The year has got off to an absolute flyer and it’s hard to believe we are already into February. As the saying goes, “time flies when you’re having fun” and that's exactly what has been happening out on safari...

A typical scene on the open plains at Sabi Sabi this time of year, Plains Zebra and Blue Wildebeest with calves, such a precious sight.

Whenever you see wild dogs on safari, you know you’re in for a treat! And this week was no exception...

Kevan and his guests witnessed a herd of Cape Buffalo moving over an open area towards a waterhole. Minutes later and this scene was all over. A pack of African Wild Dogs caused disarray as they chased a herd of about 40 impala over this open area sending every species fleeing in different directions. At the end of the day, the pack of African Wild Dog were successful in securing a meal just outside Selati Camp.

The following day, they were at it again, this time Ally and her guests were lucky enough to be caught right in the middle of an incredible wild dog kill. They had not yet had visual, when out of the corner of the tracker’s eye, he noticed wild dogs running straight towards their vehicle. They sat and watched in amazement as this pack finished off a young impala within a matter of minutes.

Early one morning, right outside of Earth Lodge, tracks for a pride of lion were found just before morning tea. After explaining to our guests what our plan for the morning might be, we set off and were hot on these tracks. Within five minutes we had found the lions. After watching them for a while, they decided to get up and move out of the way of a large breeding herd of elephants when suddenly a female warthog and her piglets stumbled upon the lions. The lions sent the warthog piglets running in every direction, making a narrow escape.

Our last sighting of them for the week saw them resting beneath a tree nursing full bellies.

We couldn’t have asked for better, or more, leopard sightings...

The Msuthlu female was making herself comfortable on a branch while waiting for hyenas on the ground to move away.

Kigelia was resting within a large Marula tree as the mid-morning temperatures started to rise. It seemed she was nursing a full stomach, meaning there was a kill not too far away. Later in the afternoon, we returned to the area and located her kill, but she was nowhere to be seen.

The young Ntsumi female was resting on a termite mound. We spent some time with her before she disappeared into the night.

Even though the morning was warming up relatively quickly, we got to watch as the N’weti male leopard made his way through the lush grasses, settling in a Marula tree next to the road after being confronted by a Spotted Hyena.

After surprising us from behind, we followed the White Dam male as he made his way up a tree for a good resting place.

Late one night on our way back to the lodge and looking forward to the lovely dining Earth Lodge has to offer, we came across Xovonekela. He was seen walking along a drainage line until he decided to utilise the road and constantly scent marked every 10 metres or so.

General sightings have been plentiful with sightings of the various animal and bird species who call Sabi Sabi home...

Until next time...