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Highly needed Rain in Madikwe – Green Landscapes

  • January 13, 2017 | Rhulani Safari Lodge

The summer months from November to February/March are the rainy season in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. Some highly needed rain arrived over the last few weeks and transformed the landscape from a dry Brown to a lush Green.

Rainbow and Elephant (Photo: Riaan)

Highly needed Rain in Madikwe Game Reserve

Comparison: Early November 2016 (Rhulani’s Waterhole with Elephant)

Comparison: Early January 2017 (Rhulani’s Waterhole with Impalas)

First Rain of the Season arrives in November 2016

South Africa experienced the worst drought in 10 years – rain was highly needed in all areas of the country. In Madikwe, the first rains of this season arrived in early November 2016.

Madikwe Landscape Comparison – Early November 2016 vs. early January 2017

The first rains in Madikwe had arrived short before my first visit to Rhulani Safari Lodge in early November 2016 – by then the landscapes were still dry and Brown – with a little bit of Green in between.
Now things are different. Just take a look at the photo comparison: Rhulani’s waterhole and surroundings in early November 2016 - versus early January 2017. I took the photos from the same spot with the same camera – just the landscape changed – the dry Brown was transformed to a lush Green.

Waterholes and Pans in Madikwe are filling up again

The waterholes and pans in Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa are filling up again – the water needs to last throughout the coming dry season from April/May-September/October.

Clouds and Rainbows

The rainy season offers some spectacular cloud formations and, if you are lucky, you can see a beautiful rainbow – together with some African wildlife.

Lightning and passing Thunderstorm

I was watching the lightning of a passing thunderstorm and listening to the sounds of the fading thunder. For about 30 minutes, I was standing at Rhulani’s pool area trying to get a shot of a lightning bolt – and finally succeeded (ok, it’s just a little lightning bolt, but better than nothing). I rewarded myself with a delicious Peppermint Crispy Cake.

On my way back to my accommodation, the always present Milkweed Locusts, that are normally hopping along my way, were hiding – but the Frogs were happy and having a ball.

Watch the short video: Evening atmosphere at Rhulani Safari Lodge during a passing thunderstorm.

Content: Dagmar Roscher

Photography:  Riaan (Rainbow & Elephant) and Dagmar

Madikwe’s Waterholes and Pans are filling up again

Lightning at the horizon

Cloud lit by the sun