With last week ending on a high, we were eager to see what the new week would bring...

We set out on the morning game drive slightly earlier than usual and heard lions calling not far from Bush Lodge. We dashed out and found a single Kambula lioness a few minutes after leaving. She seemed to be looking for something, possibly the male lions that were calling in the distance. She kept a steady pace walking along the exact same road two of the N’waswishaka male lions had scent marked on a few days before and continued walking in the same area as they had for quite some time before taking a break on a small termite mound.

Having only just reunited, the Styx Pride, with all 11 cubs present, clearly travelled far the night before, having left a long parade of tracks through the reserve for us to follow, so when they were found they were resting in the shade. Allogrooming is an important interaction between members of the pride, it helps to affirm the connections between individuals of a social species. This cub was grooming its mother tenderly, solidifying their bond.

One of our trackers had spotted this female cheetah and her cub in an open area. Filled with excitement we made our way to view the two who were propped on a termite mound trying to get some shade underneath the small tree that they shared the termite mound with. The following day, they were seen again – watching intently as a big elephant bull walked past. Although the cheetah would pose no threat to an elephant, if he had noticed that they were there, he would waste no time in chasing the predators off for good measure. Luckily, he was more interested in the delicious vegetation.

We had found tracks of a female leopard heading into an area thick with trees, so we decided to check the road for the general direction her tracks were headed to and luckily enough we found the Golonyi female walking right in the road! We were already filled with anticipation and had only viewed her for a few minutes when she darted off after a scrub hare, caught it and flew up into the nearest tree with her kill. She finished her small meal quite quickly and then descended the tree, moving off into the thickets followed closely by some hyenas.

Rangers and trackers work as a team to find the animals that our guests want to see! The tracking experience can be extremely exciting, but it can sometimes take some time! After a couple of hours of tracking this morning, we were finally able to find this leopardess resting in a small riverbed, escaping the heat of the morning sun. We enjoyed numerous sightings of her with her two cubs, who seemed to hide away most of the time – perhaps a bit shy still.

We have been seeing Western Cattle Egrets around the big herds of buffalo that have been frequently seen on the reserve. There is a constant supply of food for them as the buffalos move, disturbing insects in their path and making it easy for them to catch.

Flitting from one little island to the next, this Three-banded Plover was enjoying the warmth of the sun as it searched for insects.

This Woodland Kingfisher was extremely relaxed with our presence. It sat completely at ease with us in the vehicle while we parked almost right underneath it.

Our safaris here at Sabi Sabi are not only about the Big 5 animals but the smaller ones too! The smaller animals are often very intriguing to watch as was the case with this European Roller. We watched it through our binoculars as it caught a small meal and went on to swallow it whole!

The size difference between this elephant calf and its mother became more and more evident the closer it moved to her, especially as it crept underneath its mother’s belly to try and suckle.

Zebra and wildebeest are often seen associating with each other out in the open grasslands, these youngsters are becoming acquainted at an early age.

Until next time