Lions of the Moremi: Brothers in Arms
On our return trip after two glorious nights at Xobega Island Camp earlier this week, a group of visitors and myself were fortunate enough to witness an extraordinary scene involving two big cats. It all began with a nice sighting of a young male lion, sprawled full length alongside a termite mound in the shade […]
Balule Lion Catch-up : The Boys, the Prides, the Drama
We recently reported the wild card antics from the power hungry Mohlabetsi boys enforcing their dominance over the prides within the Balule. But now it’s time to focus on two other prominent prides on the Ezulwini Traverse – Duma’s Pride and the River Pride. Before we tell you about our recent sightings from the past […]
5 Facts About Buffalo in the Balule Nature Reserve
Rangers in the Balule often stumble across huge breeding herds of buffalo that arrive en masse to the waterholes peppered around the Ezulwini Lodges. The herds number up to 400, which makes for remarkable sightings for guests. The lone bulls, often referred to as Dagga Boys, lather themselves in mud and pass their days by soaking […]
Hercules Pride Spotted Again & the “Cubs” are Growing!
The notorious Hercules Pride has been spotted again on the Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp traverse, where this elusive and not-so-friendly pride has been seen intermittently for the last 18 months. The last we saw of these lions was 2 months ago when we reported a little drizzle of rain and the unexpected […]
Young Lions from Mohlabetsi Pride on Buffalo Kill
We’ll never tire of hearing about the intricate web of the Balule’s lion pride dynamics. Recently we’ve heard about the young Mohlabetsi male coalition adopting the dominant role within three prides (Mohlabetsi, River and Impalabos prides) and patrolling a wide range within the Balule traverse. These rugged boys have conducted kills, mated with available females […]
Toulon Pack of Wild Dogs with 10 Puppies
The unmistakeable high-pitched bird-like chitters of the African wild dog could be heard echoing through the traverse around Umkumbe Safari Lodge. Having enjoyed plentiful wild dog sightings recently, rangers and trackers weren’t surprised that the dogs were out and about. The painted dogs, as they’re affectionately known, are one of the world’s most endangered carnivore […]
Week in Pics: Spring has Sprung !
This week in pictures we intend to introduce you to the wonders of spring and the flurry of activity that goes hand-in-hand with the change of seasons. The spring weather is beginning to argue with winter and force it’s sunny disposition onto the arid lands. The Kruger is dry at the moment, but we’re hoping for pitter […]
Another Day, Another Feast for Klaserie Lions
With the tough drought conditions that have plagued the Kruger Park this year, it’s no surprise that the grazing animals are weaker than they would be if they had fed on the green grass of summer. In the Klaserie, we’ve seen the buffaloes falling victim to hungry lions regularly, meaning that the king predators are getting […]
Rare Photos of Both Mapoza Male Lions
The two Mapoza male lions who strutted onto the property a few months ago have increased their their confidence tenfold. The pair came, saw, and appear to have conquered, this part of the Klaserie. We questioned whether these males could would be a match for the Trilogy, but it seems the Trilogy males were the ones to lay […]
