With temperatures soaring to 51°C and plummeting down to 17°C, heavy rains and intense humidity, the climatic variation has clearly had an effect on our wildlife this past week. Allow us to boast...

The relationship between the Southern Pride and the Charleston’s evidently still sits on thin ice. The Southern Pride have split up separating the two males with presumably, as we have not seen him, the male with the broken tooth guarding three of the females whilst the other male kept a watchful eye on the other two for the remainder of the week. The two females spared no affection toward the male, reminding him upon returning from a brief period away that he is not the flavour of the month just yet. In true Southern Pride style, they also managed to kill a Cape buffalo bull from a large breeding herd.

These large herds of buffalo have been on the move around the reserve with some guests awarded with their patience by watching the first steps of a newborn calf.

An array of leopards have frequented the property too. Our old favourite, Nottins, was seen over a few days moving though the reserve. At 17 years old she is unfortunately starting to really show her age with her condition having diminished since we last saw her. She did manage to secure a meal out of a tortoise though and there were signs that she potentially made a kill over night but it was stolen by hyenas. All this activity must have worked up a thirst as she was found on another afternoon lapping up water at a nearby hole for a long period of time. We hope she will visit again soon.

A more unusual visit was paid by the young Hlarulini female. She was met by an unwelcoming hyena during her venture but held her own and moved out of the area again overnight.

Among our most frequent leopards, Warthog Wallow was found being incredibly reserved, taking cover amongst thick bush as she moved through her territory whilst Maxabeni roamed the reserve frantically scent marking after some absence. He was looking fantastic and more debonair than ever.

White Dam and her cub enjoyed the remainder of their impala kill from last week and some mother-son bonding. Once finished, mom and cub did some hunting lessons together but with the cub’s inexperience, came to no avail.

Little Bush was definitely the star of the leopard show as she treated us to not only a kill but to another brilliant sighting of her little bundles of joy. The cubs were incredibly relaxed with the vehicles during feeding and as they moved away from the kill to a safer area.

A male cheetah took to the stage as he showed off his elegance. It has been a number of months now since we have had a decent sighting of a cheetah. Their absence in part could potentially be owed to the instability and constant movement of our lions since the Fourways males were kicked out, but nonetheless, we were thrilled to have him!

Outside of the cat life we have seen a number of large herds of elephants all over, taking every opportunity to play in the mud and feast on the lush green growth from the rains experienced throughout the week. The communication through low rumbling between nearby herds always brings thrill and depth to these animals during time spent with them!

Baboons and monkeys continue to be common visitors to the bush and lodges. With tiny babies amongst them slowly starting to gain their co-ordination, it truly is a privilege to be able to see the development of life in the bush just from your doorstep. It is just a small reminder of how lucky we are to call this home and have the opportunity to share it with you. Here’s to another great week spent in the bush!