23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)

The Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus) is a bold, black-and-white, medium-sized bird (28–31 cm, ~114–213g) commonly found near wetlands in Eastern and Southern Africa. Known for its metallic “tink-tink” call, this highly territorial bird often nests on the ground, defending eggs from predators, including Nile monitors and lions. 

Key Facts About the Blacksmith Lapwing:

Appearance & Behavior: Characterized by a distinctive gray, black, and white plumage, white crown, and red eyes. They are often seen in pairs and act aggressively to defend nests or chicks, often diving at predators. 

Habitat: Strongly tied to wetlands, lakeshores, rivers, and flooded grasslands, though they often frequent artificial water sources.  

Diet: Feeds on invertebrates, including mollusks, crustaceans, worms, and various insects. 

Breeding & Eggs: They are monogamous and nest on the ground, with females typically laying 3 to 4 greenish-brown eggs that are highly camouflaged. 

Gestation & Development: Incubation lasts for 24 to 28 days by both parents. The chicks are precocial (active shortly after hatching) and remain with their parents for about 40 days before becoming independent. 

Predators: Eggs and chicks are threatened by raptors, snakes, and monitors. Adults are known to aggressively drive off larger animals like buffalo and lions that threaten their nesting sites, say Facebook posts and Oiseaux.net. 

Name Origin: The common name derives from their loud, rhythmic alarm call, which sounds exactly like a blacksmith striking an anvil.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - BITTER APPLE (Solanum campylacanthum)

Solanum campylacanthum is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae.

The species is very common and is widespread in grasslands, savannas, and woodlands. It can be found in eastern, central and southern Africa.

The fruit of this species are poisonous but they have been used in traditional medicine.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN SAVANNA ELEPHANT (Loxodonta Africana)

The African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the world's largest land animal, standing 10–13 feet tall and weighing up to 13,000 lbs. Found in sub-Saharan savanna and woodland habitats, they are social matriarchal mammals known for their large ears and versatile trunks. They are endangered, primarily threatened by habitat loss and poaching.

Size and Appearance: They are the largest living land animals, with males (bulls) reaching up to 13 feet in height and weighing 6,000kg (approx. 13,000 lbs). They have large, Africa-shaped ears that help them radiate heat.

Habitat and Range: They live across varied habitats in sub-Saharan Africa, including open savannas, woodlands, and deserts. Key countries include Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa.

Diet and Eating Habits: They are herbivores, consuming up to 350 pounds of vegetation daily—including grass, leaves, and bark.

Trunks and Tusks: Their trunks have about 150,000 muscle units, used for breathing, smelling, drinking, and grasping objects. Both males and females have tusks, which are actually elongated teeth, used for digging and defense.

Social Structure and Life Span: They live in matriarchal herds led by the eldest female. They can live 60–70 years in the wild.

Conservation Status: Listed as Endangered (EN) by the IUCN, their populations are declining, partly due to poaching for the ivory trade.Predators: Adult African savanna elephants have no natural predators other than humans.

Dietary Needs: They require vast amounts of food, needing around 350 pounds of vegetation daily, which they forage for throughout the day.

Why are their ears so big? Their large ears are used to radiate excess heat, helping them stay cool in the intense African sun.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori)

The kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) is the largest flying bird native to Africa. It is a member of the bustard family, which all belong to the order Otidiformes and are restricted in distribution to the Old World. It is one of the four species (ranging from Africa to India to Australia) in the large-bodied genus Ardeotis. The male kori bustard may be the heaviest living animal capable of flight.

This species, like most bustards, is a ground-dwelling bird and an opportunistic omnivore. Male kori bustards, which can be more than twice as heavy as the female, attempt to breed with as many females as possible and take no part in the raising of the young. The nest is a shallow hollow in the earth, often disguised by nearby obstructive objects such as trees.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - SOUTHERN WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum simum)

The white rhinoceros, also known as the white rhino or square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), is the largest extant species of rhinoceros and the most social of all rhino species, characterized by its wide mouth adapted for grazing. The species includes two subspecies with dramatically different conservation outlooks: the southern white rhinoceros, with an estimated 17,464 individuals in the wild as of the end of 2023, and the northern white rhinoceros. The northern subspecies is critically endangered and on the brink of extinction; its last known male, Sudan, died in March 2018, leaving behind only a very small number of females in captivity. Both subspecies have faced significant threats, primarily from poaching for their horns and habitat loss, which contribute to the species' overall conservation status of Near Threatened. White rhinoceros can run up to 40 mph (64 km/h) for very short bursts. They can maintain speeds of around 30–31 mph (48–50 km/h) for a good amount of time, and they have good stamina.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - SPOTTED EAGLE OWL (Bubo africanus)

The spotted eagle-owl (Bubo africanus), also known as the African spotted eagle-owl and the African eagle-owl, is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls. Its length is 45 cm (18 in) and its weight is from 454 to 907 grams (1.0 to 2.0 lb). It has a 100 to 140 cm (39 to 55 in) wingspan. The facial disk is off-white to pale ochre and the eyes are yellow. It has prominent ear-tufts, and the upper body is dusky brown, the lower parts off-white with brown bars. Prior to 1999 the spotted eagle-owl was considered conspecific with the greyish eagle-owl, but now it is classed as a separate species.

Spotted eagle-owls are the most common species of owl found in Southern Africa. They have a healthy population in most parts of the region. They are often referred to as urban owls and will live in close proximity to human habitation. They occur throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. They can also be found in thorn savanna and in suburban gardens, such as the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHEAST AFRICAN CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus)

The Southeast African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) is the nominate cheetah subspecies native to East and Southern Africa. The Southern African cheetah lives mainly in the lowland areas and deserts of the Kalahari, the savannahs of Okavango Delta, and the grasslands of the Transvaal region in South Africa. In Namibia, cheetahs are mostly found in farmlands. In India, four cheetahs of the subspecies are living in Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh after having been introduced there.

The cheetah is a medium-sized cat. An adult male cheetah's total size can measure from 168 to 213 cm (66 to 84 in) and 162 to 200 cm (64 to 79 in) for females. Adult cheetahs are 70 to 90 cm (28 to 35 in) tall at the shoulder. Males are slightly taller than females and have slightly bigger heads with wider incisors and longer mandibles.  

The Southeast African cheetah usually lives on grasslands, savannahs, scrub forests, and arid environments such as deserts and semidesert steppes. These cheetahs can be found in open fields, where they chase and hunt herbivorous mammals such as antelopes at a very high speed. In South Africa, the cheetah also prefers woodlands (in Kruger National Park), shrublands, high mountains, mountainous grasslands, and montane areas where favorable prey are mostly available.

The Southeast African cheetah is currently the most common subspecies and was widespread everywhere in southern to central Africa, ranging from South Africa to the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Katanga Province) and southern Tanzania. Its range is now greatly reduced, where it occurs in an area of 1,223,388 km2 (472,353 sq mi), 22% of its original range.

23-2-2026 RHULANI LODGE, MADIKWE - ELEGANT GRASSHOPPER (Zonocerus elegans)

The elegant grasshopper (Zonocerus elegans) is a brightly colored, toxic, and often sluggish insect found in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Known for its bold yellow, black, and orange coloring, it feeds on poisonous plants to deter predators, often causing significant damage to crops like cassava.

Key Characteristics and Biology

Appearance: Striking coloration with bright orange eyes, yellow bands, and a black body. 

Size: Adults are 3 to 5 cm long, with females usually larger than males.

Appearance & Toxicity: They display bright colors—usually yellow, green, and red—to signal that they are toxic, having accumulated poisons from eating plants like milkweed and bitter apple.

Defense Mechanism: When threatened, they release a foul-smelling, distasteful yellow liquid from their exoskeleton.

Lifestyle: They have a slow, sluggish demeanor and often have underdeveloped wings, making them poor fliers or entirely flightless.

Life Cycle: They breed once a year, with eggs staying in the ground for 7–9 months, hatching with the arrival of seasonal rains.

Agricultural Impact: They are considered pests, capable of damaging crops such as cassava, fruit, and various vegetables.

Size: Adults are generally 3 to 5 cm long, with females typically larger than males.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHERN AFRICAN GIRAFFE (Giraffa giraffa ssp. giraffa)

The South African giraffe or Cape giraffe (Giraffa giraffa or Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) is a species or subspecies of giraffe found in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Mozambique. It has rounded or blotched spots, some with star-like extensions on a light tan background, running down to the hooves.

In 2016, the population was estimated at 31,500 individuals in the wild.

The IUCN currently recognizes only one species of giraffe with nine subspecies.The Cape giraffe, along with the whole species, were first known by the binomen Camelopardalis giraffa as described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in his publication Die Säugethiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur mit Beschreibungen (The Mammals Illustrated from Nature with Descriptions) during his travel in the Cape of Good Hope in 1784. Dutch naturalist Pieter Boddaert also described it under the binomial name Giraffa giraffa whilst also identifying the nominate specimen of said species under the ternary name Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa in 1785.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - RED BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus)

The red-billed oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorynchus) is a passerine bird in the oxpecker family, Buphagidae. It is native to the eastern savannah of sub-Saharan Africa, from the Central African Republic east to South Sudan and south to northern and eastern South Africa. It is more widespread than the yellow-billed oxpecker in Southern Africa, where their ranges overlap.

The red-billed oxpecker is a native of the savanna of sub-Saharan Africa. It ranges across Ethiopia and Somalia through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia to southern Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique, and north-eastern South Africa.

A juvenile oxpecker is darker brown than its parents. Its bill is dark olive at first, but gradually takes on adult colouration after four months. Its flight is strong and direct, and their call is a hissy crackling trik-quisss.

The red-billed oxpecker nests in tree holes lined with hair plucked from livestock. It lays two to five eggs, with three being the average. Outside the breeding season it forms large, chattering flocks.

The preferred habitat is open country, and the red-billed oxpecker eats insects. Both the English and scientific names arise from this species' habit of perching on large wild and domesticated mammals such as cattle and eating ticks. This species's relationship with rhinos gives the Swahili name Askari wa kifaru meaning "the rhino's guard".

An adult will take nearly 100 blood-engorged female Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus ticks, or more than 12,000 larvae in a day. However, their preferred food is blood, and while they may take ticks bloated with blood, they also feed on it directly, pecking at the mammal's wounds to keep them open.

Field observations in rhinos have shown oxpeckers warning the nearsighted rhino of danger.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - LILAC BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus)

The lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus) is an African bird of the roller family, Coraciidae. It is widely distributed in Southern and Eastern Africa, and is a vagrant to the southern Arabian Peninsula. It prefers open woodland and savanna, and it is for the most part absent from treeless places. Usually found alone or in pairs, it perches at the tops of trees, poles or other high vantage points from where it can spot insects, amphibians and small birds moving about on the ground. 

Nesting takes place in a natural hole in a tree where a clutch of 2–4 eggs are laid, and incubated by both parents, who are extremely aggressive in defence of their nest, taking on raptors and other birds. During the breeding season the male will rise to a fair height (69 to 144 metres), descending in swoops and dives, while uttering harsh, discordant cries. The sexes do not differ in coloration, and juveniles lack the long tail streamers of adults. This species is unofficially considered the national bird of Kenya. Alternative names for the lilac-breasted roller include the fork-tailed roller, lilac-throated roller (also used for a subspecies of purple roller), Mosilikatze's roller, and troupand.

Lilac-breasted rollers are found throughout eastern and southern Africa, and occurs locally at sea level, and up to 2,000 metres above sea level or over. Their range extends from the Red Sea coast of Eritrea through East Africa (including Zanzibar) to southern Africa, where they occur commonly in Namibia (excluding the Namib Desert), Botswana, Zimbabwe, and northeastern South Africa.

The nominate subspecies C. c. caudatus is non-migratory, but a measure of post-breeding dispersal occurs into miombo woodland or sandy areas, before they return to the breeding areas at the start of the rains. Its counterpart, the lilac-throated roller (C. c. lorti) migrates from northeast Kenya to northwest Somalia to breed from late April to mid-September. The latter subspecies is also a vagrant to Eritrea, Oman and Yemen. Lilac-breasted rollers are most abundant in Kenya, though the species is less abundant than in former times.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops ssp. africana)

The African Hoopoe (Upupa africana) is a striking, medium-sized bird known for its cinnamon-colored body, black-and-white zebra-striped wings, long, downcurved bill, and a prominent crest. Found across sub-Saharan Africa in woodlands and savannas, they are distinct from European hoopoes due to their deeper color, lack of white in their crest, and sedentary nature. 

African Hoopoe differs from Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops): male African Hoopoe has richer colour above, it lacks the sub terminal white band on the crest, and has black primaries. Female of both are similar. They are two separated species. African Hoopoe's call is a distinctive “hoo-poo” repeated 3 to 5 times or more.

22-2-2026 RHULANI LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - BUSHVELD FAMILIAR CHAT (Oenanthe familiaris ssp. hellmayri)

The Familiar Chat (Oenanthe familiaris), commonly found in the bushveld and rocky areas of sub-Saharan Africa, is a small (14–15 cm) grey-brown bird known for its fearless, curious behavior and signature habit of flicking its wings while perched on fences, rocks, or buildings. These sociable birds are often seen in pairs or family groups, foraging on the ground for insects and sometimes insects, fruit, or farmyard scraps. 

Appearance: They are dumpy, short-tailed birds with dull grey-brown upperparts, warm rufous-brown ear coverts, and a distinct rufous rump and outer tail feathers that are noticeable in flight. 

Habit/Behavior: Exceptionally tame and often called "spekvreter" (fat-eater) in Afrikaans, they used to eat fat from wagon axles, a behavior that shifted to eating lard, butter, or meat scraps around farmhouses. 

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHERN WARTHOG (Phacochoerus africanus ssp. sundevallii)

The common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) is a wild member of the pig family (Suidae) found in grassland, savanna, and woodland in sub-Saharan Africa. In the past, it was commonly treated as a subspecies of P. aethiopicus, but today that scientific name is restricted to the desert warthog of northern Kenya, Somalia, and eastern Ethiopia.

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - DUSKY LARK (Pinarocorys nigricans)

The dusky lark (Pinarocorys nigricans), also known as the dusky bush lark or rufous-rumped bush lark, is a species of migratory lark in the family Alaudidae. It is native to the southern Afrotropics.

It is found in southern Central Africa; it is a summer migrant to more southerly areas. Its natural habitats are dry savannah and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.

Formerly, the dusky lark was classified as belonging to the genera Alauda and Mirafra until moved to Pinarocorys.

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - RUFOUS NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana)

 The rufous-naped lark (Corypha africana) or rufous-naped bush lark is a widespread and conspicuous species of lark in the lightly wooded grasslands, open savannas and farmlands of the Afrotropics. Males attract attention to themselves by a bold and often repeated wing-fluttering display from a prominent perch, which is accompanied by a melodious and far-carrying whistled phrase. This rudimentary display has been proposed as the precursor to the wing-clapping displays of other bush lark species. 

They have consistently rufous outer wings and a short erectile crest, but the remaining plumage hues and markings are individually and geographically variable. It has a straight lower, and longish, curved upper mandible.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus quagga ssp. burchellii)

Burchell's zebras are described as being striped on the head, the neck, and the flanks, and sparsely down the upper segments of the limbs then fading to white. One or two shadow stripes rest between the bold, broad stripes on the haunch. This main distinguishing characteristic sets the Burchell's zebra apart from the other subspecies. Gray (1824) observed a distinct dorsal line, the tail only bristly at the end, and the body distinctly white. The dorsal line is narrow and becomes gradually broader toward the rear, distinctly margined with white on each side.

(Equus quagga burchellii) is a southern subspecies of the plains zebra. It is named after the British explorer and naturalist William John Burchell. Common names include bontequagga, Damaraland zebra, and Zululand zebra (Gray, 1824).[1] Burchell's zebra is the only subspecies of zebra which may be legally farmed for human consumption.

Like most plains zebras, females and males are about the same size, standing 1.1 to 1.4 metres (3 ft 7 in to 4 ft 7 in) at the shoulder. They weigh between 230 and 320 kilograms (500 and 700 lb). Year-round reproduction observed in this subspecies in Etosha National Park, Namibia, concludes synchronization of a time budget between males and females, possibly explaining the lack of sexual dimorphism.  

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - GRAYFOOT CHACMA BABOON (Papio ursinus ssp. griseipes)

The Grayfoot Chacma Baboon ( Papio ursinus griseipes ) is a subspecies of the Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) distinguished by its grayish hands and feet and a golden-colored coat, rather than the black limbs of the typical chacma baboon. This subspecies has a more golden fur and is generally smaller and heavier than typical black-footed chacmas. They are omnivorous primates found in Southern Africa, inhabiting diverse environments from deserts to forests. 

They are found in Southern Africa, extending from South Africa northward into Zambia and Mozambique.

Grayfoot chacma baboons have also been observed to hybridize with Kinda baboons (Papio kindae) in the Kafue River valley. 

Key Characteristics

Coloration: Grayish fur on the hands and feet, and a more golden coat than typical chacmas.

Size: Smaller and lighter than the black-footed (ursinus) subspecies.

Habitat: Occupy various habitats including coastal, mountainous, woodland, savannah, and semi-desert regions.

Diet: Omnivorous, consuming fruits, nuts, seeds, insects, small animals, and even shellfish on the coast.

Behavior: Terrestrial and diurnal, spending their days foraging on the ground and in trees. 

Ecological Role

As omnivores, they play a role in seed dispersal and soil aeration.

They are part of the food web as both predators and prey. 

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - BLACK THROATED CANARY (Crithagra atrogularis)

The black-throated canary (Crithagra atrogularis), also known as the black-throated seedeater, is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae.

It is found frequently in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, dry savanna, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN SAVANNA ELEPHANT (Loxodonta Africana)

The African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the world's largest land animal, standing 10–13 feet tall and weighing up to 13,000 lbs. Found in sub-Saharan savanna and woodland habitats, they are social matriarchal mammals known for their large ears and versatile trunks. They are endangered, primarily threatened by habitat loss and poaching. 

Size and Appearance: They are the largest living land animals, with males (bulls) reaching up to 13 feet in height and weighing 6,000kg (approx. 13,000 lbs). They have large, Africa-shaped ears that help them radiate heat. 

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - 22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - AFRICAN SAVANNAH ELEPHANT

The African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the world's largest land animal, standing 10–13 feet tall and weighing up to 13,000 lbs. Found in sub-Saharan savanna and woodland habitats, they are social matriarchal mammals known for their large ears and versatile trunks. They are endangered, primarily threatened by habitat loss and poaching. 

Key Facts About African Savanna Elephants

Size and Appearance: They are the largest living land animals, with males (bulls) reaching up to 13 feet in height and weighing 6,000kg (approx. 13,000 lbs). They have large, Africa-shaped ears that help them radiate heat. 

Habitat and Range: They live across varied habitats in sub-Saharan Africa, including open savannas, woodlands, and deserts. Key countries include Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa.

Diet and Eating Habits: They are herbivores, consuming up to 350 pounds of vegetation daily—including grass, leaves, and bark.

Trunks and Tusks: Their trunks have about 150,000 muscle units, used for breathing, smelling, drinking, and grasping objects. Both males and females havem tusks, which are actually elongated teeth, used for digging and defense.

Social Structure and Life Span: They live in matriarchal herds led by the eldest female. They can live 60–70 years in the wild.

Conservation Status: Listed as Endangered (EN) by the IUCN, their populations are declining, partly due to poaching for the ivory trade. 

22-2-2026 RHULANI LODGE MADIKWE, S AFRICA - SOUTHERN CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Ortygornis sephaena ssp. sephaena)

The crested francolin (Ortygornis sephaena) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in southern Africa. One of its subspecies, Ortygornis sephaena rovuma, is sometimes considered a separate species, Kirk's francolin.

Formerly, the crested francolin was classified in its own genus Dendroperdix, but phylogenetic analysis indicates that it groups with the grey francolin (O. pondicerianus) and swamp francolin (O. gularis). As a result, all three species were reclassified into the genus Ortygornis.

Subspecies

Subspecies include:

O. s. grantii (Hartlaub, 1866)

O. s. rovuma (Gray, GR, 1867) - Kirk's francolin

O. s. spilogaster (Salvadori, 1888)

O. s. zambesiae (Mackworth-Praed, 1920)

O. s. sephaena (Smith, A, 1836)

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - SOUTHERN BLACK BACKED JACKAL (Lupulella mesomelas ssp. mesomelas)

The black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) is a medium-sized canine native to eastern and southern Africa. These regions are separated by roughly 900 km (560 mi).

One region includes the southernmost tip of the continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The other area is along the eastern coastline, including Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. It is listed on the IUCN Red List as least concern due to its widespread range and adaptability, although it is still persecuted as a livestock predator and rabies vector.

It has a reddish brown to tan coat and a black saddle that extends from the shoulders to the base of the tail. It is a monogamous animal, whose young may remain with the family to help raise new generations of pups. The black-backed jackal has a wide array of food sources, feeding on small to medium-sized animals, as well as plant matter and human refuse.

It also plays a prominent role in African folklore, often depicted as a cunning and adaptable trickster figure. Despite ongoing conflict with humans due to livestock predation, its populations remain stable thanks to its resilience and adaptability across diverse landscapes.

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - SOUTHERN LION (FEMALE) (Panthera leo ssp. melanochaita),

Panthera leo melanochaita is a lion subspecies in Southern and East Africa. In this part of Africa, lion populations are regionally extinct in Lesotho, Djibouti and Eritrea, and are threatened by loss of habitat and prey base, killing by local people in retaliation for loss of livestock, and in several countries also by trophy hunting. Since the turn of the 21st century, lion populations in intensively managed protected areas in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe have increased, but declined in East African range countries. In 2005, a Lion Conservation Strategy was developed for East and southern Africa.

Results of a phylogeographic study indicate that lion populations in southern and eastern Africa form a major clade distinct from lion populations in West Africa, Central Africa and Asia. In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group subsumed lion populations according to the major clades into two subspecies, namely P. l. leo and P. l. melanochaita. Within P. l. melanochaita three subclades are clearly distinguishable. One from northeastern Africa, another one from southwestern Africa and a third one from southeastern Africa.

The type specimen for P. l. melanochaita was a black-maned lion from the Cape of Good Hope, known as the Cape lion. Phylogeographic analysis of lion samples from Gabon and the Republic of the Congo indicate their close genetic relation to P. l. melanochaita samples from Namibia and Botswana. It has been referred to as the Southern lion, Southern African lion, East-Southern African lion and the "southern subspecies". Contemporary lion distribution and habitat quality in East and Southern Africa was assessed in 2005, and Lion Conservation Units (LCU) mapped. 

Between 2002 and 2012, educated guesses for size of populations in these LCUs ranged from 33,967 to 32,000 individuals. The LCUs Ruaha−Rungwa, Serengeti−Mara, Tsavo−Mkomazi and Selous in East Africa, as well as Luangwa, Kgalagadi, Okavango−Hwange, Mid−Zambezi, Niassa and Greater Limpopo in Southern Africa are currently considered lion strongholds. These LCUs host more than 500 individuals each, and the population trend is stable there as of 2012.

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - WHITE BROWED SCRUB ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys

The White-browed Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas leucophrys) is a medium-sized bird (14–16.5 cm) native to sub-Saharan African savannas, easily identified by a prominent white eyebrow, streaked breast, and a habit of singing loudly while lifting its tail. Often heard in dry woodlands, they feed on insects, live in monogamous pairs, and are known to sing for up to 40 minutes. 

The white-browed scrub robin is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, DRC, Djibouti, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its range spans tropical, subtropical and temperate latitudes. It is present and usually common in any mesic to arid woodland or savanna, provided that there is cover, open scrub or thickets.[5] In the Eastern Highlands it is only present up to 1,400 metres, and in East Africa up to 1,500 metres. It is replaced on the Kalahari sands by the Kalahari scrub robin, while in the Horn of Africa it is sympatric with the rufous bush chat, which lacks any white in the wings. Suitable habitat is usually grassy, which facilitates nesting.