A Week in the Bush Vol. 496
on Mar 27, 2024As the seasons are starting to change, we are experiencing cooler temperatures in the mornings. Driving around, carefully scanning our surroundings, we found the Kambula Breakaway Pride lying in an open area, waiting for the sun to warm them up. With their bellies full, they were too lazy to move around, even when an old buffalo bull walked past them in the open.
This pride has covered a great distance in the past few days, not staying in an area for too long. They are coming to an age now where they will slowly start to challenge the dominant males in the area. Time will tell if they succeed or not!
This male lion was found by himself with a very full tummy, digesting his meal and only lifting his head every so often to check his surroundings.
As a lone young male, he will need to navigate the challenges of survival and hone in on his hunting skills each passing day. His courage and determination for survival is key as a solidary predator, until he one day forms a coalition or joins a pride.
After a rainy night, we set off early on safari eager to find lions. We came across the Styx Pride lying in a big open area, closely watching every move of a herd of Blue wildebeest in the distance. With the swirling wind, the wildebeest soon caught their scent and moved off into the treeline.
A few days later, a potential meal woke the pride from a deep sleep. A large herd of buffalo approached a waterhole close to where the young pride was resting. Lions, like all wild cats, are innately tuned into their surroundings and they are immediately aware of the imminent danger this herd of buffalo could be. While these lions are incredibly efficient and competent hunters, on this occasion the odds were not stacked in their favour and the pride took evasive action, moving on in search of another meal.
Male leopards, known for their impressive strength and agility, possess incredibly powerful jaws capable of exerting tremendous force. Their dentition reflects their carnivorous nature, featuring sharp, pointed teeth designed for tearing through flesh and crushing bones with ease. The robust jaw muscles of male leopards enable them to take down large prey, showcasing their prowess as apex predators in their ecosystems. This combination of formidable jaw power and specialised dentition allows male leopards to thrive as efficient hunters in diverse habitats across Africa and Asia.
It was a very pleasant surprise to find the Jasiri female leopard posing on a large rock in the southern sector of the reserve. She continued to pose for at least half an hour before disappearing into some dense vegetation.
Embracing her domain, leopardess Golonyi traverses her territory, marking scents and surveying her realm from strategic vantage points. Her ascent to a Marula tree for repose is a testament to her wild grace, showcasing the remarkable agility and adaptations that allow leopards to climb with such ease. With powerful limbs, retractable claws for gripping, and a flexible spine, she effortlessly navigates the branches, demonstrating the perfected artistry of an arboreal predator.
After a refreshing day of rain, Tengile and her curious cub basked in the warm sun atop a sunkissed rock. The cub's playful antics and inquisitive nature brought joy to the serene scene, as they revelled in the simple pleasures of nature's embrace. This tender moment between mother and offspring epitomised the strong bond essential for a young leopard's survival.
Deep in the southern sector of the reserve, rocky outcrops, open savannah, and dense thickets staring the stunning views of the area. A new member joined the cast this day, an African bull elephant. What made this particularly special was the enormous size of him, this accompanied by a deeply impressive set of tusks that are a rarity these days. We watched on in awe as the gentle giant moved along, the closer he came the more impressive the spectacle, a majesty could be felt flooding the vehicle as he approached and simply strolled past. An amazing experience in the presence of one of Africa’s behemoths.
At the top of a tree, this beautiful African Fish Eagle sat proudly perched, overlooking the area around him and looking for any movement in the water beneath. These eagles predominantly feed on fish, capable of lifting prey off up to 2kg from the water. These beautiful birds are often seen in pairs as they are monogamous, forming a lifelong partnership. Once you hear them call, you know you are in Africa!
Until next time…
Blog by Wendy Claase
Images by Benjamin Loon, Daniel Greyvenstein, Jason Street, JP van Rooyen, Ronald Mutero and Ruan Mey
