“Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is worst of all.” ~ Brian Jackman

After managing to catch a Cape Buffalo calf the previous morning, the Southern Pride was at it again, this time setting their sights on a larger individual. They had 2 failed attempts but at least their confidence is growing. They continued their hunting attempts on various other species but were not successful during the times we were witness to their hunts.

This stunning male leopard – White Dam – glaces up as the squirrels above him alert his presence with their alarm call. He has now established territory in the western section of our reserve. Over the weekend we had multiple visits from him especially around Little Bush Camp. One morning we witnessed him attempt to stalk a herd of impala as well as a few other general plains game, however unsuccessful. Although while arriving back to Little Bush Camp for dinner late one evening we were treated to him at the entrance and watched him capture a Scrub Hare.

After some extensive tracking, we located the Kigelia female leopard crossing a large drainage line before taking a break beside the road. She left her scent behind by rubbing up against some trees and headed off back into the bush.

We came across some hyenas that led us to the fresh carcass of a male impala. It's possible that he was killed by another male as the rutting season has begun, but hyenas are also capable hunters and they could've easily taken him down themselves. Either way, it was a much-appreciated meal and we watched as four of them squabbled over the kill.

A female kudu stood on top of a large termite mound to scan her surroundings.

Capturing images of animals in very shaded areas with limited light forces one to get creative.

A male Blue Wildebeest pauses before moving over to a nearby tree to conduct his territorial marking activity by utilizing the pre-orbital glands situated on the face just under the eyes.

A lone Giraffe made its way down to a small waterhole to quench its thirst early one morning as the temperatures started to rise drastically.

A large breeding herd of Elephant were found quietly feeding within a Silver-Cluster Leaf thicket until they decided a sand-bath was in order. Here a beautiful female throws sand behind her ears and on to her back while nursing her younger calf.

A beautiful herd of Cape Buffalo have been moving throughout our property over the weekend and allow us beautiful scenes like this in the setting sun.

Somebody was keeping a close eye on us during our coffee break...

We had a rare sighting of a Secretary bird as it perched on nearby tree for the evening.

Until next time...