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Chapter two of my African Adventure

Leaving Johannesburg

After gallivanting around Johannesburg we, the Rhino group, hit the road to Madikwe Game Reserve. What was supposed to be a 4-4.5 hour road trip ended up a 6 hour journey when our driver missed a turn.  After bouncing around on an unsealed road for over 3 hours in a 12 seater mini-van with trailer in tow, we eventually found our way to the amazing Jaci’s Tree Lodge.

With over 80,000 hectares and located on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the few areas that is malaria free. Home to the Big 5 (rhino, elephant, lion, buffalo & leopard) as well as black and white rhino, giraffe, African wild dog (painted dogs), hyena, cheetah, zebra and much more, Madikwe is the perfect place to view South African flora and fauna.

The amazing Jaci’s Safari Lodge

At Jaci’s we were greeted with open arms and shown to our treehouse suites which would be our home for the next two nights. The custom-built stilted suites are connected by elevated walkways, look out to the forest and blend effortlessly into the surrounding bush. There are indoor and outdoor eating areas, a natural form pool, a great viewing deck and a hide in the middle of the watering hole where you can view the wildlife at eye level to the water – beware of cranky Colin the Crocodile as he has been known to take camera equipment left on the ledge of the hide.

Jaci’s Treehouse Lodge dining area

Viewing deck at Jaci’s Treehouse Lodge

On Safari in Madikwe

Whilst being shown to our suite we noticed one of the glass doors was missing, apparently it was in for a quick repair after an altercation with a baboon. Thankfully it was quickly replaced so we could sleep without any unwanted intruders.

We had a quick freshen up and headed out on our first game drive with our knowledgeable and certainly entertaining guide, Olli (way too many dad jokes!). Within minutes we spotted the elusive and endangered African wild dog, who due to the great conservation efforts at Madikwe are making a remarkable comeback. On our first outing we viewed zebra, giraffe, rhino, bush bucks, impala, kudu and elephants, concluding the afternoon with sundowners – a gin and tonic really does taste better whilst on safari.

African Wild Dogs – Photo by Kate Webster

Sundowners

Our next three game drives treated us to buffalo, hyena, cheetah, impala everywhere you looked, elephant herds, white rhino, wildebeest, more giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and a pride of lions. Of course the safaris weren’t complete without Amarula (South African Baileys Irish Cream) in our coffee and hot chocolates in the morning, sundowners in the afternoon and an Impala poo spitting competition …. yes I did partake!

White Rhino – Photo by Kate Webster

It wouldn’t be a safari without a little danger or close encounter. Whilst backing away from a pride of lions one of our 4WD vehicles popped a tyre as we had gone slightly “off-piste”. The guide had to limp the vehicle a safe distance away from the lions, offload her passengers into our vehicle and proceed to change the tyre …. all in a days work for our wonder woman guide.

Teenager that has been kicked out of home.

Changing a tyre in the bush

After a delightful 2 nights that included 4 game drives, the leopards managed to evade us leaving only footprints to follow. Nevertheless, we had to say goodbye to our wonderful Jaci’s family and head to our next destination, maybe we would have more luck on our next adventure.

Stay tuned there is more excitement to come ….