Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve and Little Muck Lodge

The 36 000ha Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve on which the mine of the same name is located, lies close to the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers. The reserve is home to predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah that have established themselves by natural incursion and continue to do so from Botswana and Zimbabwe. The diverse range of habitats in the reserve vary from riverine forest to impressive sandstone cliffs and it supports a wide range of plant and animal life, including elephant, giraffe, rhino and various antelope species.

The African wild dog is one of Africa's most endangered carnivores. Reduction and fragmentation of suitable habitat, together with intense human persecution, have led to the dramatic decline of the African wild dog (Lycaon Pictus). In South Africa, the only viable population of wild dogs occurs in the Kruger National Park. Even this population is not immune to large fluctuations in size. Outside the Kruger Park small isolated, reintroduced populations occur in several small reserves, managed together as a metapopulaion, as well as a few persecuted packs in Limpopo Province.

The De Beers‘ Venetia-Limpopo Nature Reserve comprises a recent addition to the South African wild dog metapopulation. A pack of wild dogs was released into the reserve on 8 January 2002. Prior to their release, several of the adults were fitted with radio-collars so as to be able to locate the pack on a daily basis. The information collected forms the basis of a research programme to determine pack dynamics, movement and dispersal rates, hunting behaviour, causes of mortality, and other measures of pack viability.

Daily monitoring provides frequent high-quality visuals of the wild dogs. This was an excellent basis for the development of wild dog eco-tourism on the reserve, providing guests with the opportunity to learn how to locate the pack using radio-tracking equipment and experience the thrill of seeing free-roaming wild dogs. If the value of such eco-tourism can offset the cost of wild dog predation this will go a long way towards persuading other landowners to tolerate wild dogs on their land. And more land is what the African wild dog really needs.

Wild dog-tracking trips are conducted in the early morning (sunrise to ±09:00) or late afternoon (±16:00 to sunset) when the dogs are most active. Trips generally last three hours but may vary depending on circumstances.

Guests will meet at the most accessible gate on the reserve. Directions can be obtained from the park office.

No food or beverages are provided on the tracking trips so guests must come prepared.  The early mornings and late afternoons can be quite chilly so guests must bring warm jackets in case of inclement weather. Remember to bring your cameras and binoculars.

Special arrangements must be made to exit the park in the morning or return in the evening.

Little Muck Lodge is situated on a sandstone ridge and offers guests views of the Limpopo River floodplain below and Botswana's Tuli block in the distance. The lodge is situated within the Mapungubwe National Park, which in the future will form part of a new transfrontier peace-park with Botswana and Zimbabwe.

The lodge is built of stone and thatch and offers simple luxury. All rooms are en-suite, air conditioned, and are set a short distance away from the main lodge area.