A Week in the Bush Vol. 534
on Feb 05, 2025In recent times, we have been treated to some wonderful sightings of three Kambula Breakaway males.
One morning, we encountered two of the Kambula Breakaway males resting in a riverbed, recovering from a night of heavy feeding. The third male was found nearby, concealed in a dense thicket, alongside the scant remains of their recent kill.
Following up on the three males, we tracked them into the southern section of our reserve. As we ventured deeper, we eventually located them moving onto our private airstrip. With the morning remaining cool and overcast, they rested on the tarmac but as the sun broke through the clouds, they retreated into the terminal building, drawn to the cool concrete floor. These young males covered a significant distance overnight - a common behaviour for nomadic lions navigating the territory of dominant males.
In the far eastern reaches of our reserve, the morning safari was gripped by the discovery of fresh lion tracks. As we followed their path, it became evident that the prints were both numerous and unusually large. This caused a bit of confusion as the usual prides in the area all have small cubs.
With each turn, the excitement of the unknown grew within the vehicle. Then, as the tracks led us further east, the mystery unravelled - up ahead, the Kambula Pride lay dozing. A rare sight in our territory, their presence was a thrilling surprise.
It was a joy to see them once again, all healthy and strong and so much larger than when last encountered them. Among them, we counted at least seven sub-adult males, an impressive sight. With independence looming on the horizon, it will be fascinating to see how their journey unfolds in the coming months.
As evening descended on our safari, we passed through an open clearing, only to be startled by the resonant call of a male lion nearby. Drawn by the sound, we ventured closer and discovered the handsome Gijima male. With nightfall approaching, his regal presence created a truly spectacular sight.
The Msuthlu Pride rested in an open area, accompanied by the two Gijima males. Though seemingly at ease, their attention remained fixed on a group of zebras nearby. Given their lean condition, it was clear they would be looking to hunt as soon as nightfall arrived. Only time will tell how many attempts it will take before they successfully secure their next meal.
A pack of wild dogs were taking shelter in a shady riverbed during the heat of the day. Wild dogs are generally most active during the cooler hours of the morning and late afternoon, when they hunt with remarkable endurance. Their hunting strategy relies on chasing prey relentlessly until it is completely exhausted. The riverbed provided a perfect retreat for the pack, allowing them to cool off and recover their energy before continuing their hunt later in the day.
On a morning safari, we set out following the tracks of a lion pride, but our attention quickly shifted when we stumbled upon fresh wild dog tracks. Before long, we encountered a pair of these remarkable hunters, darting erratically through the reserve. It was clear they were not only searching for prey but also desperately trying to reunite with their pack.
We found the Nottins male leopard barely visible atop a termite mound, concealed by a vibrant canopy of lush green grass. He seemed to be both resting and lying in ambush, patiently waiting for a warthog to emerge from the burrow beneath him. Our patience paid off as he eventually sat up, stretched with a wide yawn, and glanced intently down into the burrow.
We followed up on a morning sighting of Golonyi and were fortunate to find her tracks heading south into our reserve. We trailed her for some time until the tracks veered off the road. Relying on our knowledge of her usual movements, we decided to circle around the block in the hopes of picking up her trail again. Our efforts paid off when we spotted her resting in the grass, carefully watching a nearby herd of impala. With her cub still very young, securing frequent meals is crucial for her health and the cub’s survival. Only time will tell how their journey unfolds.
High up in the dense foliage of a fruiting Marula tree the Tengile Female lay, enjoying the brief relief from the morning heat and making the most of the gentle breeze rustling through the canopy. A far-off sounder of warthogs fed in a clearing caught her attention, her beautiful eyes gazed intensely at them, firmly locked onto their movements. But after a moment of stillness, she abandoned the idea of pursuit and settled back into the embrace of the branches, choosing rest over the chase.
A flock of Barn Swallows found an area teeming with small flying insects. They swooped low over the grass to catch their prey, repeatedly returning to a specific perch. The scene was filled with nonstop action as the swallows continually took off and landed on the perch.
We observed two young giraffe bulls engaging in a sparring match, honing their skills against each other. As they mature, these sessions will grow more intense and aggressive, particularly when competing for mating rights. Typically, they stand side by side, facing opposite directions, before powerfully swinging their necks and striking each other with their ossicones.
This majestic elephant bull leisurely grazed across the plains, enjoying the sweet summer grass. As he approached a small waterhole, he paused briefly to spray himself with water, cooling his massive body. With temperatures rising again in recent days, elephants have been gathering around waterholes, where they can easily quench their thirst and find relief from the heat.
Until next time…
Blog by Wendy Claase
Images by Alta du Toit, Benjamin Loon, Devon Jansen, Jan Nel and Ruan Mey
Video by Viviane Ladner
