A farm in Africa....

Madikwe is former farmland in South Africa just over the border of Botswana that more than 20 years ago was turned into a reserve for scores of wild animal species. These were imported and allowed to thrive in a natural environment. Tau is a game lodge that was created about 15 years ago, offering deluxe accomodations, excellent food, and access to the wild things by foot and by Toyota Land-Cruiser game drives. We left Gaborone on Friday afternoon, and arrived in Madikwe in time for the afternoon game drive. Our guide, Brad, was a 31 year-old South African (originally from Zimbabwe), who was a terrific naturalist. He knew the plants, birds, animals, geology, back-road pathways, and how to relate to 2 Mainers full of questions and 5 fun-loving Dutch 20-somethings who giggled most of the way around the reserve.
We encountered a broad range of animals, and were able to observe them up close. Brad was excellent at approaching the animals without spooking them or causing them to flee. We mingled with herds of elephants, lions mating and hunting wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, white rhinos, all sorts of antelope-type creatures, leopard, wart-hog, and birds of all types and sizes. Most of our pictures will be posted on Flickr.
We had a memorable weekend, full of beauty, adventure, and education. We are eager to have additional exposure to the African wild over the next few months!