A Week in the Bush Vol. 537
on Feb 26, 2025We have had some good rains so far this season and the bush is looking incredible – all wildlife is thriving… and it shows in the plentiful sightings we have enjoyed this week…
This kudu bull stood majestically atop a small hill with a storm rolling in on the horizon. Large kudu bulls are often solitary, only joining females during the mating season. They embody the true essence of the 'Grey Ghost of Africa,' a name that speaks to their remarkable camouflage and ability to remain motionless, seamlessly blending into their surroundings.
As we navigated through the bush, a chorus of alarm calls from birds brought us to a halt. Following the commotion, we spotted a Pearl-spotted Owlet attempting to hide within the dense thickets. While these owlets are primarily nocturnal hunters, they can be opportunistic during the day, sometimes seizing small birds amid the very chaos of being mobbed by them.
We witnessed as this Tree Squirrel was investigating a leopard hiding in the grass from a safe distance. Moments later, it started an alarm call, warning all other animals in the vicinity of the presence of a predator. Tree Squirrels often play a vital role in warning other animals of potential danger and often help us find predators nearby. Despite their small size, they are highly vigilant, and frequently sound alarm calls not only for big predators like leopards but also for immediate threats such as snakes and birds of prey.
As we departed from Earth Lodge, a group of young waterbuck momentarily blocked our path, proudly displaying their beauty as a light rain drizzled over the area. These young waterbuck often linger near the lodge, drawn by the sense of safety it provides. The constant movement around the lodge creates a calm environment, offering them refuge from the higher predator activity found in the surrounding areas.
During our afternoon safari, we found this water monitor lizard basking in the dying rays of the setting sun. The colours of the reflection of the setting sun juxtaposed nicely with those of the lizard’s intricate scales and made for a spectacular sighting. Piercing the silence, the screeching call of a Wahlberg's eagle caused the monitor lizard's gaze to widen, weary of the threat.
As we drove along the old Selati railway line, we were pleased to spot the Ntsumi female making her way down the road, scent marking her territory. Following the recent rains, these animals need to remark their territories as the scent gets washed away, ensuring no rivals enter their area. She later moved into the thickets where she settled comfortably. She will likely spend the day resting, conserving her energy, and preparing for nightfall and any hunting opportunity that may arise.
While driving through our reserve, we were pleasantly surprised to come across the large N’weti male sprawled out in the middle of the road, peacefully sleeping with a full belly. It was clear he had recently finished a meal and was using the dry ground to rest, avoiding the wet vegetation - like most cats, leopards dislike water. As we watched him, a hyena approached. These opportunistic scavengers often trail leopards, hoping to steal a meal. Sensing the hyena’s presence, N’weti got up and began moving down the road, scent-marking his territory as he walked. We followed him for a while before he slipped back into the thickets, likely trying to lose the hyena so he could continue resting and digesting his meal in peace.
After a long afternoon searching for a leopard, we finally spotted the Golonyi female as she moved gracefully down the road, pausing frequently to scent-mark her territory. With the recent rains, leopards must refresh their scent markings to ward off rivals - especially crucial for her, as she has a cub in the area. We followed her as she ventured further north into our reserve, slipping into the dense thickets just before vanishing from sight. With the cooler temperatures, she will likely hunt there, as many prey animals seek shelter in the undergrowth to stay warm.
Late in the afternoon, we discovered the Mashaba female resting in a mitre drain. As the oldest female leopard in the area, Mashaba has an abundance of experience, which has allowed her to navigate through multiple territories and continue to thrive. Only time will reveal how much longer she will be able to maintain her remarkable resilience.
During our afternoon safari, we set out in search of the Southern Pride. After a long and fruitless search for signs of them, we decided to take a break for a sundowner, hoping the lions would become more active as the sun set. After our drink, we returned to the area - and just in time. The entire pride emerged, walking right past us. They looked to be in excellent condition and unlikely to travel far, as they would soon be seeking a safe, comfortable spot to rest and digest their meal.
We started our tracking exercise early in the morning, following several sets of lion tracks to determine how the lions had moved through the night and to identify the freshest signs. After a considerable amount of time, we finally located part of the Kambula Pride - a lone adult female and several sub-adults. They were sleeping next to the road, staying clear of the wet vegetation, but remaining highly alert to their surroundings. Given that they were in the territory of other lions, caution was key. These lions will spend the day here before heading back east to the safety of their own territory. Lion dynamics are always shifting as prides venture further from their home ranges, constantly seeking to expand their kingdom.
We discovered tracks of a male lion crossing into our reserve and, after an extensive tracking effort, finally located the impressive Gijima male moving through the area. He was visibly full and calling out as he walked, clearly searching for his companion to reunite. These two dominant males have had an incredible run, successfully protecting their prides and cubs. Only time will tell how much longer they can hold onto their vast territory.
The large Gijima male was first spotted near Selati Camp, but with the sun having set and darkness taking over the bush, we decided to head back to the lodge. However, as we were leaving, the male began to stir, becoming more active. He uttered a few contact calls, followed by a deep territorial roar that echoed through the night. This male, marked by a limp in his left hind leg, will likely seek out the second Gijima male. Reuniting with his partner would relieve the pressure on him, providing much-needed backup should they encounter other males within the territory. We followed him as he made his way deeper into our reserve looking for his partner. After some time, we left him to disappear into the thick undergrowth.
Male lions often split up to cover larger expanses of territory, marking scent to ensure the safety of the females and cubs within their domain. If danger arises, they will use contact calls to reunite, ready to fight together in defence of their pride and territory.
As we set off on our morning safari, we came across one of the younger cubs from the Msuthlu Pride, nestled beneath a patch of thick, vibrant grass. The mother lioness had likely hidden the cubs in this dense cover for safety while she and the rest of the pride ventured off in search of prey. Younger cubs are more vulnerable and can hinder a hunt, so it's common for mothers to stash them away in secure spots, returning later to retrieve them once the pride has fed.
What a way to end the week…
We began tracking the Msuthlu Pride and, within minutes, found the entire pride alongside the two Gijima males on a large giraffe bull they had taken down during the night. The whole pride was already full, panting heavily, and even the three youngest cubs - who had been looking worryingly thin - finally had their fill.
We had grown concerned for them, as they had been absent from the last few kills and appeared dangerously skinny when we last saw them. This successful hunt will provide much-needed relief for the pride. They will likely remain at the carcass for the next few days, ensuring every last scrap is consumed.
Until next time…
Blog by Wendy Claase
Images by Jan Nel, JP van Rooyen and Ruan Mey
