A Week in the Bush Vol. 557
on Jul 23, 2025This week’s safari highlights bring you the latest sightings and moments from the reserve - from predator activity to scenic encounters. Here’s what we’ve seen out in the bush…
Just as we were heading back from our evening safari, a pair of glowing eyes reflecting in the distance caught our attention. As we approached, we were stunned to discover it was a Caracal - an incredibly rare and elusive sight in this area.
Caracals are among the most secretive cats and spotting one is considered a true privilege. What made the moment even more extraordinary was how relaxed it seemed, moving about naturally as if we weren’t even there.
This was Benjamin’s first-ever Caracal sighting in the region, and it was an experience he will never forget!
Sightings of African Wild Dogs are scarce, which means when they are found there is a buzz around the reserve. Excitedly - but always safely - guides push their accelerators to not only see them, but to try and keep up with these athletic animals as they move effortlessly through the bush.
One afternoon we had the privilege of following a pair of wild dogs as they searched the open plains for a hunting opportunity. The sun began to set behind them, giving a golden glow to their multi-coloured coats before they darted off into a thicket. What a spectacular way to end the day.
We’ve enjoyed numerous sightings of Golonyi and her cub this week.
As we crossed a drainage line in the late afternoon, we were surprised to encounter the Golonyi female emerging onto the road, purposefully scent-marking as she moved. Intent and focused, she attempted to stalk a duiker but was unsuccessful. Undeterred, she slipped deeper into the thickets as the fading light gave way to dusk, vanishing into the growing shadows in search of new hunting opportunities.
While driving along the Sabie River, we came across tracks of a female leopard heading deeper into our reserve. After a short but effective tracking session, we located the Golonyi female as she moved quietly along a drainage line, contact-calling for her cub. Moments later, a soft reply came from the dense thickets in a nearby ravine - her youngster was close.
We watched in awe as the pair reunited and began weaving through the bushes, effortlessly disappearing into the sunset. With the reunion complete, Golonyi will soon be on the hunt, ensuring both she and her cub stay strong and well-fed.
We set off from Earth Lodge on our morning safari, hopeful for a leopard sighting. While the bush often has its own plans, luck was on our side. As we cruised along, soaking up the winter sun, our tracker suddenly called out, "Leopard!"
In the long grass, we spotted the white belly of an impala, but no leopard in sight. Then, two small ears popped up. It was Golonyi’s cub! She had made a fresh kill, and her youngster was eagerly tugging at the impala, trying to get it open while she rested nearby.
Once he managed to tear into it, he fed contentedly before turning playful - climbing up and down the trees surrounding the thicket where his mother had stashed their prize.
We managed to locate the Msuthlu Pride early in the morning, as they hadn't moved far overnight. When we found them, the entire pride had noticeably full bellies - clear evidence that they had made a successful kill during the evening and finished their meal. They were basking in the warmth of the morning sun after another cool night. As the day heats up, they'll likely retreat into the nearby thickets to escape the midday temperatures before becoming active again after sunset.
On a crisp winter’s morning, we found fresh tracks of male lions entering our reserve and immediately began following up. As we tracked further, we noticed signs that the males and a nearby pride were heading in the same direction. Not long after, we found the Gijima males together with the Msuthlu Pride, gathered around the remains of a blue wildebeest they had brought down during the night.
All the lions looked healthy and well-fed as they slowly began moving toward a nearby waterhole to quench their thirst before settling into a shady spot to rest for the day.
We came across the Msuthlu Pride sprawled across the open plains in front of Selati Camp, soaking up the first golden rays of the morning sun. Having recently enjoyed a large meal, the lions showed no interest in moving far - content to rest and digest. They'll likely spend the day lounging in the area before slowly moving on after sunset.
The next day, we found the Msuthlu Pride and Gijima males once again gathered near a waterhole in the northern part of our reserve. Judging by their bulging bellies, they had recently finished another meal. With cooler temperatures and thick cloud cover, the lions took full advantage of the open area - resting comfortably as they digested their food and soaked up the mild weather.
As the sun slowly rose above the horizon, a tower of giraffes stood watching us, their long necks peeking curiously over the bushes, surveying the landscape to ensure they were aware of everything unfolding around them.
After foraging through the fallen leaves in search of food, a pair of Crested Francolins shared a sweet interaction with one another. Watching them felt like witnessing a secret slice of their world, the kind of moment you only experience when you take the time to truly observe wildlife. It was a beautiful reminder of the subtle, emotional connections that exist in nature, often hidden in plain sight.
In the eye of an elephant, you see the weight of centuries and the gentleness of giants.
A Pied Kingfisher hovered intently over a small waterhole, scanning for any fish near the surface. Several times it dove, disappearing completely beneath the water - each attempt ending in failure. Eventually, it flew to a nearby tree, settling on a branch to dry its feathers, preparing for another round of determined hunting.
We watched as the young hyenas played and fed on the remains of a carcass that the adults had brought back to the den. It’s always a pleasure observing these youngsters go about their business. The social hierarchy is becoming increasingly clear - larger, stronger cubs dominate the scene, claiming the best portions, while the smaller ones are left to scavenge whatever scraps they can.
Until next time…
Blog by Wendy Claase
Images by Benjamin Loon, Jamiel Malherbe, Jan Nel, Ronald Mutero, Ruan Mey and Viviane Ladner
