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Mapoza Males & Breakaway Lionesses on Kudu Kill

Lion tension continues in the Klaserie! The arrival of the Mapoza male lions sent things into a tailspin in the kingdom of the Trilogy males. Since this pair of unknown lions, now known as the Mapozas, arrived on the block we’ve seen them mating with the Ross Breakaway lionesses, Mabande lying low and then emerging with healing wounds on his flank, and the Trilogy males fighting with the Ross males in the Timbavati. Now, last night during #livebushfeed it was reported from the Africa on Foot vehicle that the Mapoza males were seen picking a fight with the Ross Breakaways!

Yesterday morning, the guides at Africa on Foot and nThambo found the tracks for both the Mapoza male lions, while at the same time the Ross Breakaway lionesses were spotted by student guide, Rey. Well, lions in the flesh are a better sighting than tracks in the sand, so Mike and Bjorn took their guests through to see the lionesses we know and love. We couldn’t have betted on what happened next! As we were enjoying the sighting of the lionesses, the Mapoza males came in in a storm of dust and a ‘cat fight’ broke out between the males and the females. After some serious snarling and squabbling, it dissipated and the lions moved off, but this was not to be the end of the morning’s lion action! The Ross Breakaway lionesses were spotted soon after the fight stalking a kudu bull, and soon enough, it was reported that they succeeded in taking the animal down.

Unusually, the lionesses were very uneasy. One female was found on her own, keeping her distance from the vehicles, but there was evidence of having made the kill on her face. The second lioness was found feeding hungrily, although she was also highly alert. The guides gave them space and took their guests back to camp for breakfast, while photographer and cinematographer, Kevin MacLaughlin, returned to the scene to investigate the strange behaviour.

Lo and behold, the two Mapoza males had arrived and taken over the kudu carcass, chasing the lionesses away from their hard-earned meal. The larger of the two males was feasting, while the smaller, shy one hid in the bushes. Last night on game drive, Mike returned to the scene with his Africa on Foot guests, and they witnessed the same feisty tension between the Mapoza males and the Ross Breakaway females. They stared lethally at one another, and the big Mapoza stood and guarded the kill from the two lionesses.

Klaserie Walking Safari : What to Expect

There are parts of Africa best explored by foot. Discovering the continent with nothing between your feet and the earth, transports you back to the beginning of time. However, it’s not always safe and possible to explore the spoils of this land by foot; unless you join Africa on Foot for a walking safari that will take you back to your roots. In the words of Thabo Mbeki, “I am a child of Africa, Her mountains, open veld, grass and rugged bush remain a big part of who I am. The continent has shaped me and left me believing that there is a little bit of Africa in all of us.”

Africa on Foot is the home of the big five walking safari. An uncrowded reserve peppered with medicinal shrubs and low-lying grasses makes it ideal terrain for walking. The thick mopane woodlands, marula trees and leadwoods provide the perfect scratching posts, edible vegetation and hideaways for herbivores and carnivores alike. Deep within the thickets dwell the big five, who often make an appearance for visitors to the reserve.

The Africa on Foot walks are led by gregarious, friendly and professional guides; who put your safety needs first. They don’t call themselves the A-team for nothing. And yes, they labelled themselves the A-team – and they certainly live up to their namesake!

Em Gatland, one of our wildlife photographers spent time exploring the Klaesrie on foot with the rangers. She produced a series of images that capture the essence and atmosphere of a walking safari.

In the early hours of the morning, at 5:30, a compos mentis ranger will knock on your door for a wake-up call. After coffee and rusks, you’ll head out into the wild bush. Before you set out, make sure you have a few bottles of water with you, as it can get quite warm as the mid-morning sun beats down. It’s not a strenuous walk and although it’s 3 hours, it’s mainly walking through flat, sandy areas dotted with scrub.

The walking routes are well-known and they weave through low-lying thickets and occasional trees. Guides don’t generally take you into heavily wooded mopane areas because you cannot see what’s in front of you. And nobody wants to come face to face with a buffalo bull or pride of lions.

You learn as you go when you’re on a walk. As you stroll past the medicinal plants your ranger will stop to chat to you about the many uses of that particular plant. He may even get you to sample the leaves! You’ll also be quizzed about various tracks and how to distinguish between cats, dogs and ungulates.

So what happens you come across wildlife? Before your walk commences your ranger will explain the rules of walking in the bush. There are a few key elements which should be adhered to – just to ensure everybody’s safety. Key rules are: silence is golden, single file is a must, there should be no sudden movements and you must only communicate via hand signals. This ensures you know what to do when wildlife is approached. For example, rhino have a keen sense of smell and poor vision. You can get up close but cannot move and must remain hidden. Movement, together with the blowing wind, can cause your smell to be detected.

Occasionally you’ll stop when your ranger hears a rustling sound. With excited hand signals he’ll tell you to get down (we hope you can do squats!) and move to an area of safety. Plains game and predators all have different ways of surviving in the wild and your ranger is fully aware of how to cope with confrontations.

Here are five useful things about the wild Em Gatland and others have learnt while out on foot:

Use of Faeces: Interestingly enough, the most useful faeces in the animal kingdom is that of the elephant. An will digest a variety of useful fruit and vegetation during the day and their faeces doesn’t smell! Did you know that lighting elephant dung and inhaling the smoke is said to rid one of a headache? It is also used to repel mosquitos! Because elephants are drawn to the medicinal qualities in plants, the dung can be used for many purposes.

How to Brush Your Teeth: The magic ghwarrie tree is an interesting species. The minute an animal begins to browse on its leaves it will release tannins, making it unpalatable. However, the branches of the tree, if broken off have a delightfully soft end at the tip, which feels just like a toothbrush!

Cure Stomach Disorders: The leaves of the red bushwillow are used for stomach disorders. Browsers such as impala, giraffe and elephant love this valuable fodder. Another plant that cures ailments is the silver cluster leaf, which has a low nutritional value for browsers but the roots are believed to cure diarrhoea and the bark cures poisoning.

How to Avoid Poisoning Yourself: The dreaded Tamboti tree! While not an unattractive tree, it certainly knows how to emit its fair share of poison. Normally something poisonous looks dangerous. The Tamboti doesn’t! The sap from the tree is used in fishing to stun fish – it makes them easier to catch. Don’t use the wood when making a fire, the smoke is toxic and can cause dysentery. You’ll suffer from severe stomach pain if you mistake this tree for something else. Learn to identify it early on in your safari!

Anyway, we certainly hope we haven’t given away too much information. The animal facts we’ll save for the rangers. Join us for a walking safari in the Klaserie and let our rangers teach you how to survive in the wild.

Celebrating Elephants at Africa on Foot

They are the world’s largest land mammals, they are descendants of mammoths, they are the rightful owners of ivory. Elephants have captured the hearts of animal-lovers around the world. They have, unfortunately, been the spectacle of many a circus throughout history, and they have come back from the brink of extinction. These incredible creatures have been documented mourning their dead, and they display emotional intelligence beyond human expectation. How could we not boast about our privileged lives among these African giants? Seeing elephants in the wild is an honour, and to watch them is an enriching experience for anyone. Guests at Africa on Foot received that honour this morning on game drive…

This week at Africa on Foot, our guests have enjoyed watching elephants engage as tussling youngsters, cover themselves in plumes of Klaserie dust, tug at branches, pluck leaves from the trees, and gulp down litres of water through their versatile trunks. The population of elephants fluctuates with the availability of water, as these mammals migrate to stay near water and a good supply of foliage to feed on. During times of drought – like the current drought we are experiencing – we are lucky to water around at Twin Pans, which has been a real hotspot for wildlife lately (see what we’ve caught on camera trap!).

Elephant cows carry their young in their wombs for 22 months – almost 2 years – and there are usually 3 years in between calfs. These precious bundles are cherished by the entire herd, which is normally made up of the mother’s sisters and daughters and pre-adolescent sons. Female elephants are the matriarchs – the oldest (and therefore, the wisest) cow reigns as matriarch until she eventually passes the responsibility onto their eldest daughter. Being the matriarch means leading the herd, knowing where and when to find water, and where to find food during a drought.

Male elephants leave their family herds once they reach puberty and go off in search of cows to mate with. These males are also in search of guidance and leadership, and we will often find them as ‘askaris’, hanging around a big old bull who will pass down his teachings to the young males embarking on life on their own. Sometimes, breeding herds with small calfs are uneasy and protective over their babies, so getting close to them is out of the question. It is in times like these that we can appreciate the relaxed attitudes of old bulls who have spent many 10s of years in the Kruger, and allow us to get close enough to admire him in detail. There is always time to celebrate the great, African elephant.

The Okavango Delta at Sunset with Xobega Island

The modern day in which we live requires adventurers and solace-seekers to delve a little deeper to find the silence they search for, and to discover the undiscovered. The pace of life demands efficiency, gets things done, and doesn’t have time for admiring the birds or the sunset. Sometimes, it’s important to get nothing done, and to be absorbed by the unadulterated sounds of nature. There is no better place to relax, unwind, and embrace the simple pleasures in life than at Xobega Island Camp, where sunset boat cruises in the Okavango Delta are part of the daily routine.

Every afternoon, just as the birds are beginning their evening chorus, your guide at Xobega Island Camp carries a clinking cooler box to your waiting motor boat. The grassy island jetty offers a platform from which to climb into the bobbing boat, and cushioned benches offer a place to sit in the shade while the Okavango Delta scenery surrounds you. This wetland paradise is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is a place where birds of every colour fill the reed beds, perch on the bare branches of trees, and nest in the leafy canopies of Xobega Island. Hippos and crocodiles submerge themselves in the cool water, or sun themselves on the emerald banks. Elephants pluck day-lillies from the water, and red lechwe tug at the grass with their grazing teeth.

At sunset, the sky changes from a golden glow into blazing amber, then fire-poker red, and ultimately simmers into a soothing purple. Xobega’s guests toast the setting sun from the cradle of their boat, floating on the wide waters of a Delta lagoon. Hippos exhale visibly and audibly, and fish eagles wail into the colourful sky, completing the perfect moments spent in one of the world’s most celebrated and cherished natural areas.

Week in Pictures: A Calendar of Kruger Leopards

A super predator, a master stalker with acute senses and finely tuned ambushing skills. Welcome to the world of leopards, an aloof and mysterious place where only the strongest of cats survive. Leopards can be found hiding out in drainage lines, watching the world from the safety of termite mounds and trees, or patrolling their newly acquire territories. These slender cats aren’t quite as sedentary as lions, which makes them very tricky to spot. This week, it’s time to celebrate their presence. Considering we’ve had an abundance of sightings during the week across all the reserves, they deserve a bit of air-time.

Each reserve has their dominant cats with unique markings and personalities. Here is our ode to the leopards of Kruger.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

On Wednesday there was a brief but breathtaking sighting of a leopard leaping into the darkness. Recently, the leopard sightings have been plentiful in the Sabi Sand and this week was no different. Stoic male Mxabene was seen on waterbuck kill close to the lodge, Little Bush and White Dam were seen patrolling areas, fine tuning their kill tactics and darting between drainage lines. Tatowa, the young leopardess, planned and executed a kill right in front of guests!

Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge and Ezulwini River Lodge

Chavaluthu, the Balule’s blue-eyed boy, is often seen while out on evening game drives. His reflective blue-green eyes make him one of the Balule’s most recognizable leopards. The Van Wijk’s leopardess, with her sleek body and nonchalent attitude, is another big cat who is making her presence known. Over the past couple of week’s guests had an incredible sighting of the Van Wijk’s leopardess attemping to steal lesser-spotted Manana’s impala kill. The stakes are high when it comes to competing for prey and territory with this species.

nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot

The leopard sightings in the Klaserie are on the increase and firm favourite, leopardess Cleo, has been spotted on a regular basis. She’s unfazed by the presence of vehicles and always remains firm in the limelight.

A couple of days ago an unknown leopardess was spotted with cubs. Seemingly shy and rather coy, she didn’t spend too long hanging around. She is obviously still very protective over her young cubs. They appeared to be on the periphery of Ross Dam’s turf, which makes things interesting – unless it is Ross Dam.

This morning, the Marula female was spotted while out on the daily morning game drive – a great sighting just in time for week in pictures. Other leopards we see are Ross Dam, Zero and White Rock.

Wild Dog Pups Come Out of the Den

The little African wild dogs we’ve been going, well, wild about became a spectacle of ‘ooh’s and ‘aah’s yesterday afternoon as guests from nThambo Tree Camp enjoyed watching them emerge from the den. The 3 adult dogs of the pack were reportedly seen on the hunt a little way away, and when we arrived at the den site we could only see the tops of the pups’ heads as they stayed relatively hidden from site. Luckily, we got to see the arrival of one of the adult dogs, and then an eruption of squeals and squeaks filled the air as the little ones came out to greet him.

The young pups must be close to a month old now because they readily received a chunk of regurgitated meat delivered to them by the male adult dog that had returned from a hunt. After the quick feeding frenzy was over the pups played and frolicked and put on a bit of a show as they enjoyed being outside the den. It was quite remarkable to notice that the dog that returned to feed the pups was a male dog, and not, in fact, their mother. This is typical behaviour among African wild dogs, as all the pack members work to look after the pups. This male dog stayed at the den, relaxing, as the pups entertained themselves nearby.

nThambo’s Camera Trap Secrets: Leopard with Cubs

A rustling was heard in the shrubbery and a flash of mottled tawny seemed to dart between the bushes. The game viewer stopped and its occupants listened acutely. Lo and behold, an elegant leopardess was spotted together with her cubs. The bush was thick and green, but the unmistakeable dark rosettes on her coat “shone bright light a diamond” making it possible to gain visibility. Recently, the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve has been a hotspot for leopard sightings! We managed to take a few photos AND get a sneaky bit of camera trap footage. Bjorn’s camera trap footage shows two leopards in the frame – although a bit shaky and dark; you just don’t get anymore raw and real than this!

The sighting was fleeting and some rangers claim there are three cubs, others speculate two but we can confirm one for certain! This slender, lithe leopard we’re currently listing as unknown. More information is being gathered but we do know that she is on the periphery of Ross Dam female’s turf – is it her? Unfortunately, the sightings haven’t been long enough for us to completely ID her, but the Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp team are on the lookout. Luckily, Em Gatland was on the scene to photograph a few daylight sightings of this exceptional leopardess.

What do we know about female leopards and their behaviour? The more we understand them, the more we can accurately predict their next move. Although this is never a given, we can base everything on past behaviour and observation.

Here’s what we do know about female leopards:

They are excellent mothers and will stash their cubs in shrubbery, caves or somewhere secretive. The cubs actually remain hidden until they’re about 10 months old. If there’s imminent danger in the area, the mother will move them to another area for safekeeping. Is this what was happening with the leopardess in the photos?

When the cubs become older they will accompany their mother’s on a hunt. Here’s where they learn the skills and tactics necessary to stalk and ambush their unsuspecting prey.

Mother and cub/s will inhabit the same territory even up until the cub is 18 months. As the cub becomes a sub-adult, it will hover on the outskirts of its mother’s territory, hunting and fending for itself. Once old enough it will leave in search of its own territory. This often why you see young lone leopards traversing a wide range and getting into trouble with “locals”.

So why are the cubs stashed for such a long period of time? A leopardess has such a short gestation period (90 – 105 days) because she cannot afford not to hunt. Being heavily pregnant means carrying extra weight and leopards aren’t exactly famous for having family support! The cubs are rendered helpless when born and continue to grow for 6 weeks in a safe area.

If you want to see anymore of Bjorn’s camera trap footage please check out the nThambo’s Camera Trap Secrets channel.

Balule Lion Fights & Singwe Pride Mating

Times are a changing for the lions of the Balule, according to news and sightings from Ezulwini Game Lodges… Of late, there has been a fight between some significant males in the area, and the seldom-seen Singwe Pride has made a statement by mating near Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge.

The tension between the Mohlabetsi coalition and Duma has broken over a fight that was reported to have taken place recently. Two of the four males in the coalition fought with Duma – brother of the Mohlabetsi Male and leader of his own pride (also known as Kudyela). The Olifants West lions fragmented a long time ago, and Duma and his brother did not stay together, and now it looks like they have come head to head. The result of the fight is unknown – who won, and who lost? What Ezulwini guides can tell us is that the females and subadults in the prides have scattered since the fight between the male leaders.

Ezulwini River Lodge guides say they see the tracks for the prides on the traverse early in the morning, but by that time the lions have moved east, southwest, and northwest of the traverse. In addition to this new activity, the Singwe Pride has been seen yet again in Ezulwini’s neck of the woods! Last week, 2 females, and a male were seen at River Lodge, and now one mating pair has been seen not too far from Billy’s Lodge. Interesting times in the lives of Balule lions… We look forward to seeing what happens next.

Umkumbe Leopard Catch Up With Ranger Marius

Deep in thickets walks a majestic and proud cat with acute senses, deadly prowess and lethal killing tactics. A loner, a survivor and graceful demeanour like that of royalty; this is the much revered Panthera pardus species. This super-predator possesses so much skill that it creates quite a deadly combination.

The abundance of drainage lines, high concentration of game and potential den sites in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin provide the ideal conditions and habitat for leopards. Umkumbe spots leopards on a regular basis and is certainly no stranger to unique leopard interactions. The masterful stalking and the ambushing of prey is often seen while out on game drive. Just the other day the slender leopardess, Tatowa, was seen with a kill. These types of sightings are not uncommon!

There are a few leopards and leopardesses seen on a regular basis. When territories shift, males wander, new cubs are born and seasons change; we often see an influx of unknown leopards. But, in the meantime, we can safely say we haven’t had any recorded sightings of new leopards in the past few weeks. However, the old favourites have been back.

Marius Zeilinga says, “Mxabane was on a waterbuck kill on the river in front of the lodge. He was actually relaxing and sleeping because his stomach was so full! Then, White Dam was being her normal self hiding out in the bush. She eventually jumped onto a fallen jackalberry tree to have a bit of a stretch. Little Bush appeared to be on the prowl, moving between drainage lines and stalking whatever she could find. She was keeping away from the open areas.”

Xobega Island Camp – Bird-watching Heaven

Botswana has developed an international reputation as one of the world’s finest birding destinations over the years, and for very good reason. The Okavango Delta is a big part of this, with over four hundred of Botswana’s nearly six hundred species occurring here. This is a bird-watching paradise for beginners, enthusiasts and experts alike.

During your stay at Xobega Island Camp, you’ll spend a lot of time exploring the meandering waterways in and around the Gcobega Lagoons which encircle the island, all set about with an extraordinary array of plant and wildlife species. While you’re at it, you’ll be constantly surrounded by hundreds of birds, including a few very special ones known in the birding community as “lifers” (a once in a lifetime sighting). Here’s what to expect:

If you’re lucky enough – and keep your eyes peeled – you might just get the chance to see a Pel’s Fishing Owl. These nocturnal fishing owls are very large – they are the fifth-heaviest in the world in fact. They also have very beautiful red-brown plumage and gorgeous large black eyes. They’re most frequently seen on the wing at night, but if you’re very lucky indeed you might chance upon one roosting during the day.

Other extra-special sightings in this part of the world include the Black Coucal, unique for its dark colouring and the fact that the males and females reverse typical gender roles: males protect the nest and tend to the young, while females move around their territories, producing offspring with several different partners (this is known as polyandry).

Perhaps the most special bird you could see while out on the water is the Pink Throated Longclaw, named for the striking rosy-pink colouring around its neck. This bird is extremely elusive, and usually confines itself to areas thickly overgrown with reed beds and papyrus so that often the only way to see one is to flush it out (and you have to know it’s there first).

The final three “lifers” you could spot around Xobega Island Camp are the African Skimmer, the Wattled Crane, and the African Finfoot. All three of these are not only beautiful, but extraordinarily difficult to find. The Okavango holds some of the Wattled Cranes’ last remaining breeding sanctuaries, too, which adds a little weight to any wild encounter with this bird.

African Skimmers are named for their habit of flying just above the water’s surface, submerging the tip of the lower part of their beak as they feed on the wing. These birds make for spectacular in-flight photographs, and are one of the extra-special species that you’re actually quite likely to see, particularly during early morning or evening excursions.

African Finfoot are a very odd species of bird. Half duck, half cormorant, this shy, strange-looking water-bird keeps to the overgrown edges of waterways and lagoons, often vanishing into the undergrowth if they risk being spotted. Of course you might be lucky enough to see one clamber out of the water, in which case you’ll get to see its bright red feet – the distinguishing characteristic of this peculiar animal.

Aside from these “lifers”, the area around Xobega Island Camp is home to a prismatic array of bird species, from spectacularly graceful acrobats like the Bee-eaters (look out for the Carmines!), to Kingfishers large and small, to Sunbirds, Lapwings, Rollers, Spoonbills and Turacos. You’ll see majestic Goliath Herons perched upon the bank as they stalk their fishy prey, Spoonbills wading in the shallows deftly wielding their improbable beaks, flocks of African Pygmy geese paddling over peaceful stretches of lagoon as vultures move in slow arcs across the sky above.

The Slaty Egret makes its home here too, along with the exquisite Greater Painted Snipe and striking Saddle-billed and Yellow-billed Storks. Visitors to this part of the world have been known to chalk up hundreds of unique sightings in a matter of days, including some of Africa’s rarest and most sought-after birds. And little wonder – the Okavango ecosystem is among the world’s richest and most diverse. The region’s incredible bird-life is one of the things that sets this place apart – and makes it worth a visit.