Madikwe Moments Blog
Pedals 4 Paws project raises funds for African wild dogs
24 March 2012The African wild dog is very close to our hearts here at Jaci’s, and being based in the Madikwe Reserve means we are very privileged to see these amazing animals on a regular basis. When you are on a game drive and observe a large pack of dogs playfully interacting with each other, it is hard to believe that they are on the critically endangered wildlife list.
Get out of my dam Duck
5 March 2012Elephants like to take themselves very seriously, but they are actually very amusing creatures, especially the younger ones.
Saving rhinos – on the horns of a dilemma
by Christine Marot – 22 September 2011Today, Thursday September 22 2011, marks the second year that the plight of the rhino comes to the fore as people around the world observe World Rhino Day.
Introduced in 2010 by the World Wildlife Fund, World Rhino Day is dedicated to raising awareness – both nationally and internationally – of the increased prevalence of rhino poaching and the resultant decline in numbers of these endangered mammals.
Rhinos have lived and reproduced on our planet for the past 50-million years, yet there are only about 24 500 remaining. According to official SANParks statistics, 122 were killed in 2009, 333 in 2010 and the number already stands at 287 for this year.
Two rare pangolin sightings in Madikwe
27 July 2011There’s been great excitement at Jaci’s Lodges of late, with two seldom-seen pangolins spotted in Madikwe within the past three weeks.
The animals were both spotted towards late evening, with Jaci’s Lodges field guides Paul Slyer and Francois Kroon claiming the latest sighting in the eastern part of Madikwe. They saw the pangolin crossing the road in an open, sandy habitat interspersed with large tamboti trees and patches of grassland.
Madikwe creatures – a photo essay
19 July 2011The following animal and bird pictures were taken by members of our photographic workshop last week. Out in the bush, there is always something new to see and experience! We’ll be hosting another photographic workshop later in the year. If you’d like us to notify you about the details, please email us at deon@madikwe.com or jaci@madikwe.com.
Giant buffalo spotted in Madikwe
by Jaci's Lodges – 25 May 2011This past weekend, Jaci and Jan spotted a massive male buffalo while out on a drive in the Madikwe Game Reserve.
“He was part of a huge herd of about 300 disease-free buffalo,” said Jaci. “We saw them in the eastern corner of Madikwe Plains.”
Night game drives are best for spotting the elusive genet
by Christine Marot – 5 May 2011Although less common than their cousin the civet, both the small-spotted genet (Genetta genetta) and the rusty or large-spotted genet (Genetta tigrina) are found in the more arid regions of South Africa.
Genets have tails as long as their bodies and boldly patterned, spotted and striped soft fur coats which afford the small animals excellent camouflage in their leafy forest habitat.
Unexpected feast for a young crocodile
by Deon de Villiers – 18 April 2011When an impala ram died in the camp from injuries sustained in a wild dog attack, the easiest way to dispose of its body was to put it at the waterhole as a first-come, first-served meal for predators.
Lying right next to the water obviously meant that Madikwe’s favourite little crocodile had a head start, even though lions had been seen in close proximity that morning.
Jackals mate for life and strongly defend their territory
by Christine Marot – 14 April 2011Look out for the solitary black-backed jackal on the grasslands of Madikwe. It’s easy to spot courtesy of a distinctive mantle of black hair on its back, a feature that has earned the mammal its common name.
Jackals live singly or in pairs, but are occasionally found in loose family packs. Male and female mate for life and both mark and defend the boundaries of their territory.
The animals communicate by yipping and growling, but when they come upon a kill, a ululating howl alerts other members of the pack to the find.
Stealth is the secret weapon of the barn owl
by Christine Marot – 12 April 2011Known as isikhova in Xhosa, the ghost-like barn owl (Tyto alba) is characterised by golden-grey plumage offset by white underparts. It has a distinctive and beautiful heart-shaped face dominated by large black eyes.
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