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A Week in the Bush Vol. 397

on Jan 26, 2022

What an incredible week we have had in the bush! Just when we thought one sighting couldn’t be beaten... another was waiting for us around the next corner! Herewith are the many highlights from the past 7 days on safari...

After a long absence from our reserve, we enjoyed numerous sightings of the Mhangeni Pride (6 lionesses and 1 cub) throughout the week. After being alert and on the lookout for something to eat, they were successful in taking down a zebra!

Early one morning, we located the Styx Pride, with the three lionesses moving swiftly through the thickets while the 11 youngsters tried to keep up, clearly tired of all the walking they were expected to do. The following morning while driving along a riverbed enjoying the sounds and sights of the birds and trees around us, we were pleasantly surprised to find them again along with two of the N’waswishaka male lions lying in the middle of the road. They all had full bellies and moved every now and then to find a more comfortable position to rest in.

This male lion was following the scent trail of those who went before him. For us, only the tracks left on the road indicated that he may have been following the pride who were seen in that area the day before.

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While watching one of the N’waswishaka male lions sleeping peacefully with a small kill next to him, the N’weti male leopard strolled across the open area to investigate and later as the sun was beginning to set, a Black-backed Jackal decided to do the same.

With tracks leading us in the right direction, the N’weti male leopard was resting alone in the long grass. He soon got up and approached a bush which promptly started growling and soon emerged a small female leopard – Ndzanzeni - with whom he was busy mating. But with the sight of a herd of impala in the distance, his posture changed suddenly into hunting mode, crouched low in the grass, ears flat and nose up.

We tracked the Kigelia female leopard for a short time and found her lying next to the road. We spent some time with her before she started moving, marking her territory as she went, before disappearing into some thick bushes.

Ntsumi’s daughter was resting comfortably in the fork of a big Knobthorn tree, staring at some zebra on the open plains. As she came down, the zebra gave chase and she found herself scrambling up another tree! Later on, she was stalking some warthogs and was patient for a very long time. She seemed unsure of when to attack resulting in the warthogs noticing her and dashing off. And so, she continues to learn...

A few days later, after ambling along the old railway line and climbing up a tree for an elevated view of her surroundings, this young leopardess settled in the cool sand of the road to decide on her next move.

In an open plain, full of potential prey, this Cheetah mother waits with her cub in the shade for the perfect opportunity to hunt. It has been a while since we last saw this female and her cub, and the growth spurt the youngster has gone through was a pleasant surprise!

They were seen again, and what a wonderful sighting it was of them interacting, and a zebra nearby made it even more memorable...

And there were wild dogs too, and plenty of sightings of them!!

The chaos and excitement created by a sighting with wild dogs is incomparable. Their behaviour can change instantly, one minute they're lying on the road seemingly peaceful, then suddenly they all hop up and take off in whichever direction the alpha has decided to go. It is not uncommon to leave a sighting with these animals with heart rates well above normal.

Just a stone’s throw away from Bush Lodge, we found a large pack of wild dogs. They had just made and devoured a kill, and some of them then rested on the cool sand of the road, while others frolicked amongst the long grass, having the odd stand-off with a nearby herd of wildebeest who were having none of their nonsense.

The sight of wild dogs feeding on an impala can sometimes be quite brutal but nothing short of breathtaking. The pack made short work of their kill, leaving nothing for the vultures circling above. The following morning, we found the same pack once again. They were all running about and tried chasing after a few different prey species in the area before trying to catch something perhaps a little bit out of their league, a giraffe.

There's nothing like a mid-morning snooze with mom.

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As the sun starts to set, the safest place to be is with someone else by your side.

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Early one morning, we came across this large herd of buffalo as they were starting to get active and begin grazing.

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What a week it was! Until next time...

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  • Blog by Wendy Claase
  • Images by Amy Leigh, Andries Ndlovu, David den Hartog, Erin Herbst, Graeme Stewart and Ronald Mutero
  • Video by Erin Herbst
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