What a wonderful week of “Big 7” sightings – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, elephant, cheetah and wild dogs!

Our week started off with an incredible sighting! We were in the South of the reserve watching Maxabeni male leopard stalk some impala, but they soon caught his scent and ran off. Maxabeni went to lie on top of a termite mound, keeping his eye on the impala in the distance when his attention was shifted to a burrow beneath him... He must have caught scent of or heard a warthog inside and he patiently waited for the warthog to exit his place of safety. Moments later, the warthog emerged and Maxabeni caught him. With all the commotion, this caught the attention of a hyena – who – saved the day for the warthog! The warthog ran into another burrow, and again, Maxabeni waited for him...

With some rain falling this week, and the cooler overcast conditions, we came across the Scotia female leopard who was on the hunt. She narrowly missed a steenbok, but she carried on searching.

A couple of days later, we watched Kigelia finish a Duiker kill, she then moved off into some shade and thoroughly groomed herself.

Shortly after safari started, a large male lion (Birmingham) was found walking at a brisk pace, frequently spraying urine on the bushes he passed.

We have had numerous sightings of the Othawa male lion along with the Mhangeni Pride of lions this week. Again, they seemed to have enjoyed more success this week as they were barely able to move with their huge bellies!

Cheetah sightings have been incredible this week! Not only were they seen hunting, but we witnessed a wonderful interaction between a rhino and 2 lazy cheetahs – neither wanting to share their shade!

Finishing off the “Big 7” sightings – a pack of wild dogs had killed and eaten something, but the hyenas quickly arrived to clean up all the scraps. The wild dogs lay resting in the shade, watching as the hyenas fought for the leftovers.

General sightings have been plentiful again this week...

Until next time...