This event will take place on the weekend of the 13th of November and will form part of a fund raising initiative aimed at addressing the current levels of poaching being experienced in a number of conservation areas throughout South Africa. R250 of each ticket sold will be donated to the North West Parks & Tourism Board Counter Poaching Unit, there will also be an opportunity to make additional donations on the night of the concert. The tickets will be sold for R600 per person and will include a 2 part recital of well known classical music, a short talk about poaching, a welcome drink and light snacks. A cash bar will be open before and after the performance before guests return to their respective lodges for dinner.

There are two pricing options at five fantastci lodges for this exclusive 2 night package over the weekend of this event. All packages include 2 nights accommodation, all meals, daily game drives and the musical performance.

Thakadu River Camp

R4350 per person + R250 for anti-poaching

Thakadu River Camp is set within the riverine canopy along the banks of the Marico River and comprises twelve tented suites, each with their own viewing deck overlooking the Marico River.The influence of the river is very apparent, with the trees, birds and water providing a peaceful and tranquil mood within the camp.

The tents are large and spacious and are wonderfully decorated and appointed.

Buffalo Ridge

R4350 per person + R250 for anti-poaching

Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge is situated on the Tweedepoort Ridge overlooking the plains and inselbergs of the western section of Madikwe Game Reserve.

The main lodge is spectacularly located on two tiers of the ridge, accessed via a wooden bridge that crosses a ravine surrounded by rock figs. Each of the living areas has its own character, mood and style.

The Bush House

R4350 per person + R250 for anti-poaching

The Bush House is not your typical Game lodge and is set in the malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve.It is an old farmhouse that after years of family laughter and happiness has been transformed into an inviting and relaxing residence that encourages guests to kick off their shoes and unwind.

Tuningi Safari Lodge

R5350 per person + R250 for anti poaching

Tuningi is one of the very few 5-star lodges in South Africa that welcomes children and in by doing so, avails them of the wonders of nature, wildlife and our delicate eco-system.

The design brief, for the exclusive villas, was to create space by blending interiors with the bush through utilising retractable doors and windows wherever possible. Madikwe Game Reserve is a true African success story and Tuningi proudly enhances the experience!

Motswiri Private Safari Lodge

R5350 per person + R250 for anti poaching

Motswiri Private Safari Lodge lies hidden in the bush, an exclusive lodge offering a maximum of 10 people a bush experience which is impossible to replicate in larger concerns. Our lodge offers some of the best views in Madikwe as well as the feeling of tranquility given by the mature trees (mostly leadwoods) under which the main building and 5 luxury bush villas nestle.

An intimate homely setting offering complete privacy.

Enquire now!

Availability for this exclusive offer is limited so make sure you book your spot as soon as possible. Submit your enquiry by completeing the contact form below:

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It is also a common question raised on a number of travel forums on the web and, having guided in a number of these conservation areas over a number of years, one would think that it would be easy for me to provide an outright answer in favour of one area… but that is not the case.

You see, its just not that simple, each area has its own unique attractions, vegetation, climate, wildlife, lodges, operational procedures. These are just a few of the factors that contribute to the overall appeal of an area. What I can do though, is highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each of the reserves, which would make it a lot easier for you to decide which of these magnificent conservation areas would best suite your needs, expectations, and budget. I will hopefully make this a monthly post in the Destinations category over the next couple of months as I look comparing the following:

• Madikwe vs. Pilanesberg
• Pilanesberg vs Kruger National Park vs. Kgalagadi National Park
• The Private Reserves adjacent to Kruger National Park (APNR) vs. Madikwe

I have kept the areas to those which I have personal experience with but will be looking into getting guest posts from people in the Natal and Eastern Cape Regions as well. Please feel free to contact me and let me know if there are any other areas that you would like to compare and I will see what I can do.

Madikwe vs. Pilanesberg

Location & Getting There

Click on the map for a larger version

Pilanesberg is situated a short 2.5 hours drive North West of Johannesburg. The Madikwe Game Reserve, situated against the Botswana border, around four  hours drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria. Madikwe has two airstrips (one in the East which is currently being upgraded and tarred, and a gravel strip in the West). Both reserves are Malaria free.

Based on location alone, Pilanesberg is clearly the better option if you have limited time (say 1 night) where as Madikwe would probably be a better option for longer stays of 2 nights or longer. Private road transfers are available for both of these reserves, whilst regular chartered flights into Madikwe Game Reserve can also be arranged.

A Brief History

Pilanesberg

Thanks to Operation Genesis in 1979, which involved the game-fencing of the reserve and the re-introduction of many long-vanished species, the park now has in excess of 7 000 animals including 24 of the larger species. The area is fringed by three concentric ridges or rings of hills – the formation rises from the surrounding plains like a bubble. The structure of the park is termed the “Pilanesberg Game Reserve Alkaline Ring Complex”. Pilanesberg has survived ages of erosion and stands high above the surrounding bushveld plains. The early presence of man can be seen in the numerous Stone and Iron Age sites that are scattered throughout the park. The park exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as “Bushveld”. Unlike any other large park, unique overlaps of mammals, birds and vegetation occur because of this transition zone.

Madikwe

Madikwe Game Reserve was officiallys announced to the public in August 1991 and is now one of South Africa’s largest game reserves. Madikwe has the distinction of being one of the few game reserves in the world to be proclaimed purely on the grounds of being the most appropriate and sustainable land use for an area. The reserve consists of vast plains of open woodlands and grasslands, dissected by the rugged Rant van Tweedepoort, and bordered in the south by the Dwarsberg Mountains. The area is dotted with huge rocky hills, known as inselbergs. The entire reserve has been enclosed in a 150 km perimeter fence which has been electrified to prevent the escape of elephants and the larger predators.

Both reserves are owned and managed by the provincial government’s North West Parks and Tourism Board.

Accommodation Options

Pilanesberg offers a wide variety of accommodation options to suite everyone’s budget:

• Campsites from around R 210.00 a night for up to 6 people
• Safari Tents with communal ablution facilities from around R 750 for 2 pax/night to R 1 200.00pps/night (Selous Bush Camp)
• Chalets with kitchen and ablution facilities form around R 1 800.00 for 4 pax/night
• 5 Star luxury Lodges form around R 2 150.00 pp/night sharing (Ivory Tree Game Lodge)

All of these accommodation options except for the 5 Star Lodges allow for you to drive through the park in your private vehicle. The 5 Star lodges include guided game drives on an open aired vehicle. These lodges still only have access to the same roads that the general public can drive, with the only real benefits being the services of a guide and the fact that sightings of the Big5 will be relayed between guides via radio.

Madikwe offers a far more exclusive experience. Accommodation options in Madikwe are dominated by luxurious private lodges ranging in size from 10 to 60 beds, including a very comfortable bush camp (with no electricity or running water). Prices range from around R 1 500.00 pp/night sharing for the bush camp, right up to in excess of R 8 000.00 pp/night sharing for some of the more exclusive camps. These rates usually include two guided game activities (walks or drives) per day, accommodation, all meals, and depending on the lodge, all local beverages and house wines. Some of the lodges in Madikwe include:

• Morukuru Lodge
• Morukuru Farmhouse
• Impodimo Game Lodge

Game and Bird Viewing

The open savannah of Pilanesberg makes spotting and viewing game fairly easy even for first time self-drivers. Sightings of Impala, Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Warthog, Hippo and White Rhino can almost be guaranteed even during a day trip to the park. Elephants, Brown Hyena and Lions are seen fairly regularly with sightings of leopard and buffalo being relatively scarce. Bare in might that its all about luck – the more time you spend out in the park the luckier you get! Pilanesberg is unique in that the series of concentric hills that dominate the landscape are the result it is an extinct volcanic system. It is these hills that provide a dramatic background to most of the sightings and add an interesting element to photography in the park.

Madikwe’s game viewing is of a very high standard, aided by the fact that all guides are in radio contact with one another, and provides regular sightings of zebra, Impala, wildebeest, giraffe, warthog, white rhino, lion, elephant, white rhino, brown hyena, and spotted hyena. Wild Dog, Buffalo, Black Rhino and leopard are seen fairly regularly in the reserve as well. Sightings in Madikwe are always limited to a maximum of 3 vehicles in order to maintain the feeling of exclusivity and to ensure the animals’ well being. Sightings in Pilanesberg on the other hand are not controlled and you could find yourself as 1 out of 20 vehicles jostling for a view of a lion 200m away.

Another notable difference between these areas, apart form the frequency with which certain species are seen, is that your guide is allowed to go off-road for up to 500m in Madikwe.

No off-roading is permitted in Pilanesberg! This means that if you find lions walking down the road before heading off into the bush – you can follow up on them by driving off-road. This allows you to get far closer to the animals than you would normally be able to in Pilanesberg – a huge plus for photography! Where Pilanesberg wins hands down is on the birdlife, more specifically, water birds. There are a number of hides/blinds that have been built on the edges of waterholes, which provide excellent game and bird viewing opportunities. Photographers often congregate at these hides to capture images of Malachite Kingfishers and a variety of other water bird species.

Which should I choose?

Essentially, the two biggest factors in deciding which of these conservation areas is best suited for you will boil down to your budget. The luxurious lodges of Madikwe are great if they fall within your budget – I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed with the overall experience and would be only to pleased to assist you in finding a lodge which fits your budget. Pilanesberg is ideal for those with limited time, a tighter budget or who simply prefer to do a self drive vacation. (You can however have the guided experience by making use of our tailor made services, which include transport, the services of a private guide, all meals and limited local beverages. For more information on these packages, click here).

I hope you have found this post informative and helpful.

If you have any additional words of wisdom to add, please feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of the post. Also, if you require additionall information or would like assistance with putting together a tailormade itinerary to either of these parks, please contact me directly.

Spend two nights at the 5 Star Motswiri Private Safari Lodge in the renowned Madikwe Game Reserve and get two free nights in the Aquarius Luxury Suites in Blouberg, Cape Town.

This superior package comes at an incredible rate of only R 5 995.00 per person sharing

A massive saving of R 2 175.00!

And as if that wasn’t enough, book with Moya Wa Tenga Safaris and you’ll receive a massive 25% discount on your return road transfers from JHB!

This Package Includes

• 2 Nights Accommodation in the 5 star Motswiri Private Safari Lodge
• 2 Nights Accommodation at Aquarius Luxury Suites in Blouberg, Cape Town
• All meals at Motswiri Private Safari Lodge
• Three Game activities per day, two game drives and an optional bush walk at Motswiri.
• Breakfast daily at the News Café, directly opposite the Aquarius Luxury Suites

Excludes Conservation Levies, Items of a personal nature, Transportation & Meals not stated above.

Motswiri Private Safari Lodge

Motswiri lies hidden in the bush, an exclusive lodge offering a maximum of 10 people a bush experience second to none. The lodge offers some of the best views in Madikwe and conveys a sense of tranquillity. The luxury bush villas are nestled amongst Leadwood and Tambotie trees and offer an intimate and homely setting with complete privacy.

Aquarius Luxury Suites

Redefining class and sophistication, Aquarius Luxury Suites add a thrilling new dimension to the Blouberg beach-front. These stunning, newly built, serviced suites offer the finest furnishings, linen and finishing touches to make any discerning visitor feel right at home.

Aquarius Suites are located within walking distance of beautiful un-spoilt beaches and most photographed views in South Africa, along with several restaurants and exciting activities such as kite-surfing. The 36 suites, comprising 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms, some with views of Table Mountain, Robben Island and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, are ideal for holiday-makers and business travelers alike.

For enquires or more details, please complete the contact form at the bottom of this page.

Terms & Conditions

• This special is valid for travel dates before 30 November 2010.
• Rates are based on a per person sharing basis and are subject to availability

For more information on each of the featured properties please feel free to visit their websites:

• Motswiri Private Safari Lodge:

• Aquarius Luxury Apartments:

Submit an Enquiry NOW!

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The first Saturday of September every year is observed as International Vulture Awareness day by the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Birds of Prey Programme (EWT-BoPP), its partners and associates including provincial conservation bodies and several other NGOs involved in vulture research and conservation in South Africa. The purpose of this day is to create awareness of the continued plight of all vulture species and to highlight the work done by conservationists to monitor populations and implement effective measures to conserve these birds and their habitats.

“The day evolved from the Sasol National Vulture Awareness Day that has been celebrated in South Africa since 2005” says EWT-BoPP Manager, André Botha. “This initiative received such interest from organisations elsewhere on the world that the first international event was celebrated by 152 organisations representing 45 countries in 2009. We expect global support to be even greater this year.”

South Africa is home to no less than 9 vulture species. Seven of these species are listed in the Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Barnes, 2000) as facing a certain degree of threat of extinction. The Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus is one of only two bird species listed as “Regionally Extinct” in South Africa. The Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus, whose range in southern Africa is restricted to the Maluti-Drakensberg mountains in South Africa and Lesotho is classified as Endangered and continues to decline in numbers. The Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres only occurs within southern Africa and the conservation of this species remains one of the main focal areas of the EWT-BoPP. Other species, such as the Lappet-faced Torgos tracheliotus, Hooded Necrosyrtes monachus, White-headed Trigonoceps occipitalis and African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus mostly occur in large conservation areas and are listed as Vulnerable.

Vultures are faced with a range of threats such as poisoning, persecution, electrocution and collision with powerlines, drowning in farm reservoirs in drier parts of the country, shortage of safe food supplies and loss of suitable habitat. Recent research has shown that these birds are highly mobile and can cover several 100 kilometres in a day in search of food.

This makes the implementation of effective conservation measures to benefit these species a daunting task which needs to be approached from a national, or more likely an international perspective.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust in collaboration with the Vulture Programme of the Rhino & Lion Wildlife Conservation NPO and BirdLife South Africa will be hosting a fun-filled family day at the Vulture Programme’s rehab centre near Hartbeespoort dam. Activities will include morning and afternoon talks on vulture conservation, vulture feedings and lots of activities for the kids. You can contact André Botha or Kerri Wolter for more information on the day’s activities. A number of rehabilitation centres and vulture restaurants in the country will also host special events and show vultures to members of the public.

For additional information on how you can become involved please go to www.international-vulture-awareness-day.org.

Contact: André Botha

Manager, Birds of Prey Programme

Endangered Wildlife Trust

Tel: 082 962 5725

The desktop backgrounds for September are in two size formats:

• 1280 x 800 (click on the image to open it in a new window, then right click on the full image and save)
• 2560 x  1600 (simply click on the ‘Download” link)

The first image is of an African Darter (Anhinga rufa ), sometimes called the Snakebird. This common name describes the darter’s habit of swimming with its body submerged and only the snakelike head and long, curved neck exposed.  They nest in small colonies with ibises and herons, building bulky nests lined with leaves. The helpless young are fed by regurgitation. The male of the species is mainly glossy black with white streaking, but females and immature birds are browner. This image was taken on a still morning  during a day trip to the Pilanesberg National Park.

{filelink=8}the large file here

The second image was also taken in Pialesnebrg National Park and is of a lone Elephant (Loxodonta africana) bull walking through the tall grass of an open field. I opted to crop the original image to place the Elephant off centre and create a sense os space to the right of the image. I also toyed with converting into Black and White  and really couldnt decide which image I preffered, so , I have added both the colour and black and white version. I would be very keen to hear which one you prefer!

{filelink=9}the large file here

{filelink=10}the large file here

I hope you enjoy this months images and, as usual, I welcome any feedback or comments you might have!

I was very impressed with all aspects of the camp and have decided to add this delightful bushcamp to the list of accommodation options as I feel it has so much to offer the first time safari traveller as well as the hardened wildlife enthusiast!

So here is this month’s destination review of the Umlani Bush Camp…

Location

Umlani Bush Camp is situated in the heart of the Timbavati Nature Reserve, a fairly relaxed 5-6 hour drive from Johannesburg. The Timbavati is incorporated into the world renowned Kruger National Park.

Accommodation

Umlani can accommodate up to 16 guests in 8 comfortable, environmentally friendly reed huts. There are 3 family units which sleep up to 4 people, 1 hut that sleeps 3 people, and four huts which sleep 2. Each hut is equipped with an en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower, as well as mosquito nets and storage space for clothes etc.

The camp is very environmentally friendly and runs without any electricity. Hot water is provided by means of a donkey boiler system (although the lodge is in the process of installing a solar hot water system and will use the donkey boiler system as a back up) which feeds through directly to each of the huts. Some may be a bit sceptical of this system but it works extremely well! I had hot water for each and every shower. Despite having a full camp during our stay, Umlani provided the peace and quiet that one wishes for when heading out to the bush. The huts are placed sufficiently far apart to ensure that you have your own privacy.

The camp is not fenced in although it does have an elephant wire which is a deterrent for the big elephants but does not keep any of the other animals and smaller elephants out. Guests are escorted to and from their rooms by the guides in the evenings. The rooms are beautifully lit with gas lamps at night, providing a romantic atmosphere whilst ensuring that the impact on the environment is kept to a minimum. Umlani Bushcamp is the 14th establishment to receive the prestigious Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa certification – a first for the Timbavati. Umlani was also awarded the Green Leaf by the Wilderness Foundation for its low environmental impact.

Click here to SUBMIT AN ENQUIRY – Let us check availability and secure a preferential rate!

Food

The food at Umlani is beyond what you would normally expect from a bush camp of this nature. Breakfasts include the usual cereals, fruit salad and yoghurts as well as a hot breakfast of your choice. Lunches covered a variety of baked home-made breads, pasta salads, spring rolls and cold meats with cheese platters. Traditional South African Braai’s were mixed with pasta and beef fillet with a red wine sauce, plenty of fresh green vegetables and even fish for those of the vegetarian persuasion.

All in all the meals were of a very high standard and I can guarantee that you wont go hungry! Umlani’s rates are fully inclusive and include a wide range of soft drinks, local alcoholic beverages and even spirits.

The Area

The Timbavati Nature Reserve borders directly on to the Kruger National Park, as well as the Klaserie and Thornybush Game Reserves.

The Reserve was established in 1956 by like-minded game farmers with the creation of the Timbavati Association. The association now has over 50 members and covers 53 000 hectares. The Timbavati is part of Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) and the fences separating Timbavati from the other member reserves in the APNR and from the Kruger National Park has been removed which means that wildlife, including lion, elephant, cheetah and other species roam freely between the these reserves. The camp itself is situated on the banks of the Shlaralumi  river, a tributary of the Olifants River.

Most importantly, Umlani has negotiated traversing rights with a number of the private landowners in the regions, allowing them to cover an area of over 10 000 ha. This is incredibly important as many of the other private lodges do not have permission to traverse onto adjacent properties – once that leopard you were following crosses the road, that’s the end of that sighting!

Game Viewing

Over our three night stay we were treated to fantastic sightings of leopard (3 separate sightings), lions, large herds of Buffalo, Elephants (incredibly relaxed), White Rhino, Zebra, Giraffe, Impala, Spotted Hyena and a number of Duiker and Steenbok. Umlani uses local guides and trackers and our combination of Elvis and Robert were great at finding game as well as providing our group with interesting facts about the animals and the area.

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Overall Experience

If you are looking for 5 star, luxurious accommodation with all the bells and whistles then Umlani is not for you. If however, you are looking for a comfortable yet rustic camp which seamlessly immerses you in nature, allows you to relax and unwind in the most beautiful of settings whilst giving you value for money, then look no further.

Click here to SUBMIT AN ENQUIRY

Since I can remember it has been a dream of mine to see the great wildebeest herds of the Serengeti Plains. And now, after months of planning, a departure date has been set!

On the 20^th of January 2011 one of my best friends, JI de Wet, and I will set off on an epic 70-day road trip through six African countries – South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi and Zimbabwe. We will cover nearly 14000 km in our trusty Toyota Hilux “bakkie” and visit some of the continent’s most famous game reserves and national parks, including: The Magadigadi Pans in Botswana; North and South Luangwa in Zambia; Selous, Ruaha, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire in Tanzania; and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe!

The trip will be a self-drive safari with one vehicle only. This will test our navigation and driving skills to the limit, and make for the ultimate African adventure! Although we have a rough itinerary, we have not booked any accommodation. Most nights will be spent in camping grounds where we will sleep in a rooftop tent.

In order to share our adventure with people all over the world we have created a dedicated blog for the trip: www.serengetitrip.com. The blog is already live and will contain posts on the planning, packing and progress of the adventure. Read more about where we are going, why we decided to go there and even how we are modifying our vehicle! During the trip we will post daily diary entries, as well as the best photos of each day, by means of satellite equipment sponsored by Sat4Rent. So, become a follower on www.serengetitrip.com and spread the word to all your adventure- and wildlife-loving friends!

Enjoy the journey!

Villiers Steyn

If the idea of heading up North to Kenya and the vast open plains of the Serengeti, then be sure to check out our Photographic Safari Planned for February 2011 by clicking here!

Through the EWT’s Rhino Security Project it has become evident that members of the public often become aware of information about poaching incidents or the sale of rhino horns which should be reported to the authorities for action. In response to this, the EWT has established a Rhino Poaching Hotline to which information can be submitted for appropriate action by the enforcement agencies or other bodies.

The EWT Rhino Hotline number is 082 404 2128 . We call on every person who becomes aware of any illegal, or suspicious activities concerning rhino poaching or the sale, movement and or trade in their horns, to please make use of this number in order to get the information to the relevant enforcement agencies. Other relevant information is knowledge of pilots or veterinarians involved in poaching through the use of aircraft and scheduled drugs and the unethical conduct of any professional hunters or outfitters to obtain rhino horn for the trade. All information will be channelled through the EWT’s Rhino Security Project’s lines of communication to the relevant authorities for investigation. Any person who wishes to stay anonymous may do so and details of callers will be protected.

With 153 rhino having been poached between January and the end of July this year, it is time that every South African citizen becomes involved in the fight against the wanton killing of our rhino. Amidst the illegal shooting of rhino by poachers on foot, there are those who also operate from the air with helicopters and dart guns. We believe that there are individuals out there who have valuable information that will greatly assist in these investigations and we urge them to make use of the Rhino Hotline to report this information.

We also request all landowners who have been approached by individuals offering to dehorn their rhino as a security measure, and at the same time buying these horns, to report this. It is an offense to capture and dehorn rhino if you are not in possession of a valid permit which authorises this activity. Such horns must then immediately be micro chipped and declared to the authorities in order to obtain possession permits for them. It is also illegal to buy, donate, sell or dispose of rhino horn in any way whatsoever if you are not in possession of a valid permit which authorises this.

It is a criminal offense to not report wildlife crime!

The EWT’s Rhino Security Project is kindly supported by the International Rhino Foundation, the SA Mint Company, San Francisco Zoo and various individual donors.

For more information please contact:

Last week i was up at the beautiful Molori Safari Lodge in Madikwe and was lucky enough to guide some amazing guests from the USA. I never get bored of seeing peoples reactions to being in the African bush for the first time! The inevitable response is that all the TV and wildlife documentaries cant compare to being completely immersed in the sounds and smells of the bush.

We had some really good sightings of Elepehants, white rhino, lion and eventually got a nice big herd of buffalo. Although the leopards managed to elude my group, I was lucky enough to see a young male as I was driving into the reserve- in fact, I saw four of the Big5 just driving up to the lodge the day before my guests checked in! Here are some of my pics from the trip:

I’m super excited as i have a return guest coming back from the USA this weekend and we will be heading up to Umlani Bush Camp in the Timbavati Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park. I have never been to Umlani before but have heard many good things about the camp. Whilst we are up there i will be putting together a destination review on the camp so keep an eye out for that on the site in the next couple of weeks.

I am also running a two night trip up to Pilanesberg National Park this month with a group of 7 people form the UK – cant wait to get back out there again!

Next month sees the first of many collaborations between Photo-Africa and Moya Wa Tenga Safaris with the inaugural Wildlife Photography 101 Workshop (WP101). The two day workshop will be held on Saturday 4th September and Saturday 11 September.

This months’ desktop backgrounds are in two size formats:

• 1280 x 800 (click on the image to open it in a new window, then right click on the full image and save)
• 2560 x  1600 (simply click on the ‘Download” link)

The first of our free desktop backgrounds is of an Impala lily (Adenium multiflorum )  which is native to southeastern Africa ranging from Zambia to Mozambique and northern South Africa. During the summer months, it has large deep green leaves which fall off when the soils dry up during the winter months. Initially, for the first couple of months of the dry season the plant rests and resembles a small baobab before  bursting into masses of frilly flowers at the tips of bare branches. What makes this plant and its flowers so striking is the fact that the rest of the bushveld is bare and dry at the time of flowering.

The shiny grey to brown succelent stems of this magnificent plant rise up from a large underground rootstock and produce a poisonous watery latex.

{filelink=5} the large format file here

The second image is one that I took earlier in the year whilst guiding a trip in Madikwe Game Reserve. The pack of about 18 Wild Dogs (Lycoan pictus) had just finished off their morning kill of a young Kudu and had retreated to a waterhole nearby. The long green grass which hid the dogs body as it lay down offered  nice contrast to the pale browns and dark blacks of the coat.

{filelink=6} the large format file here

The scientific name Lycaon pictus is derived from the Greek for wolf and the Latin for painted, leading to one of their other common names, painted hunting dogs.

The African Wild Dog is endangered by a combination of factors which have resulted in habitat loss and persecution by farmers These animals make use of very large home ranges and so can persist only in the larger protected areas.  Like other carnivores, the African Wild Dog is sometimes affected by outbreaks of viral diseases such as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. Although these diseases are not more pathogenic or virulent for wild dogs, the small size of most wild dog populations makes them vulnerable to local extinction due to diseases or other problems. Madikwe Game reserve is currently one of the best reserves to see these majestic creatures ( see more about accommodation in Madikwe here).

The third and final image for this month is of a group of zebras backlight in the late afternoon. Unfortunately, a fourth zebra was busy grazing in the foreground but I still felt that this would be a great image to have as a wallpaper or desktop background.

{filelink=7} the large format file here

I hope you enjoy this months selection. As always, please feel free to leave a comment and give me some feedback on what you think about these images, as well as what you would like to see in the future!