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Limpopo-Lipadi Wildlife Blog
Reserve
Mon
12 Sep
2022
If you’re small, you must be smart
“If you’re small, you must be smart Limpopo-Lipadi’s elephant breeding herd roams across the reserve, but there is a pattern in where they prefer…
Reserve
Thu
25 Aug
2022
Eye to eye
Shareholder Mauro has lots of reflective moments when driving around in the Reserve and looking eye to eye with the…
Reserve
Fri
19 Aug
2022
The joy of taking a mud bath
As shareholders we cannot emphasise enough how incredible it is to be able to enjoy the bush at your own…
Reserve
Fri
12 Aug
2022
Medical equipment for the clinics
Earlier this year, the Motse Committee (the community outreach arm of Limpopo-Lipadi) purchased much-needed medical equipment for clinics in the…
Reserve
Mon
08 Aug
2022
Happy baby tidings!
We are over the moon to announce the birth of an impressive litter of 12 wild dog pups! They were…
Reserve
Fri
29 Jul
2022
The amazing privilege of being a shareholder of the Reserve
During a recent stay shareholder Mauro described how amazing it is to be a part of Limpopo-Lipadi and its eco-system:…
Reserve
Thu
21 Jul
2022
Leopard lazing on marula tree
Stumbling across a leopard is the safari goer’s dream, especially when this elusive cat is sitting perched on the branch…
Reserve
Fri
08 Jul
2022
Winter skies and the Milky Way over Limpopo-Lipadi
Recently, shareholder Mauro spent some exceptional days with family and friends at Limpopo-Lipadi. One night he took out his camera…
Reserve
Wed
08 Jun
2022
Cold winter mornings, bright sunny days
Oh my, Botswana winter nights can be cold – if only to warm up very quickly after sunrise, usually with…
Reserve
Mon
25 Apr
2022
Wild dogs at play
Wild dogs at play Limpopo-Lipadi’s emblematic wild dogs travel across the reserve in a matter of hours. The whole reserve…
Reserve
Sun
17 Apr
2022
Never be in a rush
Never be in a rush, you never know what is behind the next bush Shareholder Conny Krauss spent some fantastic…
Reserve
Sun
10 Apr
2022
Vulture Safe Zone at Limpopo-Lipadi
It is often the case in modern day Nature Conservation that iconic animals, especially the cute and cuddly, or majestic…
Reserve
Tue
05 Apr
2022
Rainy Season’s Finale
On his first trip in three years, shareholder Ian took his 85-year old father with him, so this was a…
Reserve
Sat
05 Mar
2022
Traffic in the Bush
Shareholder Martina and her partner Jost spent about four weeks in the reserve. So many incredible adventures to tell. Here…
Reserve
Fri
25 Feb
2022
Sundowner bliss with animal parade
Sometimes you need a bit of luck and some calculations. While driving around the reserve on a rather uneventful evening…
Reserve
Fri
18 Feb
2022
Fly, pray, dive, catch, swallow, repeat
Sitting on the banks of the mighty Limpopo river is like going on a game drive without using your vehicle,…
Reserve
Fri
11 Feb
2022
Southern Plains is a place of abundance
With a second year of good rains the reserve is looking so green and lush and the animals seem to…
Reserve
Sat
05 Feb
2022
Summertime… and the livin’ is (slightly more) easy
After some good rains in the past months, the reserve looks in mint condition: the grass stands tall, the Limpopo…
Reserve
Tue
14 Dec
2021
Summer means fresh leaves
It’s summer in the southern hemisphere! The first rains have fallen, some animals are dropping their babies, and fresh chewy, green leaves are decorating the trees for some that can reach high enough, like this giraffe.
Reserve
Mon
06 Dec
2021
All is well at Limpopo-Lipadi
Longtime shareholders, Walt and Thea finally made it back to the reserve after a long break from travelling. They are soaking up the goodness of being back.
Conservation
Mon
15 Nov
2021
Wildebeest Re-introduction
We released 124 blue wildebeest into the reserve at the end of October. The capture and release went flawlessly, and we didn’t suffer a single mortality, which is amazing since it was 42ºC—in the shade!
Reserve
Mon
08 Nov
2021
How far is far enough?
When we did the initial planning for the 2020 Elephant Translocation, the DWNP indicated that one of the prerequisite permit…
Reserve
Fri
29 Oct
2021
Did You Set the Alarm?
Have you ever been woken by a real bushveld alarm clock? Alison Nicholls has. She recalls being woken by the sounds of an alarm clock one morning, only to realise that it was in fact a crested barbet.
Reserve
Mon
25 Oct
2021
Weird and Wonderful Giraffe Anatomy
Have you ever wondered about the anatomy of giraffes? Well, wonder no more.
Reserve
Mon
04 Oct
2021
New hope for endangered wild dogs
Our operations manager, Duane recently spotted a wild dog pup, bringing new hope to the reserve’s endangered but beloved wild dogs! They are the second most endangered animal in Africa, with a population of ± 6 600. What a great way to start the week!
Reserve
Mon
13 Sep
2021
Wild dog puppy spotted!
What a great way to start the week! Our reserve manager, Duane spotted a wild dog puppy a few weeks ago. We’re not quite sure if there are more, but for now, we’re just over the moon about this one new member of the pack!
Reserve
Mon
23 Aug
2021
Getting to know wild dogs
It’s no secret that we carry a special torch for wild dogs here at Limpopo-Lipadi. These endangered canines are protected on our reserve. Here are ten interesting facts you might not have known about African wild dogs.
Conservation
Mon
26 Jul
2021
Giraffe capture and relocation
July kicked off a busy wildlife management month for us at Limpopo-Lipadi, with our first order of business being the sale and translocation of three giraffes to a neighbouring game farm. Read here how the capture and relocation process works.
Reserve
Mon
05 Jul
2021
Happy To Be Back
After one and a half years and two cancelled attempts, shareholder Eric was delighted to finally be able to return to a beautifully plush reserve and spend some time in the Botswana bush.
Reserve
Mon
14 Jun
2021
The Lions of the Southern Pride
The lion is king of the African bush, even at Limpopo-Lipadi. Alessandro Gruzza took some beautiful photographs of a nine-year-old male and his pride when he visited our beloved reserve earlier this year. Read his story.
Reserve
Mon
07 Jun
2021
Autumn
To some people autumn signifies the end of a year of life. The grass that was still bright green a month ago is now a soft gold, and although this seems like the end, this is exactly when the African bush shines brightest. Read more about the beauty of winter in Africa.
Reserve
Mon
12 Apr
2021
Working on our beloved wild dogs
Working with animals has always been a part of Gabriella Postiglione’s plan. Her journey has taken her from Italy to America, Tunisia, South Africa and Botswana, where she completed her PhD working on our beloved wild dogs.
Reserve
Mon
15 Mar
2021
Cute and noisy: bush baby
During your evening drives in the reserve, you may spot their shining eyes bouncing around in your torch beam, or they may wake you up in the early hours of the morning to their ear-splitting shrieks: the elusive and incredibly cute bush baby. Read more about these cuities.
Reserve
Mon
08 Mar
2021
After the Big Five check out the Small Five
On the list of wildlife spotters is always the ‘Big Five’ (rhino, lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo). But did you know, there’s a complimentary ‘Small Five’? At Limpopo-Lipadi you can find the Big Five (save the buffalo), but also the Small Five.
Reserve
Mon
01 Mar
2021
Black-backed jackal: monogamous, social and smart
Jackals have somehow never really made the safari A-list. Monogamous, social and smart, jackals are also highly vocal and often you can often hear them calling each other while you’re having your sundowner drinks on one of our plains, so keep your ears peeled.
Reserve
Mon
22 Feb
2021
Small Five’s star performer: the dung beetle
Dung beetles spend their entire lives rolling dung uphill, living in it and fighting off pirate beetles that try to steal their hordes. Watching them puts the past year of our lives into a rather harsh perspective.
Reserve
Mon
15 Feb
2021
Remembering Limpopo-Lipadi
Shareholder and artist, Alison Nicholls takes us down memory lane to one of her fond memories of Limpopo-Lipadi. She remembers sitting in a hide with a friend and enjoying a constant constant procession of different species at the waterhole.
Reserve
Mon
08 Feb
2021
The Importance of Having Good Grass
In 2019, management and the game reserve council approached shareholders about the importance of selective bush-thinning in the reserve’s encroached and formerly overgrazed areas. We’re happy to report a positive difference in the past year.
Reserve
Mon
01 Feb
2021
Don’t Want to Leave
Shareholder Malcolm and his family made their way to our beloved reserve for a trip that way too short. Crossing borders again wasn’t as easy as it usually is due to restrictions. Read all about their experience.
Reserve
Mon
25 Jan
2021
Stuck in the Mud
We appreciate every drop of rain that as fallen during December, especially after a couple of years of sub-optimal rain. The bush is lush and the roads are like streams. Read Malcom’s story about what can happen if you try to avoid an obstacle on the road.
Reserve
Mon
18 Jan
2021
Rebirth After the Rains
So happy to be back after so many months, shareholder Malcolm and his family were soaking up the experience once again. Read all about the regeneration of the bushveld after record amounts of rain over December.
Reserve
Mon
11 Jan
2021
The Crossing
Shareholder Malcolm and his family were some of the first to make the trip back into Botswana after so many months of closed borders. His trip on the main road to the reserve was a tricky affair after record rains had fallen in December. Read his story here.
Anti Poaching
Mon
07 Dec
2020
Dehorning our rhinos to keep them safe
Dehorning of rhino has become a top poaching mitigation method over the years and is now required by law for all rhino living in Botswana.
Reserve
Mon
30 Nov
2020
Play-fighting or…?
With the first rains upon us, it will not be long before we see the first impala and wildebeest lambs. Read more about the ram’s playfighting to prepare them for adulthood.
Conservation
Mon
16 Nov
2020
Vulture Safe-Zone Initiative
Limpopo-Lipadi’s operations manager, Duane, writes about the importance of keystone species, like vultures, in our ecosystems and the role our reserve can play in preserving this vital species. Read more!
Reserve
Mon
02 Nov
2020
Botswana sunsets are the best
On one of his late afternoon inspection drives in the reserve, general manager Glen counted himself a lucky man to be able to enjoy the beautiful Botswana sunset at Tholo Dam in the company of some thirsty zebra’s.
Reserve
Mon
26 Oct
2020
Elephant Says ‘Hi’
General manager, Glen has the privilege of wandering off into the reserve whenever duty—or sometimes leisure—calls for it. And sometimes he makes a friendly encounter, like this up-close-and-personal with an elephant.
Reserve
Mon
19 Oct
2020
Those Small and Smart Steenbokkies
The season just before summer really hits us, is an excellent game-viewing season for small and shy antelope like the steenbokkie, who is proof that if you’re not strong, you’d better be smart.
Conservation
Mon
12 Oct
2020
Elephant Translocation—The Documentary
Remember the story about the biggest elephant translocation in Southern Africa. A documentary has been produced about the incredible journey and we couldn’t wait to share a sneak preview with you. With a big thank you to all involved.
Reserve
Mon
28 Sep
2020
Better Together: The Intricate System of Symbiosis in the Bush
Symbiosis is a way of life. It helps certain species survive against the odds. Read more about the species at Limpopo-Lipadi who help each other survive and what we humans can learn from them.
Reserve
Mon
21 Sep
2020
Upside Down: That Hazardous Drinking Moment for Giraffe
The giraffe, abundantly present in Limpopo-Lipadi, is the tallest animal in the world and its silhouette is unmistakable: long and tapered legs, a massive body and a very long neck. Unfortunately, the giraffe’s legs are too long, or its neck is too short to reach the ground, depending on your point of view. Eating is not a problem because it feeds on leaves and twigs from the trees that only it, with its 5m height, can reach. But, bending over to drink is really complicated.
Conservation
Mon
14 Sep
2020
Tribute to Botswana’s National Bird: The Amazing Kori Bustard
Botswana’s national bird is the kori bustard and we are proud that a number of these birds call Limpopo-Lipadi their home. Read more about these magnificent birds and where to spot them when next you’re at the reserve.
Reserve
Mon
07 Sep
2020
Elephants for Lunch
Our general manager, Glen, had some close-up encounters with a bull elephant on a mission.
Reserve
Mon
24 Aug
2020
Pioneer plants and their ecological role
One of the tell-tale signs of historic overgrazing is bush encroachment by certain species of plants, like sickle-bush (Dichrostachys cinerea), blackthorn (Senegalia mellifera) and slender three-hook thorn (Senegalia Senegal).
Reserve
Mon
27 Jul
2020
Lion Kill
A couple of days ago Glen, our general manager, and Duane our reserve manager, received a report from the Anti-Poaching Unit that the lions had killed a young giraffe just off the main road as you head towards Two Cribs. Read his story of a day brimming with adventure.
Reserve
Mon
06 Jul
2020
Reflecting on the Wonders of Nature
The lockdown in Botswana was a period on intensive work, especially when it came to finalising and implementing the conservation plans of our interlinked ecosystems for the years to come. Read reserve manager, Duane’s views of our ecosystems.
Reserve
Mon
06 Jul
2020
Hi There to This Pack of Banded Mongoose!
This is a rather rare, though admittedly not the best, photo on our blog. Some animals in our reserve are rather unhabituated, so it was a treat to have a pack of banded mongoose sit still for a couple of seconds and make eye contact.
Conservation
Mon
15 Jun
2020
Getting Ready for Your Arrival
The world is in varying stages of lockdown and while we’re not sure when we can visit our beloved reserve again, the conservation and maintenance work continues with more fervour than ever. Here’s what the maintenance team has been up to.
Conservation
Mon
08 Jun
2020
Magical Moments at Limpopo-Lipadi
In the last days before the Botswana lockdown, Graham Morgan visited the reserve with some Australian friends, who had heard about the marvels of Limpopo-Lipadi and couldn’t wait to check things out for themselves. Read Graham’s account.
Reserve
Mon
01 Jun
2020
Elephant Close Encounter
Reserve manager, Duane and general manager, Glen, and a handful anti-poaching and staff members are the only ones left on the reserve during the Botswana lockdown. Read about their close encounter with an unhabituated elephant cow during a patrol.
Reserve
Mon
25 May
2020
Leopard Overload
Paul and Sheryl Freund have had some incredible leopard sightings. This past November was no exception. The heat had many animals drinking at Tholo dam, including some leopards, who only came out at dusk or at night. Read about Paul and Sheryl’s sightings here.
Reserve
Mon
18 May
2020
Meeting Again: All Grown Up
In 2018 Aileen Oosterling many hours with four lion cubs, watching the play and goof around with each other. Two years later, she got to see them again! All grown up now and on their own, away from the pride.
Reserve
Mon
11 May
2020
Those Brave but Shy Honey Badgers!
Honey badgers are formidable fighters and not even lions want to mess with them. But, they are shy and not very often seen. Paul and Cheryl Freund were lucky enough to see them for a few seconds before they disappeared in a hole.
Reserve
Mon
04 May
2020
TwoSpots and the Wild Dogs of Lipadi
Shareholder Paul Freund took the time to document the story of the reserve’s prominent alpha-female wild dog, TwoSpots. The book chronicles her life as a youngster growing up in the boma, to her disappearance in 2019.
Reserve
Tue
28 Apr
2020
Watch out for the Leopard Thief!
There are guests at Limpopo-Lipadi that come to the reserve and claim to hardly ever see a leopard. Then you have others who prove the opposite. Last November shareholders Paul and Cheryl had numerous incredible viewings.
Reserve
Mon
20 Apr
2020
Weave to Impress
Shareholder Aileen has been spending a lot of time at the reserve lately and gladly shares her sightings and stories with us. This time she writes about the many southern masked weavers building their nests.
Conservation
Tue
14 Apr
2020
Erik vs the Lions
While shareholders aren’t able to visit the reserve at the moment, our vet and our reserve manager are hard at work making sure that everything runs smoothly and that the animals are well taken care of. Read about their efforts with the lion pride here.
Reserve
Mon
06 Apr
2020
Last Game Drive Before Closure
Ryan and his guests were the last shareholders at the reserve before it closed due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Game drives were generally disappointing. But then, at Middle Plains, they saw her. A fit lioness, looking for her next meal.
Reserve
Mon
30 Mar
2020
Airstrip congregation
Life in the bush is not a walk in the park. You always have to be on high alert and vigilant about the danger lurking behind every tree or bush. Sticking together on open terrain is a very good way to steer clear of lurking danger.
Reserve
Mon
23 Mar
2020
Leopard stroll towards dinner.
In the green season it may take some effort to spot animals between the vibrant green bushes and tall grass. But sometimes it’s just luck when you almost literally stumble across a leopard, about to get her paws on dinner. Watch the video of one such an encounter at Limpopo-Lipadi.
Reserve
Mon
02 Mar
2020
Wild dogs on a mission
One of the upsides of being a shareholder, is that you have the reserve to yourself from time to time. It’s also a downside because there’s no one to alert you of amazing sightings. Luckily, on a quiet morning, we heard a call over the radio of a wild dogs sighting. Read here.
Reserve
Mon
24 Feb
2020
Birds of a feather
Summer at its heights means that it is birding galore at Limpopo-Lipadi, with so many migratory birds taking up residence at the Reserve in this period. Anton Kruger and family spent a couple of days at the Reserve recently and shared some of their ‘catches’ with us. Enjoy!
Reserve
Mon
17 Feb
2020
Bath time!
During a sundowner self-drive in October last year, shareholders Clive and Jill saw a spectacular brown hyena, soaking up the sun and taking a bath in Tholo Dam. It was quite a sighting. Read about it here.
Reserve
Mon
10 Feb
2020
Safari with kids
Anton Kruger is a shareholder of Limpopo-Lipadi, who always surprises us with his beautiful photos and stories. He tells about his most recent visit in the ‘green season’, making it clear that going on a safari is a great adventure for all, even for small kids. Read his story and enjoy his fantastic photos.
Reserve
Mon
03 Feb
2020
I’m stronger than you are
The Elephant breeding herd is often followed by several young males and, just like young human lads, they want to…
Reserve
Mon
27 Jan
2020
So happy to see you!
Sometimes, the simple act of sitting in a hide opens you up to the most incredible sightings. Read Martina’s story of a herd of elephants that seemed to unite with some old friends. I must have been quite a sight!
Reserve
Mon
20 Jan
2020
Impala into the Wild(erness)
It is so important to avoid overgrazing popular waterholes by luring territorial animals like impala to other grazing areas. In this pursuit, we’ve introduced a new waterhole at Limpopo-Lipadi, called Wilderness. Read more about it on our blog!
Reserve
Mon
06 Jan
2020
A ‘Tail’ of Two Badgers
Shareholders Clive and Jill were privileged to see not one, but two of the notoriously fearless (but shy of humans) honey badgers taking on a python in a small umbrella thorn tree! It was quite a sight! Read more on our blog!
Reserve
Tue
17 Dec
2019
Zebra overload
Patience really is a virtue. Even when you feel like there are no more animals left on the reserve, if you patiently wait, they will come to you. Hunker down in a hide and wait it out!
Reserve
Mon
09 Dec
2019
Not just your average week at the reserve
Shareholder Guido van Toorenburg recently had an extraordinary few sightings at Limpopo-Lipadi. Not only did they see one of the cheetah brothers that everyone assumed had left the reserve, they also saw not one, but two lion kills! It was an exciting stay this time around! Here is his story.
Reserve
Mon
02 Dec
2019
It’s all a matter of luck
The more time you spend on the reserve, and especially at waterholes, the more likely you are to see some very special events.
Reserve
Mon
25 Nov
2019
Bushbuck Keeping us Company
So, as bushbucks are abundant around the lodges, they are less so in the rest of Botswana, and we cherish their company, with the little munching noises and the crackling of leaves and branches.
Reserve
Mon
18 Nov
2019
Taking your Best Shot at Birding
Bird photography is a special form of wildlife observation. It requires a good eye and a good camera. With the enormous variety of bird species at Limpopo-Lipadi, it is definitely worthwhile to invest a bit of time and effort into birding.
Reserve
Mon
11 Nov
2019
Sundowner Time
For many of us, sundowner time is the best time of the day. The golden hour just before the sun sets creates the most beautiful light for photography, nocturnal animals come out, and it is the time for drinks at a well-chosen spot to enjoy the light, the animals and the company you’re in.
Reserve
Mon
04 Nov
2019
A Morning in the Life of a Shareholder
Long-time shareholders, Walt and Thea have been frequenting Limpopo-Lipadi on a regular basis. When they come, they like to stay…
Reserve
Mon
28 Oct
2019
Take your cues from the elephants—get out your sunscreen
Summer is here and it is getting hot out there, so we need to protect ourselves from the blistering sun. But it’s not just us humans who need to watch out for sunburn. Some animals do too.
Reserve
Mon
21 Oct
2019
Flash appearance of the wild dogs
A couple of years ago, Limpopo-Lipadi had a large pack of the endangered African wild dogs. What a delight it was to encounter them so regularly out on their hunts, or lazing around near a waterhole or in the shade.
Reserve
Mon
14 Oct
2019
Bush pigs out in the open
The elusive bush pig is one such creature that hardly ever shows his snout, especially not during daytime.
Reserve
Mon
07 Oct
2019
Lion snacking on impala
Having a good number of lions in the reserve does not necessarily mean that you stumble over them in our 200-something square kilometres. And so, on some visits, you may start giving up on the idea of seeing lions.
Reserve
Mon
23 Sep
2019
Too close for comfort: held hostage by 13 elephants
Game viewing was calm, very calm. All the radios were quiet, apart from the guides chatting and updating each other…
Reserve
Mon
16 Sep
2019
A hike along the mighty Limpopo River
Limpopo-Lipadi is proud to have 14 kilometres of beautiful Limpopo river frontage, with its precious ecosystem and riverine trees and…
Reserve
Mon
09 Sep
2019
At last we found the cheetahs
While on the look-out for a good viewing of the lion pride, shareholder Woody got a much better surprise during…
Conservation
Mon
02 Sep
2019
Up in the air for the game count
Being an enclosed reserve means that we have to keep track of the number of animals, and particularly the balance…
Reserve
Mon
26 Aug
2019
Early morning lion roars
Sometimes you are woken during the night or in the early hours of the morning by a sound that can…
Reserve
Mon
19 Aug
2019
Scary moments: charging to protect the breeding herd
If you ask one of our guides which animal they fear most, they unequivocally answer: elephant. Gentle giants usually, but…
Reserve
Mon
12 Aug
2019
The otherworldly looking brown hyena
The spotted or striped hyena takes the spotlight in movies like the Lion King, while the brown hyena usually takes…
Conservation
Mon
22 Jul
2019
Sometimes the earth trembles in the bush
During our two-yearly game counts it’s always striking to see some high numbers of animals that you hardly ever see…
Reserve
Mon
15 Jul
2019
Breath-taking: the exhilarating climb up Lipadi Hill
Located in the midst of the rather flat area of the Tuli Block we are lucky to have a few…