Blogs from Madikwe Game Reserve, Zeerust, North West, South Africa, Africa
A wedding, the wild, eight trout and some elephants
Published: July 18th 2009Africa » South Africa » North West » Zeerust » Madikwe Game Reserve
July 18th 2009
As we are currently stranded in Namibia and have an ADSL line, thanks Theresa. Its about time for a few updates. Its true getting married does change you, for instance it made me forget all about writing this blog and gave Sandra something to nag me about. It’s been exactly two months since the perfect wedding, I have included a load of pictures so you can see the big day. Obviously the wedding was superb and the service at Madikwe Safari Lodge couldn’t have been better. I won’t bore you with details the photos’ speak for themselves. Also included are some awesome pictures of the animals from Madikwe. After the wedding we headed from the Waterberg with Sandra’s mum, David, Reena, Andrea and Godfrey. Well prepared as ever I took us the scenic route arriving at ... read more
Zebra and Hippo sightings, before saying goodbye to the South African bush
Published: December 7th 2008Africa » South Africa » North West » Zeerust » Madikwe Game Reserve
November 19th 2008
On our last morning game drive , zebra walk in single file down the main road. Jaco halts the Land Rover so that we can watch as they stop to graze, providing another photographic opportunity. As Jaco turns the vehicle down a side road, Simon spots lion tracks. We follow until they enter a part of the reserve where it is too muddy for us to follow. So, it’s time to search for hippopotamus. On the way, we see wildebeest plus a group of kudu and then later an impala herd. As the vehicle approaches a warthog, he runs across the road, holding his tail high. Arriving at a viewing point on the river bank, Jaco points out a group of hippo that are submerged in the water with only their ears and eyes showing. They ... read more
Elephants in the morning
Published: December 2nd 2008Africa » South Africa » North West » Zeerust » Madikwe Game Reserve
November 18th 2008
Last night’s rain leads to a colorful sunrise this morning. Because of the muddy conditions, Jaco is limited to driving the Land Rover on the main roads. A giraffe stops her breakfast to take a look at us as we hurry by. We’re on the hunt for elephants today. And, we find a herd of them, tinged red from their mud bath. Jaco stops the vehicle so that we can observe the mamas and babies crossing the road. One of the younger elephants is still working on his coordination as he trips in front of us. The Land Rover creeps quietly by. Jaco doesn’t want to give the herd a reason to charge us. Finally, we’re able to drive past them only to discover a bull elephant around the corner. He’s in musk, which means his ... read more
Tonight, it's all about giraffe
Published: December 4th 2008Africa » South Africa » North West » Zeerust » Madikwe Game Reserve
November 18th 2008
When we start the nightly game drive , Jaco tells us that conditions are still muddy which means we’ll be staying on the main roads again. But, we’re lucky that a giraffe has chosen to eat dinner very close to the road. Jaco stops the Land Rover so that we can watch as the gangly animal stretches his long neck to taste the leafy branches of a treetop. He moves gracefully from tree to tree as the Land Rover follows along. Later, we see wildebeest and cape buffalo with rhino in the distance. Soon, Jaco drives up a steep incline to a hilltop. Surprise! The url=http://myitchytravelfeet.com/2009/03/09/combining-luxury-with-adventure-at-madikwe-hills-private-game-lodge/ Madikwe Hills vehicles are meeting other Brown and Keene guests who are staying at Mateya, another lo... read more
"This is my territory," roars the lion
Published: November 29th 2008Africa » South Africa » North West » Zeerust » Madikwe Game Reserve
November 17th 2008
Lions have dominated my last few safari posts. I promise you that we are seeing other animals. But, I can’t resist writing about such wonderful sightings. And, so it is again this morning. Once lions are spotted, Jaco drives off-road to follow them. We watch as a female lion displays submissive behavior to a male, cowing down before him. Then, the Land Rover creeps along as the male and female walk towards a small lake where the rest of the pride waits. Suddenly, the lion gives a long roar followed by four short bursts. After the second roaring session, the lioness joins in. According to Jaco, the lion is telling any lion within ten miles that this is his territory. We sit quietly watching two cubs pounce on each other, practicing stalking skills. Wandering away, they ... read more
Rhinos come out to play before the storm
Published: December 1st 2008Africa » South Africa » North West » Zeerust » Madikwe Game Reserve
November 17th 2008
Clouds on the horizon promise a stormy afternoon game drive. It seems the rainy weather has followed us from Sabin Sands to Madikwe. But, before the rain falls, we spot wildebeest and impala plus a herd of elephants in the distance. When the Land Rover turns a corner, two white rhino are standing close by. This is our first opportunity to see and photograph them up close. The sky darkens with approaching storm clouds. The wind begins to blow; lightning crackles in the distance while rain pelts the vehicle. We vote to skip the sundowners. Jaco continues to search for lions on the windy, wet drive back to the lodge. The inclement weather doesn’t bother him. Arriving at url=http://myitchytravelfeet.com/2009/03/09/combining-luxury-with-adventure-at-madikwe-hills-private-game-lodge/ Madik... read more
A lioness stalks tonight
Published: November 28th 2008Africa » South Africa » North West » Zeerust » Madikwe Game Reserve
November 16th 2008
At Skukuza airport, Alan and I catch a small plane for the flight to Federal Air Terminal in Johannesburg where we switch to an even smaller plane for the trip to Madikwe. Our path diverts from stormy weather before circling the dirt landing strip as a giraffe pops her long neck above the trees to check out the new arrivals. We see zebra, kudu and impala roaming the flat valley on the drive to url=http://myitchytravelfeet.com/2009/03/09/combining-luxury-with-adventure-at-madikwe-hills-private-game-lodge/ Madikwe Hills Where’s a camera when we need one? The lodge is built into the side of a hill among a series of boulders. Alan and I are greeted with a refreshing glass of limewater, then we’re taken to #6, our home for the next three nights. The living area houses a sofa, bar and fireplace. Mosquito netting surrounds the bed, ... read more
