AFRICA SECRET PLACES from @shumbahills – blog #3 A perfect way to escape from a big city life in Africa by travel with your family – MADIKWE national park

shumbahills (46)in #travel • 7 years ago

All of photos in this blog are of my own.

From the very first steps to African land at any African airports and airstrips I recall just simple and true words of Ernest Hemingway “I never knew a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy”.

Lions in Africa can be in such relaxing mood) Madikwe NP, South Africa

When anybody plans his first visit of Sub-Saharan Africa it should be taken in mind not to follow some popular fallacies. For example listening some advices to include just famous and generally known places, points and national parks in your itinerary. Africa has its’ large treasure chest, wonderful things in store for you, believe me! Whenever you come and no matter how often you come, you’ll be always thrilled and captured with its’ unpredictable diversity. I always warn anybody who’s just going to “open” this continent that 99% guarantee once you start it you’ll never stop. And it does not make sense to start with well-promoted showy places which are so perfectly and widely represented that seems sometime you should not have been there to get a clear view of such sceneries. Even if you come to such countries like South Africa (which one is the mostly developed and “European” in the whole Africa) you have to try and include something off-bitten in your route. Just being naturally curious means to get a taste to real experience.

African scenery. View from Madikwe Hills Lodge - Madikwe NP, South Africa

One of secret places in South Africa unknown for mass-tourists but very popular with South Africans is small national park close to Botswana border. I mean MADIKWE national park. This park will suit perfectly for anybody! It’s very well located (just 3 hrs of scenic road transfer from Johannesburg or within a short 30 minutes flight either from Joburg or Cape Town cities), malaria-free and rich of game! There are plenty of extras, undoubted advantages like good choice of perfect properties to stay in, child-friendly and wonderful opportunities for both scenery or animal-lovers. And there is something special about this park. Whenever I come to Madikwe it grants me with some memorable gifts. One time I was gifted with elephant interaction, or view of rare animals like aardvark or brown hyena, wonderful scenery of evening thunderstorm or just enjoying every moment of being there, from perfect service to surprising safari experience.

All in Madikwe are common in red color, even elephants! Madikwe NP, South Africa

Lion at big buffalo kill - Madikwe NP, South Africa

and

Lion gets a taste

And Madikwe is a true paradise for photographers! And rare animal encounter lovers particularly. There are strong conservation projects in park like wild dogs cheetahs and brown hyena conservations. Hence your encounter with such animals during game-drives are guaranteed. You may take your childs above 6 years old with you – it will be one of the best and safest safari experience for them, many of things to know and lots of fun. Some properties offer special programs for kids hence it’s of great use.

Spotted and brown hyena feeding on kill together - Madikwe NP, South Africa

Pack of wild dogs - Madikwe NP, South Africa

And some advice for keen photographers. It’s important to understand the differences in the quality of light in the different seasons. In the cold dry months of May to September, the dust in atmosphere is appearing on daily basis. This dust filters out the sunlight and creates a lovely golden glow at sunrise and sundown. And we find the very soft golden hues that are perfect for photography. In the rainy season, October to April, the rains wash out the dust in the atmosphere leaving a very strong and brilliant light from the sun. Even in sundown in these months, the strength of the sun is very strong. However, it’s also a season for huge thunderstorms. If you have a golden light shining on these storms, it makes for the most wonderful light show. If you have a subject in one of these lightshows, you may have some spectacular shots. Good luck!