MANAGERS REPORT

Dear Friends and Colleagues

All I can say is WOW, what a winter…… a cold winter. This is probably one of the coldest winters I have experienced during my 11 years in the bush. My ‘Mr. tough guy’ who do not need to wear a jersey during winter approach, fell completely on it’s face this year, as I came to the office with not just a jersey, but a vest as well. Not only have we experienced cold weather, but also received the odd rain down pour every now and then, just to make sure we are fully aware that winter is here.

But as always this did not stop anybody from getting up in the morning to greet the day with a cup of coffee, dressed up like the Michelin man, ready and excited in anticipation of what experience lies ahead for the drive. As usual the guides produced some fantastic sightings, from Wild dog moving house and pack reconfiguration to Rhinos clashing over territorial dominance. 

Staff

Lindy Molefe was elected as our employee of the month. She started at Madikwe Hills as a room attendant and worked her wa

 to waitress and are currently also taking charge of the housekeeping department during the days the Head of housekeeping is on leave as well as the butler function at Little Madikwe when that person is on leave. That is what I call multi skilled. We thank her for her contribution to the team and look forward to a bright future for her.

Molatedi

The crèche is doing very well with the number of pupils still around 40 strong. The kids are at home for the holiday, which I am sure they do not mind, as sleeping in would be preferred in the cold weather.

Hennie de Clerk

Ranger Report

It is the end of July already and this year is absolutely flying away. We are in the middle of winter here at Madikwe and I can tell you that it is a cold one indeed. Frost greets you in the morning and chilly evenings make sure that you put that jacket on and keep the hand warmers close. The vegetation can also feel the cold hand of winter since all the deciduous trees have lost their leaves and the grass has turned into a most splendorous golden yellow colour. At first glance things may look very dull and dreary but if you look carefully you can see the beauty of it all. Game viewing is at the moment at its best since water is scarce and animals concentrate around the permanent waterholes allot more and you can also see much further than in summer time, when the vegetation is thick and lush. Luckily however there is still some colour around. Now is the time for most of the succulent plants to flower most notably the Aloe’s. The mountain Aloe (Aloe marlotthi) is the most common around here and you mostly find them on the hills and mountain sides here in Madikwe as the name implies. They produce big stalks that contain dozens of yellow, orange, and red flowers that paint the surrounding landscape and they are hugely popular with birds and insects, particularly bees, due to the abundant amounts of nectar in their flowers.

               

Concerning our animal friends, all are doing well and are in great health. The new litter of six Wild Dog pups are almost two months old and growing very fast indeed. I was just in time the other day when I visited the den to witness how the rest of the pack leads them away to a new den site. Wild dogs will move their den quite a few times during the pup’s firsts few months. This is normally a result of pressure from other predators or parasite infestation in the old den. The den will also build up quite a smell very quickly and this could lead other predators to the den with disastrous consequences. We cannot afford to lose these pups to other predators since these animals are so critically endangered. If the pups grow up to be strong and healthy it will be one step closer for us to save this magnificent animal from extinction. While they were busy moving from the old den to the new one it was quite comical. The rest of the pack set of into the bush with the six little ones in hot pursuit. You can only now and then see them through the tall grass as they struggle to keep up with the rest. It must be difficult in a world where everything is bigger and higher than you. Every now and then one of the dogs will stop and turn around to wait for them. After a quick sniff and a head count they all set of again. Finally after almost one and a half kilometres they arrived at the new den and then quickly scurried below ground to catch their breath. The adults stood outside the den watching for danger and making sure nothing followed them before they also settled down to get some well deserved rest.

                              

For some reason are not only the wild dogs very active, but the White Rhino’s as well. In this case I am referring in particular to fights for territory and dominance. Not long ago we arrived at an old quarry which had some water left in it where a big rhino bull was mud bathing at the time. He enjoyed his afternoon quietly and peacefully until he was rudely interrupted, by a rival male who arrived at the watering hole and came down to also have a drink and perhaps a wallow in the mud. This infuriated the old bull and he immediately sprung to his feet and snorted his irritation at the other male who just kept on walking towards the water. By the water’s edge the two met head to head staring at each other with a penetrating glare. The old bull lunged forward to push the other one away, with his rival then retaliating by pushing the old bull back into the water as their horns locked in a quick but decisive battle. We were astounded by the sound of this epic battle, horns clashing, snorting and growling, which all resulted in what felt like a miniature earthquake. Dust settled to reveal the old man still in charge and the less worthy challenger backing down and moving away to the other side of the watering hole to drink and then leave with nothing gained but a lesson in battle.

 

 

The great thing about Madikwe is that you don’t have to drive for miles to find all the good stuff. Allot happens right here at the lodge as well. The watering hole in front of the main lodge is as popular as ever, with great herds of elephants coming by every day to quench their thirst and to take a luxurious mud bath. Little ones play in the mud like there is no tomorrow, and even the adults sometimes join in the fun. The shy buffalo’s also frequent the waters on a regular basis, with most of the water in the bush dried up they have no choice but to come to the lodge for a drink. One afternoon whilst sitting on the deck just before sunset we new the buffalo where on their way as one could hear them walking through the bush for miles and it almost sounded like a massive army marching onwards to an impending battle. A strong dust trail rose above the bush and one by one they started to come out of the bush into the open clearing. It was an amazing site to behold and we roughly estimated their numbers to be about three hundred. They all came to the watering hole jousting for position since they are so many but eventually everyone got their fill and the herd moved on.

 

 

 

  

Not only do big animals visit the lodge but there are some very beautiful ones living here around us all the time. The bird life here at Madikwe hills is awesome and all you have to do is just sit and observe. All of them will eventually present themselves to show off their splendid colours. Species like red and yellow Hornbills, Crimson Breasted Shrike, Bar Throated Apalis, Black Headed Orioles, Chestnut vented Tit bablers, and Pied and Arrow marked Babblers are to name but a few. These feathered friends can keep you entertained for hours at a time.

 

 

 Greetings from Jaco and the team.