November Rangers Report

November has been quite a hot month for us. With our highest temperatures averaging around 37’C (98’F) and our lows around 24’C (75’F). The sun rises at 5:17 and the sun sets at 18:58.

It has certainly been a hot month in Madikwe, but we have been graced with a few good rain showers here and there. The little bit of rain that we have had so far has brought the wildflowers back to life, with many different ground lily species pushing through the red soils of Madikwe. We had a few weeks of certain areas of the reserve painted yellow with the Short- thorn Pomegranate (Rhigozum brevispinosum) flowers in full bloom.

The days are longer, allowing for plenty of down time in between game drives, whether it is indulging in a good book, a relaxing spa treatment, soaking up the summer sun at the swimming pool or enjoying the comings and goings over at the waterhole in front of the lodge.

In terms of game viewing, there have been a few sightings of some new lion cubs, they have not always been easy to find, but when they have been sighted it is well worth the wait. There have also been a few males from other territories encroaching in the territory where the Mahiwa coalition roams, which is on our side of the reserve, could they be trying their luck?

As for the Ashia cheetah and her 5 cubs, they are still thriving. She has been moving them around quite a bit, exposing them to new areas and navigating through areas where the lions have been roaming, perhaps to teach them how to move through areas where there are dangers and how to avoid conflict with other predators.

We have also recently come across a Spotted Hyena den not too far from the lodge. On one morning we counted around 12 individuals, including cubs that are now at the sub-adult size. One of the females does however look like she is expecting, so hopefully we will get an opportunity to see the new cubs when they start roaming out of the den. Not only is it great to be able to visit the den site, but we have also been hearing the hyenas calling during the evenings and early mornings from the lodge.

With December in our grasp and Summer in full swing we are enjoying more frequent sightings of the summer migratory bird species, the African Paradise Flycatchers have chosen yet again to nest around the lodge, European Bee-eaters, the Shaft-tailed Whydahs, Woodland Kingfishers and many more can now be seen throughout the reserve now and for the next couple of months. We are also looking forward to seeing all the new Impala and Blue Wildebeest babies that will be born in the weeks ahead!

As we head into the festive season we would like to wish you a wonderful festive season ahead.

Until next time

The Mateya Team