Madikwe 5 - Birds

We couldn't leave out some of the beautiful birds and a tortoise we saw at Madikwe and even a photo of us to prove we were there! We enjoy our trips into the bush to see the beautiful animals and places our Heavenly father has placed on the earth.

Madikwe 4 - Bush in a thunderstorm!

The bush in a Thunderstorm

Agitated impala

The afternoon game drive on 26 December was also exciting. Kenneth wasn't sure we would see anything since it was raining and storming. Animals are like us and want to be out of the rain. In watching the impala we could see they were agitated with the heavy rains and thunder. then we came across a herd of elephants! They did not like the rain or thunder and were taking their displeasure out on everything in their way. We could see their agitation with their movements and trumpeting . We even saw a big elephant chase away some sheltering impala! Kenneth was careful because at one point a couple of elephants saw our vehicle and started for it. He quickly put it in reverse and backed up until the elephant didn't think we were a threat. Elephants are dangerous and can easily turnover a vehicle.

Angry Elephant

Once the elephants had passed we continued on our game drive through the storm and wet bush. The roads and even the bush was running with water. The dry river beds were difficult to ford. But then the storm ended and the sun came out. We even saw 2 rhinos and a rainbow at the airport landing strip (there is one in Madikwe), It was an interesting, but damp game drive as we all came back wet even though we had heavy rain ponchos on.

Madikwe 3 - Lions!!!

On the morning game drive on 26 December we came across a large (12 animals) pride of lions making there way to the waterhole. At first we saw a few of them in the distance coming through the grass. Kenneth, our guide, moved the land cruiser to a different location (he knew where they were headed!) and we waited while the entire pride walked between us and another safari vehicle with the male lion bringing up the rear. We then drove to be near the waterhole where we watched them for 15 minutes of so. It was interesting to see them absorbed in drinking for quite awhile, then playing a little and finally when some elephants seemed to be heading for the waterhole the entire pride's attention shifted (we couldn't get a photo of that). Once the elephants passed without coming for water the lions relaxed a little.

This was  the most exciting encounter with lions we have had since being here in South Africa. Usually when we see lions they are under bushes sleeping or semi-sleeping. Just not very exciting, but watching them this day was interesting.

Madikwe 2 - Lots of animals

We did six game drives so we saw lots of animals.  In this post you can see a wide variety of animals. there will be a couple more posts of some exciting drives.

Elephant

Giraffe

Giraffe - we love to see these elegant walking animals

Elephants on way to waterhole

Elephants at waterhole

Crocodile and turtle at watehole

Prancing Pumba (warthog)

Rhino (white or wide mouth)

Wildebeest with young, see the beautiful bush

Zebra and Impala

Black-backed jackal

Waterbucks

Troop of Babboons

African ground squirrel