After one year of silence, this message sounds like a miracle: three healthy, beautiful female cheetahs are arriving these days in the Madikwe Game Reserve. With great joy and hope, the “cheetah project” is writing a new chapter. When will we see cheetah cubs for the first time?

Saturday, 2 September will be kept in special memories by Rhulani’s guests. Instead of the normal safari program, there was a highly needed conservation activity taking place, in which everyone participated actively, and learnt more about the protection of endangered rhino.

On Friday 26 May 2017, we took part in an important activity to protect the endangered rhinos. Sponsored by Rhulani, the ears of a young, white rhinoceros were notched, and microchips were implanted. All these are measures to ensure the survival of the mammal. An unforgettable experience for our guests.

We would like to inform you that for all guests visiting Madikwe Game Reserve, a new “Conservation Levy” has been introduced. The new levy of ZAR 150 per person per night (50% for children under 12) will apply for reservations made at Rhulani Safari Lodge from 1 June 2017 and with a check-in date from 1 August 2017.

Rhulani’s guests were actively involved in an important conservation activity of the Madikwe Game Reserve. A defective collar was successfully removed from a male cheetah.

With another Rhino notching event, we concluded our conservation activities for 2016 on 9 December, together with Rhulani’s guests. A small, white rhino was registered, equipped with microchips and notched at the ears, which made an important contribution to the safety of this endangered animal species.

Although Madikwe is a wildlife reserve, where the laws of the free nature apply, there is a park management, which undertakes certain activities for the protection of endangered animal species. As a guest of Rhulani, can I give support and participate in such activities?

On 15 September we reported that we have lost the signal and traces of our female Cheetah Iketle. Now, more than a month later, Iketle remains disappeared. None of the rangers from the Madikwe reserve has ever been able to see Iketle on a game drive. Does this mean that Iketle is dead? Has the Cheetah project failed?

From time to time, Rhulani’s guests ask us about the possibility to add a “conservation activity” to their safari. This provides funds for the reserve to carry out urgent work and an unforgettable holiday highlight for the guests. Thus, a benefit for both sides, a “win-win”.

The ambitious “cheetah project” keeps the Madikwe Administration on their toes. We have recently lost the signals from Iketle, our hopeful cheetah-female. For the moment, we can just speculate about the reasons.