Winter has once again not disappointed! My favourite season for game viewing has not only produced some great sightings but beautiful sunrises, sunsets and clear starlit nights too.

One of the key elements of the winter months is water and due to the dry summer we had earlier in the year, it was inevitable that the wildlife would depend on the larger waterholes. This was proven within the first 10 days of my cycle when we were able to view all of the magnificent seven (Big 5 plus cheetah and wild dog) around the waterhole in front of Selati Camp!

There have been numerous large herds of buffalo this cycle and trailing the buffalo have been the lions.

The young Fourways males have been enjoying this constant food source as well as the opportunity to push into the Sand River males’ territory. A war between these two coalitions is almost inevitable but when, is what is on everybody’s lips.

All this time, the six Southern Pride females have stuck together, never leaving each other’s side and this unity is paying off as they bring down the larger prey items. They are certainly better together and hopefully in the future will return the pride to its former super pride status.

One of my best sightings this cycle involved one of the most tenacious animals in the bush, the Honey Badger. This little guy found a snake’s hole and was actively trying to dig it out but got interrupted by hyenas... Not only once, but twice!

Leopard sightings have once again been remarkable with regular sightings of Maxabeni, Little Bush and Warthog Wallow. One night all three of them together while Maxabeni mated with both females. Typically, I never had my camera that night but the memories will just have to do. Maxabeni has been looking healthy and showing the full confidence a dominant male has.

Little Bush has been spending more time apart from her cub but has been showing off for some of our guests this cycle.

Warthog Wallow has been seen regularly around Bush Lodge and every now and again popping in for a drink at the waterhole in front of the lodge.

Like the animals that inhabit the area, guests also need to stay hydrated and at a Bush Braai, Selati Camp’s barman, Irish Mnisi has been making sure that happened.

Just as another cycle comes to a close, it’s only fitting to celebrate with a picture of one of the many wonderful sunsets we have had in this amazing country I call home.