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Hungry Ross Pride Lionesses Make ANOTHER Kill

The Klaserie Private Nature reserve is alive with lion activity. From the Trilogy lions mating, to the hungry Ross lionesses and the possibility of lion cubs; it’s all systems go at Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp. The two breakaway Ross pride females are fearless hunters. This week they stalked and preyed on yet another buffalo. The atmosphere was electric and guests witnessed quite a feeding frenzy.

Lions gorge themselves and will never abandon a carcass. They rarely ever get that full feeling that humans suffer from, even if their bellies balloon to double the size. Witnessing the Ross pride females wolfing down the bloody meat makes for captivating entertainment. Relentless in their need to feed, they are oblivious to their obviously expanding bellies. If their kill is massive in size they may pause between feeding, but still guard their prey. Their’s is a clever strategy. Their reason for never abandoning a kill site? Because they do not want their competition to eat. By devouring an entire carcass in one sitting they eliminate any potential source of energy for their competition.

Lions actually fulfill most of their moisture requirements from the juicy meat they consume. However, there is still a need to quench their thirst after they have eaten. After leaving the kill site with nothing but bone remnants, lions will seek the nearest water source to replenish. At waterholes and dams you will often find full-bellied lions relaxing under the shade of a tree. They don’t tend to move for quite some time, making it easy to come back to the same lion sighting later on during the day. Lions need to relax after eating !

Lion cubs in the making! Trilogy and Ross Pride Unite.

Well this is exciting! Not only have we seen evidence of one of the Ross lionesses with suckle marks on her belly, we have also caught the second Ross lioness mating with one of the Trilogy boys. It is thrilling enough to know that there is potentially a couple of bundles of joy being well hidden somewhere in the Klaserie (Africa on Foot tracker, Enoch, has a sense about these things), but to catch this pair of lions mating means that there is double the possibility of Trilogy-Ross cubs in the near future!

Trilogy Lion stares intensely into camera

It is well known that this coalition of 3 big male lions arrived onto Ross Pride territory over a year ago and the Ross dominant males, The Good and The Bad, fled without looking back. The Ross Pride followed suit, except for these 2 ladies who we now refer to as the Ross Pride breakaway females. The Trilogy lions have now become known as the leading coalition in the area, and over time we have observed them becoming more accustomed to Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp vehicles. In the past, these roughed up lions have backed away from the lime light, preferring to stay hidden, and their grumpy tempers have been duly noted.

Trilogy male profile

Trilogy lion looks more relaxed in his territory

In the last year, both the Ross Pride females have had cubs sired by the Trilogy, but neither litter has survived. Lion cubs can fall victim to many predators, like leopard, hyena, and other lions, as they are born underdeveloped with complete dependency on their mothers for protection and nourishment. They are kept hidden in a secret ‘den’ for the first 6 weeks of their lives where their mother will go to suckle and groom them. This time they spend alone is often when they might be sniffed out and killed by predators. When our Ross Pride lionesses are seen apart, we suspect that they are tending to cubs, and when we see evidence of lactation, our hopes are confirmed!

The Trilogy males will mate with the lioness in oestrus for short bursts every 20 minutes over 4 consecutive days, making it a very intense and exhausting affair for the couple. One can’t help but commend their efforts, given that the mortality rate for lion cubs is very high at 50 %! To put their effort into perspective; for every cub that reaches 1 year old, the parents would have copulated 3000 times. How’s that for determination?

Full bellied Trilogy male in between bouts of mating

Lion pursues lioness to mate

Trilogy male mating with Ross lioness

Ross lioness at dusk

Lion stares through the grass

Forget the Black Mamba, We Found an African Rock Python !

Last week we published a post about a close encounter with a black mamba, Africa’s largest venomous snake. With the mamba’s deadly mix of neurotoxic (specifically dendrotoxin ) venoms, it made for an adrenalin filled sighting. This experience was nothing short of enthralling and left herpetologists slithering with excitement and the office based team green with envy.

After our black mamba excitement died down, we received feedback from Greg (Africa on Foot) about an African rock python sighting. Not quite as lethal and toxic black mamba, it’s sheer size and strength was enough to create squeals of delight from guests at Africa on Foot. Greg found the rock python in the vicinty of twin pans dam on the Africa on Foot traverse.

The African rock python loves water and although not classed as an aquatic snake, it does hunt in the water. Like most reptiles, snakes are exothermic. This means they need to spend time in sun’s heat to thermoregulate their body temperature. Greg found the snake basking in the sun and guests were able to take photos of the python’s rather defensive behaviour. Greg found the perfect window of opportunity and managed to spend a few minutes with this cheeky African rock python.

So, why have we seen such prolific snake activity this week in the Klaserie? The seasons are beginning to change, bringing about cooler weather in the evenings. Snakes are active during the day and the hotter it is, the more active they are. They need to generate as much heat as possible to thermoregulate.

6 Facts About the African Rock Python:

They are ambush predators who rely on the cover of darkness to hunt.
Pythons can live up to 30 years of age.
These snakes kill prey via constriction. Each time the prey exhales, the python tightens its grip.
Parts of the pythons skeleton are used as charms in cultural rituals.
The female hugs her 30 – 50 eggs during the incubation period as a protective mechanism.
The African rock python may submerge itself in water to thermoregulate (control its body temperature).

The African rock python is a fascinating snake. We’ve included a few photos of a python kill that one of our rangers captured on camera – this did not happen at Greg’s sighting. We just thought you’d be curious as to how this snake attacks and kills its prey.

On the Ground with a Black Mamba!

Sounds silly doesn’t it? Most would think so, seeing as the black mamba is the largest venomous snake in Africa and possesses a deadly combination of neuro-cardiotoxic venom that attacks the heart and nerves of a bite victim within seconds. However, our ranger at Africa on Foot, Mike Beard, has a lifelong passion for snakes and has ample practise handling both venomous and non-venomous snakes – a skill learnt from his father who is also an avid reptile lover.

Mike took this video on his mobile phone after spotting this large black mamba on the road during a game drive one evening this week. After weighing up the situation, he took the calculated risk to get within 30cm of what is regarded as the most venomous snake in the world, as his guests watched on from the safety of the game viewer.

This situation, although it looks life-threateningly dangerous given the snake’s ready and repetitive bite, was calculated and Mike had no intention of trying to handle the snake. He was interested that the mamba was found being active at night, which is unusual for the diurnal species, and its behaviour was very relaxed right from the beginning when it was spotted from the vehicle. Mike used a torch to shine onto the snake, which made his own presence invisible, and as long as he was quiet the snake would not strike.

These snakes can reach up to 3m in length, and there have been recordings of 4, 5m black mambas! Typically, mambas raise a third of their bodies from the ground when threatened, which helps them make a speedy getaway… and also adds to the intimidation factor these deadly snakes possess. In this video, it is clear that even though Mike gets as close as 30cm, the snake continues on its way without reacting. Only at the end as Mike backs away, kicking a stone by accident and alerting the mamba to his presence, does it turn into a heart-stopping experience. The snake reacts immediately, rearing its neck back and getting ready to strike.

Out of 400mg of venom injected with one bite, it only takes 10-15mg to kill a human – an indication of how powerful this snake’s bite can be. Brave or stupid? Either way, Mike’s love for the bush and all of mother nature’s children has given him one memorable moment with this notorious snake!

The Week in Pictures: A Photography Round Up

Goings on at the camp are as exciting as ever and it seems that every major predator has come out to play. During our #livebushfeed edition on Wednesday, we were getting live reports from the rangers at Africa on Foot that the Trilogy Lions – a mean coalition of 3 males – was stalking and hunting buffalo. The guests were only 10m away in the game viewer listening to the panicked sounds of the buffalo as they dodged the charging lions 3 times! If this sort of thing excites you, then tune in next Wednesday between 4 and 7pm on Twitter and Instagram to catch the live action.

This is not the only hunt to have taken place in the Klaserie over the last week, as Courteney and Cecilia Blunden set out on night drive, only to come across a male leopard and his freshly killed kudu calf. As Cecilia snapped away, Courteney observed that the leopard failed to pull his prize up a tree, and sure enough, it was snatched up by a scavenging hyena!

Up at nDzuti Safari Camp, a big male lion was seen mating with a young lioness from the River Pride – an episode that was also captured on Wednesday’s #livebushfeed and filmed by Bruce Meeser (yet another reason not to miss out!) Down south in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, Umkumbe Safari Lodge ranger, Cameron, captured some fantastic images of the epic African wild dog sighting their guests enjoyed; plus, territorial male leopard, Maxabeni, was seen in all his glory. (Get to know Maxabeni and learn how to identify him here). Also at Umkumbe, another one of Africa’s rarest predators was seen – a cheetah, looking pretty relaxed, posed for pictures during a very special game drive.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp are hosting superb wildlife photographers and filmmakers, Shannon and Russell – aka Shannon Wild and Russ Wildlife (check them out on Instagram where they are sharing all their wonderful photos at the camps). They are joining Photographer, Kevin MacLaughlin, in the field and have been there to capture some of the beautiful moments our guests have enjoyed this week on safari. Enjoy!

In Botswana, where the concept of safari becomes something more wild and unadulterated than you can imagine, Camp Savuti and Camp Linyanti put up a show not to be missed. In Chobe’s Linyanti region, the silence of bird watching on the swamps can turn to the excitement of a leopard kill in the blink of an eye, while the Savuti is where visitors head to see the famous lions that are practised elephant hunters. Take a look at some of the highlights…

The Day of the Elephants

The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is teeming with wildlife activity at the moment. The change of season is upon us and with it brings a host of new activity. At the moment we are seeing a prolific number of breeding herds of elephant. Affectionately known as jumbos, elephants always display remarkable behaviour. There is never a dull moment watching the jumbos frolic in the water and observing the young learning how to use their trunks.

This sighting was a treat for both guests and rangers. Wildlife photographer, Shannon Benson (aka Shannon Wild) and filmmaker Russell MacLaughlin observed the jumbos from the hide behind the dam. While they were watching the antics, the nThambo and Africa on Foot vehicles approached the sighting. Guests were at a safe distance and able to disembark from the vehicle. Rangers decided it was the ideal spot for sundowners, which normally take place at about 18:00.

The photos were taken by Shannon from her vantage point in the hide. Russ and Shannon managed to create a small clip of the elephant activity and snap a few photos of our happy guests from nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot.

FROM THE FRONT LINE: Saving Our Rhino

front line

noun

the military line or part of an army that is closest to the enemy.

the most important or influential position in a debate or movement.

Would you want to be the person ‘closest to the enemy’ when the element is bold enough to bulldoze a species that has been on this earth for more than 14 million years? An enemy that will knowingly obliterate the ecology of the only planet we can exist on?

I wouldn’t.

The situation of rhino poaching in South Africa has escalated beyond comprehension, and is now referred to as a war zone. It is the battle to save a species from dying out for good, and this is a tribute to the people on the front line of that battle.

The SANParks Honorary Rangers and Black Bean Productions have teamed up to bring attention to the field rangers who endure the gruelling training, and the life-threatening missions to become the “bulletproof vests of endangered species”. This video clip celebrates the dedicated, disciplined, fearless fighters who set out into the battlefield to protect rhinos from the ruthless enemy.

These 3.5 tonne herbivores are hunted for their signature horns; built in weapons of defence that have seen their survival on the earth thus far, but are no match for the flying bullets and sharpened machetes flung at them during the night. Each field ranger of the counter-poaching unit of the Kruger National Park faces this very danger every night they spend out in the field safeguarding the trophy the enemies are after, and here we acknowledge their bravery.

The unsung heroes of the front line of anti-poaching

SANParks Honorary Rangers are responsible for training and equipping these volunteer field rangers to defend themselves in an active war zone. What used to be a 2% chance of armed contact has exploded into a 47% to 67 % chance of dangerous conflict on the ground for field rangers in the Kruger National Park. This is a life-threatneing situation and there are people of Douth Africa who believe in nature and conservation and are willingly entering into this battle to save it.

Take a look at this realistic and heart-warming tribute to the field rangers on the anti-poaching front line of South Africa’s most coveted national park, and if you feel compelled to show your support, please donate at http://www.givengain.com/cause/2552/projects/9232

An elephant affair at Camp Linyanti

It is known that Chobe National Park is the home of the elephants, a stronghold for the biggest mammals of the land, and a paradise for any elephant-lover lucky to travel there on safari. One of the best kept secrets of this grand, old, national park of Botswana can be found in its northern most reaches where the tip of the country stretches across swamplands to the famous Caprivi Strip of Namibia. This is the luscious region of Linyanti, and it is where the elephants rule.

Seemingly undiscovered, this region shows no signs of tourist traffic, especially in the low, summer season when its trees grow even taller and leafier, and the roads become barricaded by low hanging vegetation. Although this is when the water levels are low in northern Botswana, there is no escaping the liquid of life in Linyanti, which is a green, swampland all year round. During the rains, it just gets greener! Camp Linyanti is tucked away under the tall trees lining the marsh, overlooking deep bodies of water and small, reed-filled islands. This is where the elephants come to play!

The heat of Botswana summers can be excruciating, and guests should be advised to relax in the shade on the deck and keep hydrated at the bar, while the gentle giants of Linyanti rejoice in the cool waters that they can rely on year-round. Breeding herds approach the water at speed, as the elephants almost run towards the water, some diving right in and rolling around happily as they disturb the muddy floor.

Watch an awesome video of the elephants:

The versatile trunks are muscular breathing, smelling, gripping, reaching, drinking, and blowing vessels that elephants only really develop full use of after 3 months old. Up until then, they are the cute ones nose diving into the water to drink directly from their mouths, and flailing their trunks around aimlessly. Enjoy this series of images capturing elephants at their most delighted – bathing in the swamps of Linyanti.

The Magic of a Safari Tree House

Tree houses were designed for kids, to evoke their innermost imaginations and to create fantastical stories. And to keep them busy for hours on end while G n Ts go down for the grown ups in the garden! A fortress built in the trees, a lookout loft, a secret place for tea-parties, or an exclusive hangout with a no entry sign on the door; tree houses have forever created memories fondly remembered into adulthood.

Nowadays, we might not desire a place to feed plastic cake to barbie dolls, but wouldn’t it be an absolute dream to spend a night in the African bush, cradled in the tree tops under the magnificence of the stars? A four-poster bed draped in a mosquito net to escalate comfort, a thatched roof and drop-down canvas walls for cooler nights; Africa on Foot‘s treehouse is designed for the adventurous and the romantic.

View from the foot of the tree house, looking up

Located just outside of the Africa on Foot camp, there’s space for 2 in a Queen-size bed with a view that overlooks the spectacular Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. The double storey wooden structure is designed to offer guests an extra special experience to delve even deeper into the bush if they would so like. Timber stairs climb from the ground up to the open-air bedroom with a view of the sunset that settles into the deep dark of the night.

View from the tree house bedroom at Africa on Foot

Fathers and sons camp out for a night of adventure, decoding the calls of the wild and out-braving each other, cementing memories to last a lifetime. Couples young and old enjoy the romance of spending a night in the gentle sway of the trees and the unadulterated amour of the African bush.

Ask to spend a night at the tree house during your stay at Africa on Foot and our your guide will escort you there on the night, while you are welcome to walk the short distance back to the lodge once the sun has risen in the morning.

Sunset in the Klaserie silhouetting the tree house

Week in Pics: Lions of the Klaserie

* Warning: Graphic Images from Lion Kill

This week has been a busy week of wildlife sightings. The camps have been rife with big cat activity, predator kills and the presence of cubs. It was not possible to capture all the activity on camera due to poor visibility – but we did our best and came out with a few top notch lion photos.

This week saw the launch of our #livebushfeed which provides an opportunity to join us on a game drive in the virtual world between 4 – 7 every Wednesday. On the Wednesday evening game drive, within minutes of launching the virtual safari, the Umkumbe Safari Lodge (Sabi Sand Wildtuin) rangers reported a leopard sighting, elephants, buffalo and much more. The Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp team were on a mission to find our majestic Trilogy boys and the Ross Pride females. Their expedition proved fruitful and guests were delighted at the prolific lion sightings. They lions they saw were four females from the Ross Pride. Are the Ross Pride returning? Watch this space – only time will tell. Guests also saw the Trilogy boys lazing around in the thicket while displaying their obviously full bellies. In the early hours of the morning, these larger than life boys went on to kill a pregnant buffalo. The scene was quite horrific, but such is nature and the circle of life. Read our blog post for more information about the Trilogy buffalo kill.

nDzuti Safari Camp also had a bumper week in terms of lions. Bruce and Brett managed to track a coalition of two male lions from the River Pride which is good news. Bruce and Judy suspect that the coalition of males they saw were the two that killed the original lone male and eventually displaced the River Pride from the heart of their territory. The younger males from the River Pride, who are now 4 years old, appear to be returning to their old haunt.

Ranger Cameron from Umkumbe Safari Lodge stumbled about a cheetah with cubs and wild dogs mating. Cameron and his guests were in quite an enviable position in terms of game viewing.

This week the much revered wildlife photographer Shannon Benson (aka Shannon Wild) and local wildlife film-maker Russell MacLaughlin arrived in the Klaserie. They’ve already taken award-winning photos of a predator kill. Seems luck is on their side ! We are expecting an array of exquisite wildlife photos and videos from both of these safari legends.

Because this week comprises mainly of lion sightings, we’ve chosen a handful of images to reflect our successful big cat week.