We are now well and truly into summer with plenty of impala lambs being seen on the reserve and with the early rains, the bush is looking incredible! Animals have been out in numbers again this week with the cats out in full force...

The Southern Pride lioness was lying on some rocky outcrops when the movement of a warthog got her attention. She slowly made her way closer. We watched in silence and anticipation as she crept closer and closer. We thought she had it, when suddenly the warthog dashed away. Hoping for better luck next time.

Later in the week, the new mom was seen bonding with her cubs before hiding them and moving off, possibly to look for some prey.

We found this male cheetah stalking some impala, but they eventually noticed him. He abandoned the hunt and started to mark his territory before he disappeared into the thickets.

We have enjoyed numerous sightings of a female cheetah and her 2 cubs. As the cubs near independence, they need to practice their hunting skills to ensure their survival – we were witness to the mother catching a young impala and bringing it to her cubs to kill.

The Dayone male leopard who has been seen frequently around Earth Lodge, was seen close to Bush Lodge. We responded to monkey’s alarm calling and were very surprised to see him in this area, resting in tall grass after having a drink at a nearby waterhole. His focus then shifted to some impala in the area and we watched as he attempted to stalk them.

On Saturday morning, we headed out on safari hoping to find a leopard. We were successful and this female leopard, Ntsumi, was in the quintessential pose on a branch not far off the ground... and seen again a few days later feeding on a young impala.

We found the Nchila male leopard resting on a termite mound - although he appeared to be sleeping, he was listening intently in a certain direction. It was not long when he got up and zig-zagged through the bush in search of a meal. We followed for a while when all of a sudden, an impala female and her lamb got his attention. As soon as he saw the opportunity, he took it and the baby impala was not so lucky.

After visiting the waterhole in front of Bush Lodge, the Msuthlu female leopard made her way through the thickets along the drainage line. We managed to follow her to another smaller waterhole, where she quenched her thirst. She then took to the trees, as the rain started to fall. In the dense foliage, she was protected from the rain, and almost invisible from view.

We came across one of the N’waswishaka male lions who was constantly calling, possibly for other members of his coalition. It wasn’t too long before they reunited and began marking territory.

After tracking the 3 Styx Pride lionesses for a short distance, we found them lying in the road with full stomachs, barely moving.

A male leopard managed to feed on a large portion of his kill before the hyenas arrived. This young hyena swooped in for the remaining bits of the kill. A little side light on the subject allowed Ally to portray the hyena’s behaviour - a little sneaky and cunning - the ultimate creature of the night.

Some young monkeys were jumping from tree to tree, playing around at Selati Camp when Ronald caught this great action shot!

As the sun was beginning to set, this zebra kept a watchful eye on the distant alarm calls.

Our guests were really thrilled to see this big bull elephant with such impressive tusks.

The Crested Francolin is a common bird on Sabi Sabi - a ground-dwelling bird with beautiful plumage, even on the youngsters. The chicks are precocial, meaning they hatch from their eggs relatively well-developed, and are soon able to follow their mother instead of being raised in the safety of a nest.

The Steenbok is highly territorial, with both the male and female defending their joint territory. These small antelope are most often seen alone, but sometimes we are lucky enough to see the pair together.

A Saddle-billed Stork tried to fish in a shallow water as the sun was going down.

Until next time...