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Madikwe
My favourite wildlife photographs from the Madikwe Game Reserve, up in the north-west corner of South Africa, near the border with Botswana
Of all the wildlife reserves we have visited in Southern Africa, the Madikwe Game Reserve up near the Botswana border in the north-west corner of South Africa is undoubtedly our favourite. There is something about the landscape, the highveld air, the bright winter skies, the golden light on summer evenings, that is absolutely magical. And the game viewing is spectacular - only a few safari vehicles at each sighting, taking their turn to get as close as safety and consideration for the animals allows. For someone who is not a professional wildlife photographer, and can’t afford to spend six weeks in the bush waiting for that perfect shot, it would be hard to find better opportunities for photographing animals in the wild than Madikwe affords.
Here is a selection of my favourite images, shot over several years and nearly a half dozen visits. I hope you enjoy them.
Lioness on the lookout
A watchful eye
Lying in wait
The older female
Lion
Lion portrait
Lion on the runway
Lions in repose
Lion kill
Cerval I
Cerval II
Cerval III
Bull elephant
Elephants at the waterhole
Elephant crossing
Test of strength
Trunklines
Male warthog
Wild Dog
Zebra
Rhino
Rhino descending the ridge
Rhino dust bath
Rhino on the road
Rhino infant
Rhino juvenile
Rhino toilette
Rhino roadblock
Rhino point of view
Injured giraffe
Looking at me looking at you
Giraffes
Dominance
Kori Bustard
Red hartebeest at dusk
Black-Backed Jackal
Baboon attitude
Buffalo crossing
African buffalo
Giant Eagle Owl
Yellow-Billed Hornbill
Cheetah
Cheetah kill
Cheetah portrait
Cheetah cubs I
Cheetah cubs II
Cheetah at dusk I
Cheetah at dusk II
Cheetah at dusk III