A Week in the Bush Vol. 608
on Sep 09, 2026Finding wild dog tracks is always exciting, but tracking them can be a real challenge, especially when they are on the hunt. Early one morning near Selati Camp, we picked up a set of fresh tracks, still visible in the damp grass from the morning dew, as the wild dogs moved through the area.
We were fortunate that a group of hyenas was also following the tracks, hoping to find scraps and bones left behind after the wild dogs had fed. As it turned out, the hyenas led us straight to them, just as the wild dogs were finishing off their hard-earned impala kill.
We had been finding tracks of a lion pride scattered around the reserve and spent several hours following them, hoping our persistence would eventually pay off. But, as is so often the case in the bush, it has a way of communicating with you if you take the time to listen and look for the signs.
This time, monkeys gave us the clue we needed. Their alarm calls suddenly started coming from the treetops, and by watching the direction they were looking, we were able to work out what had caught their attention.
Not far from Bush Lodge, we finally found the pride. They were moving slowly through the bush, their full tummies a clear indication that they had recently been feeding.
Not far from Selati Camp, we heard the unmistakable vocalisation of a lion. It wasn’t long before we found him, but he wasn’t alone. A lioness was resting nearby, and although both appeared to be sleeping, we soon noticed the male lifting his head whenever he thought she was awake. It didn’t take long to realise we had found a mating pair.
Lion mating pairs may remain together for several days, mating repeatedly while the lioness is in oestrus. During this time, they often rest close together, groom one another and may separate from the rest of the pride.
A lioness is receptive for only a short period, so mating can be frequent, sometimes occurring every 15–30 minutes over several days. While it may look like a quiet moment in the bush, these encounters are an essential part of the pride’s life cycle and the continuation of the next generation.
Out here, every sighting tells a story - and sometimes, we get to witness the beginning of a new chapter.
We followed up on fresh lion tracks near a waterhole and soon found the pride, their bodies still marked with fresh blood and their stomachs full. They had clearly finished a kill not long before our arrival.
With the meal over, there was little left to do but rest and digest. The pride settled into the warmth of the Lowveld sun, some stretched out in the shade while others barely lifted their heads. There was just one problem - the flies.
Persistent and irritating, the flies soon became almost as troublesome as the heat. One particularly resourceful lion decided enough was enough and climbed into a nearby tree, settling among the branches to escape the swarms below. It was an unusual sight, with the lion using the height and breeze to find some relief.
In the bush, survival isn't always about hunting or fighting. Sometimes, it's simply about finding the best place to sleep.
As we left Earth Lodge on our morning safari, we heard baboons alarm calling in the distance. A short follow-up revealed fresh male lion tracks crossing over buffalo tracks, so we immediately changed direction.
Not long after, we found three of the N’waswishaka males hot on the heels of a massive buffalo herd. Unfortunately for the lions, the buffalo had already spotted them. The larger bulls kept a close eye on the three males as they eventually accepted defeat and settled down nearby, while the rest of the herd moved away.
These males can spend days trailing large buffalo herds before trying to hunt. Taking down a buffalo is no easy task, and everything must be right for the lions to succeed. With buffalo so fiercely protective of their herd, patience is essential - and only time will tell if these three males have enough of it.
Five lionesses from the Msuthlu Pride were finishing off a zebra kill. They had clearly made the most of their opportunity, returning to the carcass until little remained beyond the ribs and a few scraps of flesh. With the main feeding frenzy over, the lionesses slowly settled.
What remains of a kill is quickly recycled by the ecosystem. Hyenas, vultures, jackals, insects and countless microorganisms continue the process, ensuring that very little goes to waste. In the wild, even the last rib of a zebra plays an important role in sustaining the remarkable web of life.
An afternoon safari that will never be forgotten.
After following tracks and signs of leopards across the reserve, we finally found the Kurhula female and her cub resting in a thicket beside a drainage line, waiting for the temperatures to drop and the light to fade before becoming active.
The youngster was incredibly curious about our presence and put on a great show as he cautiously moved closer to inspect us. We kept our position and gave him plenty of space, allowing him to investigate without feeling threatened.
At this young age, the cub is still learning about his surroundings and, importantly, what we are. His mother’s behaviour will play a vital role in shaping how he responds to safari vehicles, which is why we never put pressure on either of them.
Only time will tell if Kurhula can successfully raise this youngster to independence and, in doing so, prove herself to be a great leopard mother.
The Kurhula female leopard and her cub were feeding on an impala kill. After grooming her cub for a few moments, she quietly led it away before returning to her hoisted kill. Once she knew her cub was safe, she settled down and began grooming herself.
Grooming is an important part of leopard behaviour, helping to remove traces of the meal, loose hair and parasites, while also strengthening the bond between mother and cub.
For the youngster, staying close to its mother is all part of growing up. Watching her movements, following her lead and gradually exploring its surroundings, the cub is slowly learning the skills it will one day need to survive independently. These quiet moments offer a wonderful glimpse into the more intimate side of leopard motherhood.
It was an unusual start to the morning, with thick mist covering the bushveld and creating an almost ethereal atmosphere. Visibility was limited, and we moved through the reserve seeing little more than shapes in the mist.
As we rounded a bend in the road, a herd of elephants appeared, seemingly completely unfazed by the conditions. We watched their silhouettes move quietly through the mist, creating a truly unique scene.
Just 20 minutes later, the mist miraculously cleared, revealing beautiful blue skies.
The hyena den has been very active lately, with the cubs seemingly having endless energy whenever their mother is around. They spend their days biting at each other’s ears, chasing one another and fighting over sticks they find. There’s never a dull moment at the den, and they are always entertaining to watch!
Although ostriches are highly social birds that typically live in large flocks of up to 50 individuals, this male roams our reserve alone in search of a female to mate with. So far, he has had no luck, but he is most likely the dominant male within his breeding territory.
Until next time…
Blog by Wendy Claase
Images by Benjamin Loon, Jana du Plessis, Ronald Mutero and Ruan Mey
