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If you had to ask any traveller heading to Africa on safari which animal they desire most to see – I bet you African wild dogs wouldn’t be in the top three. Lions are usually right number one on the list, even though they are spectacularly lazy animals.

But ask any game ranger, safari guide or conservationists – the African wild dog should be on everyone’s ‘must-see’ list and is probably their favourite animal to observe in the bush. The African wild dog, also known as the painted wolf, has immeasurable amounts of energy and are extremely social animals. Both adults and pups enjoy playing and even their relaxation time is exciting to watch and involves some sort of frolicking. They cover great expanses every day and are the most frequent hunters.

African wild dogs may not be as well-known as the regal lion or the majestic elephant among tourists and may even be misunderstood. But they are certainly appreciated and adored for their unique characteristics and nature. Sighting aLycaon pictus is rare outside of certain areas and should be considered a highlight for every visitor. Here’s why:

Firstly, there are approximately only 5 000 African wild dogs left making them critically endangered. This is despite the fact that they are Africa’s most successful hunters attaining 50% more preys than lions.

These amazing statistics can be directly attributed to their individual and pack coordination. They are some of the best communicators and constantly let one another know their location and that of the prey, allowing them to quickly adapt while hunting.

They are rarely sighted because they are most active in the early morning and evening or when the moon is at its brightest.

African wild dogs are constant wonderers and their home or territories can range up to 1,500 km^2. 

On your next game drive, if you are lucky enough to spot an African wild dog, impress your fellow travellers with some of the reasons why we love the painted wolf:

Their mottled fur is like their very own finger print. No two dogs have the same coat and the unique pattern makes it easy to spot individual dogs.

African wild dogs have large ears that resemble rounded satellite dishes. The ears have numerous muscles that allow the dogs to swivel them to pick up the faintest sounds.

Their long legs, slender build and rapid muscle recovery ensures their successful hunt rate.

But it’s not only their physical build that ensures they are formidable hunters.

The act of hunting is the most spectacular activity of the wild dog. Here you will not only see their sociable nature but the importance of the pack. Pups that can eat solid food will be given priority to hunt, even over the alphas. But before they can hunt, the pups have a playful ceremony that bonds them and initiates the hunt. They circle the pack, vocalise and touch until the excitement overcomes them.

Wild dogs are not only emotionally competent and intelligent, they are extremely cooperative. While some dogs run ahead and keep close proximity to the prey, others will follow behind and tag team when the lead dogs are exhausted. Once securing the prey, it is shared among the pack, even with those who never helped hunt.

They say it takes a village to raise a kid, and it does – even in the animal kingdom. Pups take preference over even the Alphas and all pack members take responsibility for and help raise the pups.

We are all equals, and this extends to the wild dogs pack. Below the alpha male and female, there is no significant hierarchy.

Unlike other social mammals, the females move from one pack to another when they reach sexual maturity at around 14 – 30 months of age. They will leave the male dogs behind to look after the rest of the pack and form the core of the social group.

Another way African wild dogs communicate besides vocalisation is through body movements. If their tail is tucked between the legs it signals fear and submissiveness. But if the dog has an upright posture with its tail curled over its back it means it is sociable and friendly. Hardly an aggressive animal, this can be gestured by a rigidly upright posture.

If we’ve managed to persuade you that seeing wild dogs should be on your bucket-list – let us know and we will help you make this dream come true!

“To travel is to live!” Hans Christen Anderson

A big thank you to all our travellers who’ve reviewed us this year!

We do everything in our power to make your dreams come true and there’s nothing better than when they do…

Here are our top five reviews from 2018:

Iconic Africa produced and delivered the ultimate Africa experience. Nobody knows Africa better and can genuinely offer expert comments from their own experiences with accommodation and transport. Our travel consultant Bev was truly exceptional. She leaves nothing to chance and I am so lucky to have had her organise my trip last year and again this year. I would highly recommend Iconic Africa to all who consider a trip to Africa.

-Di Lewis

Wow!!! From help with the booking to the actual holiday- Even checking we had got back to England safely! Had a fabulous time.

Thank you Lauren and Julia Fryer.

Everything planned and delivered by Iconic Africa was excellent and exceeded our expectations by far. Bev van Schoor was wonderful and just so easy to work with in every respect.

-Geoff

A big thank you to Terri and team for an unforgettable Safari. We will most definitely be back!

-Se

From the second Iconic Africa contacted us and helped us put this trip together it has been seamless, easy, uncomplicated and beyond our expectations of what to expect from our first trip to Africa. The people who met us, cared for us and guided us were the most courteous, hospitable and professional people I have ever met. That includes every person that touched us at Iconic Africa. They responded to every query, email and phone call promptly and with the information and help we needed. The pace of our trip was well thought out and helped us see everything and do everything we wanted to do.

It couldn’t have been a more perfect trip. I can’t thank Iconic Africa, Julia and Lauren Fryer for making it happen! I will shout from the rooftops their praises and will definitely call them for our next trip back to Africa…because that is going to happen!

-Wendy

Wow !!! From help with the booking to the actual holiday- Even checking we had got back to England safely! Had a fabulous time. Thank you Lauren and Julia Fryer .

-Kate

To Kate, Wendy, Se, Geoff, Di and all our other travellers – thank you for taking the time to share your experience and trusting in us to make your African adventure an iconic one. It has been a pleasure attending to you and your familes and sharing in the experience. We look forward to meeting you again in the future!

Travellers flock from all over the world to witness South Africa’s magnificent Big Five, often waiting hours to catch a glimpse and photograph the fierce lion or the gentle elephant. The lion, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard are held in high esteem and even celebrated on our currency.

These big game have the ability to conjure up magical memories for families, especially when travellers are fortunate to see all five on a safari! While the Big Five are extraordinary and charming in physique and manner, there are lots more adored wildlife including the giraffe, zebra, impala and many more that are heartily pursued. Sadly there are some that are forgotten too, but we are here to show you that there’s so much more to South Africa’s animal kingdom.

South Africa has a multiplicity of ecosystems that include remarkable birdlife, small game and insects.Included is South Africa’s Small Five animals that are no less fascinating and should make an addition to everyone’s “must-see” list. The Small Five are elusive creatures and so spotting them is somewhat of an accomplishment. In complete contrast to the size of the Big Five, they maintain a part of their counterpart’s English name. They are the elephant shrew, ant lion, rhinoceros beetle, buffalo weaver and leopard tortoise.

ELEPHANT SHREW

Found all over South Africa, the Elephantulus Myurus– getting its name from its long elephant-like snout – reaches an arrested size of 25cm and weigh approximately 60 grams. While they feed on insects, fruit, seeds and nuts, they in turn become food for our slithering reptiles and birds of prey. Because of this, they become extremely scarce and spotting this small insectivore can deem your game drive a success!

ANT LION

The Myrmeleontidae is a peculiar creature with familiar ways. Like the king of the jungle, this insect traps its prey by digging indents into soft sand and pouncing on the ants. Hence the name ant lion. During the adult stage, the pupa develops wings and starts resembling a dragonfly. Although the ant lion is as scarce as the elephant shrew, you will recognise its funnel-shaped death traps that collect ants stumbling into it.

RHINOCEROS BEETLE

The Scarabaeinae dynastinae is one of the largest beetles in southern Africa. Getting its name from the horns on its head much like that of the Rhinoceros. Dynamite comes in small packages as the male rhino beetles are known to be an aggressive creature, fighting off rivals with their horns. The horns are also used to dig, climb and mate. Adult rhino beetles should be applauded. The larval stage can last 12 to 18 months.

BUFFALO WEAVER

The Bubarlornis Niger is found in parks and reserves all over South Africa and is the easiest of the Small Five to spot. And if you can’t seem to find them, you’ll hear them or find their nests. The buffalo weavers are noisy and busy birds that build their woven nests up in the branches of tall trees. They interlace coarse grass and twigs to form large nest structures.

LEOPARD TORTOISE

The Geochelone pardalis is definitely not as fast and agile as the leopard, but definitely poses a striking resemblance.Named for its black and yellow spotted shell, the leopard tortoise is one of the largest breeds in the southern hemisphere with an adult weighing up to 23 kilograms and a shell circumference of up to one metre.

Tag us in your candid images of South Africa’s Small Five on our Instagram account @iconicafrica!

Ivory Lodge promises unprecedented exclusivity and complete privacy. As one of only two luxury lodges to embrace the majestic Sabi River, Lion Sands Ivory Lodge holds a high esteem as a luxurious accommodation that offers riveting privilege to guests who can explore every recess of the surrounding beautiful landscape without disturbance.

Such solitude makes Lion Sands Game Reserve and Ivory Lodge an exceptional choice and uniquely relevant in the luxury safari industry. Winning recurring international awards, this exquisite property is an obvious choice for remedying a tired soul with its healing ambiance.

Even those who have visited and experienced Ivory Lodge’s restorative character or known its landscapes for generations cannot get accustomed to its splendour or capture its overwhelming beauty in words. The precise memory of an unforgettable experience will forever remain in hearts, not in photographs.

Even pictures cannot do justice to its enriching effects, but we have hand-selected a few of our favourite to paint a picture for you here:

Embarking on your first safari can be thrilling and yet overwhelming at the same time. No need to worry, we have put together some guidelines on what to do and not to do for you here:

While wearing traditional ‘safari gear’ is not necessary, we do recommend wearing neutral colours. Did you know that insects are attracted to the colour blue? For more on what to pack for your safari click here.

Before you begin your guided game drive or walking tour, always remember that you are a guest in the animals’ territory and respecting them and their space is imperative.

If you are in a park or reserve that allows walking safaris, preferably have a guide accompany you. They know and understand both the area and the animals.

Africa’s wildlife is known to be charming, but never attempt to attract an animal’s attention – no matter how adorable they are!

Be especially cautious of young children while on safari and never leave them unattended.

Refrain from imitating animal sounds, clapping your hands, smacking the vehicle or throwing objects. We don’t want to hinder a hunt or cause an animal to abandon or lose a hard-earned meal. Your guide will brief you on the importance of proximity to predators and large animals.

When you are out on a game drive, stay inside the vehicle and observe the animals quietly and with minimal disturbance to their natural activities. Talking loudly, standing upright on game drive vehicles and sudden erratic movements can frighten or scare animals away. Although wild animals in protected areas have become accustomed to vehicles and are unlikely to attack, we do not want to encourage them to recognise you as prey.

Never attempt to feed or approach any wildlife on foot. The wild animals face the consequences as they become accustomed to humans and their food. They become dependent on these distributions and will over time become a nuisance and a danger to campers and safari-goers.

Do not litter during your game drive. Recyclable and non-recyclable items tossed on the ground is not only unsightly, but can choke or poison animals and birds.

Remember the saying dynamite comes in small packages? The mosquito is one of the most pesky animals in Africa. Always check whether you need to take malaria profilactics for your desired destination.

Lastly, if you have a camera, use it to take fantastic wildlife photographs. Leave your phone at the lodge or in your bag as it can become a distraction and you wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to see a rare bird or animal pass by – just because you are reading your messages or emails.

“Nature’s great masterpiece, an elephant; the only harmless great thing”. – John Donne.

For centuries, elephants have covered the expanse of Africa… until recent years. Large elephant populations can be found in South Africa in the Addo Elephant Park and the Kruger National Park – both who have made assertive efforts to protect and house large herds of the African Bush Elephant.

The Kruger National Park’s Elephant Management Plan was fashioned and is overseen on a daily basis by the Kruger Park Management team of SANParks. This management plan outlines the key strategic engagement of elephant conservation within SANParks in accordance with the attributes of tourism objectives.

The conservation programme’s aim is to ensure that natural processes determine elephant population growth, mortality and movement patterns. Distinctively different from the previous elephant management strategies – which focussed on attempting to reduce number of elephants through contraception, culling and live animal removal, controlled fires and fence erection– the existing project manages the elephant population found in the Kruger National Park by restoring and mimicking natural features of the natural environment that impacts on the elephant’s use of the land.

The Kruger National Park’s conservation strategy has five key objectives:

1. Restoring spacial limitations on the landscape;
2. Addressing the consequences of historic management actions on the current situation;
3. Engaging local communities, landowners and ecotourism operations concerns and issues about elephants and act on the issues raised;
4. The aligning of SANParks and Trans Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) elephant management policies through consensual approaches;
5. Ongoing adaption of this conservation strategy through research and internal and external review of management actions.

Seeing an elephant in the wild is certainly one of life’s most wondrous encounters. We hope that through conservation efforts such as these that our children, our children’s children and many more generations to come… get to see Africa’s largest land mammal in its natural habitat.

Sarah Evans has recently returned from a wonderful family trip at Marataba – an amazing destination with a backdrop of the exquisite Waterberg Mountains. “Magical” is how she described her trip in one word… here’s more on what she had to say as well as some of her exquisite photos:

If you could describe Marataba to someone who’s never been there what would you say?

“Imagine a classic, high end safari against the majestic backdrop of the Waterberg Mountains, with the added benefit of a river safari, making it reminiscent of being in the Okavango Delta!”

What was your most unforgettable moment?

“Undoubtedly, seeing a mother and daughter lioness pair, with their cubs – the mother had a 6 week old cub, who was very sweet and inquisitive, and the daughter had 3 three month old cubs. We were one of the first guests to see the new cub and it was very special – made all the more special by the fact that it was only ours and one other vehicle at the viewing.

Also, the sundown cruise on Miss Mara was unique and thoroughly enjoyable! The children wouldn’t hesitate to add the few river crossings we did in the vehicle, especially if the water made its way into the foot wells!”

What did you think of the staff at Marataba?

“Fantastic!! Our guide, Darryn, was the perfect guide for a family trip! He was very knowledgeable about the fauna and flora, engaging the children with wonderful stories of his experiences. He was also well suited to dealing with children – he was fun, kind and let them each have a turn as his “assistant” upfront in the passenger seat!

At the camp, we were looked after by Gladys who was wonderful! Always smiling, with a “welcome, thank you”, she attended to our every need.

On the whole, each and every member of staff we had interaction with were friendly and warm, we were made to feel very at home and spoilt.”

What did you love most about the safari experience?

“Being in the bush – it gets me every time! Having grown up in South Africa, with countless visits to camps in and around Kruger, Zimbabwe and Botswana, it feels special every time. Seeing nature as it should be seen – and now, on this particular occasion, introducing our children to that same experience, was very memorable for me.”

What is your favourite animal to see in the wild and why?

“It is hard to choose just one! Honestly, I have enjoyed so many sightings, which haven’t been about the Big Five, and they have been equally special.

If you twisted my arm, I would say seeing lion is always thrilling!”

What would you rate Marataba out of 10 in terms of luxury accommodation?

“9/10.”

If you could describe your trip in one word what would it be?

“Magical!”

Where in Africa would you like to go next?

“I would love to go back to Botswana with the kids, as well as Namibia.”

Thank you so much Sarah for sharing – we hope to be a part of your next African adventure!
If you have visited Marataba, share with us your favourite memory or tag us in your wonderful pictures on Instagram @iconicafrica