We have enjoyed various sightings of predators on kills – a welcome sight and meal for the predators, during a time when only the strongest survive during our dry winter season. Without further ado, herewith the past week’s highlights...

The Scotia female - a stunning female leopard - made a short appearance over the weekend before heading towards some rocky outcrops.

One early morning, after hearing some distress calls from a herd of kudus, we made our may towards the calls. At closer inspection found some fresh male leopard tracks. We continued to follow the tracks and came across the dominate male leopard, Maxabeni, who had just killed a warthog. He took some time to catch his breath before some hyenas chased him up a tree with his kill. They patiently waited below for scraps to fall as he fed on his kill.

His son, the White Dam male, was also successful in taking down a warthog where he was left in peace to rest next to a big tree where he had safely stored his kill.

We caught up with a herd a buffalo that had a pretty rough night as two Southern Pride sub-adult lions tried to kill one of their calves, but they stuck together as a herd and chased them off. Later in the week they were lying atop a termite mound - a wonderful vantage point to spot any potential prey from afar.

Elephants have been seen all over the reserve again this week with some spectacular sightings of Africa’s gentle giants... and sometimes fearless when it comes to sharing a waterhole with other species... Here a group of young elephants chased some buffalo away from a waterhole where they were drinking. Another herd had a more relaxed drinks stop as the herd drank on a lovely warm day.

We came across this Spotted Hyena who was throwing around the remains of an impala kill.

A Pearl Spotted Owlet - characterised by two black patches and white rims on the back of its head, appearing as false eyes, makes this diminutive owl appear larger than it actually is.

These two Giraffe bulls were play fighting with each other, preparing themselves for real fights in the future when the time comes for them to battle for dominance.

We were fortunate enough to see a bachelor herd of Kudu bulls having a refreshing drink of water.

A Business of Mongoose was seen baking in the sun after waking up from a long rewarding sleep in their home, an abandoned termite mound.

Until next time...

Blog by Wendy Claase

Images by Daniel Polakow, Frederik Aucamp, Greg Heasman, Louise Murray and Stefan Schoeman