Our Wildlife

Kwa Madwala is a smaller reserve of some 2000 hectares which offers a diverse range of wildlife. Many of the smaller animals thrive here in a regular social structure with herds of zebra, impala, kudu, nyala and wildebeest. The reserve offers herd sizes in accordance with its size which are less in overall number than for instance the herds at Kruger National Park which often has many thousands of animals of one species.

Animal Diversity

Crocodiles numbers are plentiful in the water areas of the reserve.

The animal populations are subject to nature so there is no guarantee of the exact numbers on the reserve at any one time.

The last major independent animal audit conducted in July 2009 concluded that Kwa Madwala has a healthy game population and a broad diversity of species which has achieved a suitable balance between herbivores and carnivores with no overgrazing encountered.

The reserve are home to the following wild animals:

Elephant, White Rhino, Leopard, Giraffe, Kudu, Waterbuck, Zebra, Reed Buck, Blue Wildebeest, Crocodile, Nyala, Impala, Bush Buck, ‘’Ribbok’’, ‘’Klipspringer’’, Duiker, Steen buck, Baboon, Monkey, Warthog, Bush pig, Mountain Reedbuck.

Birding

A birding paradise!

Kwa Madwala has identified 223 different birds so far and there is clear evidence that further monitoring is needed to complete the identification process. Bird watchers will not be disappointed and sightings are plentiful with a good variety of indigenous and migratory birds in evidence.

Kwa Madwala Private Game Reserve was started in 2000 on land previously utilised for cattle farming and hunting. Through hard work and dedication the land has been returned to the wilderness and many species of large game animals have been re-introduced. As a result, today this 4000 hectare reserve is a haven to the big 4 and several different bird species.

Kwa Madwala is home to the very elusive Bat Hawk (Machaerhamphus alcinus) which can be seen from time to time in early mornings and late evenings, often at Gazebo Lodge. These birds are crepuscular (operate at dusk and dawn) with very large eyes. Dark grey in colour they sweep down effortlessly and catch bats which reside in two colonies on the reserve (the bats in turn eat the larvae of mosquitoes making malaria practically non-existent on the reserve).

Several varieties of eagle, kingfisher, swallow and the ubiquitous hoopoe can be seen with relative ease around the reserve. Our daily guided bush walks are very popular with those interested in birding and generally allows for better
opportunities in terms of spotting birds than when out on the game drive vehicles.

Recommended Resources

• Roberts Birds of Southern Africa by Hockey, Dean and Ryan (Hardcover)
• Sasol Birds of Southern Africa by Sinclair, Hockey, and Tarboton (Paperback)

Wildlife Photo Gallery