WILD DOG- Amazing Predator

Playing Wild Dogs - Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Lodge of the Week - Tuningi Safari Lodge

Creature Comforts

Tuningi Safari Lodge is a 5-star lodge that markets itself as ‘colonial African chic’. Accommodating only 16 guests, Tuningi offers an intimate bush experience at the renowned Madikwe Game Reserve. The main lodge flows comfortably between the rim flow swimming pool and outdoor seating area with lots of space for guests to meander about between game drives. A short walk along a wooden walkway, underneath an old fig tree, is a lovely deck area that functions as a bird viewing area by day and an outdoor dining area by night. Staff will recall frequent sightings of animals wandering past while guests relax in the swimming pool. The eight rooms are spread out and the uneven walkways may not be ideal for physically challenged guests. The en-suite bathrooms offer baths with a view and an outdoor shower only. Tuningi offers a well planned and exciting children’s program that makes it an ideal option for families. The exclusive use option of Little Tuningi is beautifully laid out and the best choice for a family group who wish to be on their own. The lodge offers guests two swimming pools and when there are children in camp, the second pool becomes a children’s area. Honeymoon guests are treated to private outdoor dinners and romantic starlit swims.

As the fourth largest game reserve, covering 75 000 hectare, Madikwe has a reputation for its’ successful introduction of the endangered African Wild Dog. The big 5 are all on offer here and the reserve has a bird life to delight any bird enthusiast. Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the few reserves in southern Africa that is malaria free. Located in South Africa along the Botswana border and 20 kilometres from Gaberone, the reserve lies within a transition region between Lowveld bushveld and the Kalahari thornveld. As a result the region is host to an incredible diversity of species from both ecosystems. Geographically the region has enormous volcanic intrusions known as Inselbergs, which adds a grandiose backdrop to the rolling hills on the horizon.

Tuninngi prides itself on their family orientated experience and comes highly recommended for family groups. The lodge is also ideal for couples and honeymoon packages. Little Tuningi offers superior exclusivity for those wishing to be more discreet.

****************************************SPECIAL OFFER**************************************

STUNNING FLY IN OFFER

valid for September

Mid-Week

From R7700 per person 

Weekend

From R9000 per person

These packages include accommodation, return flights from Federal Air from Joburg, all meals and 2 daily game drives

Excludes: Park Admission of R100 per person, drinks, tourism levy and other extras

Subject to availability and valid for new bookings, cannot be combined with other specials

Book and Pay to confirm booking

Wine creators who are helping to conserve the Wild Dogs

Painted Wolf Wines are doing their part to assist with the conservation of wild dogs in Africa.


From their website: 
"PAINTED WOLF WINES is a dynamic, innovative South African wine company. We are dedicated to the production of distinct, authentic wines, the conservation of African wild dogs and their habitat and the building of a community which shares similar interests and values."

PAINTED WOLF is a dynamic, innovative South African wine company. We are dedicated to the production of distinct, authentic wines, the conservation of African wild dogs and their habitat and the building of a community which share similar interests and values.

Founded by Jeremy and Emma Borg, drawing inspiration from the African Wild Dog, our own Painted Wolf pack is a community of talented individuals who bring the best available grapes, technical and practical skills to Painted Wolf.

We are primarily interested in the production of wines with a distinctive South African feel, and to that end have an emphasis on wines crafted from Chenin Blanc and Pinotage – the two bench mark South African grape varieties.

We pride ourselves on our focused energy and relentless determination, living the Painted wolf mantra of being ‘Persistently remarkable, remarkably persistent’.

We actively support the conservation of African Wild Dogs. Funds from every bottle sold go towards the research and conservation of this intriguing, beautiful but highly endangered species – successful long term conservation of African Wild Dogs is only possible where large tracts of wilderness still exist…

Sign this petition to get Painted Dogs on CITES

Support the African Wild Dog SOS FUND 

Interesting facts about: Wild Dogs

Wild dog at Mala Mala

• The dog's Latin name means "painted wolf," referring to the animal's irregular, mottled coat, which features patches of red, black, brown, white, and yellow fur. Each animal has its own unique coat pattern, and all have big, rounded ears.

• Wild dogs have bushy tails with white tips that may serve as a flag to keep the pack in contact while hunting 

• Wild dogs live mostly in arid zones and in the savanna. They also are found in woodland and montane habitats where their prey lives.

• They usually hunt in the early morning and again in late evening, prettying on gazelles and other antelopes, warthogs, wildebeests calves and rat and birds

• They can run long distances, at speeds up to about 35 miles per hour.

• These long-legged canines have only four toes per foot, unlike other dogs, which have five toes on their forefeet. 

• African hunting dogs are endangered. They are faced with shrinking room to roam in their African home. They are also quite susceptible to diseases spread by domestic animals.

• Once a year the pack occupies a den for 2 - 3 months, to bear young. The den is usually an abandoned aardvark hole

• Within the wild dog pack all the males are related to each other, and all of the females to each other but not to the males. Females migrate into the pack, whereas males usually stay with their natal pack.

• Only the highest-ranking male and female normally breed, and they inhibit reproduction by subordinates

• They have a submission-based hierarchy, instead of a dominance based one.

• Nearly 80% of all wild dog hunts end in a kill compared to only 30% of lion kills.

• The African Wild Dog hunts in packs and are cursorial hunters, meaning that they pursue their prey in a long, open chase.

Play fighting -  a vital lesson when growing up

Photo of the Week - Wild Dog

Found only in Africa, the Wild dog is also known as: 

Painted Dog

Painted Hunting Dog

African Hunting Dog

Cape Hunting Dog

Spotted Dog

Painted Wolf

Their conservation status is: threatened