Rangers Report September 2018

Rangers Report September 2018

News from our Rangers

 

It’s spring time! What an awesome time to be out on safari. Migratory birds are returning and the trees are all in bloom with fresh, green leaves. Our temperatures jumped from the one extreme to the next. One day we were sweating in 43°C and the next day we had our blankets out on game drive again. The average maximum temperature for the month was 32°C and we had 3mm of rain. We had some amazing cheetah sightings this month, as well as the wild dogs. We had our first glimpse of the wild dog pups moving around with the pack. Our resident hyena den is still active as ever, with five new youngsters keeping the females on their toes. With temperatures moving up, nightlife is also getting more active. We were entertained by bush babies, a honey badger mom with her baby and a very inquisitive civet.

Woodland kingfisher by Morné Fouché

Woodland kingfisher by Morné Fouché

Leopard

The leopard sightings were just crazy this month. We were so lucky with all the action and drama that unfolded between these beautiful cats.

 

Tiyani is still expanding her empire and it’s unclear how long she can keep this up. She is still young but a big female for her age. At this stage her size is playing a major role in the expansion of her territory. Tiyani was also seen mating with Hukumuri again this month. Hopefully this time it will be successful and in about 100 days she will have her first litter of cubs.

 

Xidulu was also seen a few times this month. She is looking great and is in a very healthy condition. Xidulu is also expanding her territory and it looks like Xidulu and Tiyani’s territories overlap quite a bit. Both these young cats have some of the biggest territories of all the adult females in the area.

 

Moya was also seen a few times this month. Although Moya is nine years old, she is still on top of her game and looking very healthy. It appears that Moya has successfully expanded her territory more east. Her daughter, Makhomsava, is still moving around in her mother’s territory. It might be that Moya will leave Makhomsava to stay in the area. At this point in time, both mother and daughter are using the same hunting ground.

 

Sibuye and the little ones were also seen this month. Sibuye is looking great and very healthy. She is a good mother to the little one. Sibuye was expanding her territory more west and north but that came to a sudden stop. She’s got Xidulu to the north and Moya to the west. The big question now is: who will give way?

 

Nsele was seen on a regular basis this month. She looks very healthy and has suckle marks. At this stage it is unclear where the den is and how many cubs she’s got. The den can be anywhere from thickets in a drainage line, to rocky outcrops, to hollow tree stumps, or an abandoned termite mound. Hopefully next month we will get to see them.

 

Thamba came for a very short visit. He was minding his own business when the pack of wild dogs came running in and chased him up into a tree. There was absolutely nothing that this big cat could have done, but to climb the nearest tree. Thamba is getting big now and it looks like he is settling into an area south of our southern boundary. So hopefully we will get to see more of him during the coming months.

 

The new male in our area is still moving around a lot. He is a really nice looking male, but still very shy. We are still trying to get him habituated to the vehicles, but this will take time. There is already some improvement that we can see. So, it means we are on the right track.

 

Hukumuri was also seen a few times this month. It looks like between running after the new male and mating with the females, there is no rest for him! He has caught up to the new male twice already, but the new male keeps running away. Hukumuri is still bulking out and it looks like the new male is a little younger, but not by much. These two males are looking at the same area, so it will be interesting to see who will be victorious. Both Hukumuri and the new male are scent marking and doing their territorial calls.

 

Anderson was also seen this month. When seeing Anderson for the first time, you will never believe that he is 10 years old. Anderson is still in great shape and very healthy. Anderson has three young males in and around his territory. Thamba is moving around in his territory, the new male is moving around on the north western area and Hukumuri on the northern eastern side. Unfortunately, the time will come for Anderson to step down as the dominant male.

Investec pack member by Gerrit Ackerman

Investec pack member by Gerrit Ackerman

Lions

The lion dynamics are still upside-down and still no sign of any big male lions in the area. The Birmingham males have settled further south and looks like they have left the area for good. The three Avoca males are testing the water at this stage, but the Talamati pride caught their attention now. This distraction is very good news for the Styx pride and the Nkuhuma pride.

 

The Styx pride is looking good at this stage. The cubs are eating well and have round bellies every time we see them. The three adult lionesses are really good hunters and go far and wide in search of food. They also spend a lot of their time on the southern parts of their territories to avoid contact with the Avoca males.

 

The Nkuhuma pride was also seen a few times this month. Same as the Styx pride, the Nkuhuma pride is also spending more time on the southern part of their territory. The Nkuhuma pride is looking great and the sub-adult cubs are growing up very fast. The Nkuhuma pride has taken in a sub adult male from the Talamati pride. With the Avoca males taking over the Talamati pride, the young males had to flee. The one young male managed to join the Nkuhuma pride and it looks like they excepted him. This will be great for the young Nkuhuma male to team up with another young male, when they have to leave the pride.

 

The two Ximungwe females was also seen a few times this month. These two ladies are still moving up and down, without a male. It would be great for the Ximungwe females if the Avoca males become their pride males and bring some stability. These two ladies are in the prime of their lives and the only thing missing at this stage are males and a territory. Hopefully in the next few months this might all change for them.

Tingana the male leopard by Morné Fouché

Tingana the male leopard by Morné Fouché

Buffaloes

At last the long wait for a big herd is over. A beautiful big herd of between a 100 – 200 buffaloes and smaller herd of 20-30 buffaloes moved into our area this month. The big herd came into our area the one night and rested in front of our lodge for the entire day. This herd had a few youngsters in but no new-borns. The small herd had more males in than females, which tells me that it had to be a splinter group. This small group came into the area after the big group moved through. They might be part of the same group, but were split up by a pride of lions. The smaller herd of between 20-30 individuals moved all over the area. These smaller herds tend to stay longer in one specific area as there is still enough for them to eat. The big herds, on the other hand, have to keep on moving more, as there are a lot more mouths to feed. There were also a few bachelor units of between 15-20 individuals in the area. These big boys were just moving around between waterholes.

Pangolin

Pangolin

Elephants

 

We were very lucky with the elephant herds this month. There was no shortage of these magnificent animals. The herd sizes ranged between ten to fifty animals in a group. Evidence of these gentle giants are scattered all over the roads. With the knob thorn trees in bloom, elephants are enjoying them a lot more than any of the other trees. If the elephants can’t get to the juicy leaves on top they just push the tree over. There were a lot of trees pushed over the roads and pieces of branches scattered all over. We had the privilege to see another new-born baby this month. The mother was a big female and she was really relaxed with us being there. Although female elephants do not have a specific birthing season, they still tend to give birth during the wetter months. There was one big bull in musth, moving through the area.

 

Special sighting

The honey badger mother and her baby were so awesome to see. What made it even more impressive was to see them in the late afternoon, whilst still light. To see a honey badger is great, but to see a baby honey badger, now that is impressive!

 

Did you know?

Baby elephants will suck on their trunks as a soother, the same way a baby would suck on its thumb.

 

See you out on the game drive soon.

Morné Fouché

Manager’s Report September 2018

  Wild photo of the month - by Paul, Sue, and Mark Johnstone Spring is in the air and the landscape is slowly changing. Some of the trees around camp are showing off new small, green leaves and before we know, we will be surrounded with a fresh burst of green....

Manager’s Report May 2018

  We are at that time of the year again, winter has arrived! The bush is wearing its winter coat once again! We have the blankets and hot water bottles back on the game drive vehicles and game viewing has been spectacular! The trees and grass are not as lush...

Manager’s Report February 2018

The shortest month of the year came and went in the blink of an eye. We had loads of wonderful game drive sightings, had some maintenance projects and also celebrated many staff birthdays. We experienced some strange weather patterns as well. We had very hot, humid...

Manager’s Report January 2018

Like I always say: “Time flies, when you’re having fun!”   It feels like just a few days ago that we had our new year's dinner and we are already going into the second month of 2018. By now, I am sure that most people are back home after the festive season....

Manager’s Report December 2017

December was a great month to end the year. We had lovely animal sightings, shared happiness and laughter over the festivities of Christmas and New Year and just before we said our last goodbyes to 2017, we received a heavy downpour of rain and hail.  Our New...

Manager’s Report November 2017

The final countdown has arrived… just one more month until we welcome the new year. With the bush now once again wearing its bright summer colours, we are looking forward to an eventful summer! Game viewing has been amazing and with all the new babies that were born...

Rangers Report September 2018

  It’s spring time! What an awesome time to be out on safari. Migratory birds are returning and the trees are all in bloom with fresh, green leaves. Our temperatures jumped from the one extreme to the next. One day we were sweating in 43°C and the next day we had...

Rangers Report May 2018

This month was one for the record books. We had a great time with awesome weather and spectacular sightings. The day temperature was very pleasant, with only a few days where the temperature went as high as 33-34°C. The average maximum temperature for the month was...

Rangers Report February 2018

This month was very exciting, with incredible game viewing opportunities. The average maximum temperature for the month was 32°C, with a wonderful 86mm of rain. We had several wild dog sightings again this month. With our resident hyena clan, we are always guaranteed...

Rangers Report January 2018

We could not ask for a better way to kick off 2018. It was an absolute pleasure to be out in the bush this month. The sightings were phenomenal and there was never a dull moment. The weather was up and down, but the rain was a huge, welcome relieve. The average...

Rangers Report December 2017

And so all good things have to come to an end. It is hard to imagine that we’ve reached the end of 2017. Looking back on this year, one realizes once again just how fantastic the sightings were. December is normally a really hot and wet month. It was a little...

Rangers Report November 2017

  Finally, the long wait is over and the first babies of the season started arriving during November. The first impalas arrived between 10 and 13 November. November is the start of the rainy season and that directly translates into baby season. The majority of...

Big Five Sightings 18-24 March

            Monday, 18 March 2024 (27°C) Tiyani, the female leopard mobile East from Shinzele Road. The Northern Avoca male lion and three Nkuhuma males stationary on Simbambili Driveway. The Elephant Plains spotted hyena den active with...

Big Five Sightings 11-17 March

              Monday, 11 March 2024 (35°C) The four Nkuhuma male lions, sleeping at Bush Camp west. Tiyani the female leopard, hunting impala at Leeukuil. Nine Nkuhuma female Lioness, sleeping at Londolozi Boundary junction with...

Big 5 Sightings 4 – 10 March 2024

            Monday, 4 March 2024 (33°C) Xidulu the female leopard, stationary on 1st Windmill Road. A pack of 14 African wild dogs, moving north from Bushbuck Dam into the Manyeleti Game Reserve. Red Hawk the male leopard, hunting impala...

Weekly Big 5 Sightings 26 February – 3 March 2024

Monday, 26 February 2024 (26°C 3mm Rain) The Elephant Plains spotted hyena den was active with six cubs and four adults. One African elephant bull mobile East from Bushcamp East. A breeding herd of approximately three hundred Cape buffalo mobile West on Sussens Road....

Weekly Big 5 Sightings 19 – 25 February 2024

Monday 19 February 2024 (31°C) Xidulu, the female leopard and Nhenhe, the young male leopard playing around Second Windmill. A breeding herd of eight African elephants feeding on Marula Belt West. Tortoise Pan, the male leopard mobile South on Second Windmill Road....

Weekly Big 5 Sightings 12 -18 February 2024

Monday 12 February 2024 (31°C) Two Black Dam male lions stationary on Arathusa Main Road junction Grass Cut. The Nkuhuma pride consisting of nine lioness and one sub adult male stationary at Mfezi Open Area. Tuesday 13 February 2024 (34°C) Two Black Dam male lions...

Manager’s Report September 2018

Manager’s Report September 2018

News from the Management Team

 

WILD PHOTO OF THE MONTH by Paul, Sue, and Mark Johnstone

Wild photo of the month – by Paul, Sue, and Mark Johnstone

Spring is in the air and the landscape is slowly changing. Some of the trees around camp are showing off new small, green leaves and before we know, we will be surrounded with a fresh burst of green. Now that the sun is rising earlier and setting later, we have changed the game drive times to depart earlier in the morning and later in the afternoons. With the temperatures slowly rising, it is no longer necessary for heaters in the evenings and we have been enjoying pleasant nights in the boma around the fire. We had a few hot days and it will not be too long before our guests will be spending their days next to the pool, with a refreshing drink in hand. For those of you visiting us during the next few months, please remember to bring along your sunscreen. This summer is going to be a hot one!

Lion by Gert Smit

Lion by Gert Smit

With the fresh new smell of spring in the air, we also had some exciting fresh changes at the lodge. Two of our rooms, the Manyeleti Honeymoon Suite and Buffalo Luxury Suite underwent a soft refurb this month. It is amazing what a fresh layer of paint, some new décor items and a touch of fresh wood can do. Lion luxury suite is next in line. Although the changes are not major, small upgrades are needed from time to time. It keeps the rooms up to date, with the same homely feel our guests enjoy.

Zebra drinking water by Morné Fouché

Zebra drinking water by Morné Fouché

As you never know what the daily life in the bush will bring, it is always safe to be prepared. With that thought in mind, we also keep our staff prepared and trained to handle some medical situations. This month, 11 of our staff members completed a Wilderness First Aid course and are now the proud owners of their Level 1 First Aid certificates. For some, the training was a well needed refresher, as First Aid qualifications need to be renewed every three years. We are now once again all very confident and ready to assist wherever needed. A big Thank you to Africa Safe-T, our medical service provider in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, for the training. Our team enjoyed every second of it.

Zebra drinking water by Morné Fouché

Trapcam photo

This month, we got some interesting pictures from the trapcam. We decided to place the trapcam on a tree next to the road at Kraaines pan. I always enjoy the night action. This month we got a picture of an adult civet. Civets are nocturnal animals, mostly seen in the hours between dusk and dawn. Their diet consists of small reptiles, rats, mice, fruits and seeds. With the season changing, this night walker will soon start feasting on juicy berries and wild fruits.  We also saw some large herds of elephant, impala, zebra, giraffe, hyena and a warthog family pass the camera at all hours of the day and night. Comes to show, the bush never sleeps!

 

At Elephant Plains we are always celebrating birthdays, almost one every week. During September, there were once again plenty of staff birthdays. Linky, who celebrated her birthday on the 5th is one of the ladies that makes sure the luxury suites are spotless. She is a very humble person and always has the sweetest smile. Arend celebrated his birthday on the 6th. Arend is a strong links on the chef’s chain in the kitchen. Onnie had her birthday on the 16th. Onnie is one of our waitresses, who attend to your needs with a smile. Just before the month came to an end we celebrated another chef’s birthday. Head chef Yolandi celebrated her birthday on the 27th. To all our readers who celebrated their birthdays during September, we hope you also had a fantastic day, filled with happiness and laughter.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake

This month, chef Yolandi is sharing a mouth-watering dessert recipe. I am convinced that anyone who enjoys peanut butter, will definitely want to try this cheesecake. It’s perfect for those hot summer days!

 

Ingredients

10 Tennis biscuits
100ml Melted Butter
680g Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups Icing Sugar
5ml Vanilla Extract
265g Baking Chocolate, melted
240g Peanut Butter, melted

 

Method

Place Tennis biscuits into a plastic bag and crush them into fine crumbs with a rolling pin.

Place the tennis biscuit crumbs into a bowl and combine with melted butter, mixing until the texture is much like slightly wet sand.

Press the tennis biscuit crumbs in an even layer into the bottom of a 9-inch (23 cm) spring form pan. Refrigerate.

In a large bowl, mix softened cream cheese until smooth.

Add 1 ½ cups icing sugar and continue to mix until there are no lumps.

Add the vanilla and melted chocolate and mix until the colour is even.

Pour the mixture over the tennis biscuit crust in the spring form pan. Using a spatula or spoon, smooth the top. Refrigerate.

In a large bowl, mix together melted peanut butter and remaining icing sugar.

Pour mixture over cheesecake in spring form pan. Use a knife or spatula to spread evenly and smooth the top.

Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.

Serve with Peanut Brittle, or sprinkle with almonds and nuts. Serve and enjoy!

Makes 12 servings.

 

Serve and enjoy!

All the best till next month
Tersia Fouché

Manager’s Report September 2018

  Wild photo of the month - by Paul, Sue, and Mark Johnstone Spring is in the air and the landscape is slowly changing. Some of the trees around camp are showing off new small, green leaves and before we know, we will be surrounded with a fresh burst of green....

Manager’s Report May 2018

  We are at that time of the year again, winter has arrived! The bush is wearing its winter coat once again! We have the blankets and hot water bottles back on the game drive vehicles and game viewing has been spectacular! The trees and grass are not as lush...

Manager’s Report February 2018

The shortest month of the year came and went in the blink of an eye. We had loads of wonderful game drive sightings, had some maintenance projects and also celebrated many staff birthdays. We experienced some strange weather patterns as well. We had very hot, humid...

Manager’s Report January 2018

Like I always say: “Time flies, when you’re having fun!”   It feels like just a few days ago that we had our new year's dinner and we are already going into the second month of 2018. By now, I am sure that most people are back home after the festive season....

Manager’s Report December 2017

December was a great month to end the year. We had lovely animal sightings, shared happiness and laughter over the festivities of Christmas and New Year and just before we said our last goodbyes to 2017, we received a heavy downpour of rain and hail.  Our New...

Manager’s Report November 2017

The final countdown has arrived… just one more month until we welcome the new year. With the bush now once again wearing its bright summer colours, we are looking forward to an eventful summer! Game viewing has been amazing and with all the new babies that were born...

Rangers Report September 2018

  It’s spring time! What an awesome time to be out on safari. Migratory birds are returning and the trees are all in bloom with fresh, green leaves. Our temperatures jumped from the one extreme to the next. One day we were sweating in 43°C and the next day we had...

Rangers Report May 2018

This month was one for the record books. We had a great time with awesome weather and spectacular sightings. The day temperature was very pleasant, with only a few days where the temperature went as high as 33-34°C. The average maximum temperature for the month was...

Rangers Report February 2018

This month was very exciting, with incredible game viewing opportunities. The average maximum temperature for the month was 32°C, with a wonderful 86mm of rain. We had several wild dog sightings again this month. With our resident hyena clan, we are always guaranteed...

Rangers Report January 2018

We could not ask for a better way to kick off 2018. It was an absolute pleasure to be out in the bush this month. The sightings were phenomenal and there was never a dull moment. The weather was up and down, but the rain was a huge, welcome relieve. The average...

Rangers Report December 2017

And so all good things have to come to an end. It is hard to imagine that we’ve reached the end of 2017. Looking back on this year, one realizes once again just how fantastic the sightings were. December is normally a really hot and wet month. It was a little...

Rangers Report November 2017

  Finally, the long wait is over and the first babies of the season started arriving during November. The first impalas arrived between 10 and 13 November. November is the start of the rainy season and that directly translates into baby season. The majority of...

Big Five Sightings 18-24 March

            Monday, 18 March 2024 (27°C) Tiyani, the female leopard mobile East from Shinzele Road. The Northern Avoca male lion and three Nkuhuma males stationary on Simbambili Driveway. The Elephant Plains spotted hyena den active with...

Big Five Sightings 11-17 March

              Monday, 11 March 2024 (35°C) The four Nkuhuma male lions, sleeping at Bush Camp west. Tiyani the female leopard, hunting impala at Leeukuil. Nine Nkuhuma female Lioness, sleeping at Londolozi Boundary junction with...

Big 5 Sightings 4 – 10 March 2024

            Monday, 4 March 2024 (33°C) Xidulu the female leopard, stationary on 1st Windmill Road. A pack of 14 African wild dogs, moving north from Bushbuck Dam into the Manyeleti Game Reserve. Red Hawk the male leopard, hunting impala...

Weekly Big 5 Sightings 26 February – 3 March 2024

Monday, 26 February 2024 (26°C 3mm Rain) The Elephant Plains spotted hyena den was active with six cubs and four adults. One African elephant bull mobile East from Bushcamp East. A breeding herd of approximately three hundred Cape buffalo mobile West on Sussens Road....

Weekly Big 5 Sightings 19 – 25 February 2024

Monday 19 February 2024 (31°C) Xidulu, the female leopard and Nhenhe, the young male leopard playing around Second Windmill. A breeding herd of eight African elephants feeding on Marula Belt West. Tortoise Pan, the male leopard mobile South on Second Windmill Road....

Weekly Big 5 Sightings 12 -18 February 2024

Monday 12 February 2024 (31°C) Two Black Dam male lions stationary on Arathusa Main Road junction Grass Cut. The Nkuhuma pride consisting of nine lioness and one sub adult male stationary at Mfezi Open Area. Tuesday 13 February 2024 (34°C) Two Black Dam male lions...

Manager’s Report May 2018

Manager’s Report May 2018

News from the Management Team

 

Wild photo of the month - Nkuhuma pride of lions on a Buffalo kill by Gert Smit

Wild photo of the month - Nkuhuma pride of lions on a Buffalo kill by Gert Smit

We are at that time of the year again, winter has arrived! The bush is wearing its winter coat once again! We have the blankets and hot water bottles back on the game drive vehicles and game viewing has been spectacular! The trees and grass are not as lush anymore, which gives you a better view of all the amazing wildlife living around us. We had a wonderful month at the lodge, with guests from all over the world. If you have some last-minute safari plans, be sure to contact our reservations office for some last-minute availability during our winter months. Come and enjoy an evening around the fire in the boma with us and witness the most beautiful night sky Africa has to offer!

Hippo bull by Gert Smit

Hippo bull by Gert Smit

In the beginning of May Etienne, Marlet, Roané and I once again took on the journey to Durban to attend the annual Tourism Indaba. Our fresh, white stand drew a lot of attention and we received loads of compliments. Thank you to each and everyone who visited our stand. We met with loads of our well-known agents, but also got to meet a few new and upcoming ones. I am sure we will have many more years of good business relations with all of them.

Trapcam photo

Trapcam photo

With winter creeping up upon us, we see more and more activity at our waterholes, which is the ideal spot for the trapcam. However, the area around the airstrip is still a very popular gathering point for the plains game. The trapcam was in just the perfect spot to get some amazing sunsets, hundreds of impalas, beautiful giraffes and a leopard! This unknown leopard crossed the road just minutes after the last game drive vehicle came past.

Hukumuri the male leopard by Gerrit Ackerman

Hukumuri the male leopard by Gerrit Ackerman

So, a few months ago I mentioned a big maintenance project happening at the lodge. I am bursting at the seams from pride. Our project is complete and the new addition to our lodge, Elephant Luxury Family Suite, has already left guests breathless. Elephant suite has two en-suite bedrooms, with a view that can suck you in. We are extremely pleased with the end product and I am convinced that guest will definitely feel the same. If you are planning a family holiday, be sure to contact our reservations office for a booking – get ready to be amazed!

As always, we had some staff birthdays to celebrate. I celebrated my birthday on the 3rd and just the following day, Oom Etienne Swart had his special day. Although Oom Etienne lives in Bothaville, his birthday is still special to us. Then, just before the month came to an end, Amu celebrated her birthday on the 29th. Amu is a very familiar face in our dining room, always dressed with a smile. To all our readers who celebrated their birthdays in May, I hope your day was filled with happiness and laughter!

Our recipe for the month will turn you into a pastry master. This easy chocolate bread recipe shared by Head chef Yolandi, will definitely prove that there is no excuse not to have that “freshly baked bread” aroma in your kitchen.

Chocolate Bread

Chocolate Bread

Ingredients

900g Flour
60g Sugar
15g Salt
2 Packets dry yeast
600ml Luke warm water
2 Cups Chocolate drops

 

Method

Mix together the flour, sugar and salt. Add in the yeast and mix well.
Add the chocolate and combine well.
Pour in the water to form a ball. Knead the dough until soft and smooth. Leave to proof for 15 min.
After 15 min place into a bread tin and set aside to prove for another 15 min.
Brush with milk and bake for 30 min at 180°C till golden brown.

 

Serve and enjoy!

 

All the best till next month,
Tersia Fouché

Manager’s Report September 2018

  Wild photo of the month - by Paul, Sue, and Mark Johnstone Spring is in the air and the landscape is slowly changing. Some of the trees around camp are showing off new small, green leaves and before we know, we will be surrounded with a fresh burst of green....

Manager’s Report May 2018

  We are at that time of the year again, winter has arrived! The bush is wearing its winter coat once again! We have the blankets and hot water bottles back on the game drive vehicles and game viewing has been spectacular! The trees and grass are not as lush...

Manager’s Report February 2018

The shortest month of the year came and went in the blink of an eye. We had loads of wonderful game drive sightings, had some maintenance projects and also celebrated many staff birthdays. We experienced some strange weather patterns as well. We had very hot, humid...

Manager’s Report January 2018

Like I always say: “Time flies, when you’re having fun!”   It feels like just a few days ago that we had our new year's dinner and we are already going into the second month of 2018. By now, I am sure that most people are back home after the festive season....

Manager’s Report December 2017

December was a great month to end the year. We had lovely animal sightings, shared happiness and laughter over the festivities of Christmas and New Year and just before we said our last goodbyes to 2017, we received a heavy downpour of rain and hail.  Our New...

Manager’s Report November 2017

The final countdown has arrived… just one more month until we welcome the new year. With the bush now once again wearing its bright summer colours, we are looking forward to an eventful summer! Game viewing has been amazing and with all the new babies that were born...

Rangers Report September 2018

  It’s spring time! What an awesome time to be out on safari. Migratory birds are returning and the trees are all in bloom with fresh, green leaves. Our temperatures jumped from the one extreme to the next. One day we were sweating in 43°C and the next day we had...

Rangers Report May 2018

This month was one for the record books. We had a great time with awesome weather and spectacular sightings. The day temperature was very pleasant, with only a few days where the temperature went as high as 33-34°C. The average maximum temperature for the month was...

Rangers Report February 2018

This month was very exciting, with incredible game viewing opportunities. The average maximum temperature for the month was 32°C, with a wonderful 86mm of rain. We had several wild dog sightings again this month. With our resident hyena clan, we are always guaranteed...

Rangers Report January 2018

We could not ask for a better way to kick off 2018. It was an absolute pleasure to be out in the bush this month. The sightings were phenomenal and there was never a dull moment. The weather was up and down, but the rain was a huge, welcome relieve. The average...

Rangers Report December 2017

And so all good things have to come to an end. It is hard to imagine that we’ve reached the end of 2017. Looking back on this year, one realizes once again just how fantastic the sightings were. December is normally a really hot and wet month. It was a little...

Rangers Report November 2017

  Finally, the long wait is over and the first babies of the season started arriving during November. The first impalas arrived between 10 and 13 November. November is the start of the rainy season and that directly translates into baby season. The majority of...

Big Five Sightings 18-24 March

            Monday, 18 March 2024 (27°C) Tiyani, the female leopard mobile East from Shinzele Road. The Northern Avoca male lion and three Nkuhuma males stationary on Simbambili Driveway. The Elephant Plains spotted hyena den active with...

Big Five Sightings 11-17 March

              Monday, 11 March 2024 (35°C) The four Nkuhuma male lions, sleeping at Bush Camp west. Tiyani the female leopard, hunting impala at Leeukuil. Nine Nkuhuma female Lioness, sleeping at Londolozi Boundary junction with...

Big 5 Sightings 4 – 10 March 2024

            Monday, 4 March 2024 (33°C) Xidulu the female leopard, stationary on 1st Windmill Road. A pack of 14 African wild dogs, moving north from Bushbuck Dam into the Manyeleti Game Reserve. Red Hawk the male leopard, hunting impala...

Weekly Big 5 Sightings 26 February – 3 March 2024

Monday, 26 February 2024 (26°C 3mm Rain) The Elephant Plains spotted hyena den was active with six cubs and four adults. One African elephant bull mobile East from Bushcamp East. A breeding herd of approximately three hundred Cape buffalo mobile West on Sussens Road....

Weekly Big 5 Sightings 19 – 25 February 2024

Monday 19 February 2024 (31°C) Xidulu, the female leopard and Nhenhe, the young male leopard playing around Second Windmill. A breeding herd of eight African elephants feeding on Marula Belt West. Tortoise Pan, the male leopard mobile South on Second Windmill Road....

Weekly Big 5 Sightings 12 -18 February 2024

Monday 12 February 2024 (31°C) Two Black Dam male lions stationary on Arathusa Main Road junction Grass Cut. The Nkuhuma pride consisting of nine lioness and one sub adult male stationary at Mfezi Open Area. Tuesday 13 February 2024 (34°C) Two Black Dam male lions...

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