A Week in the Bush Vol. 495
on Mar 20, 2024In the African savanna, the cunning Side-striped Jackal prowls the shadows with agile grace, its distinctive markings betraying its elusive nature. Meanwhile, the hyena, with its haunting laughter echoing across the plains, embodies both fear and fascination as a formidable scavenger of the wild. In this untamed landscape, their stories intertwine, showcasing the diversity and intrigue of Africa's captivating wildlife.
Genets are naturally cryptic animals of the night, their fluid movements and agile forms combined with alert intelligent eyes make them a joy to watch as they forage for a wide variety of foods ranging from small birds, rodents, lizards, other invertebrates and even wild fruits.
Breakfast in bed at Earth Lodge’s Amber Villa turned into breakfast with a show as this herd of elephants came to drink from the Villa’s pool.
Male warthogs usually travel alone and although they look fierce, they will rather run away than fight but if a predator tries its luck, you can be sure this warthog will not back down from the fight as the sharp tusks can do severe damage to a challenger.
Yellow-billed Hornbills are not at all picky eaters, trying to eat anything that fits in their beak. This Hornbill attempted to find different angles to eat an unlucky dung beetle.
We have had many entertaining sightings of Ntsumi and her two cubs. The cubs grow in confidence by the day and wander further from their mom, exploring the bush around them. Ntsumi herself was in a very playful mood as she joined in the fun by stalking and pouncing on her cubs. This playtime is vital for the cubs’ survival in the bush, as this teaches them skills to stalk and hunt prey. As the day ended, the trio were perched atop a fallen Marula tree and seemingly paused to witness the breathtaking spectacle of the setting sun. Silhouetted against the fiery horizon, they share a tender moment, united in their awe of nature's grandeur. In this tranquil scene, the bond between them shines as brightly as the fading light, a testament to the timeless beauty of the African wilderness.
Tengile strides with elegance, her blue eyes alert. Behind her, a clumsy cub playfully clambers through and over every obstacle. Together they navigate the wilderness, a silent bond of love uniting them. They settled in a cool and shady riverbed where we had an incredible sighting of them with some breathtaking eye contact.
The N’weti male leopard was strolling casually along a road, scent-marking his territory as he went. They cover great distances to ensure any threat to their territory is aware of their presence and will move off without challenge.
In the tranquil embrace of the morning sun, the two majestic Gijima males recline, their golden manes aglow with the first light of dawn. With regal poise, they embody the timeless grace and strength of Africa's kings.
Over recent times, the four Talamati lionesses and their cubs have been spending time on our reserve. As they have broken away from their original pride, they have been named the Msuthlu Pride.
The playful cubs frolic close to their mothers, their innocence a stark contrast to the wild majesty of their surroundings. Together, they paint a picture of familial bonds woven amidst the untamed beauty of the savanna. Through their playful antics, they hone essential skills for survival, fostering strength, coordination, and social bonds that will shape their future as rulers. It is nothing but a privilege to receive regular glimpses into nature's boundless wonder, where every playful leap is a lesson in growth.
Beneath the vast African sky, the Nkuhuma male rests. His mane a symbol of dominance, yet it's the scar that marks his eye, a testament to battles fought and won, that tells the tale of his resilience and strength amidst the unforgiving savanna.
This pride of lions was lying in the road, warming up in the early morning while digesting a recent meal. In a pride with four males and one female, they could have killed something big to fill up all of them, as they all looked content.
Male lions usually form a coalition with other males to increase their chance of survival in terms of hunting and a well as winning territories against other males. Four male lions together give them a huge advantage to protect and fight other males in the battle to win prides and territories.
To the northwest of Bush Lodge lay the Styx Pride, a formidable group of lions. Sharp eyes fixed on the horizon, vigilant for potential prey as they balance rest and awareness in their daily routines. The Styx Pride embodies the strength, unity, and adaptability of wild lions, showcasing the essence of survival in their natural habitat. Witnessing their trials and tribulations, yet seeing them emerge victorious, is truly a testament to their resilience and tenacity.
Until next time…
Blog by Wendy Claase
Images by Benjamin Loon, Daniel Greyvenstein, Devon Jansen, Dieter Lategan, Jason Street, JP van Rooyen and Ronald Mutero
Video by Lee Moutzouris
