Lions were heard calling from all over Sabi Sabi towards the end of last week and with the change in lion dynamics, we were all eager to head out to see what was going on. After tracking the lions through the heart of Sabi Sabi, two of the N’waswishaka males were found moving very quickly with purpose, calling and trying to stamp their authority in this area after the new males from the Kruger National Park made inroads into their territory. Another one of the N’waswishaka males was found close to Bush Lodge.

With bellies full, this young lioness and her sister sat watching their surroundings, while their mother slept close by. Very often, after feeding, these animals are not very active as they allow time to digest their meals.

With the lion dynamics taking a slight turn over the last few days, the prides of females have had to deal with a fair amount. We tracked and found the Southern Pride as they were finishing off a kill, while hyenas waited patiently for scraps. During the sighting, a young male lion was also seen but his presence was not welcomed as the Southern Pride made it very clear to stay away!

We located one of the cubs from the Styx Pride as it was calling a few metres from Selati Camp. It was separated from the rest of the pride and moving alone in search of the rest. As if we were helping, we also tried to track the rest of the pride and we found them lying down in a riverbed. The lone cub arrived a short while later just as we moved off from the sighting.

On our way back to the lodge, we were so fortunate to find this pride of lions trying to hunt some zebra but to no avail. As the temperature was rapidly increasing, they decided to take a break and rest under a Marula tree.

A large herd of buffalo were found close to Earth Lodge. They were being closely followed by the two young new male lions. They were so determined, they went straight for the herd of approximately 300 buffalo, trying their luck, but they were not successful.

A female cheetah brought down a large impala ewe. After dragging it into the shade, she and her cub took turns to feed. The cub started to eat first while mom caught her breath. For Ronald’s guests, this was a tick off their bucket list!

As we came across a small herd of impala, we sat and watched them for several minutes only to realise that they were actually being stalked by a female leopard. Before Kigelia could jump into action, the impala spotted her, and the hunt was over.

We found Ntsumi not too far from where we suspect her new den site to be. She was looking very healthy, and still has suckle marks indicating her cubs are doing well. We decided to leave the area and give the new cubs some space.

The young Golonyi female leopard made her way along a road before climbing on top of a termite mound to scan the area for potential prey. She then decided it would be fun to stalk an elephant which she got within five meters of before the elephant chased her off.

A few days later, we located her again. She was on a hunting mission and spotted a Grey Duiker that crossed her path. She went into full stalk mode and eventually ended up being distracted by a large impala ram and managed to successfully bring him down!

We have had plenty of sightings of N’weti this week. While the vehicle was stopped as we identified a bird in the distance, we heard the call of a leopard, like a saw cutting through wood, and the search was on. The N’weti male leopard was on a territorial patrol, not only relying on vocal communication to announce his presence, but also glands between his toes and urine-spray to leave his scent, letting any other males in the area know that he is around.

We came across N’weti male leopard and Ntsumi female leopard. They were close to one another, but not in sight of one another; moving in different directions. The male was vocalising and marking is territory heavily as if he was picking up on the scent of an intruder.

Looking plump and healthy, this European Roller, like many other migratory birds are taking their last opportunities to prepare themselves for the long journey before them.

This Squirrel popped its head out of a cavity in a dead tree to see who was passing by.

A family of dwarf mongoose grooming and forming social bonds after some rain.

A Water Monitor warming in the early morning golden light.

A pair of Saddle-billed Storks flew by on a warm morning in search of a space to wade for a meal.

Until next time