Over the past two weeks, we’ve shared updates about our successful participation in recent trade shows, where we effectively showcased our properties to new audiences. Now, let’s refocus on the essence of the safari experience: wildlife. After all, encountering Africa’s wildlife is the primary reason for your visit! As we approach peak safari season, the bushveld becomes arid and water sources dwindle. During this period, we anticipate animals gathering around waterholes, making it easier to spot big cats. Sightings are already increasing across all camps, and we expect this trend to continue in the upcoming months. Today we’re going to do a quick wildlife roundup from the past two weeks, where we’ll feature a few top notch sightings (you may already have caught some of them on Facebook).
Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp
The Vuyela Pride undeniably holds dominance in this sector of the Klaserie. While fierce prides from the Western area have occasionally ventured into Vuyela territory, they seem to depart as swiftly as they arrive. One memorable sighting involved 7-month-old cubs energetically playing and climbing on a termite mound while awaiting the return of their pride from a hunt.
This leads us into further cat news, with a rather memorable sighting of a leopard draping itself over a thickset branch while snacking on a recent impala kill. Because leopards don’t devour their meal in one setting like lions, this carcass hung around in the tree for some time. Leopards will feast slowly on their meal, ensuring each morsel is savoured. Because kills are stashed in elevated positions, leopards have the freedom to dine at their leisure. It’s no uncommon to spot hyena dancing around the trunk of a tree, angling for falling scraps of meat.
There is a sighting that deserves a second mention; a unique showdown between two ferocious creatures. The team at Africa on Foot spotted a regal tawny eagle grabbling it out with a highly venomous boomslang snake! In the end, it was the eagle that walked away victorious. The snake was no match for those meat-shredding talons.
Sandwiched between the feline sightings in the Klaserie, the teams have enjoyed observing prolific herds of zebra, elephant and buffalo congregating at the waterholes. A sure sign that winter’s dry spell is on its way. nThambo Tree Camp still enjoys in-camp sightings of elephants, with the latest sighting being today.
Chacma Bush Camp
When it comes to spotting giants and predators in the wild, Chacma certainly isn’t taking a back seat. The local Grietjie Pride is spotted on a regular basis, regularly thrilling guests with their “road block antics. Resident ellies, warthogs and flocks of wading birds frequently make their way down to the waterhole in front of camp, keeping guests entertained for hours on end. Recent guest Ingrid Heemskerk’s photos vividly showcase this diversity.
Nyala Safari Lodge is our best kept secret. Overlooking the banks of the seasonal Mohlabetsi River in the Greater Kruger’s Balule Nature Reserve, Nyala is no stranger to exceptional sightings. A recent video sent through by lodge manager Dave, showed a massive herd of buffalo congregating in the dry riverbed at night. The area is floodlit, which allowed for guests to witness this mini-migration of buffalo.
Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside
Umkumbe’s guides are talented photographers only too eager to share their images with the world…for this, we are grateful! Guide Micaela took an amazing portfolio of images, which included everything from leopards to African wild dogs, zebra and lions. The team have also shared some amazing moments in the wild, enjoying morning coffees and sublime sundowners with guests. Umkumbe seems to be enjoying a mix of predator sightings, which aren’t just limited to leopard sightings. There’s been a great balance of both lions and leopard sightings, which are only surpassed by the rarity of wild dog sightings.
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