August 2025

August has come and gone, and winter disappeared before the month could come to an end! As we reached the middle of the month, we experienced some very warm temperatures. Perhaps the August winds worked a little too hard this year. Instead of just blowing the leaves off the trees, it dragged in the heat we normally only get later in the Spring. Our temperatures for the last few weeks have been averaging at highs of 32’C (90’F) and lows of 9’C (48’F). Our sunrise is currently at 6:25 and sunset at 18:03. With the days getting longer and considerably warmer, we will most certainly be having earlier wake up calls and later evenings, giving you plenty of time between game drives to lounge by the pool, soaking up the sun. Perhaps indulge in a good book by the library or even treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment.

With the noticeably warmer weather, we have been treated to sights of the elephant herds rushing down to the watering holes, with a bounce in their step as they pick up the pace to get to the cool waters as quickly as they can. There’s no slowing them down, the water inviting them in for a nice cold drink and splash to cool them down. And almost as if to remind us to keep lathering on our Sunscreen, the elephants will pick up some mud with their trunks to spray it across their bodies, cooling them down and adding a protective layer against the sun.

Speaking of mud, we had a few days of Spotted Hyena activity, just around the corner from the lodge. The Hyenas had made a meal out of a young buffalo that was stuck in the mud. For them, this was a real treat, they got first helpings instead of having to wait for leftovers from other predators. We counted somewhere around 16 Spotted Hyena and 8 or so Black-Backed Jackal, all in one morning. A couple of the Hyenas were so stuck in on trying to get their meal out of the mud that they themselves looked as though they were apart of the mud wallow. Completely covered in mud from head to toe. The few that remained mud free were the ones that were waiting for the scraps. It was quite entertaining to see how the much smaller Jackals were braving up to also tuck in, being careful not to chew too closely to the Hyenas in fear of being snapped at.

It has been a great month for the scavengers, seeing both Spotted and Brown Hyenas, Black-Backed Jackals and a good number of White-backed Vultures on many occasions. The Brown Hyena cubs, not so small anymore, still lingering in the caves can be seen on most afternoons as they either snooze on the cave ledges or navigate up and down the face of the Tufa Cave formation. The Black-backed Jackals roaming around most corners and on some occasions letting out their eerie calls to start or end the day, we would stop to listen as their calls echoed out to others in the distance and some more echoing back. And as for the vultures, they have been hanging around for the past few weeks, making it evident that there has been a decent number of carcasses left for them to clean up. They could be seen perching on the dead leadwood trees, appearing to be hunched over in anticipation for their turn to grab a bite, and for those with less patience, hopping around and chasing off the others from their meal.

As for an update on the lions in the East, the Addo and Matata males did not spend as much time in our neck of the woods this month, but just enough to make it clear that they are still very much interested in this territory and the females that reside here. As for the Lafathla and Bolokega males, they are still lurking in the shadows with no set territory claimed. Blonde Mane Mahiwa is still in the East, keeping his head down and out of sight of the other males for now. The dynamics have definitely shifted.

We have not been graced with the presence of the Wild Dogs in the East as of yet, but they have been sighted on the other side of the park. And word has it that both of the Wild dog packs have got 6 healthy pups each! That’s 12 more Wild dogs in Madikwe! We look forward to getting the opportunity to see them for ourselves!

With the sudden season change, Spring has definitely sprung, although it feels like we landed right into the middle of Summer. The Yellow Pomegranates have already started blooming, without any sign of rain as yet. Perhaps this year we will be treated to even more beautiful flowers to paint the horizons with a diversity of colours. Season changes are always so exciting!

Until Next Time!

The Mateya Team