocturnal mammals. Because of the region's low rainfall, larger mammals are attracted to waterholes throughout the year.
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Birds at Madikwe:
Madikwe lies at the ecological junction of the dry Kalahari bushveld and the moister eastern bushveld, and this has led to a rich diversity of birds. Over 350 species have been recorded. Close relatives ('species pairs') which are not usually found together include Namaqua and double-banded sandgrouse, Kalahari and white-browed scrub-robins, red-eyed and dark-capped bulbuls, and arrow-marked and southern pied babblers. The glorious crimson-breasted shrike is common, and there are numerous records of the rare yellow morph of this species. Good numbers of ducks, herons and other waterfowl visit larger waterholes, where thirsty doves, finches, waxbills and other seedeaters are vulnerable to hunting falcons and goshawks. After dark, African and white-faced scops-owls join various nightjars in their nocturnal chorus.
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Other Madikwe Wildlife:
A variety of interesting reptiles occur at Madikwe, with large African rock-python favouring the rocky inselbergs, and flap-necked chameleon common in savanna woodland. Leopard tortoise may be encountered crossing sand tracks. There is an abundance of beautiful butterflies throughout the Reserve, and brightly-coloured dragonflies at waterholes. After rain showers, swarms of flying termites attract a host of predators, from eagles and rollers to bats and toads. The giant bullfrog emerges after heavy downpours and shares waterbodies with up to 20 other species of frog.
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| For exciting wildlife sightings, visit CC Africa's entertaining
and informative wildlife website www.wildwatch.com. |
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