Madikwe Hills Bush Bulletin | February 2026
As Madikwe transitions from the final summer rains toward the drier months, the reserve is alive with change. This Bush Bulletin celebrates the ever-changing rhythms of the African wilderness.
Changing Skies: From Orion to Scorpius
As summer slowly begins its transition toward autumn, the night skies above Madikwe are undergoing one of their most beautiful seasonal changes. Throughout the warmer months, the constellation Orion dominates our evening skies, easily recognised by its distinctive three-star belt. However, as February progresses and the nights grow slightly longer, Orion begins to set earlier in the evening, slowly giving way to the rising presence of Scorpius later in the night.
Scorpius is one of the most striking constellations visible in the southern hemisphere. Its long, curved shape resembles the body and tail of a scorpion, with the bright red star Antares marking its heart. In the coming months this constellation will rise earlier and become one of the most prominent features of the winter sky, accompanied by the dense star clouds of the Milky Way stretching across the horizon.
For guests enjoying evening game drives, these changing skies provide a beautiful reminder that the wilderness is not only alive on the ground but also above us. With minimal light pollution in Madikwe, the reserve offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. From spotting constellations to watching satellites drift silently across the sky, the African night sky remains one of the most magical parts of the safari experience.
The Ashia Cheetah Brothers Settling In
The five Ashia cheetah brothers continue to establish themselves within the southern regions of the reserve, and encouragingly, they appear to be adapting well to life in Madikwe. Coalition males like these brothers often rely heavily on teamwork, and their bond allows them to hunt larger prey and defend kills more effectively than solitary cheetahs.
Despite their growing success, life as a cheetah in Madikwe comes with significant challenges. The reserve supports a healthy population of larger predators such as lions, leopards and spotted hyenas, all of which pose a threat to cheetahs and their kills. To survive in this competitive environment, the brothers have shown impressive awareness, often hunting quickly and moving off their kills before dominant predators arrive.
Over the past few weeks the coalition has been seen successfully hunting for themselves and steadily exploring their expanding range. Their presence adds an exciting dynamic to the predator landscape in the south of the reserve, and guests have been fortunate enough to witness these sleek hunters moving through the open grasslands in search of their next opportunity.
The Final Summer Storms
February brought with it some spectacular displays of summer weather across Madikwe. For nearly two weeks the reserve experienced a series of dramatic thunderstorms, with towering clouds building over the plains and lightning illuminating the horizon. These storms delivered much-needed rainfall, replenishing water sources and breathing fresh life into the bush.
The rains have transformed the landscape into a lush sea of green grass and flowering plants. Insects flourish during this period, which in turn attracts birds and smaller predators, creating a vibrant ecosystem full of activity. Many herbivores take advantage of the abundant grazing, while predators benefit from prey that is widely dispersed across the reserve.
As we move further into the coming weeks, these large summer storm systems are beginning to ease. Clearer skies are starting to return, bringing warm golden afternoons and calmer evenings. This transition marks the gradual shift toward the drier months ahead, but for now the bush remains alive with the energy that only the summer rains can provide
Changing Lion Territories
Lion movements within Madikwe continue to shape the ever-evolving predator landscape of the reserve. Recently, the males known as Addo and Matata have been spending more time in the northern and eastern areas, where they have been seen interacting with several lionesses. Their presence and breeding activity in this region suggest they are currently holding this territory rather than returning south to their previous range.
With Addo and Matata remaining further north and east, an opportunity has opened for the coalition of Tswalu and Tshimega to begin exploring and pushing deeper into the southern regions of the reserve. Territorial shifts like these are a natural part of lion dynamics, often influenced by neighbouring coalitions and the availability of prides.
For Tswalu and Tshimega, this movement south may allow them to establish themselves more firmly in areas that were previously dominated by other males. Should they succeed in holding this territory, it could lead to new pride dynamics and potentially future cubs, highlighting once again how fluid and fascinating lion territories can be within Madikwe.
Southern Carmine Bee-Eaters on the Move
Among the many bird species that visit Madikwe throughout the year, the Southern Carmine Bee-Eater is one of the most spectacular. With their vibrant crimson plumage and graceful flight, these birds are a favourite sight during the summer months when they arrive in southern Africa to breed.
Southern Carmine Bee-Eaters typically nest in large colonies along sandy riverbanks, where they excavate tunnels in the soil to lay their eggs. Their diet consists mainly of flying insects, particularly bees, wasps and dragonflies, which they catch mid-air with remarkable precision. Watching a flock swoop and glide over open grassland while hunting is one of the true visual delights of the bush.
As the summer season draws to a close, these birds will soon begin preparing for their long migration northward into central Africa. Many individuals travel vast distances between breeding and wintering grounds, often moving through Botswana and beyond. Their arrival and departure each year is yet another reminder of the incredible seasonal rhythms that shape life in the African wilderness.