The thrill of safari often lies in the unpredictable and extraordinary moments that unfold in the wild.
Below we’ll explore a few thrilling sightings our guests experienced while staying at Molori Safari in the Madikwe Game Reserve over the past few weeks.
From witnessing the delicate early days of a baby elephant to seeing a powerful lion pride enjoying a hard-won meal, each encounter afforded us all a glimpse into the intricate and unpredictable lives of wild animals in the South African bush.
Keep reading to relive these extraordinary encounters with us!
The Ashia Female Welcomes Five Cubs
A young cheetah mother, known to us as the Ashia Female, has recently welcomed a litter of five cubs
Her young cubs, with their unique appearance reminiscent of honey badgers, are a testament to nature’s ingenuity. This resemblance is not purely coincidental, but a survival mechanism. Honey badgers are notorious in the animal kingdom for being fierce and scrappy. By mimicking their appearance, cubs gain a valuable layer of protection from would-be predators.
In spite of this tactic, cheetah cubs face numerous threats in the bush. The Ashia Female must constantly be vigilant of the ever-present danger of other predators that might stumble upon her young offspring. Hyenas, with their keen sense of smell and formidable scavenging skills, can be particularly problematic. Even other big cats, like leopards or lions, will prey upon young cheetahs when the opportunity arises.
The Ashia Female’s recent presence in the Molori Safari area of the Madikwe Game Reserve is an exciting development for both our guides and guests. It provides us all with a unique opportunity to witness the delicate process of raising cheetah cubs in their natural habitat, while also reminding us of the challenging journey that these beautiful cats undertake from birth to adulthood.
A Baby Elephant’s Early Days
Guests on a recent game drive were fortunate enough to stumble across a baby elephant no older than a month!
This little one was still covered in fine, soft hair – a fascinating sight that some might not be familiar with. Elephant calves, like human babies, are born with a layer of hair known as “lanugo.”
Lanugo helps baby ellies to cool down their bodies, a mechanism that’s particularly important as elephants don’t have sweat glands. Research indicates that these tiny hairs can assist in convective heat loss and thermoregulation by up to 23%. The fuzzy hairs also help baby elephants with sensory perception, much like our body hairs heighten our own skin’s sense of touch.
In time, this baby’s hairs will gradually shed, but the presence of the lanugo brought home to guests just how new to the world this youngster truly was.
While vulnerable now, this baby will one day grow to join ranks with its species and become one of the largest mammals on land!
Pride Dynamics At Mealtime
During a thrilling game drive, guests came across the northeastern Keitumetse Pride feasting on a fresh impala kill.
As the vehicle approached, some lions were still chewing on the remains of the impala while others, having eaten their fill, lounged beneath a bush with bulging bellies.
When it comes to mealtimes, lions follow a strict hierarchical order. The dominant males, like the dark-maned Mahiwe (pictured below), take the prime cuts of the kill first, while the females and younger lions wait their turn.
The sight of this dominant male was particularly captivating. His mane, noticeably thicker and more impressive compared to that of the younger male of the pride, is a clear sign of his age and dominance.
After the feast, guests saw the lions rise and leisurely stroll down the road.
Fun fact: Keitumetse means ‘I am happy’ in Setswana.
Hyenas, Jackals And A Wildebeest Head
One of the stranger things witnessed on the Madikwe Game Reserve lately was a tussel between hyenas and jackals over a wildebeest head.
The wildebeest had been taken down earlier by a pride of lions, who consumed the best parts of the carcass. The hyenas, scavengers by nature, were left to clean up the remains, including the head which soon became the focal point of a drama!
As the hyenas were preparing to tuck into their meal, a group of jackals saw an opportunity to divide and conquer. They darted in on the wildebeest head from all angles, each snatching what morsels they could while the hyenas were momentarily distracted.
When you spend a lot of time in nature, you often see scenes like this play out, where power and strategy are pitted against one another.
Hyenas, and Spotted hyenas in particular, have the strongest recorded bite of all carnivorous mammals. (A bite force of 4500 Newtons.) Their powerful jaws give them an edge. Jackals, on the other hand, demonstrate how cooperation can be an equally effective survival mechanism. At the end of the day, both strategies can win out with a bit of luck. (Just not for the wildebeest in question on this particular day…)
Stay With Us
As we reflect on these incredible encounters, we’re reminded of the untamed beauty and constant struggle for survival that defines life in the Madikwe Game Reserve.
To witness moments like the ones listed above in realtime, knowing they arise from the spontaneity of the moment, and not from careful direction or post-production editing, is a privilege beyond our wildest imaginings. There are truly wild spaces left in the world, and we are fortunate to be based in just such a place.
We would love to share the wonders of Madikwe with you. Browse our Molori Safari accommodation options and indulge in an adventure of a lifetime!
You can contact our reservations desk at reservations@molorisafari.com to secure your dates.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Madikwe Game Reserve!
