Look behind the scenes of Rhulani Safari Lodge.

If you drive on safari through the Madikwe reserve to look for animals, then one of the typical plants of the reserve will be a constant companion: the Sickle Bush. Let's talk about it with Sean today.

As you drive through the bushes, beware of the spiky thorns of the Sickle Bush. These are also so hard that they easily penetrate a shoe sole - so be careful when jumping down from your vehicle!

But not everything is bad from this probably most typical bush of Madikwe. The sickle bush produces very strong and hard wood. As a result, it is one of the best woods for making tool handles. The wood burns well, in spite of its narrow trunk. It is also one of South Africa’s contributions to medicinal plants. It has antibiotic properties and is used successfully for numerous conditions.

So take a break and have a look at the Sickle Bush with our ranger Sean who knows a lot about it.

Stay tuned for next episode on Sunday 28 October 2018, when Rolf tells you more about Madikwe's Conservation Levy