&Beyond's Madikwe Game Reserve is situated in the North West Province
of South Africa and is bordered by
Botswana in the north, the Dwarsberg Mountains to the south, and the Marico
River to the east. The diverse habitat in the reserve, from acacia savannah to
riverine, ensures a unique combination of species, including wild dog,
cheetah, lion, white and black rhino, buffalo and elephant. The birdlife is
spectacular and it is also one of the few reserves in South Africa that is
malaria free.With the inception of "Operation Phoenix" which began in 1993, more than 8,000 heads of game were brought into the park over a six year period. The government-sponsored programme involved re-stocking and conserving flora and wildlife, which had disappeared from the region, and its huge success has ensured excellent game viewing. In 1996, predators were introduced in Madikwe, first cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas, later also lions from the Etosha National Park (Namibia) and the neighbouring Pilanesberg National Park. 180 elephants came from the Gonarezhou Game Reserve in Zimbabwe which had been hit by a disastrous drought. The resettlement of the elephants was a great success and their population in Madikwe has grown to 250 animals.
Today some 12,000 animals live in the Madikwe Game Reserve. All predator species are represented and also black and white rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and a great number of antelopes. More than 350 bird species have been registered. The surrounding local communities also benefit from the reserve as they receive an annual share of the park's profits and so are able to upgrade their own infrastructure.
