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Umkumbe Lion Update : Kambula Lionesses are Doing the Rounds !

When it comes to lion pride sighting updates at Umkumbe Safari Lodge, we’re way overdue – just like that festive season credit card payment. We have some edge of the seat stuff coming your way, so hold your breath as we beguile you with the latest tales from our powerful big cat athletes. We’re skipping the leopard update today and going to focus entirely on those tawny beasts that patrol our traverse day in and day out, scent marking and contact calling as they confidently strut their stuff on their home ground.

We’ll kick-off with an update about the Kambula Pride of lions. These lionesses were previously referred to as the Mhangeni Breakaway females, and were eventually renamed after considerable time lapsed . It was realised that the females would not rejoin the rest of the Mhangeni lionesses and needed an identification of their own.

The tight-knit group of felines seem at ease with just about any male, with numerous consortships witnessed over the past month. Whether its local lions pushing boundaries, or even nomadic males wandering across in search of new territories; the Kambulas will mate with all and sundry.

The reason? It is within their genetic make-up to want to reproduce and increase their kinship among individuals. It’s hardly slim pickings on our traverse when it comes to burly male lions, so the options of males to sire cubs are endless. However, a lioness’s desire to procreate is not just about continuing their bloodline and creating genetic diversity – it’s also about preservation and survival.

It is speculated that the more males they mate with during oestrus, the harder it is to identify paternity which could lead to less aggressiveness and less chance of infanticide. Males that want to take over prides or mate with receptive females may kill off existing cubs to thwart the continuation of another’s bloodline.

So yes, the Kambula’s are most certainly doing the rounds. Towards the end of December, ranger Geoffrey sent through a few short clips of one of the Birmingham males mating with the Kambulas. Our guests not only enjoyed a lion sighting, but also witnessed the rather tormented affair of a big cat mating session. The Birmingham males have a chocolate colour mane that carpets their upper quarters, and they’re rather a heavyset coalition of 4 lions easily recognisable by their powerful bodies and distinct colouring.

The Avoca male lions are a coalition of 2 males that wandered over from the Avoca Pride in the southern Timbavati region. They have 3 younger siblings, but seem to be staking claim on land within the Sabi Sand. The Avocas discovered the available Kambulas and were subsequently spotted feeding on the remnants of a buffalo kill.

The Avocas weren’t the only males the Kambulas were sidling up to, and one of the legends and favourites of the area – Scar Nose from the Majingilanes was also spotted in their company. The Majingilanes have quite the legacy on our parts, and it appears that the rough and rowdy Scar Nose also wanted a piece of the action. With his leathery nose and clearly marked jaw, he certainly looks like a soldier of his territory.

Sparta Lions were the apple of the Avoca’s eye towards mid last year, but the Avocas appear to have a new flavour of the month which is the Kambulas. The Sparta lionesses were spotted at a local waterhole replenishing their thirst.

The Matshipiri male lions, our resident warlords, have been involved in a number of scuffles over the past year and bear the battle scars as proof. There are now 2 Matshipiri males that are often spotted with the Kambula females, and they’ve been the longstanding companions of this pride of lionesses.

Our sightings of these various prides, groups and coalitions have taken place over the past 3 weeks. There’s clearly plenty of lion activity on Umkumbe’s traverse, adding to already confusing lion activity. What we do know is that the Kambulas are clearly needing to procreate.

Birmingham Male Lions

Avoca Lions

Kambulas and Matshipiris

Scar Nose with Kambulas

Sparta Females

Festive Week in Pics : 2017 is a Wrap!

2017 is drawing to a close, and the year has plummeted into oblivion as quickly as a pied kingfisher dive bombs its prey. The year has been an interesting one, with new camps climbing aboard the Sun Destinations portfolio and a marked shift in lion pride behaviour across all of the reserves.

The four seasons bring with it a deluge of changes. In 2017 we’ve observed eerie thunderstorms, biting cold, searing heat and intermittent heavy rains that provided plenty of scope for species to thrive, struggle and migrate. Recently, the contrast of arid, bland bushveld bursting with greenery during our summer season has made for exceptional landscape views. The biome in both Botswana and Kruger continues to fascinate us and will continue to do so during the course of 2018.

For “Week in Pics” this week, we will recap with a few highlights from the year and introduce a new set of images recently uploaded by our rangers. There’s nothing better than new beginnings combined with a bit of hindsight.

2017 saw the acquisition of a few new camps, one of which is Chacma Bush Camp. A camp that is fast becoming the place to see elephants. This quaint camp located in the lesser-known Maseke Game Reserve and has a waterhole in front of the patio. Breeding herds of elephant, buffalo and plains game constantly frequent the lodge grounds which is a huge drawcard for guests. Our favourite discovery was that of the Maseke male lions, a coalition of 6 burgeoning young male lions. The Chacma team have also spotted two lionesses, each with their own sub-adult cubs. In 2018 the Chacma rangers will attempt to unravel the mystery of the Maseke lions!

Umkumbe Safari Lodge, our rustic gem in the prestigious Sabi Sand has endured two huge tragedies during the course of 2017, namely the untimely death of two leopards- the Bicycle Crossing male and White Dam female. The 11 year old graceful beauty, White Dam, passed away unexpectedly. Otherwise known as the Calabash female, this leopardess was one of our commonly spotted cats on the Umkumbe traverse. The death of the Bicycle Crossing male left us heartbroken, torn at the seams and in tatters. We often spoke about “Bike” and “Max” being local contenders for being crowned our favourite male, but we actually loved them both equally! However, there wasn’t much rivalry due to them occupying different territories.

The highlight of the year was the discovery of a pangolin on numerous occasions and the prolific leopard sightings. Umkumbe also enjoyed many African wild dog sightings with guests getting up close and personal with the dogs. Both vehicles were in a sighting with the pack of African wild dogs frolicking in the water after devouring a kill. Ranger Geoffrey said they made the bushbuck kill right in front of the lodge and then wandered off to the closest waterhole to clean their blood-soaked, matted fur and replenish their thirst.

Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails was another new and exciting launch for 2017. After much success with Africa on Foot and its morning walks, we decided to focus purely on launching a product that was a trails only safari. The trail is a 3 day mobile “glamping” experience in 3 different locations in the Maseke Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger. The feedback has been positive.Experienced trails guide and bush legend, Luan, has led many adventurers through the bushveld on this trail. The highlight? The elephants visiting the camp! This is the Maseke after all.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp have had an interesting time with lion pride dynamics, and recorded sightings of “new” lions on the traverse. The former part of the year saw ample sightings of the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses, the Mbiri males and even a once-off Trilogy sighting. The later part of the year sightings shifted to more regular observations of the Ross Pride females, the Western Pride and the River Pride.

Next year will be interesting in terms of dynamics.

There have been a few unknown leopard sightings, with regular sightings of Bundu and Cleo. There really have been far too many rewarding wildlife sightings in the Klaserie so it’s difficult to list them all.

In terms of lodge life, the highlight has been the construction of our Bush Bar – a place for special sundowners and craft gin tastings.

Ezulwini Game Lodges

Ezulwini set up a camera trap in an area popular with wildlife, and the results were astounding. The camera trap delivered results of leopard, elephant and plenty of plains game exploring the area. Currently, the lodge is undergoing a soft refurb at River Lodge which includes a number of changes to the standard rooms. We look forward to plenty of fresh changes at this luxury lodge in the Balule.

Our Trails of Botswana camps have added a few more camps to their authentic trail route offering the best that Botswana has to offer. Xaxaba Island Camp and Mankwe Tented Retreat are the latest additions to the rustic trails route, while RAW Botswana Motswiri Camp has injected a bit of luxury into the Trails route. Camp Linyanti, Camp Savuti, Xobega Island Camp and Tuskers Bush Camp continue to provide us with epic wildlife sightings. On a recent educational to Tuskers, agents were lucky enough to spot a leopard at the waterhole in front of the lodge. Motswiri seems to have a steady flow of predator sightings, with guide Witness reporting cheetah sightings and wild dog kills in front of Tent 5.

Let’s take on 2018 and make it a good one. Stay safe over the festive season, learn from the past and start the year on fresh footing! All the best from the Sun Destinations team!

Lions of the Maseke : Lionesses, Sub-adults and The Bushveld Kings

A couple months back we introduced you to a coalition of 6 burly male lions that we know as the “Maseke Males”. These lions patrol their turf with vigour and appear to be in elite physical condition, with two older males seemingly dominating the rest. Our sightings have included the full pride of boys, and then of the four younger males dining out on a kill. The Maseke have certainly made their mark on our reserve, but there came a time when we were wondering about our lack of lioness sightings. We needed to establish the whereabouts of the females, and ranger Luan spent plenty of time tracking the lions of the Maseke.

Male lions are generally drawn to an area that boasts a high density of prey and availability of females. It is in their genetic make-up to sire cubs and continue their elite bloodlines. With so many boys around, there had to be females in the area – and it was up to us to find them.

Lo and behold, we discovered the female of the species! Immersed deep within the mopaneveld in the pockets of knob-thorns and general shrub close to the Lamai gate, we spotted the lionesses. The females were tucking into a meaty feast of wildebeest, but it was tricky to get 100% visibility due to the sheer density of the surrounding thickets. At least we know there are females in the area, but they already have growing cubs. Were the sub-adult cubs perhaps sired by the Maseke males? In time, Luan and the team will find out. We are slowly establishing the history and the lineage of the lions of the Maseke Game Reserve, but it can be a complex task given the wide range a lion patrols.

After spotting the lionesses we were also lucky enough to witness the Maseke males take down a buffalo. This coalition of brute force is quite the dominant power on our reserve – good luck to any other males pushing boundaries and overstepping their mark. These males rule the land with an iron fist!

We sat with these males for ages, watching them tear into cartilage and gorge themselves on ripe, fresh flesh. The scene was brutal, but necessary for the survival of our bushveld kings. Lions will eat until they cannot move, and will lie on their backs to let their stomachs expand and cascade over their limbs. After observing the final morsels being devoured in a lion feast, you might notice that their breathing becomes laboured. This is because their enlarged stomachs press on their diaphragm.

After indulging in the ultimate lion sighting of the Maseke males, we came across yet another set of lions. This time the pride was spotted quite a distance from the Lamai Gate, and were hovering around the Olifants River area close to Nyati. We noticed an older lioness with 3 sub-adult cubs, two males and one female, with one of the cubs being somewhat older than the other. Because they were so close to boundaries we speculate they wondered over from Excellence farm. These lions certainly weren’t sedentary – the older lioness attempted to take down a warthog, but was unsuccessful in her attempts.

To recap. We spot the Maseke deep in the heart of our traverse on a regular basis – that we’ve established. We’ve spotted the female with the older sub-adult lions close to the gate on a kill, and now we’ve just seen another lioness with 3 sub-adult cubs close to the Olifants river. Have any of the Maseke sired these cubs? Who are the lionesses close to the Olifants? Who is the other lioness we saw at the gate? Our quest is to find out how these lions are connected to the Maseke. A complex but worthwhile task that allows us to monitor lion behaviour in the area.

The Western Pride of Lions Visits the Klaserie

2 healthy and proud lionesses led a pride of 7 lithe sub-adult lions through the sparse crunchy brown thickets in search of prey. They were spotted late September and visibility was 100% due to the thinning bushveld, the hallmark of late winter in the Klaserie. It was the time of year when sporadic sprouts of green could be spotted urging their way through decaying vegetation.

Guests were lucky to see this pride, a pride that had never been spotted on Klaserie turf. The lions were on the move, and rangers sensed the pride were ill at ease with their surrounds. They were clearly deciding whether they’d crossed over into no-man’s land and we speculate they may have been pushing boundaries. Plenty of reserves have exploratory prides that dare to skirt the boundaries of other lion’s turf. We assumed this pride may well have been doing just that. The pride were declared unknown and would remain one of the Klaserie’s historical and mysterious lion sightings…

That is, until 2 months later.

During the 2 months prior to the next sighting of this enigmatic and burgeoning pride, we noticed an increase in presence of the 3 Mafikozolo lionesses. The Mbiri males, and the Ross Pride lionesses also appear to be providing fairly consistent sightings while guests are on drive. In conjunction with those sightings, there was also the sighting of the River Pride in eastern block area.

Back to the unidentified pride.

The second time the pride of 9 were spotted was close to the northern part of the Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp’s traverse – a section where we are afforded exclusive traversing rights. The pride were spotted doing what lions do best during the heat of the day – sleeping, interrupted with an occasional stretch and stroll.

It was now up to our avid and knowledgeable rangers to identify this particular pride. After more than a couple sightings, our rangers decided to venture into the curious world of trying to identify the lions. Ranger Mauritz delivered the news of the newly identified pride.

They are the Western Pride of lions. We believe that they come from up north in a neighbouring reserve, and they haven’t met any resistance as of yet from dominant lions. However, the Klaserie is in the midst of undergoing a few lion pride changes so perhaps there’s a bit of re-establishing of prides at the moment. We hope that we will see more of this growing and supremely healthy looking pride.

Ranger Mauritz has furnished us with numerous photos, and he displays quite the creative and technical hand behind the camera, ensuring we only see the best of the best with these Western beasts!

Mauritz says, “There were two females, seven youngsters on the east block. They were just being lions”

Let’s hope the next sighting we have of the Western Pride involves an epic kill. The big question remains. Who sired the cubs?

Why Choose the Okavango Delta as a Safari Destination?

There are numerous reasons to go on safari in the The Okavango Delta. The high concentration of game, the remoteness, the mind-blowing scenery, the scarcity of tourists and the friendly locals are just a few reasons to head to Africa’s gleaming water paradise.

The Okavango Delta is actually is the world’s largest inland delta comprising an intricate network of swamps, crystal clear rivers, narrow channels, lagoons, islands, floodplains and permanent marshlands. It’s very rare to find such a pristine destination that hasn’t been destroyed by man, but the Okavango Delta remains untouched and will continue to do so given the it’s a high income destination with a restriction on the number of visitors.

The Okavango Delta is proper jungle paradise, with lush vegetation cascading over the banks of the reed-lined waterways. Palm trees and sausage trees provide the perfect habitat for a wealth of big game, rare birds and aquatic animals. And that’s just the scenes close to the water and on the private waterlogged islands. The Moremi National Park almost “juts” into the Delta and is a huge dry land mass hugged by the low-grade alluvial fan. Moremi is where you will enjoy plenty of predator sightingsEndangered African wild dogs, cheetah, leopard and lions all roam freely in this expansive area.. It’s wildlife that dominates the Okavango Delta, a proper eden.

The Okavango Delta is fed by the waters of the Angola highlands and filters onto the large, arid Kalahari landscape in the northern reaches of Botswana. Pristine waters fill the dry depressions in the land, creating interesting tributaries and inlets fed by the Okavango River. This natural world heritage site has a network of both permanent and seasonal river systems and is nothing short of a geographical marvel due to the entire intact water system not flowing into the ocean.

The best way to explore the Okavango Delta is to stay on a remote, uninhabited island. An island hugged by waterways and framed by sausage trees, this slice of paradise is untouched by commercialism. Most of the island int e delta are explored on foot and via traditional mekoro. Wildlife harmoniously functions together within this confusing network of water systems. During the dry season the Okavango River floods, bringing with it a change in wildlife behaviour.

Wildlife unique to the area includes the lechwe, Pel’s fishing owl and the rare sitatunga. There are over 400 species of bird and in one boat journey you will probably see a bounty of birds of prey while listening to the unmistakeable call of the African fish eagle, a sound synonymous with Africa. Other commonly spotted species dwelling in the waters include the Nile crocodile, hippo and schools of fish – 71 species to be exact!

Landscapes, sunsets, rare birds, wildlife and few people. Sounds like safari paradise? It is !

Week in Pics : Our Images Do the Talking

Monday is upon us, and the bushveld is buzzing with activity. Many of us break for the weekend, but the bushveld doesn’t sleep. It thrives 24/7 with endless ruthless tales of predators stripping herds of their young ones, arboreal creatures hiding out in their woody habitats, elephants splashing in waterholes, scavengers seeking out a bushveld fast food meal and non-stop activity from all species across the board.

Within all of our camps and lodges in our portfolio, life continues as per usual. Umkumbe have enjoyed regular sightings of an unknown leopard, Little Bush’s cub and a stocky male called Inyathini. Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp continue to spot the Mbiri males, the Ross Pride lionesses and the two older breakaway females.

Chacma Bush Bush Camp is brimming with elephant sightings, which is nothing unique! There have also been a number of snake sightings which would please the herpetologists out there.

Xaxaba is yet another addition to the growing Sun Destinations family of camps, and is run by Afrika Ecco Safaris from the local Xaxaba community. It is located on a private island deep within the heart of the Okavango Delta, a world-heritage site renown for its abundance of wildlife. This is a true rustic, wilderness experience ideal for the wild at heart.

Today we’re going to let the images do the talking.

Safari Adventure Activities at Xaxaba Island Camp

Xaxaba Mobile Camp is a prime destination not only for game viewing, but also for water safari activities. The island brings you so close to the wild, and is a place in time never to be forgotten. The adventure lovers will never want to leave this remote spot of paradise.

Here are the safari adventure activities on offer at Xaxaba Mobile Camp:

Fishing and Swimming

Fishing is for the patient, and for those that crave that feeling of the first bite after plenty of waiting. Fishing requires skill way above merely setting the hook and casting your line out. It’s all about timing and quiet observation. The Okavango Delta is a fisherman’s delight, and the crystal waters laden with water lily’s hide plenty of tilapia, bass and bream beneath its depths. You will need to bring your own fishing equipment and ensure that you are there during fishing season (Sep/Oct) to enjoy a productive time on the water.

Swimming in the Okavango Delta?! Yes. There are certain areas of the Delta that are quite shallow, and safe. Guides know the area well and if the conditions are right and they deem the water levels acceptable, you will be whisked off to a section where swimming is possible.

Walking Safari on Chief’s Island

Guests will wake up when the sun rises, grab some much needed coffee, and then depart on the walk of a lifetime with local guides. The morning walk is roughly 3 hours and takes place on Chief’s Island, the neighbouring island to Xaxaba. This familiarity between the people and wildlife of Chief’s Island is the reason we walked without rifles. If the water levels are high, you will take a mokoro to the island, hop off and begin your walk. Discover the rare Pel’s fishing-owl, observe elephants, spot red lechwe and ogle over the remnants and carcasses of crocodile kills when the water is low.

Mekoro and Boating

Upon arrival at this immaculate destination at Xaxaba/Eagle Island Boat Station you will be whisked away across the open waters of the Delta to your isolated island. This 20 minute boating trip will provide ample opportunity to spot hippo, crocs and the lively world that dwells beneath the surface. Watch the huge herds of pachyderms wading across the water while you cruise through the expanse of crystal clear waters. Xaxaba mekoro trips offer something slightly different in that they aren’t used on the open waters, but rather the narrow reed-lined channels. These traditional dug-out canoes are used to glide through the water at sunset, and explore narrow waterways inaccessible on a boat.

Sundowners in a Special Location

The Xaxaba guides are experts in the field of wildlife and have an intimate knowledge of the island, which is their backyard. Evenings on safari are spent celebrating the much anticipated golden hour. Guides will transport you to a hidden destination on the banks of the Delta, where a makeshift boma with chairs, campfire and snacks are set-up. Sit with your feet in the water while enjoying you favourite sundower drink. A memory of a lifetime!

Week in Pics : Bushveld Solitude as December Descends

December is descending upon us faster than a leopard ambushes its prey. The silly season is approaching, and with it comes plenty of mass marketing, enticing jingles and manic behaviour from humans. This is the time of year to indulge in the solitude of the bushveld and observe the natural life that continues to unfold despite the frenetic mayhem displayed by humans. If you’re not in the bushveld, find a tranquil spot to sit and browse through our week in pics – your connection to the magic of the ‘veld.

Xaxaba Island Camp in Botswana

Xaxaba Island Camp is yet another new addition to our portfolio of lodges and camps in Botswana. The camp is a remote and rustic destination overlooking the famous Chief’s Island in the acclaimed Okavango Delta region, and offers plenty of water based safari activities. There’s fishing, boating, mekoro, walks and special sundowners on the sandy banks of the Delta. This is a community run island, and there are 3 different locations where camp is set up. It’s simple and basic, but the game viewing is unsurpassed!

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

The highlight from the Sabi Sand this week was the rare sighting of the Natumi female leopard , who is Little Bush’s cub. She was guarding her kill in a tree, and is clearly on track with her hunting skills gained from her mother. She is in the region of 12 – 18 months, which is when sub-adult cubs will begin their solitary lifestyle, occasionally meeting up with their mothers to conduct kills. There was also a sighting of a young, unknown leopardess who was clearly exploring new ground in an effort to establish home ground. There have also been wild dogs sightings, and abundant bird life with plenty of summer migrants.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp have enjoyed a rare sighting of African wild dogs stealing a leopard’s kill, which enthralled guests and rangers alike. There have been a few sightings of Ross Dam leopardess, who was also recently spotted with a young wildebeest calf kill just outside Africa on Foot camp. The elephant and buffalo sightings continue, and the usual species of summer migratory birds have made a colourful appearance. The Ross Pride Breakaway Lionesses continue to go about their business in the Klaserie, providing us with the much needed stable sightings of lions. Game viewing is certainly at a high in this reserve.

Chacma Bush Camp

Our delightful camp in the heart of the Maseke Balule Game Reserve continues to tick over with an abundance of elephant and buffalo sightings – in front of camp. The waterhole is literally below the swimming pool, and provides an oasis for a wealth of wildlife. The Maseke male lions have been spotted yet again, and wowed us with a sighting of the coalition feasting on a giraffe kill. Ranger Luan even spotted an elusive leopard skulking in the thickets.

Tuskers Bush Camp and Xobega Island Camp

Our Okavango Delta and Kwatale Conservancy camps in Botswana have just hosted a few agents for an educational tour. While they were at Tuskers, they spotted a herd of elephants at the waterhole and a leopard on the outskirts of camp – that was the day they arrived!

Enjoy the week ahead. We look forward to bringing you tales from the bushveld.

Klaserie Wild Dogs Displace Leopard from Kill

Two species. One sighting. Both vastly different in their take down of quarry and execution of kill tactics. This is the story of how local leopardess Ross Dam had her fragmented carcass stolen by a pack of unscrupulous wild dogs. Only the marula tree where she sought refuge will know the true version of events that unfolded in this section of land that borders the confines of our traverse. Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp witnessed the scuffle as it began, but what happened before the untimely death of the impala kill will forever remain a mystery stashed into the vault of stories that the bushveld holds.

Trotting through the recently replenished bushveld, the endangered African wild dog seeks out potential prey amidst the dense shrubbery and knob-thorn thickets. Affectionately known as “painted wolves”, these nomadic dogs together with their gregarious packs will cover a wide range to find their ideal quarry.

Their hunting skills are like a well-oiled machine, but one that thrives on blatant behaviour. Dogs will simply identify a weaker or younger member in the herd, walk straight towards their target and a chase will ensue. Identify – pause – engage. A string of behaviour typical to animals that are classified as sighthounds. Wild dogs are coursers and will chase their prey until the point of exhaustion, after which they will attempt to disembowel their prey. Despite the kill method sounding rather sadistic, the prey actually dies quite quickly. Like most wild animals, if dogs come across a free carcass without having to conduct a kill, they will naturally attempt to eat it and displace other predators from the carcass.

The techniques and social lifestyle are in great contrast to our more aloof and mysterious leopard species; a cat that hunts with solitary craftsmanship. A leopard’s method of hunting is different to the wild dogs – they thrive on the art of camouflage and ambush, utilising their stealth and grace to conceal their presence. It is only the alarm calls from plains game and birds that alerts the target of a possible threat.

Once the kill has been made, a leopard will need to drag its prey to safety before the scavengers and other predators get wind of the fresh meal. They will normally hoist their kill high up in the tree, or hide it in dense bushes. Leopards can be opportunistic and will steal prey, provided the conditions are non-threatening – leopards are not normally confrontational.

In this frame we have two completely unrelated species vying for the same prey. Now that we’ve delved into the depths of how each species conducts kills, you can probably ascertain what might have happened prior to the arrival of our game viewers at the sighting.

Here’s how we ended up in this enviable position of our vehicles being slap bang in the middle of a leopard and pack of wild dogs.

Rangers had a glimpse of the wild dogs on the road and followed them onto traverse where only Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp have access. The dogs stopped at the base of the marula tree where a leopard (Ross Dam female) was guarding and hovering over an impala carcass – she was probably about to hoist it up the tree. They chased the leopard and displaced her from the carcass, and Ross Dam sought solitude in the fork of the tree. The dogs tore at the remains of the carcass, while Ross Dam watched over them in anger. She could be heard hissing, growling and baring her teeth. The dogs eventually moved off, and Ross Dam descended from the tree, snatched the carcass and stashed it in the fork for safekeeping! Just another average day here in the Klaserie.

Week in Pics : Landscapes, Predators and Plains Game

This week we’ve enjoyed a slew of interesting photos emerging from our camps and lodges. The thunderstorms are rolling in, which is a clear indicator that summer is approaching. With the new season rapidly encroaching, the skies above beginning to shift; bringing in 3 dimensional cloud cover and backgrounds ideal for wildlife photography.

Needless to say, the natural setting and surrounds at the moment is picture perfect. The Klaserie has produced an incredible mix of sightings, from predators to plains and pachyderms. The Mbiri males, the Ross Pride Breakaways and lions from the eastern block – the River Pride, have been spotted on the traverse around Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp. Hyenas have been active because of the many predator kills in the area, and the wild dogs have been spotted numerous times. The highlight has been ranger A.D. Van Zyl’s video of a pack of wild dogs trying to attack a hyena.

Chacma Bush Camp, our latest addition to the Kruger portfolio of camps, is heaving with sightings of buffalo and elephant. A recent highlight being the bovids joining the pachyderms for a drinking session at the waterhole in front of camp.

Mankwe Tented Retreat is the latest addition to our trails of Botswana route, and is ideally located on the outskirts of the Moremi Game Reserve and in its own private concession the Kwatale Conservancy. Botswana is renown for its prolific game, and a game drive excursion from Mankwe into the reserve will provide ample game viewing opportunity. Shorter game drives around the Kwatale Conservancy will allow for further scope of spotting wildlife.