A Week in the Bush Vol. 571
on Nov 12, 2025Welcome back to our weekly roundup of the wild and wonderful!
The four young N’waswishaka male lions were resting in an open area, their coats blending with the grass as they lay alert, ears pricked to every sound. They may have heard the distant roars from the Gijima males during the night - a powerful reminder of the challenges ahead. As nomadic youngsters, they must stay cautious and united while they grow stronger and prepare to one day claim a territory of their own.
The Kambula lioness was spotted near Earth Lodge, moving with stealth and grace right in front of the lodge. It appeared she had been hunting through the night, and this was her final attempt before resting for the day. She carefully investigated the thickets, ears twitching and nose lifted to catch every sound and scent carried on the wind. When no opportunity presented itself, she finally settled atop a nearby termite mound. Unfortunately for her a kill was not imminent, but she still used the height advantage to observe her surroundings - just in case.
After a brief tracking exercise, we found the Ntsumi female moving gracefully through the dense thickets of a drainage line. The cool, overcast morning kept her active and alert, ever opportunistic as prey species began to stir and move about. Suckle marks were still visible, a reassuring sign that her cubs are nearby. Although they remain unseen for now, we look forward to the day she chooses to reveal them to us.
Shortly after leaving Earth Lodge, setting out on our morning safari, we were spoiled by finding Golonyi’s sub-adult male as he was moving through the bush, very alert to his surroundings and practising his stalking skills at every opportunity. With him reaching one year of age, he is at a critical time of his life where he needs to start looking out for himself and trying to secure meals to boost his confidence and prepare for his solitary life ahead.
As the bush regains its lush green vibrancy after the dry winter season, spotting some of the more elusive animals, like the elusive leopard, has become increasingly challenging. Fortunately for us, the beautiful Golonyi leopardess and her sub-adult male never fail to impress, often gracing us with their presence as they stroll through the southern reaches of the reserve.
After leaving them near Earth Lodge during the evening safari, we decided to head south again, hoping for the same luck that our fellow guides and their guests had enjoyed the night before.
Fresh tracks soon caught our attention, and before long, we were rewarded with a sighting of the young male leopard not far from where we had last seen him. True to form, he put on quite a show by moving confidently from termite mound to termite mound, pausing to rest and groom himself before finally settling in the cool shade of the Umlechwaan River.
Following drag marks and hyena tracks often reveals fascinating scenes of the wild's natural cycle. As we arrived at the hyena den after following these signs, we watched as the hyenas fed on the remains of an impala carcass, nothing goes to waste. As skilled scavengers and hunters, hyenas play a vital role in keeping the ecosystem clean and balanced, recycling nutrients back into the environment.
After a cool night, a tower of giraffes warmed in the morning sun. We sat quietly, observing as they gradually became active, feeding and going about their daily activities.
After days of scavengers like the Spotted hyena, vultures and jackals feeding on a dead hippo, this female hyena managed to still find something left behind by her fellow scavengers.
Salivating from the mouth and struggling to get through the thick and now dry skin of the hippo, she did not give up, struggling with every bite but eventually getting something to feed on.
With their short digestive tracts, powerful digestive system and strong stomach acids, the hyenas can feed and digest rotten meat that would be harmful to other animals. This ensures that the carcass of a dead animals gets removed from the bush due to the hyena feeding on the carrion and removing any harmful bacteria that might be left behind by the rotting animal.
Long after the Gijima male lion left the dead buffalo that he had come across, the hyenas and vultures started feeding on what he had left behind.
After hearing the hyenas calling in the early morning hours, we left Selati Camp to see what could be happening at the carcass and found one hyena along with Hooded and White-backed Vultures, feeding on what was left.
With the ribs picked clean of any large pieces, the hyena was left with nothing but carrion but showed no interest in feeding on that. As the hyena left, the vultures returned to the carcass and fed on the last remains.
A male Southern Masked Weaver busily constructs his nest in a tree overhanging a dam, weaving strands of grass with remarkable speed and precision. This intricate creation serves both as shelter and as a testament to his craftsmanship - females select their mates based on the quality of these woven homes. Suspended above the water, the nest is also better protected from predators, perfectly illustrating nature’s blend of instinct, engineering, and strategy in the pursuit of reproduction.
Two Magpie Shrikes perch side by side in a tree, their long tails swaying as they call out in sharp, clattering notes. One suddenly spreads its wings wide - a bold display of dominance or courtship, a behaviour often seen among bonding pairs. Highly social by nature, these birds live in close-knit family groups, using their piercing calls to communicate and defend their territories across the open bushveld.
This male Saddle-billed Stork moved slowly across a vast plain, searching for tadpoles, frogs, and other aquatic prey. These striking birds are classified as endangered, with fewer than 100 breeding pairs estimated to remain in the Kruger area.
On the cold and rainy summer days we’ve been experiencing, most of the mammals out on safari have sought refuge deep within the thick bush. Fortunately, as the rain begins to ease and the sun breaks through the clouds, the birdlife bursts into action, bringing the landscape to life once more.
During the first hour of your morning safari, the bush awakens with the vibrant dawn chorus, performed by the diverse bird species of Sabi Sabi. The Lesser masked weavers busily display their craftsmanship as they weave intricate nests among the trees, while the Brown-hooded kingfishers call out to declare their presence and territory. Nearby, the Arrow-marked babblers chatter energetically, reinforcing their social bonds and announcing their flock’s domain.
A female kudu stands atop a termite mound in the late afternoon light, using the elevated position to scan the open area for potential danger. Termite mounds provide an excellent vantage point for antelope like kudu, allowing them to detect predators early while also catching a cooling breeze as temperatures drop toward evening.
A herd of elephants gathered around a watering hole to drink. The smallest member, a very young calf, excitedly tried to join its relatives- the tiny elephant reached down with its trunk but underestimated the distance and slipped in the mud. The mother was quick to act, grabbing her calf’s face and trunk with her own, keeping it above water. The rest of the herd drank calmly, almost as if they knew the situation was under control, while mom pulled the baby back up to safety.
Until next time…
Blog by Wendy Claase
Images by Jana du Plessis, Ruan Mey and Viviane Ladner
