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A Week in the Bush Vol. 232

on Nov 07, 2018

“When you leave Africa, as the plane lifts, you feel that more than leaving a continent you’re leaving a state of mind. Whatever awaits you at the other end of your journey will be of a different order of existence.” ~ Francesca Marciano

The week got off to a great start with a sighting of 3 cheetah who had just taken down an impala ram!

The Kigelia female has been seen quite a bit this week. We suspect she may have cubs hidden in the south of our reserve. We are all extremely excited to see them but will need to be patient until they are a little bit older! A few days later she was seen with a kill, which a Bateleur eagle managed to knock out of the tree but fortunately for her, she had returned just in time save her kill and finish it off.

A new face on safari! Tengile – she is the newly independent cub of Ndzilo female. Here she was spotted in the distance with an impala kill hoisted up a Marula tree.

The Msuthlu female caught our attention from Earth Lodge during morning coffee so we quickly headed out to go and relocate on her and found her having a little nap amongst some bushes, she also looked to have had a recent meal. She covered quite a bit of ground over the following 2 days and was seen close to the waterhole in front of Bush Lodge where she seemed to be keeping a low profile in the hope of securing herself a meal.

This was not our last sighting of the female as we came across her after she’d been chased up a tree by the White Dam male. She had some blood on her, but we couldn’t quite make out if the blood was as a result of a little scrap with the male or from the remains of a kill.

The young N’weti male continues to make his presence known as he was scent marking and adding pressure to Maxabeni and his territory.

Frederik and his guests had an incredible sighting of a Bateleur Eagle feeding on a Scrub Hare close to the entrance of Little Bush Camp as they were returning from morning safari.

22Frederik Aucamp Bateleur Eagle 31 10 2018 1 Ps Final

They may be listed as one of the “Ugly 5”, but this warthog showed some style with its impressive mohawk.

We have had plenty of amazing elephant sightings this week – from little ones drinking, to breeding herds moving through the reserve, to this bull who decided to get to the new leaves at the top of a tree...

A male Steenbok poses for a quick second before bolting off into the grassy layer for safety. He gave us enough time to see these markings on the which aren’t seen too often on the base of the head between the small horns.

28Kevan Dobbie Steenbok 031118 Final

An African Rock Python was spotted in this hollowed out cavity within a Weeping Boer-bean Tree one evening whilst on safari.

29Kevan Dobbie AR Python 021118 Final

After cooling down in a watering hole, this spotted hyena went off, probably looking for something to scavenge.

30Kevan Dobbie Hyena 301018 Final

A Slender Mongoose stood by just long enough for us to get a good view of him, not something we get the chance to see often.

31Louise Murray Slender Mongoose 06112018 1 Final

As we made our way down to the Sabie River we spotted five lions sauntering across an open area. As they approached the river, a young male spotted some nearby impala as well as some waterbuck and proceeded to give chase. The antelope darted away from the river as the other lions ambushed them from the opposite side. Just as we had thought the excitement was over, we heard cracking - branches breaking in the riverbed and as we peered down we saw the same determined young male chasing after a large nyala bull. He moved between the reeds and over large boulders with ease and to our sheer amazement, took down the large animal. Within seconds the other members of the pride had joined him. This happening only days after finishing off their large kudu bull kill, meaning this pride seems to be going from strength to strength.

We have had numerous wild dog sightings this week. And a very special (and cute) sighting of their pups playing in the middle of the road, under the watchful eye of mom, of course!

Until next time...

43Stefan Schoeman Sunset Oct 18 Final
  • Blog by Wendy Claase
  • Images by Ally Ross, Francois Malan, Frederik Aucamp, Kerry-Lee Roberg, Kevan Dobbie, Kevin Van Der Linde, Louise Murray and Stefan Schoeman
  • Video by Daniel Hitchings
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