Magical Madikwe

Last weekend, I had a magical time in Madikwe, a game reserve just across the border in South Africa.  It is so close -- less than an hour and a half drive away, including time for the border crossing. I can't believe I had never been before !  

I accompanied Amanda, a WUSC Leave for Change volunteer wanting to have the safari experience, and we were joined by my friends John, Naki, and Tomek on Sunday. 

I found accommodations for Amanda and I at Motswiri Lodge, a 5-star luxury lodge, and we were not disappointed.  It is low season, now that the holiday rush has abated, and we had the whole lodge to ourselves ! We were thoroughly spoiled -- gourmet meals, game drives -- we didn't have to lift a finger.  And it didn't hurt that they charged us less than half the normal rate !

Can you blame me for planning to go back again this weekend ?  Yes, I am heading back tomorrow with Anaisa, my Portuguese house-mate. I have only 3 weekends left here, and I am thrilled to be able to spend another one in the bush.

Here is a taste of what we did and saw:

Amanda and John, in the Motswiri Lodge lounge.

Naki and Tomek.

The gang, at Jaci's Safari Lodge for lunch.

Amanda and I with our guide Andre.

Roughing it in the bush.

Our gorgeous room, with fireplace, spa tub, and outdoor shower over-looking the water hole.

Amanda's first safari experience !



Yup - We got this close !



Flat tire from following lions over the stony terrain.

Can't forget the little guys !

Hyena with remnants of wildebeest.



Rhino.

The kudu is my favourite antelope.  I love the curly horns!

Lunch time!

Wildebeest.

We followed this black maned lion for quite a while.   

He was looking for his pride, and would call out for them every now and then.

Eventually, he gave up and flopped down under a tree.

Have you got my best side ?

Chin rest.

Mom and babe.

This pride of two lionesses and nine cubs was feasting on a zebra.

Christmas Road Trip - St. Lucia Wetlands

Our journey neared its end at St. Lucia, a small town nestled between the St. Lucia wetlands and the sandy shores of the Indian Ocean.  I spent the afternoon at the beach and then enjoyed an evening boat ride in the estuary, watching hippos, crocs, and bird life until the sun set.

From there, it was on to hot and humid Durban, where I enjoyed a city break, hanging out at the UShaka Marine Park, the local beach, and the air conditioned mall.

All in all, it was an enjoyable Christmas break, with a good mix of scenery, wildlife, and cultural offerings, spent in the company of a kind, retired couple from New Zealand and our South African guide/driver.

Mother and child, assessing the waves.

A quieter stretch of beach.

Hippos galore !

Yet another glorious African sunset.

Christmas Road Trip - Hluhluwe Game Reserve

We continued our journey to the coast via Hluhluwe Game Reserve, the oldest game reserve in Africa.  Fortunately, its resident rhino population is under tight surveillance and the reserve is known for its conservation efforts.  Rhino poaching is still a big problem in South Africa.  Hluhluwe is lush and green with rolling hills -- a refreshing change from the dry, desert environment I have become accustomed to in Botswana.

Christmas Road Trip - Swazi Sanctuary

I don't think I would have thought, a year ago, that I would be spending Christmas 2012 in a grass hut in Swaziland -- but I am so glad I did -- it turned out to be a delightful treat !

We stayed at the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, in traditional Swazi style beehive huts. The sanctuary was a virtual Garden of Eden, with all sorts of species of antelopes (bleisboks, nyalas, impalas, waterbucks) and zebras roaming freely. We didn't bump into the resident hippos, which is probably a good thing, but we did see crocodiles, turtles, and plenty of bird life in the little lake we looked out over while having breakfast.  I had to wait for a herd of zebras to cross my path one evening on my way back to my hut.

We spent Christmas morning at the homestead of a Swazi Chief (see next post) before returning to the lodge for a sumptuous Christmas lunch.  We retreated to our grass huts to wait out a glorious afternoon thunder and lightening storm, while the local revelers continued their picnics and swims (not too wise in a thunderstorm?).  As it turns out, the Swazi hut builders know what they are doing -- not one drop of water leaked through my grass hut !

Merry Christmas, 2012 !

Our breakfast area overlooked this lake, teeming with birdlife, crocs, turtles, and fish.

Local revelers enjoy their Christmas afternoon with a braai, picnic, and swim...despite the impending thunder and lightening storm!

While I didn't run into the local hippos, I did have to make way for a herd of zebras on the way to my hut.

 

My Swazi hut !

Bleisbok.

The nyala who greeted me outside my hut on Christmas morning.

Christmas Road Trip - The Little Guys

I thought I would share some of the smaller creatures that graced my path on my recent travels.  Like all life's little treasures, they are easy to miss if you are too preoccupied with finding the bigger stuff.

The chameleon figures prominently in local folklore.

Agama tree lizard.

I don't know the name of this tree lizard.

Leopard Tortoise.

Saddle-billed stork.

This Red Bishop visited our breakfast area on Christmas morning.

This croc was a Christmas morning visitor, too.

Golden Orb Spider. I watched one of these, the size of my hand, weave a web of golden thread.  I didn't think it would show up on my camera, so I got this photo from the web (the other web).

I have also witnessed the migration of the African Caper White butterfly throughout my travels and in Gaborone.