There is often a huge focus on finding the big game for the guests. At times, we almost need to check ourselves as field guides from getting into a mode of chasing after the big sightings. I made a big effort of trying to introduce the guests to some of the remarkable behaviour and smaller animals of the African bushveld, as well as the flora. During my training in norther Natal, we had some severe flooding. What was quite incredible as we later discovered was that the trapdoor spiders had survived this flooding. The density of their burrows was one every square metre in places along the river bank. This area was completely covered by a raging torrent during the flooding, and yet just a few days after the water subsided, we were able to lure the females from their burrows. What an impressive construction that the circular opening to their burrows is closed so tight that the water is unable to penetrate. Female trapdoor spiders live in burrows for their entire lives and are territorial, building the burrow a minimum distance from her neighbours. The burrow diameter is slowly increased as the female grows in size. Females may live for up to 20 years. The female hunts from the burrow, lying in wait for passing insects. She dashes out to grab the unfortunate victim. Interesting to note the numerous spiderlings in the above photograph, setting out from the mothers burrow. Adult male trapdoor spiders are free ranging, not constrained to any burrows.

The MUN-YA-WANA leopard research project is based in northern Natal, South Africa, and is trying to find ways to foster tolerance of leopards outside of protected areas. Leopard until recently, were not studied and understood as much as the other large flagship species such as elephant, lion and rhino. Because leopards are more adaptable than many other large cats, the assumption is that they are extremely tolerant of high levels of persecution. We know this is not true because they have been exterminated from at least one-third of their historical range in Africa. A sighting of a leopard in the wild is definitely a highlight of any bush experience, and in many reserves a rare one too!

Bethesda Outreach is a ministry of Evangelical Baptist Missions. Bethesda's mission is to encourage and assist local churches in meeting the needs of orphan children, that they may become disciples of Christ. Bethesda is carrying out that mission in South Africa, where nearly one in five people are infected with AIDS. Thousands of parents are dying daily, leaving behind countless numbers of orphan children who are desperately trying to survive. By placing these children in a loving home with godly South African parents, Bethesda is trusting God to build strong families for His glory. The organization is committed to providing a quality education which will help the children not only find future employment, but also to serve God with their resources. Bethesda’s hope is that as the children become disciples of Christ, they will develop a passion to see others follow Christ.

Want some free advice on what parks and reserves to visit in southern Africa ? Send an e-mail or comment and I will get back to you

Oct 2006 saw my participation in the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon as a personal goal, and in addition raising funds for two organisations, the MUN-YA-WANA Leopard Project and the Bethesda Outreach Project. R 22 000.00 raised across both organisations. Unfortunately, didn't complete the race, but my plan is to return in 2007.(http://www.extrememarathons.com/)

Madikwe Game Reserve, one of the two Batia brothers - the resident pride males in our area of the reserve (Madikwe River Lodge). Had some great experiences viewing them with guests. On one occassion, the Dipelo pride females had killed a warthog, and were present with their young cubs. The pride males moved in, and the dominant one seized the carcass and began feeding with the adult females and other brother keeping their distance. One particular cub was not going to shy away and repeatedly moved in to share the food. A couple of times the adult male swatted at the cub, and he rolled away, only to get up and move in again. In disgust, the adult male eventually picked up the carcass, and moved off some distance to feed in peace. That young cub was destined for big things when it grew up !

Sunsets, sunsets, sunsets !!! Another one of the southern African sunsets. This was taken at sundowners during the afternoon/evening drive looking across the Madikwe plains. Every day, we would set out mid to late afternoon with our guests on a drive. We would plan a stop for drinks and snacks as the sun was setting. Returning to the lodge in the dark with spotlights would give us the opportunity to experience the bushveld at night, see the night sky (not influenced by any bright city lights), and possibly see some of the nocturnal animals.

Wild dogs are certainly in my view one of the most fascinating of the African predators. They are critically endangered, and therefore not often seen. A pack of wild dogs requires a huge area to supply the resources they need, 20 000 to 25 000 hectares, and therefore there are not many reserves or protected areas large enough to support wild dogs. Wild dogs have a very efficient hunting method with a high success rate in comparison with the other predators. They literally run their prey to exhaustion. Once the prey is on the run, the wild dogs will chase it at a steady pace until they catch up, and start to tear the prey to pieces. From our perspective it may appear “cruel”, but in effect the kill is extremely effective, and the prey animal is killed and devoured in little time by a pack of wild dogs. This is unlike predators that kill by strangulation e.g. cheetah, and the prey animal may take longer to die. In certain reserves, such as Madikwe Game Reserve, the wild dogs have learnt to chase their prey and corner it up against fences, and the prey animal has no way to escape. A particular lodge in Madikwe had frequent visuals of such kills against the lodge fences from a wild dog pack that was resident in the area. A pack of wild dogs will hunt almost every day, and especially so when there are hungry pups to be fed. Depending on the season, the dogs will set out to hunt at almost the same time every day. During full moon though, we often did not get to see the dogs as they would hunt at night rather than during the day.

Two of the four males belonging to an adult coalition. Cheetah males will stay together for life from cubs, whereas females are strictly solitary as adults, only joing with males to mate, and being seen with their cubs. It was a spectacular site to frequently see the four adult male cheetah together. The animals are built for sprinting, and the high speed chase. The photo shows the long vertically flattened tail used to balance as the predator swerves to follow the antelope it is chasing. On one occasion, my vehicle radio failed used to communicate with other vehicles in the reserve and report sightings. Within a few minutes we located the four males, and had the pleasure of viewing them on our own without interruption for a long time.