Welcome to another edition of Week in the bush. This week at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve we welcomed the much-needed rain, after an absence of nearly 7 weeks. The bush has really transformed leading to new grass shoots sprouting throughout the reserve providing an essential source of nutrients for the animals for the approaching winter. The Elephant herds have been seen frolicking around several watering holes with the young calves providing huge amounts of entertainment for both guides and guests.

The entire week we have seen the 6 Southern Lionesses bonding and maintaining that very close bond with each other. They are in amazing condition and seem to be making regular kills only time will tell if they will stay united together.

The Charleston pride was found with full bellies and the two males looking so beautiful and regal. However the female had several wounds on her head and around her left eye and when she moved she had a limp more than likely caused by wounds around her front legs too.

The activity around the Hyena den has been incredible with the young cubs showing huge amounts of interest towards the vehicles. Watching the social interactions of Hyena as they return from their nightly activities is amazing as they scent mark, call and play with one another.

With the rains providing new feeding opportunities from the flush of growth the general game viewing has really been great this week including the birdlife.

The Leopard viewing this week has been mind-blowing with 9 different leopards being found at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. Earlier this week we found the Little Bush Female growling intently at who we can confirm was the River Rocks Male, this was the first time that he has been seen at Sabi Sabi. As he moved off away from Little Bush we could see her cub hiding in the thicket nearby, the mother and cub then moved off away from the area.

Mahlitini was seen following a large herd of Buffalo in the central parts of Maxabeni’s territory, where he seemed to be stalking the calves within the herd. However as we followed him he took an interest in a duiker and we were fortunate enough to watch him catch and kill it a few meters away from the vehicles

The Mandleve male has also been seen pushing further into Maxabeni’s territory due to his recent absence from the reserve. It is incredible to see how this male is maturing and becoming relaxed providing incredible sightings of him as he loves to venture onto large rocky out-cropping’s and termite mounds.

The Tortilis male made an Impala kill very close to Bush Lodge this week whilst his mother was out hunting and scent marking through her territory. This sighting was very exciting for the guides as the kill was hoisted in a tree that we have all dreamt of seeing a leopard sleeping or sitting in. Finally after 2.5 years of being at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve I was able to achieve it.

With there only being between 7 – 9 Cheetah in the Sabi Sands every single sighting we have of them is so special and when this male was found posing on-top of a large termite mound using it as a vantage view point it really made it a memorable sighting.

The Toulon Pack was found making the most of the rain this week by playing with one another and running on and around large termite mounds. It is always extremely exciting seeing Wild Dogs at this time of the year as in the next two months the Wild Dogs will start to den, fingers crossed they will chose to den at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve.