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Lady Leopards, Tatowa and White Dam

It’s no secret that the Sabi Sand is leopard territory. There are various big cat stories that have come out of this prestigious Kruger Park reserve over the years, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Umkumbe Safari Lodge, enviously located overlooking the Sand River and the population of elephants, buffalo, and waterbuck that constantly roam its banks, boasts such frequent leopard sightings that we are genuinely surprised when days go passed without one.

There are a couple of famous faces in the territory, and just last night big male Mxabene showed himself after dark. The last week has also seen the presence of two well known lady leopards, namely White Dam, and Tatowa. In Marius Zeilinga’s most recent report, both leopardesses had been seen on game drive; Tatowa was relaxed and in the mood for a photoshoot; and White Dam was seen in stealth mode yet again.

White Dam has 2 cubs we know of – a male and a female, but she has been seen solo these days as her cubs are semi-grown. The last few times Umkumbe guests have sighted her, she has been attempting to hunt, but has not been successful. This is no indication of her leopard’s skill or strength, but it is a reminder that even a cat as powerful and stealthy as a leopard has a highly unsuccessful kill rate, and only manages to kill 25% of the medium-size prey animals they stalk.

Africa on Foot Maintenance Man: Alfred Cuambe

There’s no denying that a lot goes on behind the scenes to make any safari lodge run like a well-oiled machine. Africa on Foot is sewn together delicately by a team of people who do their jobs well. One of those people is Alfred Cuambe; a Mozambican firecracker whose role as Head of Maintenance includes fighting a losing battle against elephants and honey badgers, while his daily routine keeps the lodge grounds looking polished, and the eco-friendly solar system in check.

Alfred is energetic and helpful, beyond what his job requires. He is unendingly happy, and it’s generally considered that he smiles even when he sleeps! Friendly and multi-talented, packing a good sense of humour and plenty of conversation topics, Alfred is a pleasure to have around camp. Although his cheerful demeanour indicates that he is happy delving into any aspect of his job, we suspect that Alfie may be happiest hitting the road in the bakkie and towing the tyres to grade the dirt. During this time he takes it upon himself to check out the wildlife activity and call in the rangers at camp to let them know where various animals have been seen. There’s no doubt we will hear all about his wild encounters when he returns to camp!

It is with dedication and eagerness that Alfie keeps camp running smoothly. Always willing to lend a hand, and to dive into discussion with his perfectly unique accent, Alfred is someone we are lucky to have. Not even the elephants that plunge their muddy trunks into the just-vaccuumed pool can upset him. Neither do the honey badgers that chew the power cables or break the kitchen cupboards! Alfred, thank you for your hard work, good humour, and the help you provide to anyone who may ask!

Elephants on the ‘Elephants River’

The Olifants River translated from Afrikaans, means Elephants River. It is the Kruger National Park’s water courses, and flows through the South African province of Mpumalanga, through the famous Drakensberg Mountains, and into Mozambique where it enters the Indian Ocean at a village called Xai-Xai. Ezulwini River Lodge is in the prestigious position of having an uninterrupted view of this magnificent river, as it is located right on its banks. Unsurprisingly, elephants are drawn to its waters, and are known to celebrate in its cool contents – something Ezulwini guests have come to look forward to.

Throughout winter and summer, the Olifants River courses at a significant volume through the Balule Reserve and plays host to a variety of water-loving species, other than the elephants. Hippo, crocodile, waterbuck, baboons, birds, buffalo, the list goes on. From the ideally placed viewing deck at River Lodge, beneath a canopy of trees, guests sit back and check off birds on their bird lists (if you didn’t have one when you arrived, you’re guaranteed to have one when you leave!), and observe the activity of the large mammals along the banks and in the water.

Game drives include routes along the Olifants River, which demonstrate the various areas of shallow sand banks, and the deeper waters loved by hippos. On a recent game drive, a breeding herd of elephants graced us with their presence and reminded us all why this great river is indeed called, Olifants River.

New Lions Seen on Game Drive in Klaserie

We know the Trilogy males, we know the Ross Pride, and we know the Ross split-off prides, being the Ross Breakaway females and the Hercules Pride. We can count on any and all of these prides to make an appearance on our immediate traverse regularly as all of their territories criss cross the area, while the formidable Trilogy coalition dominates all. On a game drive recently, both Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp ventured to an area on our traverse located a distance away from these lion territories, and unsurprisingly, came across 4 unfamiliar lions feeding on a buffalo carcass. We’ve been told they could be lions known as the East Block Pride.

The small group lay panting in the shade after enjoying a good meal, and Ranger Greg managed to take these photographs of them for our records. One adult lioness and 3 subadults – 2 females and 1 male – made up the sighting, but due to limited knowledge of this pride, we are not sure if this is the extent of the pride or if there are other members that weren’t present. Also located in the eastern region of the Klaserie at nDzuti Safari Camp we know the River Pride of lions, which has grown with the addition of 5 cubs.

Our local lions around Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp have been seen feasting on various carcasses and circulating the extent of their territories. The Trilogy male with a damaged hip is a constant source of concern given his deteriorating condition, but he is hanging in there and is still managing to get the ‘lion’s share’ at kill sites. Resilient big cats they are!

Other big cats seen regularly in our immediate traverse are Zero the male leopard, and the Ross Dam female leopard. With the addition of African wild dogs just about every day – it is clear the more elusive predators are making the most it while the lions are occupied with a feast in a neighbouring property!

Week in Pics: It’s a Wildlife Wrap ! Goodbye 2015.

This week we’re bringing you an early edition of “Week in Pics”. The festive season is in full swing and we’ll be taking a few days break to recover from an abundant year of wildlife sightings. Our wildlife will carry on as per usual and we have little doubt we’ll be reigning in the new year with exceptional sightings across all of our camps. Most of all we’d like to thank you for an incredible year of support and positive feedback about our images.

Throughout the let-nature-take-its-course tragedies and the good times, you’ve stuck with us and ogled over our images. Thanks to our photographers and the behind the scenes teams who have made this year an exceptional one.

This is the last week in pictures for the year, and what a year we’ve had !

To end off the year and the holiday season, here is your last series of week in pictures for 2015. Keep safe and have fun out there. Our first week in pictures of 2016 will be launched on Monday 4th January 2016. Stay tuned!

Until next year, the Sun Destinations team.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp : Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

Ezulwini River Lodge and Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge : Balule Nature Reserve

Umkumbe Safari Lodge : Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.

Behind the Scenes at a Bush Braai

There’s nothing quite like dining in the wild after finishing an incredible game drive in the private Klaserie Nature Reserve. Every now and then, when the weather allows it (summer thunderstorms are regular!) our teams from both Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp head out to a clearing in the bushveld and arrange a scenic dinner setting under the open skies. The “bush braai” is a highlight for those who get to experience it: toasting to the safari life and chowing down on grilled meat, salads, and fragrant garlic bread. Here is a look at the ‘behind the scenes’ process involved with organising this outdoor feast.

Camp managers, Jen and Nadia, accompanied by our filming team, willing student-guides, and the multi-talented cooks from both camps, take all the equipment needed to seat and feed all guests and guides and beautifully decorate a selected spot in the bush. Guests arrive at the end of their game drive, are offered the drink of their choice and invited to sit around a lantern-lit table under the darkening skies to enjoy a traditionally prepared meal out in the wild!

A Visual Walk Through Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Renown videographers and photographers Shannon Benson (aka Shannon Wild) and Russell MacLaughlin have based themselves at Umkumbe Safari Lodge for the next few days. We’re pretty sure Mauritz, Marius, Nicki and Bradley will ensure they get the opportunity to photograph the big cats of Sabi Sand. But, in the meantime, Shannon has put together a collection of lodge images which provide a fantastic visual walk through Umkumbe Safari Lodge accommodation.

The focus at the lodge is of the view of the seasonal Sand River, and for obvious reasons. On a daily basis guests are treated to sightings of various animals grazing in the riverbed. The swimming pool overlooks the river and is a highlight for guests.

The lodge sleeps a maximum of 24 guests in 10 chalets/rooms. Most of the chalets have a small verandah with camping chairs, and with views of the Sand River, however one of the chalets has a view of the plains out to the side of the lodge. Umkumbe is flexible when it comes to large groups and families travelling together. There are Superior rooms with inter-leading doors and standard rooms which are either single or doubles. The Superior rooms are larger and also have outdoor en-suite showers.

The accommodation is clean, comfortable and suitable for guests seeking an affordable option in a leading private reserve.

Rates are from R 2895, 00 per person per night sharing. Rates include all meals, accommodation, game walks & drives, teas & coffees.

Click here to make a safari booking at Umkumbe Safari Lodge.

Recent Sabi Sand Lion Sightings from Umkumbe

The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger is one of the most sought after safari destinations in South Africa. Home to the big five and an abundance of big cat species, it’s certainly a cat fanatics dream destination. All of our Sabi Sand lion updates and big cat sightings occur within the Umkumbe Safari Lodge traverse.

Just recently, Discovery channel aired the acclaimed documentary “The Lions of the Sabi Sand : Brothers in Blood“. The documentary highlights the bloodbath and mayhem of a coalition of 6 male lions, who had an insatiable thirst for killing and hunting their own species. They changed the lion dynamics of the area, and in 1 year killed over 100 lions! These males are referred to as the Mapogos. Because of their reign of terror, there is now an incredible fascination surrounding the bloodline of lions from the Sabi Sand.

Male lions are also always on a quest for power and domination, but not quite in the ruthless way of Mapogos! Mauritz Senekal sent us incredible photos of the lions which are currently on the scene. One of the Charleston males, together with the Southern Pride females, stole a kill from a hyena. The male then fought over the kill with the females. The following day, after stealing the hyena kill they managed to take down a buffalo. Yet again, the Charleston male fought with the lionesses ! Last week we shared the story about the kill and showcased Nicki Steenberg and Bradley Chambers images. This time, we have Mauritz’s visual account of what happened.

The Mhangeni Pride is a relatively new pride traversing the Sabi Sand but it’s one of the largest. We don’t often seen this pride, so it was an exceptional sighting. This pride is 13/14 members strong and is under the protection of the Majingilane males. The Majingilane males were the ones who chased out the dark and dangerous reigning Mapogo lions. To cut a long story short, the Majingilane lions sired cubs with the Tsalala breakaway young lionesses and a new pride was formed.

To all the lion fans out there, this one’s for you. Hope you enjoyed our recent lion sightings from the Sabi Sand.

Week in Pictures: The Mighty Jungle

“In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight” is a well known and inspiring line from the song in Disney’s, The Lion King. Everyone knows the tune, but less people know that it was originally written and sung in Zulu, by South African artist, Solomon Linda. It was called Mbube meaning ‘lion’, and it was inspired by the wilds of Africa, where this king of beasts reigns supreme. It is a privilege to spend each day gallivanting in the Kruger Park bushveld, or under the golden sun of Botswana. This edition of the Week in Pictures is a portrayal of this mighty jungle of ours; a series of photographs depicting the beauty and the brawn of the bush.

Let’s begin in the Moremi Game Reserve where the waters of the Okavango Delta spill into grasslands, creating a wetland paradise for birds and game alike. Afrika Ecco Safaris ventures deep into this wilderness, taking camera-wielding guests with them and ending the day at a scenic campsite for a night among the animals.

Abandoning the security of a vehicle and taking to the Kruger Park on foot is one way to experience the South African jungle. At Africa on Foot, it’s the only way, and at their small, intimate, eco bush lodge in the Klaserie, every day begins with a trek out into the wild. Sometimes it’s the big things, other times it’s the more delicate details that capture guests’ interest, but every time there is something beautiful to see.

A more luxurious experience of a South African safari in an equally wild and untamed environment can be found at Ezulwini Game Lodges in the private Balule Nature Reserve. Here, Billy’s Lodge and River Lodge each offer a platform from which to dive right in to a game viewing experience. The variety of species seen on a regular basis reminds us that it really is a jungle out there…

Some parts of the South African jungle have a reputation, like the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Here, leopards are known to prowl through the area in a more habituated manner than anywhere else, giving the occupants of the Umkumbe Safari Lodge game viewer a luxuriously long look at these notoriously elusive cats. The Sabi Sand’s animal population is not limited to these spectacular cats, and given that it shares open fences to Kruger, wild animals come and go in all shapes and sizes.

nThambo Tree Camp is where a pair of lionesses spent a day this week, casually slipping in and out of slumber, moving from the shade, to the waterhole and back again. There is little need for a game drive in the abundant reserve where the biggest African cat of all was right in front of our eyes all day, but it’s a good thing we did, for there was a true show of magnificence awaiting us.