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Honour Among Thieves: Leopard Steals Cheetah’s Kill

When Friday rolled around we said goodbye to the week and could not have predicted the fortuitous events that occurred in the Klaserie over the weekend. It is amazing how a hint of rain can shift the dynamics in the bushveld. The plains game, water-loving bovids and pachyderms are indulging in the spoils of the recent rains. The new rains bring with it a fresh burst of flora and infusion of colour into the dreary bushveld; and with it there are births a plenty.

A profusion of new life in the Klaserie is upon us. With so much herbivore activity and “little ones” weaving through thickets and frolicking in open areas, it means our big cats are on standby for easy meals. Our powerful, stealthy and seductive cats lie in wait and observe the innocent enjoying their life.

Two such cats, the cheetah and leopard seized the opportunity to take down prey this weekend. So much food about – what to do, what to do. A graceful female cheetah put in the time, effort and work and was rewarded with a hearty meal after a successful hunt. Our young leopardess, White Rock, being somewhat of an opportunist, decided that the female cheetah should be dislodged from her meal. With her conniving thieving antics, White Rock stole the cheetah’s kill.

Guests at both Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp managed to see the cheetah while they were out on game drive. The cheetah hadn’t conducted her kill yet, but when photographer Kevin arrived at the scene after the guests had left, he noticed her feeding on succulent morsels. Later on, during the evening game drive, guests spotted White Rock feeding on what was the cheetah’s kill! It is clear this graceful and masterful leopardess had stolen the kill from under the cheetah’s nose.

When a cheetah conducts a kill, it tries to eat its quarry as quickly as possible to avoid theft from other carnivores. They don’t like confrontation and have no strength to overpower more solid carnivores and other cats. A cheetah will disappear as quickly your bank balance over the festive season if confronted.

Cheetah use their balance, agility and speed to conduct kills but when it comes to strength – that’s for leopards. There’s a moral code in the bush, honour among thieves if you will. The stronger cat may steal the prey. In this case, White Rock took the gap and snuck off with the meal. Cheetah’s are not above thieving and nor are leopards.

Here are the key differences between the leopard and cheetahs feeding and hunting techniques :

Speed – Cheetah : Cheetahs can reach speeds of up to 110 – 120 km/h and their tail acts as a rudder when high speeds are reached. They can only sustain their top speed for a few hundred metres, which is why they have to stalk until they are in close proximity to their quarry.
Strength and Surprise – Leopard : Leopards are incredibly powerful cats and have the ability to hoist prey heavier than themselves up into trees. During the hunt the stalk is the major part of the play. Leopards get within 10 metres of their prey and then pounce. They prey is grappled to the ground.
Savouring the Meal – Leopard : Because leopards can hoist their prey out of the way of other predators, they’ll stash their kill in a tree for safekeeping. This means they can feast on the kill for days and make the meal last.
Eating Quickly – Cheetah : Cheetah have to eat their meal quickly because they don’t have the power to fight of scavengers and their competition. They eat on the ground, which makes meal time risky.
Fussy – Leopards and Cheetah : Leopards are quite fussy and will pick off hair, feathers and discard innards. They’ll bury the innards to mask the scent of a fresh kill. Cheetah are extremely fussy and discard much of the carcass in favour of the clean meat.

Two cats, one meal and honour among thieves. The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve never fails to impress us with big cat sightings.

Lionesses Prey on Stillborn Elephant Calf

This was one of those wildlife sightings, which tugs sharply at the heart strings, and leaves you breathless with disbelief. It’s awe-inspiring and staggeringly sad all at the same time, and we have to remind ourselves that we are exceptionally lucky to bear witness to the wild and untamed natural world in the Kruger Park. In the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, the well known Ross Breakaway lionesses were spotted on a scent trail, which was soon discovered to lead to a distressed mother elephant pacing around her stillborn calf. The predators had found themselves an easy meal, if they could just get passed the agitated elephant cow…

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp guests watched the scene unfold, mesmerised by the interaction between two of Africa’s most iconic and loved creatures, clutching their hearts when the sorrow became too much, naturally sympathising with the elephant mother who was torn between chasing the lions off her stillborn baby, and shooing the vultures away in an angry stampede. The undertakers of the bushveld perched, hunched over, in the surrounding trees, patiently waiting for an opportunity to descend on the still perfectly intact elephant calf. The scent of the afterbirth must have attracted the vultures and the lions, but they got more than they bargained for when the source of the scent was revealed: a whole carcass was now the object of interest.

Elephant calfs are cherished by the entire herd, an addition to the bloodline, born into a family of aunts, cousins, mothers, and nieces, not to mention the young males who will eventually leave their natal herd in search of a life of their own. Recently, we arrived on the scene soon after an elephant birth and witnessed the celebration surrounding the new calf’s arrival. Trunkfuls of dust and dirt were tossed into the air, and the wobbly baby was gently caressed by its mother and others. This time, we were shown an equally natural, yet devastating side of life. The rest of the herd was beginning to move off and while the new mother and her previous calf remained with the tiny stillborn body. We must have missed the birth by a good few hours, but the mother was determined not to give up on her youngster, after carrying him in her womb for 22 months, and she fiercely defended it against both the vultures and the lions. Her older calf was trying to suckle from her, sensing she was lactating after giving birth to her stillborn calf.

She charged at the vultures, and then back to the carcass to chase the opportunistic lions away. While photographer Kevin MacLaughlin was on the scene, he observed she constantly covered herself in dirt and would then charge at the scavengers in an impressive cloud of dust making herself seem even bigger and more intimidating. It was a raw and seldom seen sequence of events that we couldn’t have predicted we would see. Knowing how emotional and intelligent elephants are, and having watched their behaviour over many years, our hearts were heavy as we watched her slowly give up on her babe.

Later on as evening game drive commenced, the lionesses were found round-bellied and fully satisfied, and the mother elephant was nowhere in sight. The predators had feasted, and the vultures were growing ever closer to their patiently awaited reward. Sometimes nature is nothing less than tragic for us humans, as our sensitive sides get the better of us, but this was something most of us will never see again, and we have to count ourselves lucky to have been exposed to some of nature’s most primal performances.

Week in Pictures : 100% Perfect Images for Black Friday

Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving in the United States and marks the beginning of the festive season shopping period. The Black Friday seems to have crept it’s way into mainstream media and is making its way across many other countries, including South Africa. This week, for our “Week in Pictures” we’re not offering any major deals or discounts, but rather we’re offering 100% perfect images for Black Friday. Yes, no crashing websites, no bumper -to-bumper traffic – just pure viewing pleasure – ALL FOR FREE!

It is rumoured that the reason for Black Friday is because of the moving from red ink to black ink within the retail sector. Let us explain. Around Thanksgiving time, there’s a massive increase in sales which means retailers move from profit loss to gain. In accounting terms one moves from the red to the black. This is one of the many and most plausible explanations for “Black Friday”.

Yesterday, Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp experienced a bout of rain. This is the second time we’ve had rain over the past few weeks, which is excellent news for our fauna and flora. Our parched soils are crying out for water, so with each bout of water we rejoice!

The guest appearance award of the week goes to the sighting of the White Rock female leopard. The Mapoza males were also seen during the course of the week – but that’s not unusual for camps to spot the Kings. White Rock? While that’s unusual considering sightings of her have been quite rare since March this year. Interestingly enough, she was actually seen with another male leopard. We speculate they were probably mating!

Other than that, there have been prolific sightings of buffalo, elephant and plains game. We suspect the species that need to drink on a regular basis are enjoying the sheets of rain and freshly replenished vegetation.

Our Botswana camps, Xobega Island Camp and Tuskers Bush Camp, have just undergone a recent refurb and are most certainly looking fit for royalty with their simple take on safari luxury. The waterhole in front of Tuskers Bush Camp is a huge drawcard for a variety of wildlife. Our resident camera trap has certainly revealed an interesting mix of sightings. Xobega is surrounded by the Okavango Delta filled to the brim with hippos, crocs and a deluge of birds.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge, our haven in the Sabi Sand never fails us in terms of predator sightings. The highlight of the week, apart from the abundance of our bovids and pachyderms, is the appearance of Kaxane. A while ago we introduced you to Kaxane, a powerful male leopard and evident newcomer to Umkumbe. About a month back there was a fight between Kaxane and Mxabene, leaving Max riddled with scars and battle wounds. Let’s see what Kaxane has in store for us this week!

Ezulwini Game Lodges had a memorable sighting of Chavaluthu the blue-eyed boy of the Balule. He was in the company of a leopardess, which added to the game drive excitement!

Indulge in the Island Life in Botswana

Hazy sunsets, turquoise mirages and sugar-white sand is what comes to mind we talk about island life. But now it’s time to scrap that stereotype and formulate a new image of what island life in Africa is about. The island life we’re referring to is rare, mystical and filled with wildlife wonder and it all unfolds before your eyes in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The Delta is a network of pristine waterways where the naturally fluorescent light from the sun ensures the waters look there are Swarovski crystals bouncing off the surface. African island life lies deep in the heart of the Okavango Delta!

Dotted throughout the Delta are various islands, one of which is home to Xobega Island Camp, an authentic camp hugged by lush greenery. A complicated myriad of channels surround the island and the various inlets are home to a wealth of wildlife.

So, just what is Botswana island life like? It’s about drinking in the sunset, indulging in boat cruises, sitting around the campfire at night listening to hippos honking and relaxing in the day while the unmistakable call of the Fish eagle beckons you to the water’s edge. It’s falling asleep at night while you hear the gentle ripples lapping at the shore and knowing that an entire freshwater world exists under the peacefulness of the mysterious waters.

At Xobega Island Camp the sunset cruises are the prime focus of your time at camp and game viewing is always at the helm of things. While you gently meander through channels and open spaces, you’ll see pied kingfishers, marabou storks and yellow-billed spoonbills. There’s an abundance of birdlife eager to show off their colourful plumage and enviable fishing skills. And when you tire of the twittering, there’s always the large pachyderms wading across the river and hugely territorial displays from hippos.

While you crack open a cold beer, look across to the lilypads and the sneaky crocodiles gliding their way closer to your boat. The waters of the Delta – that’s where the magic happens.

When you return to the island, you’ll sit around a perfectly crafted fire. In front of you the fire burns and behind you the waters soothe that weary soul of yours. Settle into a home cooked meal with your fellow guests and chat about the day’s sightings while you’re waited on hand and foot.

The rest of the night? Well that’s entirely up to you – just don’t wander down to the water’s edge alone…

Week in Pictures: A Feast for the Eyes

First of all, happy Friday one and all! It’s already a good day, and can only be made better by this long list of some of the best wildlife photography to come out of our Kruger and Botswana safari lodges this week. It’s been a cracker all round, with predator sightings from top to bottom, African giants feasting on new summer greens, amazing flying ants and bull frogs emerging after the Kruger rains, and those fantastic herds of herbivores indulging in the presence of grass.

Photographer, Em Gatland, is currently on assignment in Botswana where she is travelling between Tuskers Bush Camp and Xobega Island Camp, traversing the Moremi Game Reserve as she trundles one of the most majestic landscapes of the country. A pride of lions with sleepy cubs in tow were spotted relaxing at the foot of a tree, making up one of the top sightings of the day, as guests took the usual transfer between the two camps.

In the Kruger, our Sabi Sand safari lodge, Umkumbe, offers some of the best leopard viewing in the Kruger, and this week was no different with a fantastic sighting of Mxabene male leopard taking down a waterbuck! Up in the Klaserie, a predator safari was the order of the day one morning when guests at nThambo Tree Camp got the Mapoza male lion on a buffalo kill, and after that, a pack of wild dogs only moments after landing an impala!

Here are the highlights of the week, from exquisite sunsets, zebras in black and white, lions by night, and birds in gorgeous light. Welcome to our Friday photography special with the Week in Pictures: A Feast for the Eyes!

Africa on Foot, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger

Umkumbe Safari Lodge, Sabi Sand Wildtuin, Greater Kruger

Tuskers Bush Camp, Kwatale Conservancy, Northern Botswana

Xobega Island Camp, Okavango Delta, Northern Botswana

nThambo Tree Camp, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger

Ezulwini Game Lodges, Balule Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger

John Chase Safaris, Mobile Safaris in Botswana

Umkumbe Leopard Action: Mad Max Makes a Kill

Mxabene patrols his turf around Umkumbe Safari Lodge with the swagger of king and relaxed confidence of a born leader. This tom cat reminds us of an ancient ancestor that rule over the surrounding lands. Max, as he is fondly known, protects his turf with vigour and wards off any intruders with ferocity, true to the nature of a mysterious leopard. Over the past few weeks the Umkumbe team have seen him relaxing under the thickets, completely unfazed with the presence of game viewers. Despite his seemingly relaxed position, if there was a sense of danger, Max would pounce faster than Flash Gordon attempting to save the world.

Over the past couple of days, Max provided Umkumbe guests with an action packed sighting. Nadia Bester supplied us her version events accompanied by her award-winning photographs, yet again.

On Tuesday evening we watched Max assuming a rather statuesque position on the edge of a drainage line. There appeared to be a kill just below where he was relaxing and he eventually moved down to enjoy his meal.

When leopards conduct a kill they’ll normally escape up a tree to stash their hard-earned meal for safekeeping if they feel harassed by scavengers and other opportunistic predators. Clearly Max felt no immediate threat, so simply kept the kill out of sight while taking a breather from his hunt, during which plenty of energy is used. Make no mistake, although relaxing he was on high alert while guarding what was potentially a delightful carnivore feast.

On Wednesday morning the hyena clans stole the kill. Max waited patiently in the wings, eyeing out the scavengers. Eventually the hyenas moved off and Max took back what was rightfully his. Unlike lions, leopards make their meals last a few days and hoard their prey, whereas lions will gorge themselves. Leopards have the capacity to drag kills heavier than themselves up into trees for safekeeping, whereas lions cannot do not possess such agility.

On Wednesday evening, Max was spotted hoisting the waterbuck into the fork of the tree, ensuring that his hard earned was not going to be stolen for the second time around.

Max, as he is fondly known, is our very own action hero. He made the kill, saved the kill and rescued the kill! Waterbuck don’t have the best tasting meat – their skin secretes an oily solution which is rumoured to give the meat an off taste to predators. But being opportunistic, Max decided that a meal is a meal. Our mad Max is most certainly one of the most loved toms in the area and this two day consecutive sighting of him was one for the books.

nThambo’s Predator Safari with Lions and Wild Dogs!

It’s been a week of merciful drizzle so far in the Klaserie, and this morning as Africa on Foot set out on an award-winning walking safari, nThambo Tree Camp guests headed off in their new Cruiser to see what was on offer for their early game drive. Turns out: a lot! The predators were out in full force, much to our delight, and we ended up with not only one Big 5 beast on a kill, but also some of Africa’s most endangered predators only moments after landing their prey – an unfortunate impala! Take a look at our incredible morning spent with lions and wild dogs out in the Kruger’s Klaserie Private Nature Reserve…

Luan and Isaack took their guests to where they knew the Ross Breakaway lionesses had killed a buffalo, and hoped to find the two females feasting away in the cool early morning weather. What they found was even more exciting than anticipated! One of the Mapoza male lions was devouring the buffalo carcass, after having clearly sniffed out the free meal during the night. It was the larger of the two males, and he was really tucking into the rump of the buffalo; amber eyes aglow and creating a fantastic contrast to the green summer leaves framing his handsome face.

The Mapoza male crunched on the gristle of the buffalo’s rib cage, and laid one giant paw on its hide to keep a grip on the animal as he tugged and shredded its flesh. He had dragged the entire carcass underneath the leafiest tree he could find to hide it from the vultures lurking overhead, awaiting their turn to swoop in. The two lionesses lay, bloated, nearby and watched cautiously as this dominant male hogged their hard-earned prey. The pair of females has come off second best in the past when they have dared to fight for their kill, and it seems as though they have learned their lesson. The second Mapoza male was nowhere in sight, but knowing his usual behaviour, he could have been watching us, unseen, from the shadows.

Guests spent a luxuriously long time admiring the king of beasts, as he groaned into the cavity of the buffalo carcass, panting heavily with the exhausted effort of eating. Finally, Luan and Isaack confirmed with their guests that they were ready to move on and see what else the wilderness held for their morning game drive. After a couple of minutes spent admiring giraffe, kudu, zebra, hundreds of impala, and a small herd of buffalo, Luan was alerted to another incredible predator showdown on the radio: African wild dogs had just successfully hunted an impala!

This is a once in a lifetime sighting for most. African wild dogs are the most endangered large predator in Southern Africa, and they are continuously on the move unless they are resting in between hunting, making them a very special species to see in the wild. Here in the Klaserie, where the protective borders of the Nature Reserve help to conserve many threatened species, wild dogs are able to roam free, offering us some spectacularly lucky sightings of them! When the radio crackled to life and announced that a pack had just landed their prey, Luan and Isaack knew this was going to be a bucket list item check-off for all our guests.

There were 3 pups and 4 adult dogs, and the activity was remarkable to watch. The high pitched audio being exchanged between the pack members rippled through the air, and the pups took over the impala carcass as the adults offered them the bulk of the meal. It is fascinating to watch the youngsters dominate, while the dogs watched over their pups, growing stronger with each nutritious mouthful. It was an entirely different dynamic to the fiery and fierce relationship between lions in a pride. The wild dogs provide for the pups, all for the greater good of the pack. They are highly successful hunters, and can eat at least once a day when the pack is large enough.

While we were focused on the activity at the carcass – pups squealing with excitement as they demolished their kill in record time – two of the adult dogs engaged in a little secret mating! Through the lush, green leaves, a female dog gnawed on a part of the carcass, while her alpha male attempted to mount her. Just in case we needed a little something extra for the morning’s adventure!

Photographing Lion Cubs in Moremi Game Reserve

Photographer Em Gatland spotted lion cubs in the Moremi Game Reserve while enjoying the land based transfer from Tuskers Bush Camp through to Xobega Island Camp in the Okavango Delta. More than just a standard road transfer, this route explores the mopane woodlands, acacia forests, floodplains and lagoons of the Moremi. This is basically an extended game drive that adds a different dimension to the standard transfers between camps.

The Moremi Game Reserve, nominated as one of the best reserves in Africa, is a vast expansive of diverse habitats home to a colourfully hypnotic array of birdlife, abundance of plains game, unforgiving predators, prehistoric looking mammals and misunderstood critters. There are over 500 species of bird, high concentrations of game and plenty of migratory species. These are the prime reasons why the reserve draws many eager visitors and conservationists to its doorstep.

When you stop at a pan while traversing the bushveld, in one single frame you’ll see red lechwe frozen in their position, crocodiles lurking in the background and at least three species of waders fishing for their next meal. Of course, in the background you’ll hear the unmistakeable honking of hippos echoing through the silent landscape. It’s a photographer’s dream and even those armed with the most basic of cameras will take at least one perfect photo.

The Moremi was the first reserve in Africa established by locals and this designation meant that the local people, the BaSarwa and Bushmen were allowed to stay within the reserve.

Within the reserve there are many lion prides, some of which are rogue and others more habituated to vehicles. While photographer Em was bumbling along in the vehicle with other guests, they came across a lioness with three healthy looking cubs. The cubs were suckling and exploring their immediate area which was completely out in the open, giving prime visibility for onlookers!

The lioness clearly felt secure enough to have her cubs out in the clearing – she normally keeps them stashed away from the preying eyes of predators during the vulnerable stage of the cubs. Lion cubs have a high mortality rate in the wild and are helpless when born; hence the need to fully remove herself from the pride.

Cubs are raised by their mothers and the male that sired the cubs has nothing to do with the raising of the cubs – they certainly could never win the “father of the year award”! Because cubs are helpless when born, the mother stashes them in drainage lines or out of harms way in a lair of sorts. The lioness will remove herself from the pride when the cubs are born and will remain there for up to three months while she nurses and watches the cubs.

When the cubs are mature enough, the female will introduce the cubs to the pride. We estimate that these cubs were no more than three months old because they appeared far removed from the rest of the pride, but still together with their mother. She appears to have three cubs, which is the average number of cubs within a litter.

Now that you’re armed with lion facts, it’s time to book your safari with our Tuskers and Xobega camp, complete with a transfer through the Moremi Game Reserve.

Week in Pictures : Wildlife Photos Set to Trump the Photography Poll

The title of this week’s “Week in Pictures” seemed fitting given the recent election results. But we’re not here to discuss politics – our focus is capturing the art of wildlife movement, photographing melodramatic landscapes and filming geographical marvels that would leave David Attenborough’s speechless. Our photographers get the vote this time round and their photography certainly trumps the turmoil of politics. If there was a photography poll, we’re pretty sure these photos would get the vote from our readers!

For us, there is no clear winning shot. Each photo encapsulates something different about the bushveld and its wonder. Serene scenes, hazy dusty pink skies and wild take downs serve to remind us what is important in the world – authenticity, the wild life and the often stark reality of nature. Get away from the buzz, the noise and the anarchy – come stay at one of our camps.

Xobega Island Camp and Tuskers Bush Camp

Tucked away in the middle of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, is the mystical Xobega Island Camp. Recently refurbed, this remote island offers the best of wild game viewing and water safaris. Photographers Jen, Greg and Dan captured many moments through their lens, but the highlight of Xobega was the birding and the sunsets.

This past week, they witnessed a pair of marabou storks mating. A rare and exceptional moment!

Then, cue the arid Kalahari style bushveld crossed with mopane trees and you have yourself the perfect habitat for big cats. This week, we saw the return of the skittish lions.

A male was spotted mating with a lioness and wouldn’t leave her side. A thirsty leopard took to the drainage pipes in search of water and ripped open a pipe. This aloof male leopard has been spotted on a regular basis while out on drive with Tuskers Bush Camp.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

The ever graceful Marula leopardess was photographed descending a tree. The Klaserie leopard sightings have been sporadic and this is probably because of the heavy presence of lions on the traverse. For 4 consecutive days the older Mapoza male lion has been mating with one of the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses. The other lioness was sitting with her buffalo kill for a few days. Obviously the fresh carcass attracted a wealth of hyenas, vultures and other scavengers.

We’ve just heard that the rains are falling heavily in the Kruger! A fantastic sign for the arid bushveld. This would explain the frantic behaviour from our elephants over the past few days. Could they have sensed something was brewing? Either way, the rains will bring with it an emergence of different species.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Leopards Tatowa and Mxabene have stolen the show in terms of their presence on the Umkumbe turf. Both leopards were caught in the act of snoozing – basically doing what leopards do best. Apart from the award-winning big cat sightings, the hyenas have also been out and about. Clans of these laughing species were seen enjoying the fresh water of a waterhole close to the lodge. The Sand River that runs in front of Umkumbe Safari Lodge has seen its fair share of the usual suspects enjoying the riverbed and banks. Waterbuck, elephants, buffalo, nyala and giraffe are just a few of the epic sightings enjoyed this week.

Ezulwini Game Lodges

Lions feasting, elephants playing and scavengers on the prowl for any form of leftovers. This is what you see while on safari with Ezulwini River Lodge and Ezulwini Billys Lodge. The buffalo and hyena have been taking advantage of the water sources – plenty of mud baths for a variety of species. A lone male lion was also spotted patrolling his turf in the dead of night.

Celebrating the Graceful Antelope of Ezulwini Game Lodges

The grazers and the browsers of the Balule Nature Reserve form an integral part of the delicate eco-system of the Kruger. The graceful antelope are often overlooked in favour of larger game, but the role of these even-toed ungulates in reserves is paramount to its success. Antelope are ruminants and use their lower incisors to bite grass, leaves and stems – their herbivore way of life certainly helps to keep the bushveld well-manicured! There are at least 21 species of antelope found within Kruger, with the most common species being the impala.

Antelope are either grazers, browsers or both. The browsers gain most of their daily moisture content from leaves and are thus less dependent on water intake than grazers which need to drink every couple of days. Graceful, gentle and poised, the Balule’s antelope species are more than just food for predators.

Here are a few facts about our more commonly spotted antelope:

Impala

The chickens of the bushveld! Arguably the most commonly spotted species, the impala is part grazer and part browser. Impala live in single-sex herds – ewes have often been seen in herds of up to 100, while bachelors live in smaller herds. Impala often alarm call when there is danger about, alerting other antelope and smaller creatures of the presence of carnivorous predators. Guests on game drive with Ezulwini Lodges are always rewarded with an abundance of impala sightings.

Here are 3 facts about impala:

Impala give birth midday to avoid their newborn being snapped up by predators that are normally active at night. A pregnant impala can actually delay the birth if the conditions are unfavourable!

When confronted by a large predator, impala will scatter in many different directions. This confuses the predator who cannot focus on a single target with all the helter skelter happening.

Impala actually need to drink daily and will use the heat of the midday to approach waterholes. This is when the big cats are lethargic and prove to be less of a threat.

Waterbuck

Waterbuck are, as their name suggests, water dwelling antelope. Ezulwini River Lodge is located on the banks of the river, which means there are plenty of sightings of this species with its intricate markings. Although the waterbuck has many big cat predators, they’re not a favourite meal. Their waterproofing secretions make the meat take on an awful odour.

Here are 3 facts about waterbuck:

They drink water daily and prefer to feed on grasses nestled on the banks of rivers. They eat the greens and grasses that other antelope don’t normally enjoy.

The waterbuck has a shaggy coat and only the males have horns. They’re easily identifiable by the white ring on their rump. They call this the ring from the toilet seat!

Females live in small herds with young males and the older bachelors live a solitary lifestyle.

Kudu

Kudu are the most majestic and graceful of the Kruger antelope. Notoriously skittish and exceptionally alert, kudus are one of the best antelope to see while on safari. Kudu can jump up to 3 metres high and they’re incredibly agile, which is useful when outrunning predators.

Here are 3 facts about kudu:

Bulls live a solitary lifestyle or form loose associations with other bulls. Females travel in related herds of other females and their offspring.

Kudus can actually survive long periods of time without water. Most of their moisture content is gained from wild fruits and nutritious vegetation.

Kudus actually only for up to 7 years in the wild.