A Week in the Bush Vol. 542
on Apr 02, 2025What a week it’s been in the bush!! Herewith this week’s highlights…
As news arrived of the female cheetah and her three cubs, we quickly made our way to the area. We watched as the four of them basked in the warm afternoon sun, ever alert to their surroundings, scanning for a suitable place to settle for the night. These cheetahs have been frequenting our reserve, and with autumn setting in, the grass is gradually withering, transforming the open plains into an ideal habitat for them once more.
We encountered the Nottins male leopard perched in a tree, whilst gazing eagerly upon a herd of impala grazing below. This young male is truly coming into his own, growing more handsome by the day.
After some time, he made his way down from his perch and stalked his way closer to the impala. However, sensing their alertness, he abandoned the chase and instead turned his attention to a nearby termite mound. Sniffing around the burrows at its base, he eventually settled atop the mound—perhaps waiting in anticipation for warthogs to return.
As we were leaving a sighting of a pride of lions deep in slumber, we heard the distinct alarm call of impala nearby. Given that the pride was sound asleep, it begged the question as to what could have triggered their distress.
Without hesitation, we decided to investigate. We followed the calls to their source, where a group of impalas stood alert, their bodies tense with apprehension. Yet, despite their clear agitation, we could see no obvious threat in their vicinity. Undeterred, we pressed forward, scanning the surroundings with heightened awareness.
Then, in a moment of brilliance, our eagle-eyed tracker, Lazarus, spotted something that warranted a closer look. Draped over the branches of a Marula tree was a sight both familiar and exhilarating - the tail of a leopard.
As we approached the tree, we were overjoyed to see the beautiful young Masungulo female perched in the branches above. It is likely that her mother, the Tengile female, had left her behind in the safety of her roost while attempting to stalk the nearby impala.
We have been fortunate to witness so much of the Tengile female’s sub-adult daughter, the Masungulo female. Perched gracefully in the branches of a Marula tree, she rested while her mother was likely out hunting. Solitary images of this young female leopard are of striking significance. Soon, she will no longer be able to rely on her mother for food and will have to navigate the challenges of survival on her own.
There have been plenty of entertaining sightings of Golonyi and her cub…
As we slowly made our way back toward Earth Lodge, we spotted Golonyi and her cub on a fallen tree. The young male cub was completely engrossed in his makeshift toy, playfully tossing it around. Upon closer inspection, we realised it was a bird he was playing with, running up and down the tree, attempting to launch it into the air. We watched as Golonyi patiently allowed him to play for a few minutes before she began moving into the thicket, calling him to follow and leave his game behind. It’s crucial for Golonyi to give her cub these moments of play to burn his energy, as she knows she will soon have to leave him behind again when she goes out to hunt.
When reports came in that Golonyi had been spotted near the area we had been searching, we quickly sprang into action. Upon arriving, we found her calmly making her way along the reserve's roads, moving with a clear sense of purpose. As she rounded a bend, she suddenly dropped to the ground, flattening her body with her head low and ears pinned back. She had spotted a scrub hare ahead and instantly transitioned into a focused, stealthy hunting mode.
Out of respect for the unfolding hunt, we gave Golonyi plenty of space and switched off the spotlights, allowing the scene to play out naturally. We sat in complete silence and darkness, the air thick with anticipation. Soon, the quiet was broken by the sounds of a scuffle, followed by the unmistakable sign of a successful hunt.
When we turned the lights back on, we saw Golonyi walking down the road, the unfortunate scrub hare gripped firmly in her mouth. It was clear she would take her catch back to where her cub was waiting, ensuring they both enjoyed a well-deserved meal.
The morning was filled with excitement as we followed several tracking exercises. We quickly realised that the tracks of a pride of lions and those of Golonyi and her cub were converging in the same area. Not long after, we found the Msuthlu Pride lounging in the middle of the road, soaking in the cool morning air. A short while later, we spotted Golonyi and her cub, moving toward the lions unaware of their presence.
Fortunately, Golonyi made a smart decision to climb a Marula tree to survey her surroundings. From her perch, she spotted the lions in the distance and immediately contact-called her cub to join her. As they settled in the tree, the lions noticed them and became fixated, observing their every move with keen interest.
We sat in awe, witnessing this rare and beautiful moment - a standoff between two magnificent species of big cats, each aware of the other but maintaining a respectful distance. The lions slowly began to move closer, and Golonyi, sensing the growing danger, led her cub away into the safety of the thickets, vanishing from sight.
We set off from Bush Lodge early, and after some time, we paused to examine an exceptionally fresh set of tracks. As we scanned the area, we were rewarded with the sight of Golonyi herself, nestled in the brush. Our hearts raced as we followed the tracks, and as we drew closer, the playful cub emerged.
The two leopards were moving down the road when, suddenly, a squirrel dashed out from the thick brush and scrambled up a Marula tree. Without hesitation, the cub leapt into action, scaling the tree with remarkable agility. He knocked the squirrel off a branch and, with impressive precision, landed on top of it before returning to the ground to enjoy his well-earned snack.
Golonyi watched the entire scene with the pride of a mother, her gaze filled with quiet satisfaction. We sat in awe, taking in the raw beauty of the moment. The young cub’s strength and skill were evident, and it was clear he was learning from every move his mother made - ready to one day be as skilled and savvy as her in the wild.
After hearing reports of the Southern Pride on a buffalo kill the evening before, our plan for the morning safari quickly took shape. We set off deep into the southern section of our reserve, hoping to find the pride at the kill site. However, upon arrival, we found no sign of the pride. Instead, we encountered the unmistakable presence of the pride's dominant female. She was fiercely guarding and feeding on what remained of the carcass, while the rest of the pride had likely left to seek water. We were treated to a breathtaking display of her incredible strength as she struggled to drag the carcass deeper into the bush.
After observing a large herd of buffalo grazing in an open area, we continued toward our planned sundowner stop. As we rounded a bend in the road, we unexpectedly encountered a lioness, formerly of the Kambula Pride.
She is often seen in the company of the young Styx male, but reports indicated that he had been chased off by the Kambula Breakaway males. Now on her own, she remained focused on the buffalo, likely tracking them in search of a vulnerable target for her next hunt.
On our way back to Bush Lodge after an evening safari, we encountered the unmistakable Gijima male lions. They were resting in a nearby open area, patiently waiting for nightfall as the stars shimmered above. As we arrived, the one male put on a captivating display - sitting up, stretching, and yawning widely, revealing his large teeth.
The golden glow of an African sunrise spills across the endless plains. A herd of wildebeest moves in the soft morning light, their silhouettes stretching against the dewy grass. The land stirs with quiet anticipation as the day awakens, the air filled with the distant calls of birds and the steady rhythm of hooves—a moment of untamed beauty at the heart of africa.
Waterbuck numbers have risen significantly in recent weeks, thanks to the generous rainfall that has rejuvenated our reserve. The abundant water has created ideal conditions for these water-dependent animals, drawing them to the lush southern section near the Sabie River. With ample resources and a thriving habitat, the waterbuck have settled comfortably, taking full advantage of these favourable conditions.
With numerous large carcasses scattered around our reserve, scavenger activity has reached a fever pitch. Vultures and hyenas play a crucial role in the African bush’s ecosystem—without them, the landscape would be littered with rotting flesh and bones. Their remarkable ability to consume meat long past its prime and crush even the densest bones kickstarts nature’s process of reclaiming the remains of once-thriving creatures.
These incredible scavengers have arrived from far and wide, offering us a rare and fascinating glimpse into the often overlooked, yet essential, side of our beautiful ecosystem.
We were fortunate to watch these young Dwarf mongooses bursting with energy. While some were already busy feeding, others enthusiastically practiced their fighting skills. Typically, these mongooses sleep in burrows or cavities and emerge early in the morning to forage. However, with the cooler weather, the conditions were perfect for the youngsters to play and kickstart their day on a lively note.
Until next time…
Blog by Wendy Claase
Images by Devon Jansen, Jan Nel and Ruan Mey
Video by Jan Nel
