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A Week in the Bush Vol. 405

on Mar 23, 2022

The new week started off with a definite early morning chill in the air as we enter autumn in the bush. Despite the chill, this pack of wild dogs got our hearts pumping and blood flowing as they were on a mission – as always. An incredible sighting of them moving around, ever opportunistic.

A01David Den Hartog Wild Dog 15 03 2022 1 Edit Final

Some days later, and within a matter of minutes, this little pack of four African Wild Dogs went from resting, to running, to making a kill on a young waterbuck and devouring it before our eyes. Incredible to watch how quickly they feed, wasting no time with table manners, they managed to finish their kill within half an hour of making it.

With a nearly completed carcass in the tree above him, the N’weti male leopard rested on the termite mound below. From this elevated position he could rest easy, knowing he would see any potential threats approaching.

A certain highlight for our safari team, and guests alike!!

After weeks of seeing her lactating, the suspicions and theories of the team led to the best moment a ranger and tracker team can have. We have finally found that the Ntsumi female leopard indeed has new cubs! So far, we think she has two of them, how exciting! Special thanks to our guests, Austin Goh & Kate O’Grady for sharing their photos with us.

We found female leopard tracks early morning as we just started our morning safari and followed the trail. It didn’t take long before we located Ntsumi on the side of the road. We followed her as she led us to the remains of her kill. With only a few bones left, we watched her finish them off before quenching her thirst at a nearby waterhole. It was great to see her feed as she needs regular meals so that she can produce enough milk for her tiny cubs.

After having had a good grooming session in the long grass, barely visible to anyone who did not watch where she lay down, the Ndzanzeni female leopard moved into the night. With what looked like a full belly, we thought she had recently had a successful hunt, but that did not stop her from stopping to stalk a scrub hare and an impala along her way.

It has been some time since we last saw the Golonyi female leopard. She was seen close to Bush Lodge, possibly moving into the area to set up territory... Only time will tell.

The lions have most certainly kept us on our toes this week... As it happened below...

With the sound of lions vocalising far in the distance, one of the N’waswishaka males was very aware as to what was happening.

A17Graeme Stewart Nwas Male 160322 Final

When lions have made a kill, they often gorge themselves on as much as they can fit in their stomachs. A large aid in the digestion of all the protein in their diet is water, a quick drink is in order before they settle down and sleep as their body digests their meal.

A18David Den Hartog Southern Priden16 03 2022 1 Edit Final

A favourite amongst almost all rangers is the roar of a male lion, when your chest vibrates from the explosive voice of this big cat. Sometimes you get the cherry on top like we did when another male answers from somewhere off in the distance.

Under their mother's watchful eye, these two young lionesses practiced their hunting skills in the form of playing - stalking each other through the long grass and pouncing on their 'prey'. This unsuspecting log took the brunt of their bite force and was the only thing they managed to truly get their teeth into.

As the darkness of the night began, one of the N’waswishaka male lions started to get active and began to call his brothers before setting off on his territorial patrol.

A24Graeme Stewart Nwas Male 190322  Final

The following morning, just before morning coffee, we had faint audio of lions calling from the lodge so after a quick cup of coffee we headed out in that general direction and managed to find one of the N’waswishaka males resting in the morning sun.

A25Graeme Stewart Nwas Male 200322 1  Final

After a long tracking exercise, we were rewarded with a sighting of the Styx Pride. They had moved a very long way from where we first saw the tracks. The females were actively hunting as they moved through the bushes, but the cubs were busy playing with the males as they followed behind.

While having our coffee break, we watched vultures flying low and landing nearby. When we went to investigate, we found them on a buffalo carcass. While watching the vultures squabble over the remains, we heard nearby roaring of what sounded like two male lions fighting. We arrived to see one of our dominant males take leave as the other male made its way to the buffalo carcass.

We heard impalas alarm calling while having our morning tea, so we immediately headed off to see what was happening. We found the Southern Pride lioness and her cubs chasing zebra and impala around the open plains. They never managed to make a kill as the cubs kept on trying but their lack of experience cost them.

Finishing this week’s highlights with a couple of chosen general sightings...

The majestic male kudu is a South African favourite. The turns of the horns normally represent around two and a half years of growth for each turn. Once they reach around the age of seven, they reach full maturity, and the horns reach their full growth.

A39David Den Hartog Kudu 16 03 2022 Edit Final

While preparing for sundowners, this herd of elephants decided to do a walk past to see what we were up to...

A40Miquella Swart Ele 05032021 Final

Keeping close to its mother, this Zebra foal surveys the grassland. Long grass means lots of food, but also lots of places for a predator to hide.

A41Amy Leigh Zebra 140122 Final

Until next time

  • Blog by Wendy Claase
  • Images by Amy Leigh, Andries Ndlovu, David den Hartog, Graeme Stewart, Miquella Swart and Ronald Mutero
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