With the first significant rains of the season, came with it the start of new life in the bush... Sheldon and his guests were able to witness the fantastic sight of an impala giving birth!

It is unusual to see Scrub Hares, who are usually nocturnal, out and about during the day, but the temptation of the new green shoots of grass after the latest life giving rains looks to be the reason behind his appearance.

We have had some beautiful bird sightings – some unusual sightings to go with the array of wonderful sightings we are blessed with on a daily basis.

A Mosque Swallow graced us with a surprise visit and has also set up a nest with its mate. This is unusual for this area as they are normally fairly common further west and in areas where Baobab trees are prolific.

A Lilac-breasted Roller gazes on in search of a meal skittering around on the floor.

Known for the popping sound they make, almost like the pop of a champagne bottle, Sheldon managed to capture this awesome photo of a Black-bellied Bustard as it took to flight showing off its beautiful plumage.

Guests watched in amazement as a juvenile Martial Eagle departed off its perch and flew overhead, showing off its amazing features, colouration and size.

A Saddle-billed Stork, typically named after the yellow 'saddle' seen on the top of the bill just below the eyes. This avian species lacks a syrinx, which is the bony chamber found in the breast allowing birds to vocalize, therefore adults are pretty much entirely mute and chicks will communicate with a hissing sound.

Moving on to the cats, and it’s ladies first...

Little Bush and her cub had not been seen for a couple of days, and when they were eventually found, they were looking in great condition, meaning that their absence was most likely as a result of them feeding on a kill in a remote area of the property.

The Kigelia female leopard was seen early in the week on a kill after feeding on it for a couple of days.

The Kashane male has been seen regularly around Earth Lodge, even making his way around the Zen Garden within the lodge grounds. He also seems to be in great condition after feeding on two Common Reedbuck.

Over the last few weeks the Southern Pride, in conjunction with the Charleston males, have been doing exceedingly well. To date they have brought down in excess of 8 buffalo over the last few days. Not only have they been taking down multiple buffalo, but they are not moving very far to do so. They are all looking incredibly strong and the numbers remain at the two Charleston males, the five Southern Pride lionesses and eight cubs, five of which are male and the remaining three female. The males have gone off on one of their territorial boundary patrols and have not been seen these last few days but inevitably they will return and more than likely to a feast prepared for them by the lionesses.

We managed to tracked down a male cheetah yesterday – we missed the action, but he had taken down an impala and had finished feeding when we found him. He was nursing a full stomach but went about his business as he marked his territory.

Ending off where we began – the rains have brought to it new life, and it’s so refreshing to see and feel the change in the bush with many of our beautiful plants beginning to flower! The Black Stick Lily or Baboon’s Tail as many people know it, looks like a barren stick most of the year and for a few short days it bursts into beauty.