Game Drives

Game viewing is what brings many people to Africa and it is no different at Limpopo-Lipadi. Our diverse range of habitats from dense, lush riverine forest to scorched, open plains and everything in between provides the ecological niches for a wide selection of animal species, birdlife and the micro-fauna that accompany them. These smaller species are perhaps best studied on a bush walk although its perfectly possible to break up a game drive, especially if its quiet in the bush, to get out and look for things with your ranger.

Game drives are the staple safari activity as they provide a way to traverse the vast landscape and take advantage of the range of ecosystems on the reserve. Our specially modified Toyota Landcruisers provide perfect mobile viewing platforms from which to enjoy great wildlife viewing and it won't be long before you've seen several types of antelope and many more birds. You can become the spotter, working with your ranger to locate game, discuss the identification of birds, and they are always happy to answer questions you may have about subjects like animal behaviour, game breeding and predator-prey relationships.

Using the maps of the reserve available you may even want to decide which route to take or which waterholes to head for that day - with hundreds of kilometres of game trails to explore you need never take the same route twice (although many of our shareholders have personal favourites!).

Unlike many reserves where game drives rigidly start according to the lodge schedule, at Limpopo-Lipadi you are part of the planning for the days ahead. If qualified to self-drive you may literally have a landcruiser at your disposal! If not, or if you simply prefer to have a ranger accompany you they will discuss options with you and do their utmost to accommodate your desires.

Many of our shareholders take advantage of our low visitor density and game drive flexibility to spend long periods staking out waterholes in the dry season (a remarkably good strategy if you time it right) or indulge in night drives where they take it in turns to pan the spotlight round the bush looking for the tell-tale reflections of eyes in the undergrowth. Alternatively plan a longer trip to some of the more remote parts of the reserve, perhaps in collaboration with other shareholders, and take along a packed lunch to make a day of it.