Tau Game Lodge | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | Click on a photo to enlarge it. |
Description:
On the far northern border of South Africa lies a beautiful area known as the Great Marico and it is in this spectacular setting, in Malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve, that Tau Game Lodge is situated. The jumbled hillocks of Tshwene-Tshwene and the dramatic ridge of the Dwarsberg Mountains expose rocks of up to 2630 million years old and artifacts of the Stone and Iron Ages are still found in the Great Marico dust.
Privately owned Tau Game Lodge was built in 1995 and overlooks a vast natural waterhole, which attracts a variety of game, as does the diverse vegetation which thrives in the fertile topsoil.
Situated at an easy 4 hours driving distance from Johannesburg or 50 minutes flight from Johannesburg Intenational airport, Tau, the place of the lion, can host and accommodate up to 60 people.
The Main Lodge:
Privately-owned Tau Game Lodge was built in 1995 and overlooks a vast natural waterhole, which attracts a variety of game, as does the diverse vegetation which thrives in the fertile topsoil.
The lodge was designed to reflect the natural surroundings and makes use of the natural resources wherever possible.
The main body of the Lodge is two-leveled and has a comfortable lounge, conference facilities, bar and dining room which are semi open-air and overlook the waterhole.
The lodge is decorated with unusual African artifacts.
In 1992, Madikwe Game Reserve, created from 75,000 ha of farmland, which had been extensively degraded by overgrazing, was chosen as the site of Operation Phoenix. The government-sponsored, biggest-ever game- relocation programme in Africa involved re-stocking and conserving flora and wildlife, which had long since disappeared from the region. Ten thousand animals of 27 major species, including wild dog, cheetah, lion, white and black rhino, buffalo and elephant, have been re-introduced to the Reserve over a six year period with animals coming from various reserves and breeding centres and game viewing is now at its prime.
Madikwe Game Reserve is currently the country’s fourth largest game reserve. It is situated in the North West Province and is bordered by Botswana in the north, the spectacular Dwarsberg Mountains to the south, the Marico river to the east.
The diverse habitat in the Madikwe Reserve, from acacia savannah to riverine, ensures a unique combination of species such as springbok, gemsbok, sable and impala.
The birdlife is spectacular and it is also one of the few reserves in South Africa that is malaria free.
Breeding herds of elephant, white and black rhino, lion, cheetah, spotted & brown hyena, buffalo, leopard, zebra the endangered wild dogs and various antelope species.
Impala, springbok, kudu, waterbuck, wildebeest, eland, blesbok, nyala, sable, giraffe, ostrich and warthog are among the magnificent animals that roam the reserve. Madikwe is also home to a bird population of over 250 different species.
Birdlife:
Due to the size of the area, a minimum of two days is required to see a fair cross-section of the species which are present in Madikwe. A weekend visit during the summer months may be expected to render 190 to 210 species out of the 313 species recorded to date, and during the winter months 120 to 130 species can be expected. Besides good birding, one is likely to encounter a fair range of Africa's larger fauna, including lion, cheetah and leopard, elephant, white and black rhino and buffalo. The area is also of great cultural interest, with the old school building where Herman Charles Bosman taught in the reserve, and the outline of Abjaterskop looming just beyond the western boundary.
SPECIALS
Madikwe is a good place to see many dry north-western species. Yellowthroated sandgrouse are resident on the plains, and are usually present in large numbers. Other species which are regularly recorded on the plains include Kori bustard, Temminck's Courser and White Stork. Both Doublebanded Courser and Burchell's Courser have also been recorded, and Bronzewinged Courser is a regular summer visitor to the wooded areas. Pied Babbler is always present, but is frequently heard rather than seen due to the dense bush. Barred Warbler can also be relied on to show, so long as one is familiar with the almost supersonic call.
HABITATS
The predominant habitat is typical dry acacia woodland, with severe Dichrostachys encroachment in many areas. Other habitats include old cultivated lands (the so-called Madikwe Plains), riverine bush, koppies, and both small and large bodies of water. A section of the Molatedi Dam falls within the reserve boundaries, although this section has not yet been incorporated into the fenced area of the reserve.
BIRDING
A visit to the Madikwe Plains is a must during the early morning or late afternoon, where many of the specials are to be found. Following good rains, large numbers of Common Quail and Harlequin Quail are to be seen, as well as good numbers of Kurrichane Buttonquail. Corncrake has also been recorded in wet years. Access may however be difficult at these times, due to the predominance of heavy black clay in the area. Large numbers of Chestnutbacked Finchlark are usually present, as well as Melodious Lark, Redcapped Lark, and Rufousnaped Lark, with Greybacked Finchlark making an occasional appearance. There are five pans on the Plains, which are excellent spots at any time of day, but particularly in the evening and early morning when the sangrouse congragate.
The Marico River is fringed by dense bush thickets and tall riverine vegetation and is a good place for exercising one's warbler identification skills. Icterine Warbler, Olivetree Warbler and Garden Warbler and Whitethroat are among the species which occur. This is also a good place to look for African Finfoot.
Madikwe is a good place for raptors. Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Black Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Wahlberg's Eagle and African Hawk Eagle, as well as Blackbreasted Snake Eagle and Brown Snake Eagle are all regularly sighted, with Steppe Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle infrequent visitors. Whitebacked Vulture, Lappetfaced Vulture and Cape Vulture are also usually seen. A visit to the Molatedi dam wall, which is outside the park, is often rewarded with good sightings of various raptors, especially during migration seasons. Montagu's Harrier is occasionally seen hunting over the Plains, as are Pale Chanting Goshawk and Gabar Goshawk and other Accipiters.
Bluecheeked Bee-eaters are regularly seen at Tshukudu and other dams during the summer months, while Swallowtailed Bee-eaters regularly frequent the open woodland areas.
Pied Babbler and Barred Warbler are commonest in the central and eastern parts of the reserve, and are found in similar habitat to the colourful Melba Finch, firefinches and waxbills.
Seedeaters are well-represented in all parts of the reserve. All 5 species of southern African sparrow are resident, four bunting species, as well as Pintailed Whydah, Shafttailed Whydah and Paradise Whydah. A visit to any of the waterholes on the plains during the hot part of the day should be rewarded by good sightings of these and many other seed and insect eaters.
Price Info:
| Madikwe, North West| In-Room Facilities: | Airconditioner
Hair Dryer
Housekeeping
Mini Bar in rooms
Room Service
Tea/Coffee facilities in room
Toiletries Provided
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| On-Site Facilities: | Baby Sitting
Bar / Pub
Boma
Conference Facilities
Credit Cards Accepted
Email Facilities
Fax Facilities
Games & Entertainment Rooms
Gift Shop
Jacuzzi
Laundry Facility
Restaurant / Dining Room
Safe Available
Swimming Pool
Wedding Venue
Wheelchair Friendly
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| Close-By Facilities: | Birdwatching
Game Drives
Game Viewing
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