On Wednesday afternoon, 25 October 2017, we were reminded of the enormous force of nature that surrounds us. We do not mean the wild animals. Not too far from our lodge, a bushfire kept us on our toes. Because of changing winds the battle costed us a lot of nerves, but at 9pm the fire was under control.

In our very dry region, where no rain had fallen during winter months and now the warm summer comes, the risk of a bushfire is extremely high. We are aware of this. It only takes a small spark from a fire place, a lightning strike, or a cigarette stump thrown out of care, and the pictures of a large bushfire, as you know it from television, are becoming real.

Last Wednesday, it was a well-intentioned fire from outside the reserve which, due to strong and rapidly changing winds, moved towards the western fence of the Madikwe Game Reserve and finally swept over. Fortunately, the alarm system worked perfectly, and the willingness of all the surrounding lodges to help with all possible resources was huge.

Rhulani Safari Lodge was on the spot with a large number of staff. In the afternoon, our maintenance team faught against the flames. In the evening, after the game drive, when guests were back at the lodge, all our rangers joined the fight as well. "it was a big big fire", says Alasdair, Rhulani's ranger. "We were very scared that the wind turns", says Gerda, Rhulani's manager. Our new fire fighting trailer was used for the first time and it got confirmed it was a good akquisition. After all, the fire, though not entirely extinguished, was under control at 9pm, and we could go to sleep, albeit on call in case of another emergency during the night.

Bushfires are not a rarity. With this risk lives the African bush and so do we. Especially during this phase of the year the risk is considered as high. In order to be protected, we have cut a large so called "firebreak" around the lodge, which means that the high grass and the bushes, which could transport the fire, were cut to the ground. With our employees, we regularly do fire drills and test our fire extinguishers and equipment.