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Week in Pics: Cats and Critters

With the changing landscape and kaleidoscope of colours peeking through the dry vegetation, it’s evident that spring is fast approaching. The weather in the Greater Kruger is getting warmer and we’ve even experienced the first of many gentle rains. With the change of seasons, new species of wildlife come out to play. Our predators and the big five remain unperturbed by the change of season and they’ve certainly not disappointed us this week.

This week we dedicate our “week in pics” to our incredible cats and our interesting curious critters.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

You’ve probably heard us refer to the Sabi Sand Reserve as “leopard central”. The reserve is renown for its incredible big cat sightings. Umkumbe is no stranger to these breathtaking sightings. This week, we proved the nickname of “leopard central” to be true. In one game drive guests saw 4 leopards.

Nottens female was relaxing in the thicket, enjoying her solitude. White Dam and her two cubs were seen out on the prowl. White Dam killed an impala and a couple of sneaky hyenas stole the kill. The male cub refused to give up the fight and stalked and intimidated the hyena until they released the kill. The carcass was retrieved and within minutes they found a place for their food – in the safety of a tree.

The Sparta sub-adult male lions were seen relaxing on the banks of the Sand River, which runs in front of the lodge. A big cat week for Umkumbe Safari Lodge!

nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot

Over the past few weeks there have been reports of lion and leopard sightings. The Ross pride breakaway lionesses cubs haven’t been spotted. We assume they are stashed away in a place of safety. The highlight of the southern Klaserie this week was the sighting of a lone cheetah. The cheetah was spotted relaxing on an elevated area after attempting to chase an impala.

And, we’ve seen plenty of flap-necked chameleons. Their colours, pose and grace make for exceptional photographs. Let’s give these adorable creatures a bit of “air time”.

Ezulwini Game Lodges

The Ezuwlini Game Lodges have enjoyed an abundance of lion sightings – yet again. The Olifants West pride is a mega-pride that dominates the area around both Billy’s and River Lodge. Josh and Angele, rangers at Ezulwini, also enjoyed a leopard sighting.

Top 5 Reasons to Stay at Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Umkumbe Safari Lodge is the ideal lodge for guests seeking an affordable and authentic experience, where you don’t compromise on game viewing. Located in one of South Africa’s sought after pristine reserves in the heart of the Greater Kruger, it certainly sets the standard in terms of game viewing. The lodge is located on the banks of the Sand River in the Sabi Sand Reserve and boasts exceptional views of the surrounding terrain. Umkumbe offers guests a relaxing and family-friendly lodge where the focus is on simple luxury.

Here are our top 5 reasons to stay at Umkumbe Safari Lodge:

1. Affordable lodge located in a sought after reserve

Year after year, the Sabi Sand Reserve attracts a wealth of celebrities, documentary makers and photographers. Home to award-winning lodges and elite safari style villa accommodation, the reserve offers an exclusive experience with notable game viewing opportunities. The reserve itself is home to the big five and is also known as “leopard central” due to the abundance of leopards.

Umkumbe’s rates are from e R2, 695.00 per person per night, making it one of the most affordable lodges in the Greater Kruger area. Rates are inclusive of daily game drives, morning bush walks (optional) and all meals.

2. Unsurpassed game viewing opportunities

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is a big cat paradise and revered for its leopard sightings. There is a particular fondness for a large male leopard called Maxabeni who often makes his presence known while guests are out on evening game drives. The Charleston and Sparta pride of lions regularly come down to the river, in front of the lodge, to drink.

The Umkumbe traverse is teeming with activity from the big five. In addition to the big five, guests often see other wildlife such as cheetah, spotted hyena, wild dog, honey badger, side striped jackal, caracal, hippopotamus, giraffe, antelope, warthog, wildebeest, crocodile and a variety of venomous snakes. Birding is also incredible and there are over 500 species of birds; making it a go-to destination for ornithologists.

3. The entire lodge is built on the banks of a busy river

The Sand River runs in front of the lodge and the sand banks attract breeding herds of buffalo, elephant and lion prides to its shores. A small splash pool is perfectly positioned on a deck overlooking the river. Guests can relax in the pool while watching elephant herds interact in the river. The wooden deck is the ultimate relaxation spot for enjoying a quiet afternoon drink while reading a book.

4. Easily Accessible and family friendly

There is an excellent road system, making it ideal for self-drive guests. For fly-ins, Umkumbe is also quite accessible. The easiest Kruger airport to fly into is KMIA (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport) in Nelspruit.

There are five superior rooms which cater for families and two interleading rooms, ideal for friends or older children. Being an owner run and managed lodge means Umkumbe is flexible in terms of guests’ needs.

5. Authentic safari atmosphere

The atmosphere at a lodge is a huge drawcard for any safari experience. Umkumbe offers the chance to experience a traditional South African braai in a boma area. A boma is an outdoor dining area with a huge wood fire set up in a fire pit in the ground. Guests can enjoy plenty of story telling around the campfire after when the evening game drive comes to an end. There is an honesty bar where guests can help themselves to drinks. Umkumbe is a comfortable, friendly and authentic style lodge with warm and welcoming owners.

Watch this video and let it encapsulate you. Book your Sabi Sand Safari here: reservations@sundestinations.co.za

Umkumbe Safari Lodge from Sun Destinations on Vimeo.

Week in Pics: Cats, Dagga Boys and Jumbos

Big cat predators, weary old dagga bulls and carefree jumbos have been in the spotlight this week. Our graceful cat, the leopard, remains unfazed and elusive, presenting us with only a vague cameo appearance. Three out of the big five have been fighting for the limelight – lions, buffalo and elephant sightings have been in rich supply. And they certainly haven’t shied away from the camera.

nDzuti Safari Camp

Huge herds of elephant were caught stampeding down to the main dam. It appears the nDzuti traverse has become a haven for elephants. Should we rename the area to “Land of Giants”? It certainly is fitting for this time of year. There is nothing more heartwarming than observing the antics of jumbo while they interact with each another.

The old buffalo bulls (Dagga boys) have been spotted hanging around the outskirts of camp. Dagga boys are lone bulls who have been ousted from the herd. They are past their prime and spend most of their days wallowing in pools of mud.

nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot

nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot have enjoyed incredible big cat sightings. Our majestic leopard has been spotted three times during the course of the week. Guests caught a fleeting glance of a young male gently making his way through the thicket and down to the closest available water source. During the night his calls were heard and tracks were spotted. There is another female in the area. Hopefully we’ll see a bundle of leopard cubs in the near future!

Perhaps the most incredible sightings this week have been that of the Trilogy and Ross pride lions. A lone Trilogy male was caught relaxing in the depths of the Mopane trees. He seemed quite restless and defensive. One of the other Trilogy males was seen mating with a Ross pride breakaway female on more than one occasion. The pregnant Ross pride breakaway female has just given birth to cubs who are now a week old. She was seen moving the cubs to an area of safety – probably to a drainage line. The older female who was last seen with the Ross pride breakaway females has since been seen mingling with the old Ross pride, which brings their numbers up to 6 pride members. This past week guests at both camps enjoyed a variety of lion pride sightings.

Happy Friday – enjoy the week in pictures.

Week in Pics: Feisty Big Five

Dust clouds and the disastrous crunching sound of the Mopane trees could be heard this morning when a massive herd of elephants stampeded past the nThambo Tree Camp vehicle. What startled this herd? We suspect it was the presence of the Ross pride breakaway females who were seen on the move the night before. Africa on Foot guests managed to catch a glimpse of the females from a distance.

At this stage, we are weary of disturbing the Ross pride breakaway lionesses. Why? Because the heavily pregnant female seen drinking the other day has just given birth to cubs ! The cubs are only a few days old and we still need to put a viewing protocol in place. At the moment, the sister and the additional lioness have been spotted out in the open but we are weary of approaching the area because we believe the cubs are in close proximity. Lion cubs have notoriously low survival rate in the wild which is why we need to exercise great caution when approaching the area.

nThambo Tree Camp spotted the Trilogy male after hearing him calling out for the rest of his coalition. It seems the lionesses, the Trilogy and a huge herd of buffalo were all in the same area. Could there be another kill underway? The buffalo are being stalked from beyond the thickets and the next few days could be quite interesting.

On the topic of lions, Umkumbe Safari Lodge have enjoyed a sighting of lions across the banks of the Sand River. Unfortunately, it was too far away to identify the pride. They’ve had an abundance of buffalo and elephant herd sightings in front of the lodge. Huge herds are a buffet for lions!

In terms of other wildlife sightings, we’ve been rewarded with plenty of bird sightings across the Klaserie and Sabi region. Due to the increased predator activity, the vultures have come out to play. Predators mean the possibility of a carcass. And who doesn’t like a complimentary dinner?!

Here are a few photographs capturing the highlights of this week’s safari viewing.

VIDEO: Ross lioness kills honey badger

WARNING: Graphic content. Guests of Africa on Foot witnessed a once in a lifetime sighting the other day. While watching the three Ross lionesses, one of them stared intently into the night. Suddenly she lunged forward and pounced on an unsuspecting honey badger behind some thick foliage. After a few moments rangers Mike Beard and John Dixon were able to get the landrovers into position to witness the lioness slowly killing the honey badger. It was not easy to watch and the honey badger put up a tremendous fight. It took the lioness a full 20 odd minutes to finally kill the honey badger. A testament to just how tough these fearless creatures are.

Week in Pics: Klaserie’s Gentle Creatures

The past few weeks have been dominated by big cat sightings and predator kills. There has been much excitement about the possible shift in lion pride dynamics within the Klaserie. The Ross pride breakaway females were seen sharing a kill with an older, unknown lioness and all of this big cat bravado has been documented on a series of blog posts. Big cats, birth of young mammals and the death of unsuspecting plains game at the hands of predators has influenced our week in pics. But today it’s time to celebrate the gentle and smaller creatures of the Klaserie. These are the more obscure creatures, the ones often ignored in favour of the big five!

There’s an entire eco-system and relying on the important function that the smaller creatures of the Kruger play in the bio-diversity of the area. And there are budding ornithologists out there simply dying to browse through our incredible photos of brown-crowned tchagras, snake eagles and scatterlings of rattling cisticolas.

nDzuti Safari Camp reported an influx of giraffe herds on the move. We suspect they are journeying down to the main dam, which is akin to a busy airport. Giraffe herds gain most of their moisture from the leaves of trees, which means they only need to drink once every few days. Due to the harsh winter and lack of rains, the need to seek out available water sources becomes a necessity.

nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot have seen an abundance of elephant and buffalo herds at Twala dam and Africa on Foot has enjoyed plenty of elephant encounters while out on foot. The highlight of the week is a curious and unusual incident involving a honey badger and an aggressive lioness. We are saving this story for next week when all shall be revealed…stay tuned!

We’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. Enjoy !

nDzuti Safari Camp

Africa on Foot

nThambo Tree Camp

Observing a Rare Pangolin in the Wild

The pangolin is a somewhat shy and solitary nocturnal creature endemic to Asia and Africa. Due to worldwide poaching and the illegal trade of wildlife, the pangolin is now on the endangered species list. These animals are incredibly difficult to spot in the wild because of their neurotic tendency to skirt away when approached. Their defense mechanism comprises two techniques – to make a quick exit or roll themselves into a tight ball. When the ball position is assumed, the body is hugged by the tail which has the sharp edges protruding outwards.

The pangolin is often mistaken for being a reptile because of its scaly, armoured appearance. It is, in fact, part of the Manidae family whose members include anteaters, armadillos and sloths. This “spiny anteater” has a multi-layered covering of scales which are keratin based and make-ups 15% of its entire body weight.

Spotting a nocturnal endangered species is quite rare, which is why the team from nDzuti Safari Camp decided to celebrate this momentous occasion. Bruce managed to take photos and expert guide, Brett Greenaway, took video footage. The pangolin clearly felt comfortable in its environment and was blissfully unaware that he was being watched. When under threat, a pangolin not only curls into a ball but also secretes a noxious-smelling acid from glands near the anus, quite similar to that of a skunk. Let’s hope Bruce and Brett weren’t faced with a foul smelling odor!

Bruce from nDzuti spent a considerable amount of time observing the antics of nature’s curious lone-ranger of a creature. Using his incredible innate tracking skills he eventually found the pangolin close to an aardvark burrow, which is where they sleep.

In the video we see the pangolin frantically scratching and digging away. We can only assume it was foraging for its favourite source of protein – ants. A pangolin’s sharp claws are used to destroy nests and break-open termite mounds littered with armies of ants. They use their long, sticky tongues to extract ant armies.

Seeing a pangolin in the wild should be a highlight on your safari bucket list!

Lionesses chow down on World Lion Day

We don’t need a World Lion Day to celebrate, talk about, or post about lions, because we’re obsessed like that, but today brings attention to these epic creatures like no other day of the year. One of the most terrifying thoughts in the world is the idea of an earth without lions. Aside from the sadness of future generations not knowing lions like we do, the absence of lions on the earth is a dangerous and life-altering reality.

Conflict with humans, trophy hunting, and loss of habitat are the top three biggest killers of lions in Africa, and the population of lions has declined by a gut-wrenching 95% over the last 60 years. From 450 000 in the 1960s to only around 20 000 today – this is a genocide of one of the world’d most iconic species. Be aware, and most importantly, only support legitimate, ecotourism operations whose goal it is to uplift and conserve the lives of lions and other wildlife.

Our favourite pair of lionesses at Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp have welcomed a third lioness to their small group and the 3 females have been feeding and resting together, alongside a pair of big Trilogy male. This is exciting not only because we have been able to watch the behaviour of a new lioness and the relationship between all the lions, but because the formation of a new pride means strength and prosperity for them. Lions are social animals and rely on the pride in order to succeed. At the moment, one of our resident Ross breakaway lionesses is heavily pregnant, as we have pointed out in our recent sightings, and we can become more hopeful about the survival of her cubs because she has more than just one other lioness to depend on.

The force of 3 lions is vastly greater than 2 when it comes to hunting and the chances of successfully taking down prey. If these lionesses are constantly eating, our new mother will constantly be able to feed her cubs, and will have to spend less time away from them to hunt. All in all, more lions the merrier! This is a video clip taken over the weekend when we found the 3 newly allied lionesses feasting on a warthog.

The old warthog had died after getting stuck in the mud and then violently removed by a rhino who wanted to mud wallow to himself. We’d been watching the carcass for a few days to see which lucky meat-eater would stumble across this easy meal, and eventually we arrived at the scene as the 3 lionesses were each tucking in to a portion.

The Ross Pride is back and stalking buffalo!

When we were just getting our knickers in a twist about the sensational week of lion sightings we’ve had (ending in the possible new alliance of 3 lionesses on our traverse), we stumbled upon the original Ross Pride! There have been lion tracks causing excitement all over the show, from the 2 big Trilogy males, to the Ross pride breakaway girls, to a single lioness, and then to 4 Ross Pride lions, all coming into very close range of each other. We’ve also heard the Hercules lions calling from within their territory; so Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp guests are pretty much surrounded by these king cats!

We located the 4 Ross pride lions just in front of the Africa on Foot treehouse yesterday morning, where they were lying up in the grass only 100m from a pair of dagha-boys and showing keen interest. These 2 burly bovines are heavyweights and would have outweighed the 3 sub-adults and 1 adult lioness easily, so the lions lay low and passed on the opportunity to take on the buffalo this time.

One of the last times we laid eyes on the Ross pride, there were 7 members and they were looking worryingly hungry. Filmmaker, Kevin MacLaughlin, set up a camera and filmed their 4 hour struggle against a pair of warthogs.

This time the lions look in good condition, but they could do with a meal. Last night, guests caught up with the 4 lions again and they had barely moved, keeping close to the massive buffalo herd that had moved into the area. There we were, seeing Africa on Foot’s treehouse straight ahead, on the left we could hear buffalo bellowing as they munched on the vegetation, and on the right the 4 Ross pride members lay basking in the last of the day’s sunlight. As the sun set they engaged in the typical grooming and stretching behaviour before rising and strolling right passed the vehicle in the direction of the buffalo herd!

Spotlights came out and we viewed the 3 youngsters and their mother as they disappeared and reappeared through the thicket. Eventually they crossed into a neighbouring property and we were all reminded of the fire-roasted dinner that was waiting for us back at camp.

This morning we were woken by the high pitched yelping of a pair of side-striped jackals near Africa on Foot, and game drive began headed in that direction. As we arrived in exactly the same spot we had left the Ross pride last night, we saw a large herd of impala standing dead still and staring determinedly into the bush. Buffalo moved behind us, and as we followed the impala’s gaze, we laid our eyes on the threat: Ross pride! All 4 lions were making a move in the direction of the buffalo. They were so focused that even the presence of a spotted hyena didn’t bother them.

As the lions disappeared into the bush, buffalo were alerted to their presence and were sent bellowing and thundering through the early morning haze in an attempt to avoid the cats. We are not sure of the outcome of the attempted hunt this morning, but the lions are most certainly trying to bring a buffalo down!

Top 5 Reasons to Stay at the Ezulwini Game Lodges

Located in the heart of the undiscovered Balule Nature Reserve lies the Ezulwini River Lodge and Billy’s Lodge. Home to an abundance of birdlife, the big five and an array of other wildlife; the Balule certainly sets the standard in terms of game viewing. Crocodiles dwell in the river and spend their days targetting plains game that flock to the banks of the Olifants River to replenish their thirst. Predators silently stalk unsuspecting prey in the thickets of vegetation surrounding the river and bloats of hippo can be heard from miles away. The Balule is where the circle of life unfolds !

Both Billy’s Lodge and River Lodge offer guests a much needed break from the daily grind of city life. Each lodge differs slightly in their location, architecture and decor but neither compromises on quality of game viewing.

Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge is ideally located on the banks of a seasonal river which draws numerous breeding herds of elephants to its banks. There is a resident mega-pride of lions that have made the territory around Billy’s Lodge their home. This private lodge incorporates natural elements in its architecture and rarely strays from the authentic natural feel of the African bush. There are four luxury suites complete with plunge pools, indoor and outdoor showers, personal lounge and dining area. Billy’s is by no means ostentatious but boasts many simple luxuries neccessary for the ultimate safari.

Set deep in the heart of the riverine forest and overlooking the mighty Olifants River, lies a secret paradise – Ezulwini River Lodge. This luxury lodge is a utopia for bird-lovers because of it’s diverse eco-system and contrasting vegetation types. There are four standard rooms and four luxury suites with private plunge pools, all with expansive views of the Balule. A massive entertainment area with a lounge, bar and swimming pool housed under a traditional thatched roof building provides the perfect hideaway for guests to relax.

Top 5 Reasons to Book a Safari at Ezulwini Game Lodges:

1. Wine Tasting in a Stone Cellar

Billy’s Lodge has a secret wine cellar stocked with a variety of wines, all of which have been handselected. The cellar is designed in such a way to resemble a cave. Lauren can arrange a wine pairing evening coupled with a casual talk about the history of the Balule Reserve.

2. The Elevated Wooden Skywalk

There is a wooden skywalk at Billy’s Lodge which leads from the main lodge and fans out into an expansive viewing deck area. The fairytale of a skywalk takes pride of place at the lodge and is the ideal viewing place to watch elephant herds trundle underneath the platform.

3. Elephants Drinking from the Pool

Nothing beats a “back to basics” experience when an elephant drinks from the private plunge pool on your deck while staying at River Lodge. Watching these gentle herbivores come up close to your suite is not something you see everyday. Game viewing from the comfort of your deck while cocooned in luxury – it doesn’t get any better than this!

4. Friendly Staff and Game Rangers

Flexible, accommodating, friendly and knowledgeable are all keywords used to describe the staff at both lodges. Their warmth contributes to the overall atmosphere of the Ezulwini Game Lodges.

Read our the Ezulwini TripAdvisor reviews and see what previous guests have to say.

5. Incredible Game Viewing

Plains game, predators, birdlife and large mammals – the Balule is teeming with activity. Elephant and buffalo herds clamber down to the riverbeds and waterholes in front of the lodges to smother themselves in mud. Hippos and crocs climb between land and water. Plains game litter the banks of the river and the Olifants West mega-pride of lions are seen on a regular basis while out on game drives. Game drives take place twice a day – in the morning and at night. This allows ample opportunity to enjoy sightings of diurnal and nocturnal creatures.