The lifestyle in the bushveld is always dynamic and ever changing, unfolding before our eyes. We witness the untimely deaths of elusive cats and at the same time, enjoy endearing sightings with the young of the bushveld. This week we endured yet another leopard death deep within the Sabi Sand, but were equally delighted when lion cubs were spotted on the Ivory Wilderness traverse. The bushveld – such a place of mixed emotions.
Without further ado, here is a quick update from the week and a selection of images.
Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp
The Klaserie Camps are enjoying plenty of sightings of the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses. Although not in the best condition, these two lionesses prove to be the stalwart fighters of the reserve. This morning, the Africa on Foot team spotted the lionesses on foot and enjoyed a sighting of a breeding herd of buffalo. Elephants are in abundance, which doesn’t make much of a change from last week. There is a resident elephant at Africa on Foot that enjoys the same routine daily, and guests are always delighted to see elephants in camp when they arrive.
Ivory Wilderness Riversong Camp
Ivory Wilderness Riversong Camp has enjoyed a bounty of lion sightings from the Dundee Pride in particular. Young cubs were spotted waiting for the lionesses to return to where they were resting during the heat of day. A local leopardess was spotted hiding out in the thickets of trees and obviously the presence of hyenas is rife because of all the cats in the area.
The Balule continues to pump out the sightings, from lions to plains game and giant herbivores. The Mohlabetsi boys continue to wreak havoc in the area and stake their claim on unexplored turf.
Umkumbe has experienced an unfortunate series of leopard deaths over the past couple of weeks. First it was the Bicycle Crossing male and then the White Dam female, whose fate was sealed by another male leopard. Yet again, we spotted a rare sighting of one of our graceful leopards, Little Bush’s female cub. We don’t often enjoy sightings of this sub-adult cub, so this was one for the books! Her mother, Little Bush, is a feisty female that protects her land and brethren with aggression. Her cub is somewhat calmer and is habituated to the presence of game viewers; so she let us enjoy an incredible nocturnal sighting of her devouring a recent kill. A highlight of the week was the young hyena cubs curiously approaching the game viewer – guests enjoyed a proper close-up of these notorious scavengers.
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