It’s amazing what variety of wildlife you can find in Madikwe Game Reserve – and I am not only talking about the Big Five and other famous and popular animals. It’s also important to keep an eye out for the small things in (wild) life.

Just during my short walk from my accommodation towards the lodge I spotted several different types of colourful Locusts and Grasshoppers as well as beautiful Dragonflies and Butterflies. There are so many different insect species here. You can basically spot something new every single day.

During High Tea in the afternoon, a “Walking Stick” (Stick Insect) is climbing up the wall near the reception area – it’s absolutely harmless but fun to look at.

Recently, there was also a Gecko in my room – which is often seen as an omen for good luck – so I am happy to have him there. While setting up the yoga mats for a class in the old boma area I also was visited by a Lizard who loved to tan in the sun for a little.

There are of course also a lot of beautiful small birds that you can see on the trees and bushes nearby with yellow or purple colour.

On my way to dinner I spotted a Millipede who slowly made his way to greener pastures.  During my game drives with Rhulani Safari Lodge I saw several Dung Beetles, rolling their ball.

At some stage, I also spotted a frog in the grass near the lodge. I wouldn’t have expected frogs in a game reserve but they seem to enjoy their life here in the South African bush in Madikwe. You can definitely hear them in the evening - together with the buzzing sound of the crickets.

So keep your eyes open and look out for small wildlife in Madikwe Game Reserve– there is a lot of colourful and fascinating life around you at Rhulani Safari Lodge – even if it is not as big as an Elephant. 

Photography / Content: Dagmar Roscher