Welcome at Qudu! 8000 sq km (3088 sq mi) of vast and wild bush offering memorable days under the Limpopo sun with an abundance of life and warm hospitality for all guests. Qudu Safaris is an exhilarating natural idyll in the Limpopo Province. Limpopo Province shares international borders with districts and provinces of three countries: Botswana's Central and Kgatleng districts to the west and nort
h-west respectively, Zimbabwe's Matabeleland South and Masvingo provinces to the north and northeast respectively, and Mozambique's Gaza Province to the east. The province is the link between South Africa and countries further afield in sub-Saharan Africa. On its southern flank from east to west, the province shares borders with Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and North West. Its border with Gauteng includes that province's Johannesburg-Pretoria axis, the most industrialised metropole on the continent. The province is at the centre of regional, national, and international developing markets. The province contains much of the Waterberg Biosphere, a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve. The Waterberg Biosphere, a massif of approximately 15,000 sq km (5,800 sq mi), is the first region in the northern part of South Africa to be named as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. The massif was shaped by hundreds of millions of years of riverine erosion to yield diverse bluff and butte landforms. The Waterberg ecosystem can be characterised as a dry deciduous forest or Bushveld. Within the Waterberg, archaeological finds date to the Stone Age. Nearby are early evolutionary finds related to the origin of humans. The Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism has targeted the province as a preferred eco-tourism destination. Its Environment and Tourism Programme encompasses tourism, protected areas and community environment development to achieve sustainable economic growth. Whilst Limpopo is one of South Africa's poorest provinces, it is rich in wildlife which gives it an edge in attracting tourism. Both the private and public sectors are investing in tourism development. Limpopo's ecological system hosts more than 200 mammal species, and is rated one of the best wildlife experiences in Africa. The list below will give you an indication of the mammal variety found within the province, Parks and Nature reserves. Springbok:
This gazelle derives its name from its pronking or jumping behavior, exhibited when fleeing from a predator. The springbok jump high and far, a display that gives the predator a chance to make an appropriate 'selection'. The choice obviously falls on the weakest animal in the herd, a process which ensures the survival of the fittest in the herd and corresponding success of the species. Sable Antelope:
The male of this species is particularly striking, with large curved horns and a jet-black coat. A Sable Antelope can be distinguished from a Roan Antelope by the white stripe that starts at the mouth and runs on the side of the nose up to the base of the horns. Roan Antelope:
This stately antelope is one of the largest antelopes in Africa, second only to the eland. They are greyish-brown in colour, the males being slightly darker than the females. Both males and females have heavy ringed horns that curve towards the back. Steenbuck:
Shy and retiring of habit, these diminutive fawn-coloured animals must surely be the most graceful and dainty of all antelope. Slender-legged with sharp-featured faces, Steenbuck are generally found in pairs scattered throughout the open bushveld. Waterbuck:
These chubby-looking antelopes are easily identified by the distinctive white circle that runs around their rumps. Males have long rippled horns which sweep gently upwards and forwards in a shallow arc. An interesting characteristic of the waterbuck is its distinctive musky odour, a smell which is known to linger long after the animal has left the scene. Oryx:
These antelope, also called gemsbok, are at home in the dry savannah of southern Africa. Well adapted to the extreme conditions of the desert, they can withstand the frequent high temperatures of over forty degrees by raising their body temperatures. In this way they avoid the loss of body fluids through perspiration. They usually graze at night when the the plants contain more moisture. Nyala:
This species of African antelope shows considerable dimorphism, meaning that the males and females differ so much from each other, that the layman could easily regard them as different species. Interestingly juvenile males look like nyala females. It is thought that this camouflages them, protecting them from the jealous eyes of the dominant bulls, and allowing them to grow up peacefully under the herd's protection
Kudu:
The large ears and magnificent horns of the males are characteristic of these majestic antelopes. Males will fight for the privilege of mating and in a few instances, dead kudu have been found with their horns inextricably intertwined, presumably having starved as a result of being unable to separate
Impala:
This graceful and beautiful medium sized antelope is often considered to be one of the most abundant animals. Agile and vulnerable to predators, they mostly congregate in herds, be they breeding herds or bachelor herds of males unable to secure their harem of females
Blesbok:
A subspecies of the Highveld, this grazer is capable of withstanding cold. Both sexes carry horns and are highly territorial. When disturbed they run upwind in single file. Bushbuck:
These shy medium sized antelope prefer lush riverine vegetation as their habitat and vary in colour from fawn to a rich red-brown. The stripes and spots which break the continuum of the body outline serve as excellent camouflage when these antelopes retreat into the thick bush as soon as they have been spotted. Duiker, Grey/Blue:
A browser of leaves and fruit, this is the smallest antelope species in Africa. They are well adapted to living in forests, drink regularly and lie up during the day. They mark territories with secretions from facial glands. A muchpoached species, they are also preyed upon by Crowned Eagles and pythons
Eland
The largest antelopes in Africa, these animals move in herds of up to a thousand and are known for their agility and ability to jump a height of 2m with ease. An interesting characteristic of an eland herd is that it includes a nursery for its calves. When threatened by predators, the herd forms a front, with the large males taking the lead positions. This fortress protects the calves and pregnant females. Jackal, Black-Backed:
These small mammals feast on the large numbers of carnivores that supply them with sufficient carcasses. Often seen nose up in the air and ears twitching, jackals are forever waiting for their superiors to leave their kill. They do, however, also prey on newly born animals,mice, birds, eggs and even insects. (Other species not described: Jackal, Side-striped)
Serval:
This slender, long legged and strictly nocturnal predator - characterised by conspicuously large ears - seldom graces even the most dedicated of game viewers with its appearance. This carnivore locates its prey (usually rodents and insects) by using its keen hearing. Wild Cat, African:
The cat of the ancient Egyptians, the species is widespread with a wide habitat tolerance. Nocturnal and shy it frequents tall grass and thick bush, eating a varied diet of poultry, rodents, birds, reptiles, insects, hares and wild fruit. Its spoor is similar to that of the domestic cat. Wild Dog:
Resourceful and disciplined, these hunters are regarded as the most successful of all predators, with an astounding nine out of ten hunts ending in a kill. Like the wolf it is a pack hunter, relying on its powers of endurance to run down its prey. Seen as a scourge by livestock farmers for many years, these creatures are now facing extinction. Yet a closer look at their intricate social structures and close family ties is an impressive experience and one that is bound to change common perceptions of the animals. Hyena:
Opportunistic hunters and scavengers, most people share mixed feelings of fascination and disdain for hyenas, spotted particularly around kills. Not particularly appealing in terms of appearance, hyenas are characterised by large rounded ears and a sloping back angling down from high shoulders to somewhat lower buttocks. They are the fiercest enemy of the lion. Caracal:
This cat is medium-sized, reddish brown in colour with faint orange white spots and unique black tufts on its ear tips. To communicate these animals purr, tweet, growl and hiss when threatened. Should you be fortunate to spot one (they are nocturnal and extremely shy), you would do well to treat it with the same respect you would for its larger cousins since the caracal is a deadly predator and will attack if it feels cornered or threatened. Civet:
Mainly carnivorous these animals have attractive bushy coats, spotted on the body with stripes on the legs and a bushy tail. Secretive and nocturnal, they lie up during the day in tall grass, bush-reed beds and holes in the ground. The civet secretes an oily tar-like substance when excited
African Elephant:
The African Elephant is the largest terrestrial mammal. Elephants live in tightly knit family groups led by a matriarch. The bulls remain solitary or may band together to form bachelor herds. A fully grown elephant weighs between 6,000 and 7,000 kg. When there are young in the herd the adult female may become aggressive and it is advisable not to venture too close to the herd. Honey Badger:
Honey badgers are fearless, display considerable aggression and have a powerful bite. They are good diggers and are particularly fond of digging out hardened dung-beetle balls in search of larvae. They enjoy a wide variety of food, including reptiles, insects, eggs, ground birds, wild fruit, scorpions, grubs and the honey of bees. Giraffe:
With their unusually long legs and neck, giraffes are the tallest land mammals in the world and are able to reach those leaves and seed-pods of trees that their fellow browsers cannot. Giraffe are susceptible to attack by lion and many are killed each year, which is not to say that they are easy prey. The many scars on their necks bear testimony to their formidable defence skills - a kick from a distraught giraffe can kill or severely injure any careless predator. Porcupine:
The largest African rodent, this mammal has a wide habitat tolerance and is capable of doing great damage to crops. It is armed with lethal quills, which it rattles when alarmed or annoyed. If this fails it will attack in a sideways and backwards action in an attempt to impale its attacker. Warthog:
With its pig-like appearance - dark grey skin and the back covered sparsely with coarse hair - the warthog is not known for its beauty. It is nevertheless an impressive-looking animal with its curved tusks and piercing stare, and its comical appearance belies its reputation as an animal with determination and guts. Many a lion would no doubt testify that the warthog will put up a valiant fight before being taken. It is comical to observe warthogs running, tails held stiff and vertical like antennae. Wildebeest, Blue:
These usually placid animals are often referred to as 'gnus' and are frequently seen together with zebra, impala or giraffe. On open plains herds of wildebeest graze on short tufts of grass. This habitat makes it easier for them to detect potential predators and also enables them to run more effectively. Zebra, Burchell's:
The striking pattern of these animals has inspired many an artist and one may think it is ill-placed in the zebra's habitat - open grassland. Nevertheless the stripes offer excellent camouflage in high grass and are also said to confuse predators that are unable to distinguish between the individual animals in a fleeing herd. Discover the diversity of Qudu wildlife - either in a 4x4 safari jeep, in the saddle of our well-trained horses, by foot or mountain bike. Our qualified field guides and game warden look forward to present to you Qudu at its best. We'd love to welcome you in our little slice of paradise!
