Madikwe Game
Reserve: an
idyllic getaway
WILDLIFE SAFARIS
Expect close
sightings of the Big
Five at the HluhluweImfolozi Park
MADIKWE GAME RESERVE
Madikwe Game Reserve, in the North West Province, is one of South
Africa’s hidden gems—currently the fifth largest game reserve, it is
considered as one of the best conservation areas in the country, making it an ideal destination to spot the Big Five, besides the 66 other
species of mammals. Madikwe is an idyllic getaway for nature lovers
and wildlife enthusiasts. With a variety of terrains from open grasslands to craggy rocks and thick forests, Madikwe also boasts of prolific
bird life. Keep a keen eye out and your camera ready as you spot the
ostrich, the majestic Kori bustard or the vivid crimson-breasted shrike,
amongst many others.
TRAVEL TRIVIA
A conservation corridor is envisaged, that will eventually join the
Madikwe and Pilanesberg game reserves.
TRAVEL TIP
For the best bird-watching experience, stay back in camp when others
go off on game drives, especially if there’s a waterhole in the vicinity.
Sabi Sand
Reserve: a
luxury escape
SABI SAND RESERVE
The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve borders the Kruger National Park and is renowned for its luxury game
lodges. With the fences dropped, the wild animals
cross back and forth with ease, along the Sabie River,
making Sabi Sand a haven for the Big Five and an indulgent getaway for you. The fact that two perennial
rivers (after which the reserve is named) flow through
it means that the area offers excellent wildlife viewing
all year round. If you’re lucky, you may come across a
lioness watching over her cubs or a leopard moving
in for the kill, and later at night, swathed in some of
the finest linen, the sounds of the forest could lull you
into a blissful slumber.
TRAVEL TRIVIA
The Sabi Sand is the oldest private game reserve in
South Africa, formally declared in 1948.
TRAVEL TIP
Each season has its own delights. Early spring and
summer (August to November) offer great game
viewing, especially baby animals, because the grass
is still low and the animals are concentrated around
waterholes before the rains.
HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI PARK
It was here that a game-capture technique was developed through Operation Rhino in the 1960s that helped in relocating these animals and thus saving
them. The two areas, Hluhluwe and iMfolozi, were first protected in 1895 and
consolidated into one reserve about a hundred years later. Hluhluwe lies to the
north and enjoys a mountainous landscape while Imfolozi to the south is ideal
for game viewing with its more open plains. Apart from the Big Five, the reserve
is home to a variety of antelopes and nearly 300 species of birds. Other special
species include cheetah and wild dogs. The park is famous for its wilderness
trails, guided game drives and guided walks. A range of accommodation is
available, from bush camps to luxury lodges. Contact KZN Wildlife (sharoni@
kznwildlife.com; prices starting from R 870 per night, sharing).
TRAVEL TRIVIA
Before 1895, the area was a hunting ground for the Zulu kingdom. It’s the oldest
declared natural reserve in the country.
TRAVEL TIP
Visitors exploring the Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal have to book a minimum of
two nights in this reserve.
WHEN TO GO
The northern, central and eastern parts, which
include the Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg,
Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Free State, have hot
summers with thundershowers and cool, dry
winters. Summer (or the “green season”) is the
best time to see young animals and more diversity. Birdlife is at its best, with all the migrating
species present, and it is also the calving season
for many antelope species. On the flip side, the
bush is thick, hindering visibility, and safaris can
get quite hot. In the winters, animals are more
active and it is easier to spot game in the sparser
bush. Winter also poses the lowest malaria risk.
WHAT TO PACK
The key to a successful safari is comfort. It’s
a good idea to layer comfortable clothing,
which can be removed to cool down or added
on, to stay warm. Be sure to wear comfortable
walking shoes and a hat.