There are countless reasons to visit the exquisite Balule Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger, particularly during the colder months, but we’ll whittle them down to just five. 1) Without borders…exclusively One of the biggest drawcards of Balule Nature Reserve is that it shares an open border with the Kruger National Park on its western boundary….
“He was first spotted on Olifants main during August last year. We were avidly tracking the Kudyela lionesses, and their movements must have startled this young leopard. The cub very quickly bolted up an apple leaf tree, and the lions never caught wind of the situation. The growing youngster has been spotted on and off…
We blame playwright and literary genius Hemingway for the bad press bestowed upon spotted hyenas. His unfounded fear and clear disregard for our unique crocuta crocuta species deserves more than a few eye rolls from our side. It’s not only that hyenas were branded shameful demonic beasts in the classics, but in African and Persian folklore…
Lion cubs face a high mortality rate in the wild and are completely helpless when born, relying on their mother for nutrition and protection. Lionesses stash their cubs in den sites for the first few months of their life, ensuring they are protected from plundering scavengers and revengeful testosterone fuelled male lions seeking to take over…
The Balule Nature Reserve is the Greater Kruger’s best kept secret and its unsurpassed natural beauty makes it a worthy safari destination for honeymooners. Ezulwini Game Lodges sits in the epicentre of wildlife activity in the Balule, and each lodge has been designed in such a way to take advantage of the magnificent surrounds. Billy’s…
The Machaton male lions sired cubs with the Kudyela lionesses, and successfully increased their genetic bloodline in the Balule. These reigning kings sought to produce offspring to ensure their powerful genetics were passed down through the generations. The lion cubs are often spotted on Ezulwini’s traverse, just bumbling around and patrolling boundaries with the older…
Lion cubs are fragile, bumbling cats with a high mortality rate in the wild. They’re born completely helpless and require protection and guidance from their mother until they’re old enough to leave their den site, which generally happens at 3 months old. This is when they’re ready to be introduced to their powerful birth pride….
First light seeps in slowly, gently breaking the dark mystery of the night with subtle hints of natural light. The promise of a new day in the bushveld silently creeps past the charcoal black skies, as the sounds of nocturnal activity begins to dwindle. The contact calls of the lion kings begins to dissipate as dawn…
This edition of Week in Pictures we concentrate solely on the wonders of the Greater Kruger, a region comprising mixed zones of vegetation and remarkable landscapes. Rivers course through the various reserves and give rise to riverine vegetation laden with reeds and lush tropical foliage. The savanna is laden with shrub mopane veld, thorn trees, marula veld and…
The Balule Nature Reserve seems to be on a winning streak when it comes to lion cub sightings. Spotting healthy lion cubs within a reserve is always a momentous occasion worthy of celebrating. Coupled with the new life emerging from under the shrubbery, the sleek leopards are also making an appearance in the Balule on…