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a week in the bush: vol 50

on May 07, 2015

The start of the week was an early morning meeting in the ranger’s office which was needed to discuss the logistics of the day as we would be fully booked across all 4 lodges for the next 6 nights! Once the meeting was concluded I knew my fellow rangers and I would be going full throttle with just under one hundred guests in total over the course of six nights and on that note welcome to another epic week in the bush.

My fellow rangers and I made our way to the Sabi Sabi private airstrip after the meeting to pick up our guests arriving on various flights. Once my guests had arrived, I made my way back to Bush Lodge. All went well and in no time at all we had all the guests settled in at the lodge and ready to go on safari after a little lunch and high tea of course. My guests were super excited and enthusiastic while out on safari and it wasn’t long before we had tracked down one of the Sand River male lions which made for an epic sighting for the first drive. He was alone but none the less impressive!

01Mike L Sand River Male

The Southern Pride females were found not long after that walking down our private airstrip at pace as they were on the move looking for a buffalo to hunt. They were followed for a while but they were not successful.

The next morning we were greeted with an amazing orange sunrise which shown bright as it light up the bushveld. Truly beautiful and I have always said one should watch the sun rise at least once a year but I guess that statement may apply more to the guests than to the rangers!

02sun Rise 2

The safaris that followed that sunrise where nothing short of spectacular on all counts for all rangers and guests. We had a number of great leopard sightings of many of our resident females. In particular the guests were lucky enough to see the White Dam female and her cub. Seeing a leopard is one thing but seeing a leopard with her cub is just spectacular!

03Terry Ennever WD Cubs1

Following the female leopard sightings were the sightings of two male leopards which are not frequently seen – the River Rocks male and the Hlarulini male. These two elusive cats truly showed off their pure beauty which had the guests mesmerised. We had the Hlarulini male drink water right in front of one of the safari vehicles which made for an epic photo opportunity. The River Rocks male posed for the camera sitting up straight while looking off into the distance.

This past week has been very productive in terms of cheetah. Guests had the opportunity to see a male cheetah chase a baby kudu. Although he missed the kudu, it was still a thrill for both the rangers and the guests! The cheetah then lay down and gave us a great gaping yawn!

06Cheetah Yawn

Following the sighting of the cheetah one of my fellow rangers found a hippo out of the water, walking around in pure daylight! This was quite rare as usually hippos will stay in water during the heat of the day and then come out at night to feed. The ranger at the time managed to shoot a great picture of the animal which showcases its sheer bulk size!

07Mike Palmer Hippo Tintswalu

Buffalo were also around this last week and we have started to get the breeding herds from the north that make their way onto our reserve during the winter time. As you can imagine, sitting amongst a herd of one thousand buffalo in complete silence while you listen to these animals feed around the vehicle is truly a magical experience which our guests this last week were lucky enough to enjoy.

08Mike Palmer Buffalo Hlamphi

The magic continued where we saw a pack of wild dog chase a herd of impala through the bushveld where they were successful in taking one down an impala and within ten minutes the impala was reduced to just bones. Keeping up with a pack of wild dog when they are on the hunt truly is hard work!

09Mike L Wild Dog 5

As the week started to draw to a close something epic happened. We had a giraffe that had died due to natural causes which happens from time to time. This gave rise to sensational game viewing as we had the Sand River male lions come to the carcass followed by dozens of hyena which stood at bay while the lions fed. The wind changed later that evening and with that the Charleston Pride had picked up on the scent and it wasn’t long before they moved in to inquire about the smell. On their arrival the carcass became a battle ground as the two coalitions started roaring and challenging each other as to see who would dominate the meal. In the end the Sand River males backed off having fed for a full twenty four hours before hand. The Charleston’s fed for a full day and once they were done they moved east and back into their core territory. This left a free for all for the Spotted hyenas and White-backed vultures who then came in force and finished off the carcass.

All these sightings happened this week along with sightings of the Southern Ground Hornbill and Honey Badger which was the cherry on top!

This last week in the bush has been one for the books as you can imagine, our guests left with fabulous African memories which they said will stay with them for the rest of their lives. You never know what the next week holds and it is for that reason that the African bush is just so spectacular and my fellow rangers and I are really looking forward to the weeks to come!

  • by Matthew Dyson (Bush Lodge Ranger)
  • images by Matthew Dyson, Mike Laubscher, Terry Ennever, Mike Palmer and Steve Volkwyn
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