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Wildlife Seen on Camera Trap Inside nThambo Tree Camp

After the last guests has retired to their luxurious treehouse cabin on stilts, ranger Bjorn and the rest of the nThambo Tree Camp family ensure the lodge is locked-up and everything is secure. Being located in an open camp means there’s all sorts of curious and unpredictable behaviour from wildlife. Certain species love to visit the camp and party when lights go out. They think they the nThambo Lounge is their chill out spot and often come for a quick sniff around. It’s almost as if these cheeky creatures are waiting in the wings for the humans to disappear.

The morning after the creatures of the night left evidence of their partying ways in the lounge and deck area, Bjorn decided to set up a secret camera trap to film the nocturnal antics. This is the first blog post with a quick video of the night and an introduction to our weekly “nThambo’s Camera Trap Secrets“. At this stage, we’ve only got one video to share but we’re building on this, and soon we’ll be delivering fantastic video footage. Bjorn will be setting up the camera tonight and we’re all hoping it captures something unique!

From time to time we’ll move the camera around the inside of the lodge to gain interesting perspectives. Last week we reported the daily diurnal visits from elephant herds and now it’s time to tackle the night time critters!

So, who came to visit? Well, last night saw the return of the honey badgers (obviously), hyena and a lone civet.

The fridges are locked tightly because of the honey badgers and everything is dead bolted. The thing with honey badgers is that they’re intelligent and industrious. They’ll sense an area which is rich with food and approach without any thought to possible danger. They’ve been known to come into the property while guests are lounging around. They disappear swiftly when they realise they’re not alone!

Hyenas are notorious scavengers and successful hunters. They cover a wide range and area constantly on the move in search of carcasses and “free” meals. Hyenas often come to investigate the area outside nThambo.

Civets will pretty much eat anything from mice to frogs and fruit. They are opportunistic scavengers and you’ll often find them outside lodges trying to find food.

Stay tuned for our next instalment of nThambo’s Camera Trap Secrets to find out what happens when you go to bed at night…

The Happy Faces of Africa on Foot

What’s there not to smile about when the Klaserie is your back garden? These toothy smiles belong to some of Africa on Foot‘s most valued staff members, and when photographer, Em Gatland, visited recently she captured their best sides in an impromptu photo shoot on the lodge grounds. Sure, we are missing some key members of the Africa on Foot team, but we couldn’t not share these with you!

Part of the housekeeping team – Ellie, Pretty, and Portia – can be seen very infrequently as they flit around the lodge once guests have left for game drive. Generally chatting away in their musical voices, arms laden with clean towels and linen, these ladies sweep through guest rooms, neaten up, replenish any empties, and let in the light so that when guests return from a morning walking safari, they are welcomed by a newly preened safari chalet!

Yvonne is one of Africa on Foot’s home-style chefs, and her wide smile is permanently worn across her face. From sizzling, seared beef fillet, to crumbly spinach and feta quiches, and heart-stopping cheesecake desserts, Yvonne knows how to please every palate. The menu at Africa on Foot is tasty and diverse, offering something different for every meal, every day of a guest’s stay. Fussy eater? Not to worry, because Yvonne has a line-up of gluten-free, dairy-free, meat-free, or banting-friendly recipes up her sleeve!

“Magic Mike”, as he has become known around camp and among friends, has become a real character at Africa on Foot. The initiator of the #TIAOF Instagram hashtag (stands for This Is Africa On Foot), and one half of the “A Team” made famous on #livebushfeed, Mike is one of the enthusiastic, nature-loving, smooth-talking safari guides our guests meet and love. Guided walking safaris with Mike are always a learning and enlightening experience, while his humour and friendliness make him the perfect dinner host and bush barman after hours!

Ryan arrived at Africa on Foot as a Bushwise student and has certainly grafted his way to the top. Eager to dive right in to the safari life, Ryan was eager to help wherever it was needed, and there is always something that needs to be done at the lodge! After months of hard work and all the guiding practice he could need, Ryan is now a fully-fledged guide and relief manager for both Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp.

Enoch is an Africa on Foot legend. Tracker extraordinaire and the king of dry humour, Enoch has been with Africa on Foot for many years and we wouldn’t dare imagine life without him! When Enoch is guiding a walking safari, best pay attention because he is not scared to test you afterwards. His innate knowledge and 50-something years spent in the Lowveld, make this man is one authentic asset to the Africa on Foot team! Here he is testing his hand at photography… Maybe old dogs can learn new tricks!

Sabi Sand Lion Cubs Put on a Show for Umkumbe Rangers

We think it’s time for another lion pride update from the Sabi Sand. This time we’re not delivering the guts and glory tales of gory kills and blushing moments of lions mating. Today we bring you photos of tawny bundles of lion cubs, specifically the new Sabi Sand lion cubs that have breathed new life into the reserve. They’re so young and fluffy that you’d be forgiven for thinking they’re just big bunches of fleecy yarn rolling about in the wilderness. So, just which pride of lions has given birth to two potential leaders?

The cubs belong to the Charleston males and one of the Southern Pride lionesses. Recently, rangers have spotted the Charleston’s, the cubs, the lioness with cubs and the full Southern Pride, all engaging in different activities. All in a day’s work here in the Sabi Sand! Marius and Nadia, rangers from Umkumbe Safari Lodge, sent us their images to showcase rather memorable moments with these lions.

Here’s the breakdown of Umkumbe’s recent lion pride sightings:

The Downtime

Marius Zeilinga showed his guests a once in a lifetime lion pride sighting. They came across the Southern Pride together with their cubs and the protective Charleston males. They were doing what lions do best – lazing around. Lions sleep for up to 20 hours a day and conduct their more energetic activities, such as patrolling and hunting, during the cooler hours of the night. They were spotted during the day and later in the evening.

The Feast

Nadia and her guests spotted the full Southern Pride feasting off a buffalo kill. The Charleston males and cubs were all enjoying their dinner experience. There’s a definite hierarchy involved when lions sit down to eat. The dominant males eat first, then lionesses and cubs.

The Roaring

The Southern Pride of lions and the Charleston males were very vocal the other night. They were heard contact calling in the dead of night. Lions call to advertise territory and to make contact with other members of the pride. At night, sound travels further because the air is still and things are deadly calm. Luckily, Nadia filmed one of the Charlestons roaring! The true sound of the African bushveld.

Two Leopards and Only One Steenbok at Ezulwini

When there is more than enough to go around, there is no reason to poach another predator’s prey, right? Well, not entirely. These two leopards were only doing what’s natural when we caught them in the act at Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge recently. One leopardess we know as Van Wijk’s female was chasing another leopardess called Manana who had just landed herself a steenbok kill! Leopards are solitary animals, and they compete with one another for territory and prey, so Van Wijk’s saw the opportunity to get an easy meal by intimidating a rival leopard and stealing her kill.

Ezulwini guests had set out on game drive, and after admiring a gregarious group of giraffe and zebra, and a couple of bold baby elephants, the radio called in the sighting of Manana with a steenbok kill. Immediately, excitement filled the air, as the elusive leopard is right at the top of everybody’s safari sightings list! Josh drove his guests to the sighting, as soon enough, he clapped eyes on a second leopard sneaking around in the shadows.

No one could have banked on this lucky sighting, but in the Balule, which is a privately reserve open to Kruger, anything is possible. The second female was soon identified as Van Wijk’s female, which is a regularly seen territorial leopardess. She had picked up on Manana’s scent and was hot on her trail. The cameras came out and guests snapped away as this very lucky sighting unfolded in front of their eyes.

Manana stayed hidden, and as soon as she made a break for it, carrying the steenbok in her jaws, Van Wijk’s female trotted closely behind her. It was fantastic to watch both leopards in the same frame – both desperate to eat, but only one fully deserving of the meal. Manana won out in the end, and settled to feed on most of her kill before deserting the remains of the carcass. Van Wijk’s female gave up the chase and soon slinked off into the thicket, but hopefully we will catch up with her soon!

Klaserie Safari Time Lapse Video

A whirlwind safari recorded on Greg’s ‘dash cam’ as he guides a game drive at Africa on Foot in the Klaserie. A chilly winter’s morning with a bit too much wind last week meant that a game drive was opted for over a walking safari, and Greg mounted his camera to record the bushveld cruise that led his guests to various sightings, including the Ross Breakaway lionesses having a lazy start to the day.

The clouds were rolling in with the icy wind, and the bare winter trees swayed in double time as the time lapse captured the scene from Greg’s point of view. Enoch, Africa on Foot’s tracker, is positioned in the tracker’s seat at the front of the vehicle, bundled up in warm clothes to fight the wind chill as he scans the ground and surroundings for signs of animal movement. After a visit with the Ross Breakaway females, Greg moves on to enjoy some warming coffee and rusks at a spot in the Klaserie bush.

Enoch and Greg pull out the picnic table and attempt to lay the table cloth despite the wind. Flasks of hot water, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate are set out alongside a selection of rusks, which, in South Africa, are a staple accompaniment to your hot beverage! Guests stretch their legs and enjoy a warming cuppa while admiring the unfenced Kruger surroundings before its time to hop back into the game viewer and continue on safari.

Once the stomachs start to rumble, it’s time to return to the lodge for breakfast, followed by a day of leisure in Africa on Foot’s unfenced bush camp and eventually a second game drive – this time, including your choice of sundowner beverages to sip on while enjoying the picturesque sunset!

Umkumbe Leopards: Toms Dominate Recent Sightings

The past couple of weeks on the Umkumbe traverse we’ve certainly not had any reason to shout “girl power”. We normally enjoy a varied mix of both female and male leopard sightings, but recently the toms have dominated the leopard sightings. Males tend to cover a wide range and spend much of their time defending territories and seeking out female companionship. Females tend to cover a smaller range and are drawn to an area because of the potential den sites and density of prey. Both leopards defend territories that are same-sex exclusive, but at the moment the spotlight is on the toms of the Sabi Sand.

Mxabene and Bicycle Crossing have been spotted out on patrol. The toms are aggressively scent marking territories and seeking out females. Ranger Marius and the eagle-eyed tracking team from Umkumbe spotted Mxabene sniffing and scent marking the low-lying scrub. He seemed to be on the move. Luckily the sighting happened in the first light of the morning, making photography somewhat more successful than in the black of night when leopards are the most active.

There were female leopard tracks in the area Max was patrolling, which means he probably picked up the scent and decided to seek out one of our graceful leopardesses. Females leave behind a complex chemical clue in their urine when marking and males will pick up in this and follow the trail.

Bicycle Crossing provided an exquisite, yet somewhat inactive sighting. He seemed to merely pass by and settled into a pattern of sleeping. When he tired of his position he got up and disappeared into the dead of night. Marius lost visual as Bicycle swaggered his way into the vegetation.

Let’s hope we see a bit of female Sabi Sand leopard activity this week – just to keep our leopard sightings in balance!

Week in Pictures : Lions, Leopards and Everything in Between

Welcome to the “Week in Pictures”, a time to celebrate the events of the week. This week, across the board, we’ve seen a marked increase in big cat sightings. That’s not to say we haven’t enjoyed a wealth of other sightings such as plains game, pachyderms and rare creatures. Here’s the update and photos from the week!

Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge and Ezulwini River Lodge

The lazy lions and elusive leopards of the Balule have been spotted on numerous occasions during game drives. Part of the River Pride of lions were spotted in search of their next meal and the Mohlabetsi pride were also seen fighting their way through the scrub. The somewhat elusive leopards provided a fair bit of action in the Balule on Wednesday night. The Van Wijk’s leopardess and another unknown female were spotted. The unknown female was quietly enjoying her steenbok meal when the Van Wijk’s female decided to launch an attack and take the meal for herself! While the large pachyderms, gentle herbivores and poised plains game have been seen regularly; this week in the Balule has been more about big cats than anything else!

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

There’s plenty of action in the Sabi Sand at the moment. Huge herds of elephant have been spotted on the banks of the Sand River, the plains game are nervously running around and the big cats have been quite vocal. Guests and rangers have enjoyed two rare sightings of a serval and pangolin, which is most certainly a highlight of the week. On the leopard front, both the Bicycle Crossing male and White Dam female have been spotted. Bicycle Crossing was enjoying a leisurely break from patrolling and having a quick lie down when a hyena sauntered past for a quick sniff and inspection. White Dam walked alongside the game viewer and posed quite nicely for photographs! Rangers also managed to locate the Charleston male lions relaxing with five females and two cubs.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

Guests at nThambo Tree Camp have been enjoying watching the breeding herds of elephants drinking from the splash pool. This is now a daily occurrence at camp. They march past the wooden chalets and head straight to the pool where plenty of chaos and mayhem ensues! When darkness falls and the main area of the lodge says goodbye to its last human guests, the nocturnal creatures come to visit. Ranger Bjorn set up a camera trap which took videos and stills of rare civets and honey badgers enjoying a sniff around the bar and lounge area!

Both Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp have been rewarded with plenty of African wild dog sightings. It is their denning period so during this time they will remain sedentary and their nomadic ways will cease while they rear their pups. Hopefully guests and rangers will get to see pups soon! Big cats sightings include the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses drinking at the waterhole, the Marula Mafasi leopardess resting in the shade and contact calling from lions further afield.

Plains game, pachyderms, buffalo and birds are always roaming the Klaserie. The Klaserie has spotted plenty of the small creatures and herbivore giants over the past week.

Xobega Island Camp and Tuskers Bush Camp

Our Botswana camps located in the waterways of the Okavango Delta and the arid scrub areas of northern Botswana make for incredible game viewing opportunities. Here are a few of the finest moments shared with predators, herbivores and breathtaking landscapes.

Another Wild Dog Den on the Radar!

If you’ve been following our wildlife updates for long enough, you’ll remember the excitement that surrounded the discovery of a wild dog den near Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp almost a year ago. This is some sensational news, as we know these super predators are an endangered species, and we are lucky enough to see them as adults, never mind when they are little balls of puppy fluff! Well, once again our traverse has proved the optimal location for a small pack of African wild dogs to den. Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp guides captured some photos of the 3 dogs they have seen almost everyday for the last little while.

There has been no sight of pups yet, and as Ranger Greg says, they are keeping their distance from the den, so as not to interfere with their sensitive denning period. If the dogs feel threatened or in any way unsafe they will leave the den and relocate their pups to an undisturbed area. The fact that wild dogs are repeatedly using the area goes to show that the ethical conduct on game drive creates a hospitable environment for these precious predators to breed.

High pitched squealing sounds have been reported near the den, indicating that there might be pups hidden inside. There is also one female dog that appears to be lactating – another good indicator of pups!

We hope to continue seeing the dogs on morning and evening game drives – chosen hunting times for the dogs – and to habituate them to the vehicles, so that they may feel comfortable to eventually bring their pups out of the den. We will certainly keep this space updated!

Take a look back at almost a year ago when we saw a pack of dogs and their pups at a den site nearby:

“Wild dog pups seen in the Klaserie”

“Video: Wild dog pups get a meaty breakfast

Prehistoric Looking Pangolin Spotted in Sabi Sand

The pangolin is prehistoric looking creature covered in a scaly, protective armour and is rarely seen. Little is known about these notoriously shy mammals, but we do know they’re a protected species and sightings of them in the wild always need to be celebrated. It is estimated that over 100, 000 pangolins are captured on an annual basis for their scales and meat. Their scales are sold under the misguided belief that they cure acne and cancer. In Africa and Asia, there are 8 species of pangolin, all of which are endangered. These sensitive and shy “scaly anteaters” are found within the Kruger region and just recently guests at Umkumbe Safari Lodge in the Sabi Sand were treated to a once in a lifetime sighting of this curious creature.

When we do receive reports of pangolin sightings, it’s normally of them curled in the defensive ball position. Marius Zeilinga, one of the rangers from Umkumbe, managed to film the pangolin and get a close-up sighting of its small and adorable face!

If you’ve never heard of a pangolin or don’t know much about them, here are five interesting facts about these solitary nocturnal mammals:

1. Pangolins are quite defensive and often “play dead”. They do this by rolling up into a ball and if the need arises, they’ll lash out with their tail. The keratin like scales that cover their body are sharp and can slice through an enemy’s skin.

2. Another weapon used by the pangolin is to emit a noxious smelling gas, similar to that of a skunk’s. Pangolin’s don’t actually spray the liquid but rather emit the foul smelling acid which makes predators think twice about launching an attack.

3. When comes to diet, the pangolin feed on ants and other insects. They’re often found close to termite mounds, which is a great source of food. Their tongue extends the full length of its body and is coated with a sticky substance. All species of pangolin have large, curved claws used for pulling off tree bark, digging up termite nests and ripping up logs to extract their food.

Ross Breakaway Lionesses: #BestFriendsForever

These endearing photos taken of the Ross Breakaway lionesses show their softer side, while an image of one of the females baring her teeth shows her true colours… They are wild cats, of course, and they survive on live prey, but their bond as sisters appears to be unbreakable. We have watched them over the years as they have born cubs and lost them, fought with rival prides, paired up with various male lions, and disappeared for weeks at a time; but they have always stuck together and we like to think they always will. But who are we to judge? What we think we know about the life of wild lions is merely based on human interpretation.

Over the weekend, it looks like one of the Breakaway lionesses got into a scrap with another lion. Tensions are running high with a whole host of strange lion activity taking place in the Klaserie. This morning, guides at Africa on Foot found both the lionesses relaxing near Jason’s Dam. One looks in poor condition with lots of scratches and bite marks, and a limp in her back leg. In the past these lionesses have fought with the Hercules Pride, but the cause of the latest injuries is unknown.

These photos of the Ross Breakaways feeding on a buffalo calf demonstrate the reality of the wild world, where only the fittest survive. This young buffalo would have been the target of a long stalk by the lionesses, and in all likelihood they would have had to fight off the buffalo’s mother in order to successfully kill the calf. Adult buffaloes are notoriously defensive and fearless, and many a lion has lost its life to the piercing horns and stampeding weight of this formidable bovine.