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Roam Private Game Reserve is Home to a Mob of Entertaining Meerkats

Our resident jack-in-the-box meerkats are a constant source of entertainment. They scurry around on all fours darting around foraging during the broad daylight, and occasionally bolt into an upright position to scan the wilderness for signs of imminent threats. The first meerkat to bolt upright is called the sentinel. The sentinel has a key role to play in surveying the area for danger. The important role involves standing on an elevated area to scan the wilderness for intruders while the rest of the gang forages in peace. When we track meerkats, we tend to keep an eye-out for the sentinel – these guardians are our beacons for finding the rest of the community.

The pivotal role of sentinel is normally favoured by one meerkat, but others will occasionally rise to this revered position, giving the rest of the community a chance to find their fill of carnivorous delights comprising beetles, grubs, lizards and termites. Meerkats do well in the arid Karoo environment. They are capable of extracting water from the various bulbs and tubers buried deep within the soil. A species perfectly adept at surviving severe climatic conditions.

Roam Private Game Reserve is home to a a mob of entertaining meerkats, but it takes skill to find these gangs. When they’re foraging in daylight the packs will split somewhat and are often located within a few metres of one another. Meerkats spend time meandering their way through burrow systems where they seek shelter in various chambers and intricate tunnel systems.

To photograph and film them can be tricky, given that they could bolt from the lens at any given moment. They’re also small and incredibly well-camouflaged in the low-lying khaki scrub. It requires tolerance and the use of all senses to find the colonies! With their pups also being raised inside the warrens and so much time spent in the burrows, it does require a certain level of patience to observe these bristly creatures.

The mobs will spend the nocturnal hours immersed in the comfort of their burrow system, far away from predators such as jackals, bat-eared foxes and other carnivorous creatures. Colonies can reach numbers of up to 25 and these feisty little carnivores are actually notoriously territorial! They will go to war if a neighbouring pack crosses over into their turf.

Here are a few facts about the meerkats :

The meerkat is from the same family as the mongoose, and much like their cousins they are also gregarious squirrel like animals that live in large communities.

The colony has an alpha male and female, but the males are the dominant sex and may even prevent females from mating. There is one dominant female that gives birth to 2 – 4 pups a year.

Pups are raised by other adults within the community. When the mob leaves the den area, a few of the meerkats will stay behind to “babysit” the youngsters.

Meerkats have the perfect body structure to withstand harsh environments and searing heat. The dark patches around their eyes means that they can easily reflect the glare from the desert sun.

Videographer Rogan Kerr spent ample time trying to track and locate the various gangs, and after considerable time they let him into their world.

Timbavati Game Drives with Walkers Bush Villa

The game viewer crunches through the khaki bushveld flicking up loose sand as it navigates the sandy roads of the world-renown Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The thick tread of the tyres collects grass spears and abandoned foliage as it trundles deep into the thickets of the mysterious savanna. Leading guide, Brett Horley, is behind the wheel and he knows a thing or two about how to handle a safari vehicle. This isn’t a playground for the weak – only the experienced know how to operate this open-topped vessel. Designed to offer its occupants uninterrupted views of the wilderness and opportunities to get up close to wildlife, a game viewer is the ultimate vehicle for photographers. Being located in a private game reserve means guests are afforded ample opportunities to go off road and get up close with wildlife, a privilege not afforded to visitors to the more public Kruger National Park.

A couple of weeks ago, our roaming photographer Em Gatland clambered aboard the Walkers Bush Villa safari vehicle and together with Brett, they headed out in search of wildlife. Just previously Brett reported that they’d witnessed a number of sightings of the Sunset Dam leopardess. Em was only to keen to photograph this feisty feline. Did they find the Sunset Dam leopardess? Yes they did ! But that’s not the only sighting that was enjoyed during her 2 day stay.

Em managed to spot the powerful and elite lion emperors, the Mbiri male lion coalition. These boys have now moved further north but they will return at some stage when the lionesses cross over onto the Walkers traverse.

The usual suspects appeared while out on drive. The commonly spotted impala, zebra and giraffe make up the bulk of the plains game sightings. The towering giraffe were perfectly positioned for Em to take a series of rather mesmerising images where she focussed on maximising white space and perspective. In terms of other herbivores, the bovids also filtered through the bushveld and followed their pathfinder to the closest source of water. Buffalo are bulk grazers which means vast quantities of water are needed to digest coarse vegetation. Find the waterholes, find the buffalo !

The soldiers of the water domain were also spotted. Bloats of hippo emerged from the waterholes, eager to show their onlookers who controls the waterholes. They widened their jaws in an effort to display dominance – this technique is used to ward off intruders that balk at the size of their tusks. The ectothermic Nile crocodile is a co-inhabitant of the waterhole and is the largest freshwater predator. While our hippo wade in the water during the day, the crocs sun themselves on the banks to harness heat from the sun to regulate their body temperature.

Another unique sighting happened while out on foot. Brett and Em spotted a Schlegel’s beaked blind snake. This snake actually spends most of its time beneath the ground’s surface and feasts on termites. It’s actually one of the grey-headed bush shrikes favourite meals !

Let’s go back a paragraph or two, and chat about the Sunset Dam leopard sighting. A week after Em spent time at Walkers Bush Villa, our videographer Rogan Kerr headed into the pristine Timbavati biome to see if he could spot Sunset Dam. Knowing that the Timbavati has a high concentration of big cats, Rogan reckoned the odds were in his favour. He was right. Rogan and Brett Horley spotted the Sunset Dam leopardess. She wasn’t in a good mood, which is understandable given that the pesky hyena scavengers were hot on her heals. If you scroll to the bottom of this blog post, you’ll find Rogan’s video of the Sunset Dam leopard being chased by sneaky clan of hyena.

Game drives with Walkers Bush Villa always deliver something spectacular. Birds, beasts, scavengers and predators all dwell within the Timbavati biome.

Week in Pics Relaunch : Sharing Images Since 2014. Now It’s Better. Here’s Why.

4 years ago, in 2014, we launched our first “Week in Pictures”. The idea was to showcase our ranger’s images and update guests about sightings from the week, focussing on the more prominent moments in the bushveld. Week in Pictures went live every Friday and it was a fantastic way to kick off the weekend. The launch of the Week in Pictures saw many lodges and camps following suit, ensuring that the airwaves are continuously flooded with exquisite safari images on a weekly basis (never a bad thing!).

For a brief period of time we took a break from Week in Pictures. But now we’re back – and things are better than ever. We won’t just be showcasing our top weekly images from our lodges, but also our videos and news from our roaming media team. You’ve missed Week in Pictures. And we’ve missed you.

Uncover the marvels of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Botswana, Sabi Sand and the Great Karoo (Western Cape). We have camps located in each of the listed destinations and therefore have access to an array of contrasting scenes and unique wildlife sightings.

Sun Destinations has a permanent photographer based at one of the camps, and she moves between places in pursuit of photographing rare moments in the wild. Rogan, our videographer, is based at a neighbouring camp and he also roams between various camps/lodges. Coupled with that, our rangers and guides at each camp happen to be budding photographers. Together, guides possess an absolute arsenal of talent!

Here’s how the Sun Destinations “Week in Pictures” will play out :

A handful of images taken during the week will be selected and showcased on the Sun Destinations Facebook page, and the relevant camp page. There will be a link to the blog housing the kaleidoscope of images to have emerged from the week.
Things get hectic. Camps get busy. Life happens. Some weeks we might feature images from all of our camps, and other weeks only a select few. This is dependent on the submissions from guides and where are our visual team is based at that given moment.
We will launch on a Monday instead of a Friday.
The new addition to Week in Pictures is video. We’ll share videos that have been edited and launched during the week.
We’ll keep the words to a minimum and let the media do the talking.
Our team will be sure to give you insight into what we have planned for the week ahead, and any other newsworthy items.
You’ll discover the images shared on the Sun Destinations Facebook page.

Chacma Bush Camp in Maseke Game Reserve

Highlight : Spotting one of the Maseke male lion youngsters mating with the lioness that has 3 sub-adults.

Walkers Bush Villa in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

Highlight : Spotting the Sunset Dam leopardess trying to run away from a small but pushy clan of hyena.

Xobega Island Camp (Okavanga Delta) and Tuskers Bush Camp (Kwatale Conservancy)

Highlight : Observing the elephant herds from up close at Tuskers, and watching hippo guard the waterways of the Okavango Delta. This past week we also hosted the Botswana Mega Educational 2018 (#BotswanaMegaEd2018).

RAW Botswana, Motswiri Camp

Highlight : The Selinda Spillway began to flow overnight. Guests went to bed and woke up the next morning to a waterlogged landscape!

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

Highlight : The return of the African wild dogs to the Klaserie traverse, 34 leopard sightings within 36 days and a huge breeding herd of elephants arrive at Africa on Foot’s splash pool.

Roam Private Game Reserve in the Great Karoo

Roam is the latest addition to the Sun Destinations family, and recently our videographer/photographer Rogan spent a considerable amount of time in the Karoo. This past week a few incredible images emerged from his portfolio. Highlights at Roam have been the cheetah and buffalo relocation.

Witnessing the Wild Dogs Stalking and Taking Down Prey in the Klaserie

According to textbooks, May – August is the African wild dog’s denning period. This is when the dogs seem to cease their nomadic ways and individual packs lead a more sedentary lifestyle, and the timing is perfect given that it generally overlaps with the end of the impala rutting season. The end of the impala ram’s mating season means there are plenty of burnt-out, exhausted rams that make for easy prey. Isn’t it curious how nature and the food chain works?

The energy used during the wild dog’s wanderings of a wide home range is now poured into the rearing of the newborn pups. These beautifully painted mottled dogs are cooperative breeders, which means the entire family unit helps to rear the young. Their social behaviour is quite remarkable in terms of the roles they naturally gravitate towards. You have your den guards, your babysitters and then your feeders in charge of regurgitating meat for the youngsters born from the alpha male and female (the only pair that breed). The newborns are born helpless and are completely vulnerable to predators out there, and thus need the protection of the pack until roughly 3 months old when they are ready to emerge from their den site.

In the parts of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve occupied by nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot there is a resident mega-pack of wild dogs that guide Mauritz has spotted on a regular basis. The dogs have been seen outside of their sedentary period, and currently the surrounds of both camps enjoy sightings of a small pack of 6, a pack of 14 and a mega-pack of 25 dogs. It’s quite clear that the Klaserie is a haven for spotting the African wild dog roaming free in the wild!

Mauritz managed to lead guests into an incredible sighting of the mega-pack of dogs targeting, stalking and executing a brutal but swift kill. It’s not often guests get to witness a mammoth event of this kind, as it’s normally only the tail-end of the sighting after the takedown, that is observed. Guests had enormous insight into the hunting technique and social behaviour of the dogs. They watched the dogs take chase, they listened to the high-pitched twittering and excited squeals as the unsuspecting prey was taken down with energy and vigour.

Wild dogs hunt in a similar way to hyena, using a method called coursing. This basically means they target their prey within a herd and chase their quarry until the point of exhaustion, and then grapple their rump and begin the rather brutal disembowelling process.The meals-on-wheels are the tired impala rams which make for easy meals during the denning period, as it’s imperative to feed the pups! Wild dogs have a vital role in the wild in that they are known to eliminate the sick and weak within herds, the individuals that would ultimately meet their natural demise in a short space of time.

Mauritz and the team have spotted the dogs over the past few months at various intervals which means they may well have been returning to their old den sites.

This was another epic sighting deep in the heart of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve and we can’t help but wonder if the gregarious pack have a few pups stashed somewhere. It is only the beginning stages of the denning period, so hopefully in the coming months we’ll deliver news about new fluffy additions to the Klaserie.

Roam Private Game Reserve Release Cheetah into the Great Karoo

Flanked by the Cape fold mountains and hugged by undulating endless desert landscapes, lies the 5000 hectare Roam Private Game Reserve. The unique scrubveld of the Karoo basin gives rise to various xerophytic flora, and is also home to abundant species of plains game, birdlife and small predators. The arid plains are dotted with a wealth of geological masterpieces such as archetypal Karoo koppies, sandstone and dolerite intrusions. With so much to offer in terms of providing endless natural habitats, the area was analysed and identified as being a potential location that could sustain the presence of cheetah. After considerable time and much research, the owners of Roam – together with leading conservationists – decided to introduce cheetah into the reserve. A couple of weeks ago a coalition of 2 slender and remarkable cheetah males were released onto Roam’s traverse. And videographer Rogan Kerr was there to film the momentous occasion.

We chatted to Abigail and Donavon about the cheetah release and what guests can expect when staying at Roam. Read below to find out more detailed information about the cheetah release in the Great Karoo.

1.Why is the Karoo biome ideal for cheetah?

Technically it isn’t… But it does form part of the cheetah’s historic range. Cheetah are well adapted to living in arid environments. Such adaptations include the ability to get all of their fluid needs from a carcass. It may be a misconception that cheetah prefer vast open spaces as studies have shown that cheetah fare better in semi-wooded areas, which makes Roam the ideal habitat as far as the Karoo goes. Roam has 14km of riverbeds which create Acacia thicket and suitable hunting locations for cheetah.

2. What was the driving force behind the decision to release cheetah into the wild at Roam?

There are no records of wild free roaming cheetah having occurred in the area since 1860 when 5 were killed near Beaufort West. We wanted to bring cheetah back to an area they occurred in historically; thus growing the population in South Africa from its current 1300 wild cheetah. Whilst we can contribute to cheetah conservation, the reserve is not suitable for larger predators such as lions.

3. What is the origin of these cheetah?

The cheetah come from Tiger Canyons in the Free State. The are from a litter of 5 cubs and are the only males in this litter. The property is owned by well-known photographer and conservationist, John Varty. We were particularly fussy about the source of the cheetah as we needed cheetah that came from the Karoo. Cheetah that are brought into the Karoo from more lush parts of their range tend to suffer in the Karoo, leading them to have only a 20% survival rate. Cheetah relocated within the Karoo have a 70% chance of survival as they have already adapted to their environment.

4. How many are there currently, and will you release more at Roam?

We have introduced two cheetah for the time being. They are brothers and have formed a coalition. This means there is a life long bond between them and they will remain together forever. We hope to introduce a female (or two) at some point in the future. Our target for further release would be 1 – 1.5 yrs.

This will give us a chance to monitor the impact the cheetah have on our wildlife population and make informed management decisions for future cheetah. Any female brought to Roam will be allowed to mate with the current males and have cubs. She would then be placed on contraceptives. Again we would monitor and update our management strategy based on the impact of the additional cheetah. All cubs would need to be relocated to other suitable reserves once they reach maturity.

5. Who was involved in this conservation project?

The largest role player in getting the cheetah to Roam Private Game Reserve (other than Roam) was the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). Vincent Van Der Merwe heads up the Cheetah Range Expansion Project. This project aims to manage the genetics of Southern Africa’s wild cheetah population. Through doing so they are able to supply small reserves with cheetah, while ensuring the population as a whole remains genetically viable. As such, any cheetah cubs from Roam would be part of this project and be introduced to suitable reserves deemed viable by EWT.

6. How long did the process take and what were the logistics involved?

The process of getting the cheetah to Roam has been a lengthy one. The first step was to develop a Predator Management Plan (PMP), which was originally drawn up by Ken Coetzee of Conservation Management Services in Nov 2016. From there it was submitted to Cape Nature, the conservation authority in the Western Cape, for review and approval. Cape Nature requested a few amendments which were done by Roam management in Sept 2017.

The PMP was finally approved in March 2018 at the same time the approval for the fence was given. We had to get our boundary fences in line with Cape Nature policy (2.4m with 6 internal electric wires). In order to move any wild animal between properties or provinces, permits for import/export and transport are required.

These were applied for in March 2018 and approved in April 2018. Meanwhile, at Tiger Canyons, the cheetah needed to be genetically tested and microchipped. This information was them submitted to the Free State Conservation authorities who issued the cheetah with passports.

On the day of transport Don and Vincent went to Tiger Canyons to assist with the sedation of the cheetah. The sedation was done by a qualified vet from Colesberg. More blood samples were taken for the EWT database and the cheetah were fitted with tracking collars. Once loaded into transport crates, the sedative was reversed and the cheetah woke up. They then undertook a 5.5hr journey in the transport crates on the back of a bakkie to the reserve where they were released into an acclimation boma.

7. Now that the cheetah have been released into an enclosed area, what is the next step?

The cheetah will remain in the acclimation boma for a minimum of six weeks. This will give them a chance to adapt to their surrounds in an environment where they can be monitored. After this they will be released onto the greater reserve. They will continue to be monitored with the aid of the tracking collars. A staff member will now be responsible for recording any kills they make and what areas of the reserve they are frequenting. Should we find they are struggling to adapt to their new home and are unable to kill sufficient prey, we will assist.

8. What is the feeding process?

Cheetah need approximately 3kg of fresh meat every day. This is not to say they need 3kg everyday but can eat 9kg in one sitting and only eat every three days. At the moment we are supplying their food in the form of springbok that have been harvested from the reserve.

We feed one springbok carcass every three days into a camp within their boma. This camp is small and can be closed off from the larger boma in the event we need to closely monitor the cheetah. When we feed we blow a whistle to habituate them to the idea that the whistle means food. Should we need to feed them on the greater reserve at some point this will assist in alerting them to the fact that we are bringing them a carcass. It also prevents them from expecting food from any of the farm vehicles.

Abigail says, “The cheetah are very comfortable with human presence on foot. We are thrilled about this – we prefer not to off road in the Karoo environment where plants take years to recover. This means that once the cheetah are located, guests can leave the vehicle with their guide and view the cheetah on foot from a distance not closer than 15 meters. We will unfortunately have to restrict viewing on foot to guests older than the age of 16.”

Due to shifting tectonic plate movements and change in climate patterns, the Great Karoo is home to a well-preserved ecosystem that spans millions of years. This has led to many discoveries of ancient fossil beds and also insight into early human lifestyles. The Great Karoo is host to an incredible history, unique culture and evidence of early civilisations. Roam Private Game Reserve offers the ideal place for adventurers, explorers and those simply looking for a tranquil place of relaxation. With a focus on conservation projects and protecting the ‘veld, visitors to Roam can delight in the knowledge that their stay is one that focusses on eco-tourism.

Walkers Bush Villa Game Drive Leads to Sunset Dam Leopard Sighting

The slight and slender Sunset Dam leopardess moves with ease and grace through the low-lying shrubbery of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The blackness of the night has been swallowed up by the eerie light of dawn, and there’s little doubt that she used the cover of darkness for pursuit of potential quarry. When the harsh first light of morning stabs through the typical mist covered dawn hours of the bushveld, the cool atmosphere together with its fractions of light, will soon be swallowed up by the penetrating sunlight. With the lightning fast change from dawn to day, it means that Sunset Dam won’t have much time left before the blinding sun blankets her being and forces her to seek shelter in order to conserve her energy. Using the last bit of cool air and emerging light, Sunset Dam moved through the landscape with intent – and it wasn’t to find a comfortable spot in a drainage line to sleep. Sunset Dam seemed to be highly focussed on following the scent of a male leopard!

Top-notch guide Brett Horley and renowned Kruger photographer Em Gatland were the lucky ones. While on drive with the exclusive Walkers Bush Villa, both Brett and Em witnessed Sunset Dam’s early morning antics, which included everything from failed hunting attempts to clumsy tree-smashing accidents and curious strolls around the game viewer.

Em Gatland said, “Sunset Dam was very active this morning. She was on such a mission but we managed to spend a good solid 30 minutes with her. It seems like she was sniffing out a male that had been scent marking trees and shrubs. She was intent on finding him ! While she was on the move she casually pounced on a scrub hare, but it was a failed attempt. She actually ended up smashing into a knobthorn tree which provided us with a couple of laughs. After all this, she then decided to chase a small francolin which led to nothing. Then the vocalising began. I’ve never heard such a deep, guttural rasping bark like that from such a small leopard. Her vocalisations were powerful. Shortly before crossing over into a neighbouring property, Sunset Dam cruised around the vehicle and was super chilled as she walked in front of us!”

When the midday heat crashes down on the landscape, leopards normally find a comfortable spot in the shade. These stocky rosette patterned cats expend plenty of energy when they engage in standard leopard activities that includes anything from hunting prey to patrolling turf and more. During the heat of the day they need to conserve their energy so that they are strong for the cooler parts of the day which are preferable for more energetic activities.

During the day you’ll spot leopards hiding out in drainage lines, find them lazing around in elevated positions on termite mounds, sunning themselves while straddling the forks of a tree and even resting on rocky outcrops. Sunset Dam, in this sighting, was exhibiting textbook leopard behaviour. She appeared playful and was clearly testing out her ability to conduct opportunistic explosive hunts while on the move at the sign of first light. This is why game drives start so early in the morning !

Sunset Dam leopardess is in the region of 3 years old which still makes her quite a young leopardess. She’s often spotted in the neighbouring Klaserie Private Reserve and on our traverse within the Timbavati. Leopards normally begin their solitary lifestyle at roughly 18 – 24 months, and even then they will hang around on the periphery of their mother’s territory. In the beginning stages of their newly solitary lifestyle a young leopard will often return to its mother to conduct hunts together. This Sunset Dam leopardess has only just entered into her into independent lifestyle and we hope to watch her flourish within this section of the Timbavati.

Stay tuned for more leopard and lion updates from the Timbavati. You’ll be seeing and hearing a lot more from leading guides at Walkers, videographer Rogan and photographer Em as they take on the Timbavati and document drives with the exclusive Walkers Bush Villa.

Lion Cubs and Leopards in the Balule Nature Reserve

The Balule Nature Reserve seems to be on a winning streak when it comes to lion cub sightings. Spotting healthy lion cubs within a reserve is always a momentous occasion worthy of celebrating. Coupled with the new life emerging from under the shrubbery, the sleek leopards are also making an appearance in the Balule on a regular basis. The Balule is fast becoming big cat kingdom, and it’s worth adding the reserve to your list of big five safari destinations.

The Balule forms part of the Greater Kruger and rests on the periphery of the Kruger National Park and other private reserves. The borders are unfenced which means wildlife can roam freely throughout. This big five reserve is possibly lesser-known than its more marketed counterparts, but that in itself is a highlight. The Balule enjoys spectacular sightings and is an uncrowded reserve. Ezulwini River Lodge and Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge lie in the heart of the Balule, and offers its visitors a wide variety of accommodation options in lodges with unique communal spaces (we’re talking skywalks, elevated resting spots under trees and private plunge pools).

Back to the discovery of lion cubs.

We’ve shared information about the dominating presence of the famous Machaton males that are spotted regularly while out on game drive. Their history denotes a timeline that is tumultuous. They are true warriors, willing to fight for a kingdom. A couple of years ago, the heavyset and powerful Mohlabetsi coalition ruled-the-roost on Ezulwini’s traverse and it was believed that only supreme and brave Kings would dare try to oust the menacing Mohlabetsi.

Cue entry of the Machatons.

After a turbulent time and fighting for the throne, the Machatons eventually took the Mohlabetis territory. The Kudyela lionesses, a pride of females spotted on Ezulwini home ground, saw potential in the Machatons. After a considerable amount of time, one of the Kudyelas eventually gave birth to a litter of 4 cubs sired by the one of the Machaton emperors.

We were hoping this day would come. And when it did, Angele Rouillard was there with her camera snapping away at any opportunity to document the presence of these adorably bumbling parcels of joy. The cubs are healthy and thriving in the Balule.

Cubs normally remain in the den site for 2/3 months; after which they will be introduced to the rest of the pride. Lionesses will stay with their natal pride for life, while the males will eventually move off and start their nomadic lifestyle of seeking out land and females.

We move from the lion cub sightings to the Balule leopard sightings. In the past we’ve been rewarded with sightings of the blue-eyed boy Chavaluthu and even the Van Wijk’s female; but there are two new recruits in town – exquisite sisters, Thuli and Nyanke. Both these beauties were born in early 2016 and we certainly cannot wait to see more of these slender cats.

From lion cubs to leaps of leopards, the Balule is certainly enjoying a wealth of game viewing at the moment.

We Found Lions on Foot During Our 3 Day Kruger Walking Trail

Despite the torrential downpours and unpredictable weather bestowed upon us by moody Mother Nature, our scheduled 3 day walking trail in the Greater Kruger’s Maseke Game Reserve went ahead as planned. This weather is not atypical to the Kruger during the summer months and this time of year we’re at the tail end of summer, so the weather can be ominous at times. However, this certainly doesn’t deter our wildlife. We enjoyed an absolute highlight of a sighting – we discovered lions while on foot! Who cares about one day of bad weather when you get to observe lazy lions succumbing to their full stomachs from a recent kill.

Being on foot means we are constantly in the right place at the right time. Expert trails guide Luan set out on Thursday to lead the walking group through the undulating Maseke Game Reserve in search of wildlife. Many lessons were learnt en route and plenty of laughs were shared.

Photographer Em Gatland joined the intrepid crew to document their journey and share a few highlights from our bi-weekly 3 day walking trail. Tracking animals on foot while retiring to a different scenic location each night and being waited on hand-and-foot by qualified staff offers the best of three worlds – adventure, comfort and wildlife.

Day 1 : Hear Us Roar

The first day at camp included the standard arrival procedure. Arrive, kick back, unwind and relax. Depending on the group, weather conditions and general consensus; a choice is made to either walk or enjoy an evening game drive. The group opted for a game drive which proved to deliver ample wildlife sightings of elephants, crocodiles and bounding plains game.

The real excitement came when the adventurers returned to camp.

While discussing life in general around the crackling campfire and hungry embers, the lions began to contact call. When dinner was served an implausibility of wildebeest appeared to be disgruntled and were going mad around the outskirts of camp. In the early hours of the morning the group heard the unmistakeable sounds of a lion pride taking down prey. From the sounds it was clear the the incident was close to camp.

Day 2 : Getting Close to Slumbering Lions

At 5:30 the walkers headed out into the undiscovered bushveld. This was circa 2 hours since the lions had made the kill, so Luan decided to try locate them using his tracking skills combined with knowledge of the pride’s behaviour from the previous day. Luan headed straight for the thick bush ensuring great care and safety was taken at all times. Photographer Em said, “It was quite an adrenalin rush heading into the mopane woodlands to find the lions!”

Luan found fresh tracks and, lo and behold, the lions were found ! The cats were completely flat and had full bellies. Em couldn’t get the best visual while on foot because the lions were shrouded in greenery and refused to rise from their slumbering positions.

That evening after walking 6 – 8 km in the wild the evening game drive was a welcome relief. Yet again more wildlife was spotted proving that the Maseke Game Reserve truly has earned its social media hashtag, #MasekeMagic!

Day 3 : Spotting a Spitting Cobra

The second day of walking delivered even further interesting sightings with an unusual encounter with a Mozambique Spitting Cobra. Luckily Luan was leading the walkers and spotted this agitated youngster from a distance. Em was close enough to take a quick photo, but she avoided getting too close.

The day saw the group learning about the small things in the ‘veld. Old bones and skulls from recent big cat kills were discovered. Luan discussed the many uses of the surrounding vegetation and the group managed to spot four elephant herds frolicking in the deep waters.

Shortly before returning to camp the weather showed its more temperamental side and warned everyone that the following day might not go as planned (that’s what we call an adventure!).

Yet again, the lions were calling throughout the night.

Day 4 : The Wrath of Mother Nature

As predicted, Mother Nature decided that she’d had enough of our incredible sightings so she opened the thunderclouds and let the rains down in Africa replenish the landscape! It was all part of the adventure.

We hope this gives you a clearer understanding of what our 3 night, 4 day Africa on Foot walking trail in the Maseke Game Reserve entails. We can’t always guarantee the type of sightings we had last week because each trail is different. but we can guarantee a unique walking and wildlife experience deep in the heart of the Kruger!

Showcasing the Timbavati’s Pachyderms and Bovids

In conjunction with the prehistoric rhino, the Cape buffalo and African elephant are the big five’s colossal herbivores. Found in abundance in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, our buffalo and elephant sightings make up the bulk of our big game sightings on our traverse. Both buffalo and elephant have a penchant for pure water and are often found congregated around waterholes indulging their favourite past time – wallowing, swimming and replenishing their thirst.

The major waterholes on the Walkers Bush Villa traverse seem to be a favourite spot for buffalo. A recent sighting included a huge breeding herd of bovids casually lapping up water, and private guide Brett managed to get up close with the herd. Buffalo are bulk grazers and therefore need to drink on a daily basis. Together with the necessary water intake due to ingestion of rough vegetation, buffalo will also wallow in shallow waters to cool down their systems.

In order for the herds to travel from one area in an open plain towards a waterhole they need one of the herd members to lead them in the right direction. This appointed leader is called the pathfinder and isn’t necessarily the older more dominant one within the herd. While out on drive your private guide might follow the pathfinder while the buffalo are the move – it’s bound to end up somewhere exciting.

Brett managed to locate the herds and track them to the waterhole where many moments were spent observing the young bulls coating themselves with mud and the youngsters tentatively testing the water’s edge.

Elephants are a constant source of entertainment in the Timbavati and the huge herds are consistently spotted lumbering their way through the reserve in search of edible greens and unspoilt sources of water. They provide guests at Walkers with scenes of grey jumbos using their trunks as snorkels, calves stumbling at waterholes and young bulls constantly sparring with one another in an attempt for dominance. This particular morning game drive in the Timbavati delivered a fair share of pachyderm sightings and Brett managed to angle the vehicle so that guests could get up close and personal with elephants !

March Rangers Review : The Wild is Heaving with Cats and Dogs

We’re onto our second edition of the Rangers Review but we’ve have been somewhat delayed due to the interruption of holidays and the Easter weekend. We figure you don’t mind waiting, provided we supply a wealth of images and updates from our side! From our remote Botswana camps to our easily accessible Kruger camps, lions and wild dogs appear to be the common denominator throughout. This makes sense given that we are approaching the African wild dog’s sedentary denning period; and that the late summer brings plenty of new births into the wild which increases prey density.

Without further ado, here is our catch up session !

RAW Botswana, Motswiri Camp

Motswiri camp hosted an educational with a number of agents that enjoyed a whirlwind journey into the Trails of Botswana route. Our videographer/photographer Rogan Kerr joined the journey and documented the safari. The height of emerald season is when the rains pelt down and replenish the landscape, creating carpets of greenery and overflowing waterholes. The educational tool place during this green season, and despite the thickets being dense, game viewing was at an all time high!

Here are Rogan’s favourite sightings from the month :

Wild dogs outside of camp.
A coalition of full bellied male lions sitting with their roan kill.
A pair of giraffe bulls engaging in a sparring match.
Witnessing the Selinda Spillway beginning to flow again !

Tuskers Bush Camp and Xobega Island Camp

Tuskers and Xobega also form part of our Trails of Botswana route, and agents enjoyed a stay at both camps. Yet again, Rogan was on hand to document the educational. There were quite a few dramatic landscape scenes in both the Okavango Delta and the Kwatale Conservancy.

Here are the highlights of the month :

Watching elephants from the comfort of camp at Tuskers. They tend to frequent the waterhole at camp and with the waterhole full to the brim from recent rains, it’s that much more attractive to the pachyderms.
Ample sightings of spoonbills and other wading birds, which makes sense given the increase in water in the Kwatale.
Xobega was the scene of many incredible sunsets due to looming thunderstorms and endless skies.

Ezulwini Game Lodges

We hop across the borders from Botswana and back to the Kruger. This lodge in the Balule has been bustling with activity over the past month. The River Lodge’s standard rooms have been revamped with new builds and new decor. While that was happening in the background, the wildlife was putting on quite a show in the Balule. Apart from the general plains game, it seems that the highlights really have been the sightings of lions.

Ranger and camp manager Angele called out these recent sightings as a favorite Ezulwini :

One of the Kudyela lionesses and her 3 cubs.
Regular sightings of the 2 Machaton males, which would make sense given that they have sired cubs with the Kudyelas.
Contact calling and witnessing the Machatons on patrol in the Balule.
The Kudyela lionesses have been spotted on a regular basis.
The lion sightings were interrupted with a leopard lazing and straddling in the fork of a tree
Sightings of two leopards, Thuli and Nkanye, proved to be an added bonus to the bounty of cat sightings in the Balule.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

Our photographer/videographer Rogan is based at Africa on Foot, and when he’s not traveling to remote parts of Southern Africa on assignment, the Klaserie becomes his backyard. Ranger Chade has been quite active this month in terms of providing us with updates, and together with Rogan they’ve come across a number of remarkable sightings.

These are our ranger’s favorite sightings from the month :

Ranger Chade’s highlight was spotting the Sunset leopardess and her cub on more than one occasion.
The Mbiri male lions devouring an elephant kill after stealing it from the River Pride
Ross Pride lionesses feasting on a recent kill
Rogan mentioned the sighting of the wild dogs relaxing at the waterhole post a recent kill
Hyena arguing and causing a racket over who-gets-what at the site of a carcass
10 lions making a kill outside nThambo Tree Camp in the dead of the night

Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails

The wilderness trails have resumed and it’s all systems go for the walking team! Currently it’s pretty wet out there, but a plan is being made and it’s all part of the adventure of going on a walking safari. Photographer Em Gatland has joined the team and when she’s finished her trail, we will showcase her images.

In the meantime, here are the highlights :

Spotting lions hiding in the undergrowth. Guests and guide were at a safe distance and observed the cats from far.
Seeing an increase in snakes, and watching a cobra and boomslang seeking shelter from the rains.

Chacma Bush Camp

Lions are, once again, a dominant feature at Chacma. There’s certainly no shortage of elephant and other big game sightings but these are pretty much viewed on an almost daily basis.

Thus far, the general consensus is that the highlights for rangers have been the abundance of both big cats and wild dogs.

There were a few sightings of the African wild dog in the past month, and there appear to be a small pack of 3 that have crossed over from a neighbouring reserve.
A fleeting sighting of a leopard proved to be a highlight of the Easter weekend !
The Chacma are used to spotting 3 prides of lions, with the dominant males being the Maseke males. There are another 6 new males on the traverse that are smaller and younger than the dominant Maseke males.

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