A Week in the Bush Vol. 572
on Nov 19, 2025The Styx Pride had moved into the reserve, and with so many cubs among them, they provided endless entertainment as they discovered a Hinged-backed Tortoise making its slow way through the grass. Their playful curiosity was a joy to watch — the kind of innocent exploration that will one day shape the vital skills needed for hunting and survival within the pride.
As the day began to cool, the pride slowly stirred to life, stretching and socialising in the fading light. Then, in a sudden burst of excitement, they all leapt to their feet and sprinted toward the two adult females emerging from the brush with the pride’s three youngest members in tow. Warm reunions followed before they settled once again, content and calm as evening approached.
Hidden beneath the shade of a Jackalberry tree in the southern reaches of the reserve, the Kambula lioness sat quietly, grooming herself with calm precision. After a few moments, she rose and slipped into the thick bush, drawn by the distant calls of a buffalo herd.
Now alone and without her usual companion, the Styx male, her prospects have grown uncertain. Without the protection of a dominant male, her chances of successful hunts - and of raising future cubs safely - are greatly diminished.
After leaving the waterhole in front of Selati Camp, the Msuthlu Pride set off into the night looking for their next meal.
The following morning, we left camp with the hopes of finding fresh tracks that could lead us to the pride and their kill, but unfortunately the tracks went in circles, back and forth to the waterhole and back to where we had found their initial tracks.
Hoping that we were getting closer to their kill, a hyena ran across the road with the intestines of a fairly large animal, indicating that they potentially had made a kill but left the remains to the hyenas.
Our tracking exercise continued, thinking that they had potentially found shelter in the dense riverbed where vehicles can’t reach, but luckily it seemed like the adults had left the youngsters behind and moved off, making it possible for us to find the pride of young lions moving through the open plains, interacting with each other and even getting curious of any other animals that they came across.
At the age of 4-5 years old, male lions will start to show signs of dominance due to them reaching their sexual maturity, and these 4 Nwaswitshaka male lions have been doing exactly that.
Moving through the reserve, we have watched these males scent mark through the Western and Southern sections, as well as even roaring after the sun has set. With no challenge from, or interaction with other males in the area, these males will become more confident in taking over the reserve and potentially finding females that they could mate with to sire their next generation.
Tengile was found resting near a Jackalberry tree, looking quite uncomfortable in the heat. Before long, she began searching for water. She drank from a cool stream, and once her thirst was quenched, she returned to her resting spot. She appeared hungry, and although she wasn’t actively hunting, she remained alert for any potential prey.
We set out shortly after sunrise, aiming to reach the southern part of the reserve in hopes that Golonyi’s youngster would still be near the spot where the team had left him the night before.
After an extended tracking session with no sign of him, we paused for a leg stretch and a much-needed cup of coffee. Just as we were finishing, the distant chatter of Vervet Monkeys shattered the stillness — sharp alarm calls echoing from the direction where the young male was often seen. Excitement surged through us as we packed up and headed toward the commotion. Moments later, the young leopard emerged from the treeline.
His belly full, he bounded playfully across the open area before diving into the drainage line, chasing squirrels, grasshoppers, and anything else that dared to move. Eventually, he settled into the shade, ready to rest for the day.
After a very rewarding afternoon, we left a sighting of Golonyi’s sub-adult to enjoy a sundowner, but we were stopped in our tracks as Golonyi made her appearance not too far from where we had just left the young male.
She walked with intent, gracefully moving through the bush towards where her son was waiting, while moving from one big Marula tree to the next, marking her territory and listening to the noises of the bush.
As the day’s heat intensified, the leopards became more active, prowling in search of water to quench their thirst and cool their bodies.
Shortly after arriving from the airport, some guests were greeted by Ntsumi - the “Angel” of Sabi Sabi - as she calmly entered the grounds of Bush Lodge, pausing to sip from a small puddle near the entrance. Once refreshed, her attention was caught by a small group of bushbuck nearby. Instantly, she slipped into stealth mode, moving silently through the grass as she plotted her approach toward a potential meal.
In the very early hours of the morning, four male lions brought down a buffalo. With their bellies full, they moved off in search of shade and water. As soon as the lions moved away, vultures and hyenas began to gather. Nearby, a crash of four rhinos had been grazing, and their curiosity eventually drew them towards the kill. They approached cautiously, sniffing the air, and then - once close enough to sense the commotion - charged at the vultures in an unexpected spectacle we had never seen before. Their display, however, did little to deter the scavengers. After what felt like an eternity, the rhinos finally wandered off, leaving the birds to finish the carcass.
Two large buffalo bulls trail behind their herd in the warm glow of the late afternoon, leaving a waterhole after quenching their thirst. Older bulls often linger at the back, conserving energy and keeping watch for predators. Their massive horns and heavy build mark years of dominance and survival.
We observed a mixed flock of Swallow species darting through the air in a concentrated area, engaging in a frenzied feeding session on the swarming insects. The scene was one of absolute chaos, with Swallows flying in every direction, skilfully snatching prey mid-flight.
A White-bellied Sunbird combed the vegetation along the Sabie River looking for flowers to feed from. Hopping from bush to bush, he searched thoroughly for any nectar that was available.
A large giraffe bull stood patiently as Red-billed Oxpeckers fed on the ticks and parasites that were present on the giraffe, forming the mutualistic relationship which benefits both animals. The oxpeckers receive a food source while the giraffe gets assistance with his parasite load.
Oxpeckers will also serve as an alarm system for any predators or any large disturbances that might move through the area or towards the giraffe.
A large herd of buffalo stop at a waterhole for a drink and cool down. These herds, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, rely on cooperation and strong social bonds. Dominant individuals often lead the group to water or food sources, and calves are protected within the safety of the herd.
Until next time…
Blog by Wendy Claase
Images by Benjamin Loon, Jana du Plessis, Ronald Mutero, Ruan Mey and Viviane Ladner
Video by Viviane Ladner
