We had to throw in the word “love” in our title given that it’s Valentine’s day on Sunday. Overly commercialised, somewhat cheesy and over-the-top; but yet another reason to celebrate our love…of nature ! We actually have something special in store for you this Valentine’s day, so check in again on the 14th to find out how our khaki-clad rangers found love in the bush and the profound effect nature had on their hearts.
In the meantime, before we fly off on a Cupid tangent and become too cheesy, here is this week’s edition of week in pictures…
Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge and Ezulwini River Lodge in the Balule Nature Reserve
Yet again, there appears to be a whole lot of lion love around the Ezulwini traverse. Our resident photographer sent in plenty of photos of different lion prides commonly seen while on game drives. Duma, the fearless lion leader of the Olifants West Pride, delighted guests with a sighting on Wednesday night. Three lions, 2 females and 1 male, were seen in the thickets. They appear to have splintered from their normal pride of 6. On another night two lone males were seen out on the prowl ! There are plenty of testosterone fuelled sub-adults on the traverse. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens over the coming months.
And guess who else made an appearance? Chavaluthu the leopard. He was heard contact calling for a female in the vicinity. Isn’t that a nice story for Valentine’s day?
In other news, the huge breeding herds of elephant and buffalo have been spotted wallowing in the waterholes. A fantastic angle of a dark-chanting goshawk was among one of the more memorable bird sightings of the Balule. And, of course, Ezulwini never fails to deliver epic sunset photos from their awe-inspiring sundowner spots – definitely a highlight of being based at the lodges.
Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
It certainly has been yet another interesting week of sightings in the Klaserie. The Ross Pride Breakaway females have been seen on a regular basis and are slowly making their way back onto their old turf. They kept a low profile after the violent altercation with the notorious Hercules Pride. The females weren’t badly hurt, but their ego was somewhat bruised.
The drought is still here, but it seems to have brought about an incredible amount of leopard sightings. We’re certainly not complaining ! Zero, Cleo and the Marula female have all been spotted during the course of the week. This is the second week of leopard sightings for Africa on Foot !
Despite the endangered wild dog being a nomadic species, sightings have been regular. Their denning period is timed with the end of the impala rutting season in May. Could they be here to stay or will they saunter off into new territory? The drought is the catalyst for much of the strange behaviour with the Klaserie wildlife, so let’s hope the wild dogs hang about for a while.
Umkumbe Safari Lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Umkumbe rangers should write a book about their life with leopards ! We don’t even know where to begin with the prolific sightings enjoyed by Umkumbe this week. Tatowa, Bicycle Crossing and Mxabene decided to host what looked like an open party for leopards.
Nicki Steenberg, a ranger from Umkumbe, reports that the lesser-spotted Bicycle Crossing male made a kill a few nights ago. A female hyena then stole the kill (bushbuck) from him while the antelope was still alive ! Bicycle Crossing waited in the wings to retrieve his meal. The next day the graceful Tatowa leopardess was seen relaxing in the grass. She looked heavily pregnant ! The following day Mxabene, the often spotted male, was seen close to the lodge. The day after that, Tatowa was seen again !
What a fantastic week – a leopard a day keeps the Doctor away!
Coupled with leopard sightings, guests enjoyed a wealth of pachyderm sightings in front of the lodge. Buffalo and elephant appeared on the banks of the Sand River, which flows on the doorstep of the lodge. Two large male lions also waltzed in front of the lodge.
Hippos, wading birds, plains game and small critters all came out to play this week.
What a special treat – let’s hope next week is as fruitful in terms of game viewing.
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