This is a celebration of Kruger. Our safari lodges and bush camps dotted around the Greater Kruger are situated in areas where wildlife splendour surrounds them, and where you’re faced with the decision of whether to watch something wonderful unfold, or to stare through a camera lens and capture the whole thing on camera. Memories made on safari are there to last a lifetime, and most of the time, they are the reason visitors come back, again and again. This week, to share the magic of the South African bush with you, we’ve selected a handful of photographs from Africa on Foot, nThambo Tree Camp, and nDzuti Safari Camp all in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve; plus, Umkumbe Safari Lodge in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin. Enjoy the Week in Pictures!
Elephants are a vision. They can make your superior seat on a game viewer feel like a chair at the children’s table in a matter of seconds as they sidle up to the familiar form of the Land Rover packed with khaki-clad guests all torn between awe and terror. It is quite intimidating to have the giant, leathery bulk of Africa’s largest land mammal come and investigate the day’s variety of guests, but at Umkumbe Safari Lodge you can watch herds of elephants from the very comfortable position of your poolside lounger! These elephants were photographed as they were hurtling across the Sand River bed in front of Umkumbe, while photographer, Shannon Benson, captured a tender glimpse of a young elephant between the autumn leaves.
On the big cat front in the Sabi Sand, reports of an unknown trio of lions were circulating around the reserve. Umkumbe’s ranger, Marius, captured a couple of images of the new lions when lucky guests got a sighting on game drive. It is very risky to enter other lions’ territory, and males will often fight to the death to defend or take over a territory. This handsome black-maned male was joined by another adult male and a lioness… let’s see where their adventures take them! The leopards that were seen this last week also included a new face – a male known as Mahlatini. Umkumbe rangers tracked and discovered the exceptional Maxabeni, who was seen rolling in buffalo dung in order to hide his scent and keep a low profile. Also seen this week was the Notten’s female leopard, who was admired in the spotlight.
Further north in the Klaserie Reserve, Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp have been showing their guests a smorgasbord of wildlife delights. From the epic event of a cheetah kill on nThambo’s doorstep (literally – rooms 3 and 4 watch out!), to the resounding roar of a Trilogy male lion at night, the presence of animals around the camps has been breath-taking. Something very interesting to watch was the aggressive domination display put on by a number of buffalo bulls in a herd recently. Photographer, Jochen, captured the strange act of mounting and head-butting on camera, and our rangers informed us that it was a show of dominance which is also seen in male elephants. The legendary lionesses were also seen behaving affectionately on the main tar road that divides the Timbavati and the Klaserie Nature Reserves, which proved an absolutely beautiful sight for guides and guests alike.
Also in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve lies nDzuti Safari Camp, which has also had a week dominated by exciting lion activity. One male lion we suspect to be the big boy who killed the local River Pride male, and has been consistently mating with one of the River Pride lionesses, has been really asserting his territory. On game drive this week, guests were watching when the relaxed lion and lioness suddenly stirred and got up, ears pricked. They listened carefully and gazed into the bushes where they could hear the approach of other lions. Is it possible that there are new lions in the territory?
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