Southern African Journey Log 4: Exploring Nature’s Canvas in Madikwe
We woke up at dawn and enjoyed an early breakfast to prepare for the morning game drive. It was a little chilly that morning, so we layered up. As soon as the safari car started, the cold air hit my cheek, reminding me that it’s winter here in the southern hemisphere. Our first encounter was with a magnificent golden lion and a group of zebras not far from where the lion had settled.
After returning to the lodge, we relaxed in the jacuzzi on our deck, watching the animals gather at the man-made waterhole right across from our room. Other than the sounds of the animals, there was nothing else. No city noise, no hustle, just the peacefulness of the African wilderness. It was an incredibly surreal experience—just being there, watching, and listening to the world outside without a care in the world.
Lunch was amazing—so good, in fact, that we almost forgot we were staying at a safari lodge.
Afterward, we headed out for another game drive, and this time, we were lucky enough to see cheetahs. Our guide told us that cheetah sightings in Madikwe are rare, and they’d only been spotted a handful of times in the past year. A few years ago, a couple of cheetahs migrated from other areas, and we were thrilled to be watching them. We observed them for over 30 minutes as they calmly moved through the landscape. Eventually, one of the cheetahs got up and started moving, but we noticed that the other was limping. We followed the pair for a while, and it was clear that they didn’t seem too bothered by our presence. Perhaps the one was unable to run as fast due to its leg. It was a bittersweet moment—life in the wild is tough, but we hoped they’d find a way to thrive.
Back at the lodge, we took a break and had some fun with the musical instruments—mainly drums—available to guests. There was no need for electronic devices or Wi-Fi; just laughter, conversation, and the joy of being outside, immersed in nature. We had all the entertainment we needed with the wildlife around us.
As the sun began to set, we went out for our final game drive of the day, heading to a different part of the reserve. Along the way, giraffes crossed right in front of us, their long necks towering over us as if to greet us. After driving for a while, we found ourselves near a set of electric transmission towers and some buildings. We weren't sure if anyone actually lived there, but there was another waterhole in the area, and it was teeming with rhinos, zebras, elephants, jackals, wildebeests, and many more animals. We captured some amazing moments with our cameras.
By the time we decided to head back to the lodge, it was already dark. Armed with headlights and flashlights, we tried to spot any animals still lurking in the night, but our time was up, and we had to return. We had already done five game drives, but the magic never wore off. The animals, with their unique personalities and behaviors, kept us coming back for more. Each encounter felt fresh and full of wonder. Tomorrow, we’ll have one last ride—and we’re hoping for more incredible moments to cap off our journey.
