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Newsletter Summer 2005

Spring has grown into summer, with the heat of the African sun moving in waves over the reserve.

The long summer days, under vast cobalt skies, are now occasionally punctuated by massive thunderstorms. As the heat of midday softens into the late afternoon, huge anvil-shaped clouds appear on the horizon, announced by the distant rumble of thunder. The clouds, huge columns of white towering over an ink-black base, slide above the hot earth, trailing a grey veil of rain. Sections of each cloud light up in turn as lightening blazes through their interior. As the storms approach, the bush seems to go still in anticipation. Even the cicadas, whose incessant call is the soundtrack to the African summer, quieten down. Pitched to sound like the sizzling of an overheated earth, when the cicada’s buzz does eventually stop, the silence seems deafening.

The elephants grazing on the plains are dwarfed to insignificance by the huge approaching clouds. Gradually they turn to face the coming storm, surrounded by swallows flying in crazy curves ahead of the rain. As the curtain of grey moves closer, lightening zigzags earthwards and the ground seems to tremble, shaken by the deafening thunder. The rain becomes audible, a muted roar rolling across the bush, pushing the fresh, clean smell of moisture ahead of it.

When the drops begin to fall they are huge, sending puffs of dust up off the earth with each impact. The rain is surprisingly icy, each massive drop a pleasant shock after the heat of the day. As the storm passes overhead the world is transformed into a grey maelstrom. The rain roars, violently pounding into the ground and the thunder crashes constantly, the claps competing to override each other. As the lightening splits the rain, it lights up the antelope standing under the trees, their fur ruffled against the cold and their heads hanging in the downpour. The ground turns to mud and dozens of tiny streams appear, gushing down any gully or ravine towards the river.

As quickly as it comes, the storm passes. The rain slows and then stops. The setting sun appears from behind the iridescent cloud, lighting up columns of steam spiralling from the ground. With the dust washed from the air, everything appears fresh and sharp, the colours in the double rainbow arching across the sky are breathtakingly clear. The clouds move on towards the horizon, the thunder grumbling into the distance.

As the sun sets, millions of termites fly into the orange dusk, a feast for the bee eaters swooping through the air. Moisture drips from the trees, diamonds falling in the dying light. The birds, freshly showered, shake and preen in the trees, their happy calls filling the air. Another storm has come and gone, and the bush returns to normal.

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GUIDE’S REPORT.

We have had above average sightings of elephants in the last few weeks, it seems like most of the elephants in the Park decided to spend all their time on Krokodildrift! After they had enjoyed the fruits of the Maroela trees in the west, they returned to our neck of the woods, with herds of over 80 elephants being seen on the plains east of the lodge Luckily we have had only a few incidents of the odd lone bull or two wandering into camp and keeping Garth and David busy at night as they try to negotiate some sort of agreement about protecting the trees around the lodge. The elephants have also been brushing up on their road blocking skills. Almost every day at sunset they go down to drink from the river at the crossing, trapping game drives on the other side of the river and causing dinner to be delayed There is very little you can do to persuade thirty or more elephants to move away from their favourite sun-downer spot!

Although we have not seen the female cheetah and her two cubs near the lodge for some time, they are still doing very well and they have been spotted in the reserve on a few occasions. We hope that they will continue doing well and that they will soon move back onto Krokodildrift. The four male cheetahs continue to provide excellent game viewing, including several recent sightings of them feeding on kills. They are still on and around the Madikwe Plains and every so often wander closer to the eastern side of the Park.

The wild dogs are also doing well, with the puppies getting to that stage now that they can hunt with the whole pack. For this reason it has been very difficult to keep track of them and the sightings have been fewer than normal. They have to kill twice as regularly now to keep all the hungry mouths quiet and happy.
We have a pair of rhinos and a herd of buffalo now permanently resident on Krokodildrift, meaning that the big five could all be found within a stone’s throw of the lodge!

Sightings Summary:
(Summary of the sightings percentage per game drive going out from the lodge. Over 100% means that there was more, on average, more than one sighting per drive).

Elephants – 278%
Giraffe – 102%
Lion – 37%
Cheetah – 22%
Rhino – 12%
Buffalo – 9%
Wild dog – 7%

Warm regards from the guiding team at Makanyane Safari Lodge.

Philip Hattingh
Head Guide, Makanyane Safari Lodge

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SPECIAL REPORT – The Lions of Krokodildrift.

At Makanyane Safari Lodge, we are fortunate enough to have plenty of lion activity on our private ground, an 1800 hectare section of the reserve known as Krokodildrift. On Krokodildrift the local lion pride is lead by the Mosela sela female, a beautiful lioness in her prime. She has raised her own two cubs, simultaneously raising two foster cubs, those of her sister who unexpectedly died a few years ago. These four youngsters, two males and two females (now known as the Kwena youngsters) have remained with the Mosela sela female, who has since given birth, almost a year ago, to two more cubs. This pride of seven lions seemed to have firm, unshakeable possession of Krokodildrift. That was until Christmas of 2004.

All lion prides have a territory that they defend, ferociously if necessary. It is usually the males who do the majority of the defending, whilst the females usually only fight when their cubs are in danger, or when there is no permanent dominant male in the area.

Typically, fully mature male lions form a territory that encompasses the territories of several prides. They become the dominant lions in that territory by chasing off, or killing, any threats to their dominance within that area. This territory is then constantly patrolled and defended; scent marking and roaring proclaim their “ownership” of the territory and all the females within its boundaries. The males usually do not control a territory alone, but form a coalition with at least one other male of similar age, typically a sibling, and together they rule their territory.
In order to protect their supremacy, the dominant males chase out any male lions born within their territory once they approach adulthood. This forces the young adults into a nomadic way of life until they are experienced and powerful enough to win their own territory

At this stage in the Madikwe Game Reserve, there is an established coalition of two dominant males, the Batia Brothers, in the north-eastern section of the reserve. These impressive lions have a territory that incorporates the territories of at least three prides, the Mosela Sela pride being one of them. The males move between prides, reaffirming their relationships and re-marking their territory. As the male’s territory is huge, they can spend only a little time with each of the prides within their territory and so the defence of the females’ territory is often left up to the females themselves.

Within the Batia’s territory is another pride, the Kgala Etali pride, a coalition of four sub-adult lions, one female and three males. They are a strong coalition of youngsters and at the moment, mindful of the fact that it is only a matter of time before their father tries to chase them from the area, they are trying to establish their own territory. Interestingly, two of these males were abandoned when they were about four months old. It was only for a short time, but in that time they had to fend for themselves. Their mother eventually came to take them back to the pride, but these youngsters had learnt to be independent and tough, skills that will stand them in good stead in times to come. They later left their pride and joined up with the other male and female. They now move around the northern part of the reserve, a vagabond group moving in and out of areas controlled by other prides.

Unfortunately for the Mosela sela pride, the Kgala Etali youngsters recently moved through their territory. There was a territorial clash, which the Mosela sela pride managed to win, but at a cost. In the clash, one of the Mosela sela youngsters, too young to defend itself, was killed. Two of the Kwena youngsters, a male and a female, were also wounded and will carry the scars of this, their first real territorial battle, for life. But they did manage to hold on to their territory, the experience they will have gained will help them in future, inevitable, clashes.

More cautious, but more experienced now, they maintain possession of their territory. The question of the Kwena males still needs to be answered: will they be ousted from their territory by their father? If so, will the Mosela sela female be able to defend the territory with just the Kwena females for assistance? For how much longer will the Batias, now relatively old to be holding such a huge and valuable territory, be able to maintain their grip, and who will succeed them?
What this space, we will keep you updated.

Vanessa Hartin – Field Guide, Makanyane Safari Lodge

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Update from the Makanyane Health and Beauty Centre

We are very excited to introduce several new treatments now available to pamper and revitalize guests. For these new treatments we are using further products available from the exclusive Jeanné de Beauté range of products. These products are created in South Africa using unique combinations of marine algae and aromatherapy essential oils to create products guaranteed to suit any skin type. The products are all hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic and are not tested on animals. After undergoing specific further training, we are now able to offer several exciting new treatments.

We now have two Marine Mud Masks for a relaxing, detoxifying and refining body treatment. We also have a Thermal Body Wrap treatment, a specific slimming, detoxifying and contouring mask, which aids in increasing circulation while eliminating toxins. A full body exfoliation is done with each of the treatments, using a Marine Salt Preparation. For those who enjoy something different, the Marine Nutrient Bath is ideal, where a detoxifying massage is followed by a long soak in a nutrient bath.

We also offer intensive specialized facial treatments, which can be done in conjunction with our basic facial. These include the Intensive Eye Treatment, which moisturises, firms and revitalises the delicate eye contour area. For the sensitive skin type we offer the Cooling Marine Mask, which moisturises and soothes delicate areas. For an oily skin type we recommend the Re-mineralizing Facial Mask, which helps to regenerate skin cells. Last but not least, we have the Rejuvenating Facial Mask, which boosts the production of collagen and elevates the use of oxygen in the skin cells.

For an unforgettable experience, indulge in an aromatherapy massage at any one of our spectacular treatment venues, such as the look out point or the hide. Don’t forget, we also offer manicures, pedicures, waxing and threading.

Let us spoil you!

Yvette Jackman – Makanyane Safari Lodge Beauty Treatment Centre

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In the bush, the hours of endless sunshine have combined with the occasional downpours to transform the reserve. The browns of winter have long since vanished in a swathe of lush, green growth. Clouds of butterflies have appeared colourful profusion, swarming between the flowers scattered throughout the bush.

After the rains, the termites collect around any exposed light source and thousands of them gather around the lodge’s path lights. There they make an easy meal for the huge water monitor lizards who stalk down the paths daily, like miniature dinosaurs on patrol. More than one guest has thought that they were being stalked by a crocodile when they see one of these massive lizards advancing on them. With the lush grasses all bearing seed at the moment, the camp is full of finches and waxbills, a rainbow display in the green grass. The tiny birds have a comical feeding routine. Starting from the base of the long grass stalks, they work their way up as they pull the seeds off the inflorescence. Gradually the stalks bend under their weight until, by the time the bird reaches the top of the stalk, it is once again level with the ground and can easily hop to another stalk to start the process again.

Typical of this time of year in Madikwe, family groups of elephants have joined together, moving across the park in large herds. They are feeding mainly on grasses now, ripping up great clumps of juicy greenery and slapping it against their tusks to dislodge any earth, before munching it with obvious relish. They have been spending much of their close to the lodge, huge groups of them are often scattered across the plains, providing hours of enjoyment for guests relaxing on the lookout point with a drink. The elephants plunge regularly into the river for relief from the heat, treating guests in their suites to displays of the pachyderms splashing in the cool water directly in front of their bedrooms.

This is also the time of year when Madikwe is filled with young animals. The wildebeest calves, still a light fawn colour, will quickly darken to the charcoal grey of their parents. The calves stand in bemused groups, watching the adults frolicking and cavorting without a care in the world, as only wildebeest - not overburdened with intelligence - are able to do. The warthogs are venturing from their burrows, tiny but perfect replicas of their parents. Following their mother closely, they hold their tails stiffly perpendicular as they explore their new world. The jackals born in the den east of the lodge are also out and about, bouncing through the thick grass in pursuit of grasshoppers and butterflies. Young and mischievous, they spend hours tackling and biting each other, learning skills that will later help them to win their own territory on the Krokodildrift plains.

The young impala are much more restrained, moving around in tight, nervous groups, ears, eyes and noses twitch constantly as their parents watch for predators. Even the porcupines around the lodge have youngsters now, tiny spiky pom-poms ambling clumsily through their nocturnal world in search of the juicy bulbs they love. The migratory birds are all here now; the sky is filled with flashes of colour from the Carmine, European and Blue-cheeked bee eaters, while the call of the woodlands kingfisher echoes down the river. After their clamouring during spring, the cuckoos are silent now, their eggs safely laid in an unsuspecting host’s nest.

It’s not just outside the lodge in the bush where summer has had an effect. Our meals have also adapted, taking advantage of the season’s fresh produce and tantalising flavours. Here a sample of what is on the menu at the moment:

Chilled Carrot and Coriander Soup
(Carefully created with ground coriander, cumin, stock and juicy fresh carrots, this deliciously cool soup is given a zing with the addition of fresh orange juice.)

Roast Tomato Tart with rocket salad and parmesan
(Summer fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil and delicious parmesan compliment each other perfectly)

Seared Kudu fillet with a red wine and Ginger compote on Couscous and a pea puree

Specially selected choice portions of perfectly aged kudu are sliced into medallions, rubbed with premium olive oil and seared. The compote, created by adding ginger preserve to a red wine reduction compliments the venison perfectly and the fresh pea puree is the final detail to make this dish unforgettable.

Pear Soufflé with apple and pear sorbet and roasted pear mille fuille

Homemade sorbet with a fresh pear soufflé, the mille fuille, interlaced with almonds and castor sugar is baked to create a crispy piece of heaven. You cannot resist!!

All this served under the African stars. Add one (or two) bottles of our outstanding wine and you have a meal you will never forget!

Keep an eye on the website, the pictures are going to be updated shortly, the beautiful new photos will give you a whole new look at the lodge. But remember the photos only tell a part of the story; you need come and experience the reality for yourself!

Hope to see you soon!!
Garth