We can start straight away with an important highlight for the week! After a long overdue storm, the bushveld has shown some signs that the recent rains were greatly appreciated and the tinges of the green grass are starting to show themselves. With all this being said, we cannot get away from the fact that we are still short of life giving rain and a few more storms like we had will still be needed to bring more vegetation to life.

With new life, comes the taking of life - a vicious cycle. The precious grass requiring moisture to prosper to feed the herbivores who are preyed upon by the top end predators. They don’t come more successful than the African Wild Dog on a hunt to kill ratio. The Toulon Pack illustrated this to some of our guests this week by simultaneously bringing down a bushbuck and a reedbuck less than 20 meters from each other.

Since we have covered one of the members of the “Magnificent 7” it would be rude leave out the other star making up the team over and above the "Big 5" and that is the cheetah. A young male cheetah made an appearance and showed his inexperience by deciding to take on a large herd of Blue Wildebeest. After focusing on some of the younger members and a chase short of full speed, the tables dramatically turned as the hunter became the hunted. A female wildebeest in turn chased the cheetah and he learnt a lesson that a mother is one of the most powerful forces of nature and one never to under estimate.

After the adrenalin fuelled chase he took the opportunity to scent mark on some nearby fallen down trees and Pravir was on hand to get some fantastic photos!

Three very well fed young male lions, who we believe are the Talamati males, paid us a visit this week, pushing in from the East. These young males are beautiful specimens, who will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with if they are to survive this nomadic period in their development.

The big news with regards to the saga of the Southern Pride, is the union of Floppy Ear and the larger Charleston male.

They were seen mating for about four days, however there is no guarantee of cubs in 3 and a half months time. This is something that we have witnessed plenty of times from Floppy Ear who is clearly testing the new males. Also, a great art of distraction to prevent the males from seeking out the two cubs of one of the other Southern Pride females.

After finding the Charleston male with the loose tooth far up in the north, he eventually made his way back to his brother and the females a few days later. He joined them on a buffalo kill which was close to a large body of water that they frequented to quench their thirst.

We haven’t been the only ones to show their joy at receiving some much needed rain. Mike Palmer was able to capture the ecstasy shown by this young elephant first hand. Great pics Mike!

The White Dam female made a successful kill and provided a meal for both herself and her male cub who is developing very nicely. Even though he spends some time away from his mum, he can’t help coming home for a meal, that’s if an awaiting hyena doesn’t steal it first.

Maxabeni made his presence known when he was seen feeding on a young wildebeest. This was in the same proximity of the Little Bush female and his two young cubs. Little Bush is doing a great job in keeping these two fur balls safe and is providing for them regularly.

Another week ends and another one begins... It’s the ongoing cycle of life in the bush, life and death and the joys of everything in between.