There has been a very definite presence of big cats throughout all the reserves. While we’re not neglecting the other incredible sightings of pachyderms, general game, the endangered wild dogs, flutterings of birds, deadly raptors and giant herbivores; it’s just that the big cats have stuck out like a sore thumb (sorry, paw) this week.
The Klaserie witnessed a white lion in the wild, a male lion fighting with a buffalo and a hyena stealing a leopard’s kill. Umkumbe saw a benevolent cheetah, a new male leopard on their turf and a leopard cub indulging in its new found freedom. The Balule Nature Reserve spied a lion pride on a kill and a leap of leopards. Our Botswana camps have had plenty of pachyderm and birding action! There’s never a dull moment in Botswana.
Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp : Leopard Kills and Turbulent Times with Lions
This week saw the delivery of three leopard sightings, one with a sighting of a leopard trying to enjoy a kill while the hyena were hovering in the wings plotting their thieving attack. The most heartwarming sighting this week has been the reuniting of the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses. The older of the two appeared to be quite weak and went off the radar for sometime. She has now returned and is in the protective arms of her sister.
One of the lethal Mapoza male lions will stop at nothing to prove that he is the ultimate king. The Mapozas pounced on a buffalo cow and tried to take her down. The buffalo herds are out in full force, littering the bushveld with their presence! The Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses wanted a bit of beef for themselves, so attempted to stalk the buffalo for about 30 metres and thus provided a fantastic sighting for guests.
As if that wasn’t enough big cat activity for the Klaserie, nThambo Tree Camp stumbled upon the Mapoza males enjoying the company of…Wait for it…A white lioness from the Giraffe Pride! Yes, folks, the Klaserie camps have had yet another white lion sighting!
The Africa on Foot team spent ages observing a pack of wild dogs socialising and relaxing under the shade of the Tamboti trees. This is not the first sighting of the endangered dogs over the past few months. Another rare sighting for the Kruger.
Umkumbe Safari Lodge : Leopards and Cheetah Lead the Way
Enter the cats, exit the plains game! The big cats have been dominating the sightings on the Umkumbe traverse. The plains game have scattered and many have sought refuge around the grounds of the actual lodge. Nyala, bushbuck and waterbuck always provide consistent sightings even before departing for game drive. That’s the beauty of being located on the banks of the Sand River – wildlife flocks to the area. On Wednesday evening during the #LiveBushFeed game drive, the herds of elephant and bloats of hippo were also spotted.
This week, a lone cheetah was spotted just exploring its immediate area. Guests enjoyed sightings of Mxabene on patrol, Kigelia, Little Bush, Little Bush’s Cub, Tatowa, a new male called Mambiri and firm favourite, White Dam.
With the presence of so many cats in the area, this means the scavengers are constantly on the look out for carrion and carcasses. Their presence adds an extra dimension to sightings!
Ezulwini Game Lodges : The Lions Feast and Leopards Patrol
The massive lion prides that wander through the Balule bushveld have been up to their old tricks again. A huge pride was seen feasting on a buffalo kill in the dead of the night. A clan of hyena were circling the vicinity around the kill – but that’s nothing unusual for these successful carnivores!
The leopards were seen once again, with Chavaluthu heading up the sightings. And of course, it just wouldn’t be Ezulwini without the abundance of elephant sightings in and around the lodges!
Xobega Island Camp and Tuskers Bush Camp : Birds and Beyond
Xobega Island Camp, being located on a remote island in the Okavango Delta, is the perfect hideaway for numerous birds and beasts! There’s a resident elephant that roams the paths around the island – it’s always best to keep a look out for him. Over the weekend, while the refurb was being finished, he made another appearance. Probably just to check on the style of furniture!
At Tuskers Bush Camp all the small creatures have been out – the scrub hares, birds and plains game.
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