Wild Dog Tracking

Over the last few years the reserve has been working hard to rehabilitate a litter of rescued wild dog pups and reintroduce them to the wild. The release occurred in late 2010 and although there have been momentous events with the appearance of five new wild dogs on the reserve and the subsequent disruption of the pack, we are proud to say that we have a healthy, well established pack of wild dogs roaming the reserve and breeding successfully. The dominent female, Two Spots, wears a radio collar that allows us to monitor the pack's movements but also to offer an opportunity few others can: to track the dogs on foot!

This activity certainly isn't for for those looking for relaxation and comfort but the exhilaration of homing in on the pack using the collar's signal is incredible. Led by our experienced wild dog team you will set out early to avoid the heat of the day and once the general location of the pack has been established its time to leave the vehicles. Along the way the team will explain more about wild dogs and our reintroduction programme, introducing you to key pack members and behaviours. This aims to prepare you for the final stage: following the signal and trackers to where the dogs are laid up for the day.

If you are lucky the dogs will be lazing with full bellies after a recent kill and thus be reluctant to move meaning you can approach without them running. As the signal gets stronger the first sign of the dogs themselves will often be a short bark or growl emanating from the undergrowth in front. Then one of the adults will emerge, bouncing up on its hind legs to get a better view and catch your scent. However if you're less lucky the dogs will catch your scent well before this and if they are feeling less secure or on the trail of a meal the chase really begins! Wild dogs can roam dozens of kilometres a day and as endurance hunters are very capable of running for long distances at speeds you can't match. Some tracking sessions have been known to continue for hours as the pack stops and starts! But its all worth it for a very personal encounter with one of Africa's most endangered species.