Styx Pride cubs having an afternoon siesta at Umkumbe Safari Lodge.
It’s the beginning of a new year and it is summer in the south! The vegetation is creating jewel-coloured backdrops for some superb wildlife photography, and one finds themselves forgetting what the bush looked like only a few months ago before the precious rains arrived. Game drives begin earlier in the mornings and later in the afternoons, adjusting to the movements of the animals. Water-lovers wallow around the puddles to stay cool, while big cats sleep for long hours in the shade before waiting for the evening temperatures before setting out to hunt. The migrant birds’ calls are becoming more and more familiar, while we enjoy the ever presence of feathered beauties in the skies and trees.
The leopards are showing off their spots in both the Sabi Sand at Umkumbe Safari Lodge and at nThambo Tree Camp in the Klaserie. The Notten’s leopardess and her cub have been seen again by the guests on the Umkumbe vehicles, while the Styx Pride and their cubs are causing equally as much excitement. A relaxed, young female leopard was spotted on game drive with nThambo Tree Camp after a beautiful sighting of a resident lioness was thoroughly enjoyed, making the morning’s haul a wonderfully heavy one! Africa on Foot was spoilt with a spotted hyena in the green grass, a stunning collection of giraffes and zebras in the sunlight, and an elephant for good measure.
At Afrika Ecco Safaris and Mapula Lodge in the coveted Okavango Delta, it’s all about the birds of Botswana. Take a look at this week’s Week in Pictures:
The greatest of them all.
Spotted hyena.
Up close with some of the strongest jaws in Africa.
Here comes the sun…
Giraffes dwarfing both the zebras and the game viewer.
A surprise spot this morning!
A gorgeously relaxed leopard sighting.
One of the Ross Pride breakaway lionesses, enjoying the cool morning.
White-faced whistling ducks and an African openbill in the Okavango Delta.
White-crowned lapwing.
Brown-hooded kingfisher.
The biggest bird of all – the African ostrich – seen shaking its tail feather at Umkumbe Safari Lodge.
In all their glory. Umkumbe Safari Lodge.
Sharing the love – Styx Pride cubs at Umkumbe Safari Lodge.
A portrait of the regularly-seen leopard cub in this region of the Sabi Sand.
Notten’s female leopard and her cub. Spotted with Umkumbe Safari Lodge.
A water thick-knee.
A pale-chanting goshawk taking flight.
A duo of little bee-eaters.
Crested barbet.
Leave a Comment