Overnight we had a very impressive thunderstorm and in the pre-dawn hours it rained heavily. We gathered for planning our day at 0615 and decided to abandon any thoughts of venturing out until the weather improved.
Nadia our hostess said that in her 12 years in Madikwe this was the first time that she’d experienced any rain at all in June. The dry season from April through to November is very pronounced and this aberration of rain in June was cause for discussions about climate change and weather pattern variations that seem to be more and more common these days.
With time to ourselves it meant that we were able to catch up on tasks such as sorting and labelling photos and updating of our travel blog.
After a discussion at lunch-time we decided that there may be a chance to venture out on a safari at around 1400 if the rain abated which it did.
The afternoon’s safari (Swahili for ‘journey’) started with mixed thoughts as to the likelihood of us seeing anything worthwhile or maybe even the return of rain. However as luck would have it we had a very entertaining and fruitful three hours in the reserve.
Because of this unexpected grey overcast weather the solar powered gate refused to open to let us out so we had to use an alternative exit. Despite this impedance we were soon heading off along the track that had previously been dry and dusty and was now wet and muddy.
Although we weren’t expecting much action it didn’t take long to change our thoughts. On the side of the track near the dam was a large herd of elephants and two young males were heavily involved in a tussle of strength. They pushed one another backwards and forwards with shows of power and determination. It was a supposedly friendly tussle but nonetheless it conveyed the immense strength these animals possess. Amongst the large number of elephants in this herd was one particularly tiny baby thought to be only a month or two old. It was so young that it could walk underneath its mother without touching her underbelly. He practically had to stand on his tiptoes to reach up to suckle from his mother. The baby elephant kept close to the adults for protection and to see this miniature creature beside his huge relatives was both fascinating and yet a little comical.
Elephants tussling
Elephant & baby
These wet conditions normally mean bird life will be kept quiet but during this early travel we had close encounters with a white browed sparrow weaver, purple and lilac roller birds and a goshawk. To counteract these cold conditions many of the birds had their feathers fluffed out for extra protection.
Purple roller
Goshawk
We then encountered some ground squirrels. These cute animals live in complex interconnected warrens and pop their heads out to check for safe conditions.
Ground squirrel
They will share their burrows with suricates (meerkats) and even some species of mongoose. In searing hot conditions (not today) they fluff up their tail and use it as a sunshade.
After spending some time in close proximity to a herd of wildebeest (Fran: a ‘gnoodle’ of gnus) we sighted a couple of ground squirrels near the track. We watched them ducking in and out of their burrows for a few minutes when along came a steenbok. These antelopes are normally so shy that it is hard to get reasonable photographs of them but this one was quite cooperative and we had a minute or two for us to get shots.
Steenbok
Along the track a little were two jackals sound asleep and they didn’t stir even as we approached. They were each asleep on a pile of fresh elephant dung which must have provided warmth for them in these chilly conditions. Occasionally they would lift their heads and view us with disdain and then return to their slumbers.
Jackal
On our return home we saw kudu and a journey of giraffes including one half-sized baby. The young giraffe behaved in a playful manner running to and fro between the adults present but was seemingly reprimanded for such behaviour by her mother who was intent on the young one staying close to her.
Giraffe & baby
We also saw long tailed shrike and double-banded grouse near to Leopard Rock Lodge.
Double-banded grouse
In summary, what could have been a non-event day turned out in the afternoon to be a rewarding experience whereby we observed some interesting animal behaviour and simultaneously achieved some pleasing photographic records.
Leopard Rock Lodge pond at night
Leopard Rock Lodge at night