This last week has been amazing in the sightings that the bush has shared with us. The variation in game has been spectacular and has kept us all on the edges of our seats in enjoyment as well as anticipation for what might be around the next corner. Many of the more territorial animals have made more than one appearance at some time during the week and some others who we have not interacted with in a while, have given us brief glimpses of their majesty in this beautiful place we call home.

The Southern Pride, along with their newest additions, still keep going from strength to strength as they bring down buffalo after buffalo. This time they made a kill away from our boundaries and so we did not see them for a few days but towards the end of the week they returned to us and have been giving us all sorts of amazing interactions. Just last night they spent a great portion of the evening announcing to all who could listen that they were in charge and were heard roaring through most of the night.

The interactions we have had the past few days with the leopards on the property have been all about their battles with hyenas and having the ever present threat of scavengers around to steal their food. White Dam and her cub have had their kills stolen on two separate occasions and we have spent some good time with Little Bush and her cub after she had hoisted an impala up a tree where it was kept safe from the marauding hyenas.

We were graced with the presence of a cheetah that did not stay around for very long, but who would with the threat of a leopard around every bend in the road?!

The Toulon Pack of wild dogs also made a very brief appearance and it is still good to see that the pack is as strong as ever. The young pups now look like they are well on their way into adulthood.

The rut is in full swing and we are seeing more and more mating couples as well as fights breaking out over the dominance of a herd or of territory. The battles between the impala are particularly interesting to watch as the two sparing partners have a go at each other.

Elephants have been all over the reserve and every interaction with them promises something new and often much merriment as the youngsters play with each other. They have not as yet fully discovered their capabilities and like young children can sometimes be overbearing and a little rough with their siblings. The best is when they decide, that because the rest of the family are over 3 tonnes, they too command as much respect and try to chase us off, much to their disappointment when their petulant displays are met with no response on our parts.

Of the other game, there have been plenty buffalo, giraffe and many other wonderful sightings have been part of the fantastic last week we have had here at Sabi Sabi.