It has been a cycle that has once again passed in an instant, and sometimes when your work in the bush goes quick it can sometimes feel that you haven’t had many highlights. After looking back on my photos, there is little doubt that lions have been very prominent.

Before I start with lions, I will reflect on some of my favourite leopard sightings. One which was up there was a blog I wrote earlier on in the cycle involving Warthog Wallow and a clan of hyenas on a kudu kill. It was great to view this role reversal where the scavenger became the hunter and vice versa. If you would like to read more about this crazy sighting, feel free to follow the link to the blog for pictures and a video clip. Role Reversal

Maxabeni has still been showing his dominance over his territory and protecting it well. Despite his large territory, this male actively patrols and tests the skills of our rangers and trackers attempting to find his whereabouts.

Warthog Wallow has featured once again this cycle, after being found drinking in front of Selati Camp. It’s always great for both guests and staff to see this elusive member of the Big 5 casually walking across for a drink while everybody enjoys their lunch.

These might be the last photos that we see Warthog Wallow like this as she has been left with serious eye damage after an altercation with the Nottins female at the end of this cycle.

Like I mentioned earlier, my highlights this cycle have been courtesy of the Southern Pride and the Fourways males who seem to be solidifying their relationship by spending lots of time together.

The Fourways males have been proving their commitment to the girls allowing them to feed on their kills and this has been rewarded with some "quality time" with the majority of the six females including the general herself, Floppy Ear.

The Fourways males and Southern Pride have been bringing down buffalo at will and have been happily feasting together. The biggest surprise was to one day find both Solo and the now deceased Kruger male feeding on a buffalo kill with both the Southern Pride and the Fourways males.

If conception has been successful after recent mating, we should hopefully have some cubs on the way. The big question on everybody’s lips is if the Southern Pride`s relationship with the Fourways males will go the same way as it did with the Sand River males? After the previous cubs were born, the Southern Pride wanted nothing to do with the Sand River males and spent all their energy trying to avoid them. Let’s hope this is not the case this time around.

However it plays out, the Fourways males have proved to be committed and this type of commitment is needed if the Southern Pride are to return to their large numbers and a reputation as one of the most feared prides.

An eventful cycle has past and although a break is necessary, I can’t wait to return in order to see what Mother Nature has in store for us next cycle.