Sun Destinations Blog - Page 23 of 116 - Sun Destinations Safari

Visual Update from the Karoo’s Roam Private Game Reserve

From meerkat observations to bush dinners, and fitting GPS collars on female cheetah; Roam is certainly making strides in terms of the safari experience and conservation initiatives. We’ve decided to furnish you with a few updates, both written and visual.

The recent introduction of a female cheetah into Roam’s expansive semi-desert landscape, proved to be a highlight within the 5000 hectare reserve. About a year ago, two male cheetah were relocated into terrain where they thrived and roamed free centuries ago. The goal was to introduce a female cheetah as soon as the males became established and comfortable in their new home. Cue the emergence of a feisty feline !

On May 1st the female’s GPS collar was fitted and the boma gate left open for to explore her new domain. The cheetah conservation efforts at Roam are proving to be rather successful. In terms of timelines, everything is going according to plan. The eager team at Roam are hoping to see cubs in the near future!

The meerkat observation requires plenty of patience from onlookers. Hawk-eyes are required to spot the camouflaged sentinels that bolt-up briefly and disappear in a micro second. It’s tricky to photograph the gangs because of their almost neurotic methods of scurrying around. With time and with the team keeping track of their whereabouts, the meerkats will become far easier to see in the wild. Over the past few months sightings have certainly increased and photographer Teagan managed to snap a few photos of the meerkats.

Bird ringing, buffalo observation and general game viewing remain a constant source of entertainment within our reserve. Springbok and giraffe continue to provide consistent sightings. Springbok are synonymous with the Great Karoo and area actually quite a historically significant species. Don will be sure to tell you about the sheer abundance of our national animal and how the herds used to cover the landscape – these migrating antelope were called “trekbokke” . A history lesson best left told by Don around the crackling campfire!

Teagan, Gem and Rogan have all recently been on assignment at Roam Private Game Reserve. During their stay it became abundantly clear that Roam is not only conscious safari experience, but offers all the fun, frills and added extras that one would expect from a Kruger safari experience. There was a bush dinner set-up while Teagan was there, walks in the wilderness, game drives, campfires, sundowner stops, stargazing sessions at the pool and crack-of-dawn coffee sessions.

The folders of images from Roam reinforce the fact that Roam is not your average safari or conservation expedition – it’s an EXPERIENCE. An experience that marries luxury wilderness holidays with the opportunity to give-back. Even the category of “sports” has been covered at Roam – it’s become a unique destination for mountain bikers around the world. Mountain biking, safari and conservation – only at Roam !

The Week in Pictures : Lions in the Limelight

We’ve enjoyed a couple weeks of unique sightings and big cat behaviour across our Kruger camps. The central theme this week is – simply put – lions. There is a marked increase in lion sightings across the board, and guides within certain reserves are trying very hard to pinpoint the origins of splinter prides and small groups of unidentified lions. Of course, the leopards and big game haven’t gone unnoticed; it’s just that they’re not in the spotlight this week. The burly maned beasts have swaggered their way into the limelight ! We haven’t always managed to photograph lions, so today’s “Week in Pictures” is more of an update coupled with the exceptional photos taken while out on drive. Happy weekend !

Ezulwini Game Lodges

We spoke to Angele who furnished us with a quick update from our favourite camp in the Balule Nature Reserve. It appears that guests and guides are still enjoying ample sightings of the Machaton male lions, clearly STILL a dominant force on the Ezulwini traverse. The cubs and their mothers – the Kudyelas – are also seen regularly. Leopards are also cruising around the traverse, making their presence known. The two leopards commonly spotted are Thuli and Faka Nchovela. Angele says, “It is said that Faka has cubs but the den site is still hidden – hopefully we will see them soon”.

The elephant and buffalo herds are back in the area, which has certainly added “bulk” to sightings. Hippos are loving the river waters in front of River Lodge, and can be heard honking and calling while guests relax at the lodge. Impala rams are making quite a racket at the moment – it’s rutting season ! Other than that, there are ample sightings of the smaller creatures such as chameleons, owls, genets and even an African wild cat with kittens.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Umkumbe experienced the loss of one of their own – one of their legendary trackers tragically passed away, causing much heartache within the Umkumbe family. Walter will forever be remembered, and will be pleased to know that the team have enjoyed prolific sightings in the week following his death. A gift from Walter from beyond?!

Not only have Umkumbe enjoyed their usual high number of leopard sightings, but the lion sightings have also increased. The Southern Pride were seen during evening drive, and the Styx Pride were also spotted. The Styx Pride appeared to be clambering about on a fallen tree, which provided guests with unique sightings of lions in trees! A stray from the usual lion sightings of lions flopping about in the spears and twists of savannah grasses.

The big cats weren’t the only sightings enjoyed by our khaki-clad Sabi Sand team. Lo and behold, the painted African wild dogs made an appearance. This is the wild dog’s denning period, which should last for roughly 3 months. A period of time when the pack’s are somewhat more sedentary. Hopefully this sighting is an indication that Umkumbe will enjoy further wild dog sightings !

A sighting that deserves mention is that of the southern ground-hornbill. These giant turkey-looking birds with their striking crimson wattle are facing decline in the wild and are currently listed as “vulnerable” by the IUCN.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

The Klaserie camps continue to enjoy a spate of lion sightings, with plenty of discussions and speculations about the various breakaway prides from the River Pride. There are small coalitions, mini-prides and the “normal” River Pride that provide guides with a fun-filled adventure in establishing the origins of the smaller groups. It is believed that these smaller groups all originate from the mega-pride that was once 26 members strong ! Either way, the River Pride are most certainly the dominant pride within the Klaserie.

The highlight to emerge from the week was yet another for the books. A large male leopard with a kudu kill was in the tree enjoying his feast, and 10 minutes later a pride of 7 lions approached the area, circled the tree and were trying to flush out the leopard. Two species of cat in one sighting!

It has to be mentioned that the 3 night mobile walking safari forming part of the Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails experienced a once in a lifetime sighting during the course of last week. Lions walked into camp and were spotted sleeping between tents!

Chacma Bush Camp

The team at Chacma is experiencing plenty of sightings of general game and giant herbivores. There are herds of elephants numbering 60 – 80 individuals, seen almost everyday on game drive. But that’s not all.

We spoke to guide AD for a quick update and he said, “we have around 20 different lion cubs on the reserve, and actually found a new group of cubs just yesterday! There is also another group of lions that we believe had cubs just 2 weeks ago, so they’re still in hiding. We also found male lions mating with females, so hopefully there will be even more cubs soon! There’s also a leopard cub in the reserve which has provided us with sightings.”

#TheSafariLifestyle : The Essence of Ezulwini

Our media team spent time at Ezulwini Game Lodges in the big five Balule Nature Reserve, and decided to capture the essence of the safari lifestyle. The Ezulwini traverse offers abundant sightings of big game and predators, and we’re always quick to spill these once-in-a-lifetime sightings across social media platforms. But there’s another side to Ezulwini that is often neglected in favour of sharing wildlife images (there’s just so much to see!), and that is the atmosphere and personality of the lodge. A safari is an all round experience of the wild and in Swahili actually means “journey”. A journey into the bushveld lifestyle and heart of Africa! We’re talking boma braais with traditional dancing, sundowners, storytelling around campfires, the camaraderie and sampling traditional fare.

Gemma went behind the scenes to photograph a few memorable moments and capture the essence of Ezulwini as part of our #TheSafariLifestyle series. We’ve broken down each occasion into sections to provide you with a visual journey into forgotten aspects of the bushveld lifestyle.

Cuisine at Ezulwini Game Lodges

The food at Ezulwini is simple home cooked fare that caters for a wide variety of dietary requirements. Expect salads, wraps, English breakfasts and game drive snacks. Dinner is a “thing” on safari and is often a protracted affair comprising a traditional braai (barbecue) with sides served outdoors. These boma dinners normally end with a bit of a dance – guests are encouraged to jump up and join in the ceremonious display of dance moves.

Making Friends and Connecting with Guides

You arrive as strangers and leave as friends. There is nothing better than forming tight-knit friendships with people on the same wavelength – you go on game drives with them, share dinners and stories around the campfire. Your guides and trackers are your guardians and educators for the duration of your stay, so it’s natural that you’d form a special bond with the khaki-clad crew.

Quality Time Together

Ezulwini means “Place of Paradise” – and with good reason. There is ample opportunity for couples and friends to spend quality time together and for the die-hard romantics to indulge their endearing side. There are 4 superior suites, which have large wooden decks, plunge pools, and views of the river. One of these superior suites is a honeymoon suite, and the other a family room (Spelati). Grab a bottle of champagne and relax in the plunge pool or on the balcony. There are so many different ways of spending quality time together, and the Ezulwini team can certainly tailor-make a romantic session for their guests.

Meet the Ezulwini Team

We thought we’d share a few smiling faces that are part of the Ezulwini team. Guides, trackers, chefs, and managers – they’re all one big happy family at Ezulwini.

An Oasis of Calm. Photoshoot of Africa on Foot’s New Pool.

When the sizzling summer season is upon us and the African sun beats down on our lily white skin, we lap up the healthy dose of Vitamin D with glee. Summer has a vibe and it’s evident in the bushveld. The Kruger can get sweltering hot and escaping the heat is paramount to feeling comfortable in the Lowveld. Africa on Foot is no stranger to the heat and even our wildlife seeks out available sources of water. The summer rains are always a welcome respite from the heat, but the best way for guests to cool off is to take a dip in one of the two pools at camp. Yes – two pools.

The new pool rests on a raised platform in a hideaway next to the treehouse surrounded by a canopy of trees. Located on the perimeter of camp, the swimming pool area feels like an exclusive little oasis in the midst of the wild. It also makes – potentially – a fantastic area for a private dinner, special sundowner and extravagant proposal ! Natural wood decking surrounds the sparkling waters of the pool and has been designed to look like an extension of its natural surrounds. A small staircase leads up to the deck area that houses a few sun loungers adorned with comfortable cushions, giving it a touch of bushveld style. There are umbrellas to shield our less leathery skinned folk from the penetrating rays of the sun – we literally have you covered.

The new pool overlooks the wilderness beyond and has uninterrupted views of the savannah biome. It’s a great summer spot for game viewing, and provides the perfect haven to sit and spot wildlife. Elephants do lumber down to the pool area, and plains game often come bounding past, effortlessly.

Splash about in the crystal clear reflective waters while listening to the screaming cicadas and delicate songs from migrant birds chirping to the tune of summer. Feel the gentle breeze waft its way through the thickets of impossible greens while you keep an eye out for plundering predators and other species of wildlife.

The new pool is the place to see and be seen!

And the old pool? This small splash pool is located at camp – a hop, skip and jump from the bar area; making it the perfect place for a dip and a drink! The old pool has been fully kitted out with a new decking area and is still the go-to “waterhole” for elephants. This pool is ideal for families with children that want to swim but need to be kept under the watchful eye of their parents.

Two pools means there are options for our more discerning guests. Our tip for making use of the pools? WEAR sunscreen !

Below are photos of the new pool located adjacent to the treehouse.

The Week in Pictures : Eggs-actly What You Need for a Hoppy Weekend

The long weekend is upon us and the masses are winding down in preparation for a well-deserved break. We thought we’d gift you with a bumper album of images before the weekend of festivities commences. Whether you’re devouring a few hot cross buns in your gullet, hiding Lindt chocolate bunnies in secret places, spending time with family, working, giving thanks, or simply taking a much needed break; we wish you a happy and enjoyable weekend ahead. We’ve furnished you with a few highlights from our camps and lodges, along with a few choice images…Eggs-actly what you need for a hoppy weekend!

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp took centre stage in terms of sightings over the past few weeks. The Klaserie camps enjoyed a string of unusual and entertaining sightings. Nyeleti the leopard re-appeared after a short absence, and was seen marking territory on one of nThambo’s buildings. She sauntered her way in front of camp and lapped up water from the dam, which gave guests a perfect visual. Then there was the quest for dominance with two groups of lions – the Mbiri boys and a youngster from the River Pride had a bit of a showdown. The hyenas coursing through through vegetation covered terrain in hot pursuit of a kudu bull, proved to be yet another incredible sighting. When guides and photographers were observing the clans of hyena, Nyeleti approached the scene in a moment of cat-like curiosity.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge enjoyed their usual spate of leopard sightings, with Nweti dominating most of the sightings. Nweti is confident and often comes up close to the game viewers, which provides perfect close quarters viewing opportunities. Umkumbe guides also tracked and found lions over the past couple of weeks. The highlight being that of the Birmingham males tucking into a carcass, and sharing it with the Kambula females.

Chacma Bush Camp’s local lion cubs simply love being in front of the camera ! The cubs are spotted on a regular basis, with the most recent sighting being last night. The Lamai Pride is certainly a dominant group on Chacma’s traverse. Guide AD also came across a leopard mother together with its young cub. The Chacma team have yet to ID this leopard – it’s always tricky establishing historical data. Lest we not forget the incident with the rock python suffocating an impala – a true once-in-a-lifetime sighting!

Ezulwini Game Lodges have enjoyed their normal high standard of predator sightings, and the spotting of cubs, calves and the young ones has been a particular highlight for guests. The Kudyela cubs are still very much around and so are the Machaton males.

Hyenas Take Down Kudu. Leopard Comes to Investigate.

Hyenas have a particularly brutal method of taking down prey, and it’s a far cry from the finesse of the feline species. A kill from a cat is swift and far less prolonged than a hyena’s method of take down. Hyenas aren’t just awkward looking scrounging scavengers – they are actually proficient hunters and ultimately one of the most successful carnivores in the animal kingdom. Prolific predators within a reserve means that hyenas have ample opportunity to scavenge – a method of getting food that’s far easier than hunting! While Gemma and Rogan were out on game drive they saw a clan of hyena taking part in an epic hunt. This proved to be an unusual event that delivered more than just the standard observation of a hyena take down in action. The clan caused immense suffering on a massive kudu bull, that eventually sought safety in the waterhole. While the clan hovered around the fringe of the dam circling the alarmed bull, our nimble leopard, Nyeleti, sauntered onto the scene! Here’s the background and the lowdown…

Hyenas hunt using a method called coarsing, and their bodies are built for the chase. These marathon runners chase their prey until the point of exhaustion and then increase their speed when their prey slows down. They are cooperative hunters, which means the entire clan will give chase and begin the barbaric attack in unison. Their bone crushing jaws smash into the abdomen of their prey in an attempt to disembowel their victim. Plains game that succumb to a hyena’s method of hunting generally die from shock or bleed to death. That’s right – hyena begin eating before their prey has died.

The commotion from this particular chase, and the whiff of that iron-atom metallic smell filling the air means on thing only – blood has been shed. This is bound to rouse a few sniffs and curiosity from other predators, which is exactly what happened in the Klaserie when Nyeleti the leopard made a guest appearance at the site of the hyena commotion.

Gemma was taken by surprise at Nyeleti’s guest appearance. Her and Rogan were just chatting about Nyeleti’s elusive ways over the past week or so. As if by some form of telepathy, Nyeleti graced them with her presence. On the Saturday, they tracked her all the way into the thickets and followed her to an area right in front of nThambo Tree Camp. The following day she appeared on the banks of Buffeldam with the hyenas, providing Rogem (Rogan + Gemma) with yet another noteworthy sighting.

Nyeleti’s behaviour was interesting. She appeared at the water’s edge to drink and had ample opportunity to take down impala that were littered around the dam, but she avoided further bloodshed. We speculate that this was because of the heavy presence of the bone-crushing clean up crew. Leopards avoid confrontation. In this instance, she selected survival instinct over killer instinct.

But let’s hear it from the team on the ground…

Gemma says, “We heard on the radio from Reinhard that a hyena chased kudu into the dam. The bull was massive and by the time we arrived there were 8 or 9 hyenas surrounding the kudu. The kudu was clever and sought refuge in the waterhole, close to a bushy embankment which made it tricky for the hyena to navigate. We watched the scene for about 3 hours, and saw hyenas coming and going. The poor kudu’s abdomen already had a large chunk removed and its tail was gone! It was clearly in a weakened state but still seemed to have some strength because it kept trying to clamber out the dam.

We decided to head back to camp to recharge the camera batteries. The aim was to return a bit later. On the way back I spotted Nyeleti in the tree ! She was sitting in the top of a tree that was about 1500 m from the dam. The tree was overlooking the whole of the dam, and she just sat there observing the entire hyena – kudu ordeal!

She clearly wanted to drink and was just waiting for the right moment. She came down form the tree and circled the dam a bit, making sure she avoided the hyena. A massive herd of impala approached the dam and it would have been easy enough for her to take down one of them, and she even got into pounce position. But she took one look at the hyenas and then decided not to grab a quick meal – it would have attracted too much attention from the massive clan of hyenas.

When we went back in the afternoon the kudu had – sadly – passed away. The hyenas devoured the carcass, and the pregnant female hyena was clearly in charge of the clan. She at least got to feed herself and baby. In total we were there for about 9 hours of the day! “

Planning on popping the question? Get Roamantic!

The story of your proposal is a tale that your future wife, or husband, will be recounting at dinner parties for the foreseeable future, so the pressure is well and truly on. And what more memorable and romantic location than under the vast skies and endless scapes of Roam Private Game Reserve in the Karoo?

Picture the scene: A few last minute chirpers are trying to get the last word in before sunset, but apart from the birds, it’s quiet and serene. There’s a slight breeze that brings relief after the intense heat of the day, and it rustles gently over the grassy basin below. The sun is slowly inching towards cover behind the Karoo horizon, bruising the blushing sky in a patchy array of purples and yellows. In the distance, the silhouetted necks of giraffes are cast against the setting sun, while a jackal sounds its lonely call to signal the end of the day.

Your camp chairs are perched on a small rise overlooking the endless grassy plains and undulations of Roam Private Game Reserve, and the only other sign of humans for miles is the inconspicuous thatched roof of the lodge far in the distance. In front of you is a table laid out with a carefully selected cheeseboard, and ice cold champagne begging to be popped.

It’s all set up, and the air is virtually crackling with romance. The ring is burning a hole in your pocket, and only one thing remains now: getting down on that knee!

Proposing at the wonderful Roam is sure to count in your favour, and you can be certain your significant other will be only too proud to tell their proposal tale at every opportunity. The staff at Roam are also fantastic wingmen and women when it comes to popping the question, and they will pull out all the stops to make it as romantic and intimate as possible.

Apart from champagne sundowners, private candle-lit dinners by the pool can be arranged, and so can candle-lit bubble baths, rose-petalled beds, or whatever romantic whims you may have. The rest of the weekend can be spent however you choose – relaxing poolside with your fiancé, going on morning- and evening game drives, birdwatching walks (there are more than 240 species of birds here), or even a bit of cheetah tracking. Mountain-biking couples will also adore Roam, as the reserve is criss-crossed with several tracks of varying difficulty, on which wildlife is regularly spotted from the saddle.

At night, the Karoo sky lights up with an incandescent canopy of stars, and one can spend hours wondering at the majesty of the milky way. One could even use the telescope at Roam to pick out ‘your’ star – a star to celebrate your engagement and to mark your happy union.

No one leaves the Karoo unaffected. There’s a certain sense of freedom here that one can’t explain. Its vast, seemingly endless horizons and infinite skies grab a hold of one’s heart, and a stay at Roam replenishes the soul. Sharing that experience with a loved one – and to make them yours forever in this magical place – is simply incomparable.

5 Reasons to Visit the Big 5 Balule Nature Reserve

There are countless reasons to visit the exquisite Balule Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger, particularly during the colder months, but we’ll whittle them down to just five.

1) Without borders…exclusively

One of the biggest drawcards of Balule Nature Reserve is that it shares an open border with the Kruger National Park on its western boundary. Over a decade ago, a group of clever and intrepid farm owners made the call to drop the game fences between their properties, which meant Balule became one huge game-rich expanse. In fact, this private reserve is still expanding today as more land owners join the fenceless initiative. The fencing between Balule and the Kruger were then also dropped and, together with a number of other private reserves, it now makes up what is known as the Greater Kruger, a massive tract of land that sprawls over 20 million hectares – about the size of Wales.

The best part, though? Visitors to Balule get to experience the vast numbers of game (including the Big 5, and 143 other species of mammal) that regularly venture across from the Kruger and settle here, without having to contend with the multitudinous crowds of the national park. Exclusivity is the name of the game, and wildlife sightings don’t have to be shared with fleets of other safari vehicles and their noisy, selfie-taking passengers.

2) Feline factory

As mentioned, Balule sees plenty of big-game action, and it’s become known as a bit of a big cat eden. Of course, one can never guarantee big cat sightings, or any specific animal sightings for that matter, but the guides in Balule seem to have a magic touch when it comes to lions and leopards. In recent months, guests have been spoilt with several sightings of the Kudyela lionesses and their adorable cubs, as well as the mighty Machaton males who call these pastures home, having famously bullied the Mohlabetsi males off their own turf. In fact, recent guests were lucky enough to see the Kudyela pride take down a massive kudu bull, and stayed to watch, in fascination, the feast that followed.

Even with those most elusive of cats – the leopard – Balule serves up a glut of sightings. One has to have a generous slice of fortune to catch a glimpse of these sly, shy predators, but it would seem that your chances of spotting them at Balule are pretty good. Of course, it’s not all down to luck, and the expertise of the guides throughout the Balule reserve plays a major role. Information is also shared in Balule: leopard ID kits are created, and then the animals are observed and behaviour documented, after which neighbouring lodges are consulted and info shared.

3) The river runs through it

The mighty Olifants River flows right through the centre of Balule for about 20km. It is the life source and provides sustenance to a tremendous diversity of animal- and birdlife. In winter, particularly, when a lot of the waterholes dry up, game tend to flock to its banks, delighting guests with the sheer numbers seen on game drives. Hippos and crocs are also abundant in the Olifants, and are often seen wallowing in river holes or basking on the bank.

Twitchers can also look forward to prolific birdlife along the Olifants. From fish eagles and kingfishers, to lesser spotted predators such as scops owls, giant eagle owls and even Pel’s fishing owls. One could sit here with a pair of binos all day, and never get bored with the variety of avians flitting about in the rich and verdant foliage of the giant fig and Natal mahogany that line these banks.

4) Winter wonderland

As mentioned, during the winter months the majority of smaller waterholes tend to dry up, which forces game to a select number of bigger holes, or the river. This means guests are virtually guaranteed great sightings at the now-limited number of water sources, and sundowners nearly always turn out to be a spectacular show of game and birds.

The other advantage of visiting in the colder months is that the undergrowth in this mopane-dominated landscape is much sparser than in the lush summer months, making it significantly easier to spot game (and your odds of spotting that leopard becomes so much shorter). Plus, a steaming cup of coffee on a crisp morning game drive has never tasted so good!

5) Simply heavenly

The isiZulu word ‘ezulwini’ loosely translates to ‘heavenly’. And what an apt description that is for Ezulwini River Lodge on the banks of the Olifants River. This little slice of heaven alone is worth travelling to Balule for. Enshrouded in lush riverine forest, and with decks overlooking the flowing waters below, Ezulwini is bush luxury at its finest.

There are four luxury chalets built in traditional thatched rondavel-style with all the creature comforts one might need, and splendid views. For those who want to up the ante though, four super luxury suites await, complete with large bedrooms, lounges, indoor- and outdoor showers, huge lookout decks, plunge pools and river views to die for.

The main part of the lodge is warm and inviting, with a large outdoor guest area, a shaded bar, outdoor lounge and a stylishly appointed indoor dining area – with staff at your every beck and call. There are also several view points, including a viewing deck right on the river built around a tree, and a viewing tower which offers panoramic views of the reserve and a nearby waterhole.

It turns out heaven is, in fact, a place on Earth, and it just so happens to be on the banks of the Olifants River!

AD Van Zyl Photographs an African Rock Python Devouring an Impala

It’s always exciting when one of our guides sends through a video clip of an ambush predator in the throws of capturing its prey. When AD Van Zyl from Chacma Bush Camp WhatsApp’d me to tell me about a unique sighting while out on drive, I made an assumption that I was going to receive an influx of leopard videos and images. How wrong I was. AD spotted the unimaginable. The type of sighting that would make herpetologists and reptile loving safari-goers turn an envious shade of green mamba!

Guide AD found an African rock python suffocating its unsuspecting prey, a rather large impala. Watching a kill in progress is always a moment that elicits mixed emotions. You feel that gut-wrenching pull when a placid, doe-eyed impala dies; but you’re excited that one of the bushveld’s significant predators successfully finds a meal. The rock python is the largest snake in the Greater Kruger, and can weigh up to a whopping 50 kgs. It’s a notoriously aggressive predator that ambushes small prey with great ferocity, on land and in water. That’s right – in water. Unlike other snakes, rock pythons actually love water and often remain underwater to thermoregulate.

In this case, it’s prey was targeted and taken down on land. We’re quite used to seeing pythons snack on the smaller prey, but this sighting strayed from the ordinary. The size of the prey was remarkable – an impala is a common source of prey for cats! The rock python is a nocturnal hunter and uses the cover of darkness to slither around and ambush its prey. It detects warm-blooded prey with its heat-sensitive pits, and goes in for the kill when close enough. When it slithers closer, and ambushes its prey it then constricts its prey by securing its grip and suffocating the kill. It will then swallow its prey whole, during which time the snake is in a vulnerable position. Leopards are opportunistic killers and if they stumble across a full-bellied, immobile python they won’t hesitate to pounce.

This sighting was considered an absolute highlight, and we’re grateful that AD had his camera on hand.

The Week in Pictures : Bless the Rains Down in Africa

Toto clearly knew a thing or two about the bursts of rain in Africa, so much so that the band wrote a song about it. Sheets of water aggressively pelt down onto heated African landscapes and inject bursts of life into withering landscapes. Those moments deserve to be sung about, and currently the Lowveld is living out Toto’s lyrics. The past few days, parts of the Kruger bushveld have enjoyed bouts of rain.

The waterholes are brimming, and the lush landscapes will soon flourish with even more greenery (if that’s possible). The ‘veld gets blistering hot and the rains provide temporary relief and respite from the sticky muggy madness of summer. The scent of the bushveld is heightened during the rains and it’s a smell that have been introduced to bushveld life will know about. When the bursts of rain subside, we’ll enjoy glistening shrubbery and water drenched wildlife. There’ll be an underlying tone of vigour running through the bushveld and there will be copious photographic moments. The looming rains haven’t thwarted sightings over the past 10 days – wildlife continues their business come rain or shine! So here’s an update from our side (albeit a delayed one) and a few recent images to delight the eyes.

Chacma Bush Camp experienced 20 mm of rain, which means the waterhole in front of camp is probably quite full by now. The elephants, wading birds and predators are going to love the full waterhole! The elephants are out in full force, and guide AD has managed to photograph huge herds down at the big waterhole. But our highlight of the week is his sighting of a slithering python devouring a small impala!

Umkumbe Safari Lodge spotted their normal handful of leopards – sightings which are always celebrated. However, guides recently stumbled across a unique sighting in the wild. It was a gut wrenching and cruel moment, but one that needs to be reported. A heavily pregnant buffalo cow settled down in the short grasses to give birth. Hyenas approached, and started yanking the unborn calf out of the cow. The calf was slowly starting to emerge, and the mother was helpless. As the calf emerged, the hyenas tried to pull and wrench it out. A true cruel and heartless moment in the wild!

Our photographer’s are currently on assignment at Ezulwini Game Lodges, so we look forward to a fresh batch of images from their side. The Machaton male lions and the Kudyela cubs were recently spotted, and seem to provide consistent big cat sightings.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

It’s been a wild week of sightings for our Klaserie camps. Firstly, there was a massive shift in lion pride dynamics and the River Pride are now considered the dominant pride of the region. The Hercules Pride swooped in, just as the River Pride were getting comfortable. The lion prides of the Klaserie are a constant source of fascination!

The wild dogs were seen right outside nThambo Tree Camp – again! They provided quite a spectacle of activity and seem to be hovering around the camps.

Other than that, we trust you’ll enjoy our albums of images.