This week’s sightings started with a wonderful sighting of the Ntsumi female leopard and her cub. Shortly after heading out on morning drive, we came across this leopard cub standing in the road. As it moved off, we drove forward, and mom was lying down in the grass, just in front of the cub.

We have had numerous sightings of Hanyile this week – mostly marking territory.

We were very lucky to find Xovonekela male leopard early on into one of our morning safaris. He spotted some warthogs from a distance and switched from marking his territory, to hunting mode but he was unsuccessful.

The Dayone/Dewane male leopard was walking on the road and kept on looking back, almost as if he was looking for something. He was not marking territory, nor vocalising so he may have had a confrontation with another leopard, causing him to keep a close eye on his surroundings.

A quick view of the Kigelia female leopard is all we got as she casually crossed the road in front of us, into the thick bush to continue with her day.

In an intense show down, two male leopards – N’weti and White Dam - came together in a battle over territory. With neither wanting to back down, it was a long wait into the night for either to break.

A few days later, we saw the White Dam male leopard and he seemed unscathed and carrying on with his daily activities. He attempted a slow approach to a watering hole, but the buffalos were having none of his presence.

We found two of the N’waswishaka male lions and two Styx lionesses resting just off the road. It looked like the one male was wanting to mate with the one female as he was always very close to her and proceeded to chase away the other male before returning to the female’s side.

We found the Kambula Pride of lions lying in an open area, enjoying the last rays of sunshine for the day. With this came some wonderful golden hour photographic opportunities.

The Southern Pride was seen early one morning, resting behind a rock. Being naturally inquisitive, her 2 cubs came out to look at us for a few minutes before joining mom again, playing around her.

We have enjoyed plenty of general sightings.

At first light, a pair of Shelley’s Francolin were announcing their presence with their ever-catchy call, “I’ll drink yer beer”.

A young impala stares curiously from within the security of the herd.

We were treated to an amazing sighting of this brand-new elephant who had to very quickly find his feet around the water hole.

A journey of giraffe was browsing close to a road which gave us the opportunity to closely see the tongue of one of them as they fed.

A European Roller waits patiently on a small branch for its next meal to fly by.

Be careful when driving as these Millipedes are often making their ways across the road.

A gentle push around between two elephants.

A young Martial Eagle scans its surroundings.

This male elephant was standing on a termite mound while feeding, while slowly making his way to the vehicle, giving our guests a great view of him.

We spent the morning focusing on the smaller things on drive. Completely and utterly in awe of the dynamics of the Golden Orb's existence.

Until next time...