Driving through the reserve I cannot help but wonder whether the big, continuous rains will come. The bush is definitely not as green as the previous rainy season, and the rivers and waterholes are nowhere close to full capacity. Despite all this, guests were left in awe as some of the most amazing storms past by during the week, and Michael Laubscher managed to capture these scenes with the company of the Southern Pride and one of the Charleston males.

Keeping with the lions, only the larger Charleston male was seen accompanying the Southern Pride females during the past week, as they went about following the big herds of buffalo around the property.

Seeing lions on safari is on top of most guests’ wish list, but seeing two of the Big 5 in one sighting where one is chasing another has to be regarded as a special sighting.

The leopards played their part during the week and Maxabeni was seen quite regularly. He was in close proximity with the Little Bush female for a couple of days as well.

The White Dam female managed to kill a warthog piglet, which allowed for some great sightings of her during this time, but when she tried to call and collect her cub, there was no response. To the guides relief, the cub was spotted a few days later.

The Lisbon female also entertained us, and some guests were privileged enough to even witness a successful hunt. Soon after, she went to collect her cub to take back to the kill.

The not too often seen Hlarulini female was spotted during the week, and stayed within the vicinity of Bush Lodge for a couple of days.

Warthog Wallow’s eye seems to be recovering slowly according to updates from some of the rangers that viewed her recently.

It’s also that time of the year when many of natures ‘smaller’ wonders can be observed, and one that fascinates and entertains guests all the time are the dung beetles. Getting down low allows for a unique perspective when photographing these creatures.

To end of this edition of ‘A Week in the Bush’ I have to share probably the most special sighting of the week. Kyle Strautmann and his guests stumbled upon an African Wild Cat which they also witnessed kill a shrew. Sometimes it’s not only the big cats that steal the show!