Tourism stakeholders are still assessing the damage after fires broke out at two reserves – Madikwe Game Reserve in North West and Mabalingwe Nature Reserve in Limpopo – on Saturday (September 23).

The North West Parks Board has informed Tourism Update that the wildfire in Madikwe was confined to the veld, and there were no casualties or damage to any infrastructure.

Firefighters are still on the scene trying to contain the fire. The cause is yet to be determined.

Devastating fire in Mabalingwe

However, the Mabalingwe Nature Reserve in the Waterberg region of Limpopo saw considerable damage after a wildfire swept through the reserve from a neighbouring farm. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Over 100 fire protection workers were deployed to contain the fire on Saturday night. They had some success, but on Sunday morning (September 24), the winds picked up again and the fire spread further. This resulted in 56 private houses being razed to the ground and a further eight being partially damaged. A bush camp and one timeshare chalet were also destroyed.

The full damage to the infrastructure in the reserve is still to be assessed.

The impact on the animals is also still being assessed. It is estimated that 6 000ha of grazing land in the reserve was consumed by the fire.

All guests and residents staying on the reserve over the weekend were evacuated.

The fire has since been brought under control on the reserve but firefighters are still on the scene managing the fire in the greater Bela-Bela area.

The extremely dry environment and windy conditions, as well as the mountainous terrain, have made it extremely challenging for those who have been fighting the fire.

With the immediate danger to life and property addressed, the focus has now moved to animal welfare, where steps have been put in place to ensure a constant supply of water and feed.

The primary concern for the short term is providing the animals with feed, having lost most available grazing to the fire.

“We would like to express our gratitude to every staff member, member of the community, local businesses, and the public for your actions amid this tragedy; and overwhelming support, assistance, prayers and wishes during this time,” Mabalingwe Nature Reserve said in a press release.