A Week in the Bush Vol. 564
on Sep 17, 2025In the early morning hours, we came across the Msuthlu Pride moving with intent. They weaved through the reserve, seizing every opportunity to hunt - whether it was a rhino, giraffe, or impala. Despite their persistence, each attempt ended in failure, and eventually, the pride settled in the shade beside a nearby waterhole to rest.
Their determination, however, would later be rewarded. By afternoon, they encountered a large buffalo herd. As darkness fell, the lions stirred awake, slipping quietly into position within the dense bush. Every movement hinted at careful planning, their patience a testament to their skill as hunters.
At first, one of the lionesses managed to isolate a buffalo, but the herd reacted swiftly, charging to its defence and forcing the pride to retreat. Unshaken, the lions regrouped, their eyes fixed on the herd, waiting for another chance. Then, under the cover of night, they struck again. The silence was broken only by the crack of branches and the cries of a buffalo in distress. This time, the pride succeeded, bringing down a buffalo cow.
The following morning, we returned to find the pride still at the scene. The females and subadults lay nearby, bellies round with their feast, while the younger cubs eagerly picked over the remains.
In the golden light of the late afternoon, two African wild dogs were resting peacefully on the warm road surface. These highly social and endangered predators often take time to rest during the heat of the day, conserving energy for their high-speed, coordinated hunts that typically happen in the early morning or late evening. Despite their relaxed appearance, wild dogs live fast-paced lives and rely heavily on cooperation from one another - making moments like these rare and special to witness.
We set off in the morning on safari, eager to find a leopard or some fresh tracks. Not long after leaving the lodge, our team found tracks of a female leopard and her cub and were soon rewarded with a sighting of Golonyi and her male cub as they moved gracefully across the rocky outcrops in the south of the reserve. Golonyi paused to scent-mark along the rocks, reaffirming her territory, while her cub clambered playfully nearby.
These rocky outcrops are a favoured spot for leopards. From the elevated vantage points, they can scan for prey, find shade to rest during the heat of the day, and safely conceal their cubs while the mother is away hunting, protecting them from rival predators.
After an incredible morning safari, we returned to Bush Lodge. Just as we drove through the entrance, the Ntsumi female leopard crossed the road in front of us. We followed her as she moved through the thickets and paused at a small pool of water, her movements watched nervously by a nearby bushbuck. After quenching her thirst, she moved on before settling into the shade of the riverbed, where she began to groom herself.
Her head jolted up and she swiftly moved in behind a rocky area, watching a young Nyala making its way towards the riverbed. We held our breath, hoping to witness the hunt unfold but as the wind shifted, the nyala caught her scent and bolted into the distance. With her opportunity gone, Ntsumi emerged once more into the sunlight, giving us one last glimpse of her beauty before disappearing back into the cover of the bush.
The Ntsumi female leopard pauses for a quiet drink at a waterhole, her belly full after a successful hunt. This moment of calm follows the intensity of feeding and precedes her next mission - returning to her hidden cubs, likely tucked away in a secure den nearby. Solitary and elusive, female leopards like Ntsumi must balance hunting, hydration, and motherhood with incredible precision to ensure the survival of their young in the wild.
The beam of the spotlight, searched through the darkness hoping to reveal the secrets and mystery of the night. It was not long before an equally secretive, mysterious and elusive creature was revealed, the Jacana female. She lay at the base of a termite mound satisfied and full, resting before her next feed from the kill she had hoisted up in a nearby tree.
We followed the Khulwana male leopard as he moved through a drainage line just north of Bush Lodge. With temperatures slowly rising, he paused frequently to scent mark - rubbing his face and spraying urine to establish his territory. Scent marking is a vital part of leopard behaviour, helping to communicate presence and dominance to rivals in the area while navigating the cool, shaded pathways of the bush.
As we drove along the Sabie River, a flash of vibrant colour caught our attention – a Brown-hooded Kingfisher. Its chestnut crown and turquoise wings shimmered against the green backdrop. Unlike its fish-hunting relatives, this kingfisher had its eyes fixed on the abundance of insects buzzing along the riverbanks, darting down with precision to snatch its prey before returning to its perch.
In the wild, crocodiles are apex predators known for their powerful ambush hunting techniques. This scene captures a Nile crocodile feeding on a young buffalo calf - a stark reminder of nature's food chain. Crocodiles often lie and wait near water edges, striking with lightning speed when prey comes close. Although harsh, predation plays a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by controlling herbivore populations and recycling nutrients back into the environment.
A kudu cow stands atop a termite mound, using the elevated position to scan her surroundings for predators. Herbivores like kudu often seek higher ground to improve visibility in dense bush. Termite mounds, built by industrious insects, serve as natural lookout points and are essential features in the landscape - offering both strategic advantage to animals and contributing to soil health and biodiversity.
Perched high in a Marula tree, a female Southern Ground Hornbill paused to preen her dark feathers. It was her deep call that first drew our attention - carrying effortlessly across the open savannah. From somewhere in the distance, her mate answered, the deep duet echoing between them.
The Tamboti tree is known for its toxic latex, which deters most herbivores, but giraffes have adapted to tolerate it thanks to specialised liver enzymes that help detoxify harmful compounds. During dry winter months, reduced water availability leads to lower latex production, making the tree less toxic. With limited food and moisture elsewhere, giraffes increasingly turn to Tamboti, using their height and selective browsing to access this seasonal food source safely.
Until next time…
Blog by Wendy Claase
Images by Benjamin Loon, Devon Jansen, Jan Nel, Jana du Plessis, JP van Rooyen, Ruan Mey and Viviane Ladner
