To pause, even for a moment, to enjoy and take in the sounds and smells of the African bush.

We have enjoyed numerous sightings of wild dogs over the past week and what amazing sightings they were! Our first sighting was of a pack running down a road towards us, with an overload of energy they started playing and chasing each other around. Once a little steam had been blown off it was all seriousness as a herd of impala was seen not too far. The hunt was on. In one dash everything scattered and it was hard to keep up, ourselves and hyena in pursuit, we caught up with them at a watering hole, the whole pack wasn’t there so we assumed they were still busy; a few moments later one came back with some blood on his face, after a cheerful greeting he led them to their prize.

Another cool morning at Sabi Sabi, but this did not stop this pack of wild dogs from running around. Ears alert and listening, they bounded about in an open area after one another.

Our last sighting of the dogs was when Tyron came across a pack of 5 wild dogs resting but shortly got up and started interacting with each other before they were on the move again.

From dogs to cats...

Heading back the lodge on a chilly evening, we noticed something lying in the road, as we got closer, we saw the young Plains Camp lions resting. A couple of mornings later we located the same lions again; they had yet again missed an opportunity to hunt, opting for sibling play instead. We watched as they again started to stalk an unsuspecting impala in the distance, but the young males couldn't contain their excitement and went bounding after the female ahead as she was stalking the impala. Boys.

These four lions really are a pleasure to watch as we get to see them moving around and playing a lot, allowing for some great viewing! We found them lying on a road with the one female showing interest in some rutting impala nearby, they slowly lost interest when the impala moved off. They lay back down for a bit, giving us time for some interesting photos. They then moved off into some long grass when they noticed some more impala and a wildebeest. They tried their luck but unfortunately didn’t succeed and rested once again.

More lions... As we headed out on safari, we heard some vocalisation of some lions. We found the young male lion from the Sand River Pride eyeing out a large breeding herd of buffalo but then found a nice place close by to have a little rest while keeping a watchful eye on the herd. He was seen again at the end of the week quenching his thirst after a warm autumn day.

Late one night we located one of the N’waswishaka male lions on an impala kill, all by himself! As the rutting impala rams are so distracted this time of the year, this seems to be a big advantage for predators.

The young Ntsumi female leopard secured herself a Duiker kill; we sat and watched as she ate and then maneuvered the kill first and then herself around the tree.

There is always that one that doesn’t cooperate...

... The elephants showed the impala how it should be done...

Our Monochrome selection from the week...

A young lioness has her eyes fixed on a herd of impala in the distance.

A bull elephant reaches some much-needed water after a hot day on the reserve.

Always alert – for meals and danger.

A dominant male wildebeest rests after marking his territory using his horns to scrape the soil.

Beauty lurks in the shadows too.

Dugga boy.

Until next time...