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There is a real bite in the early morning air and it is clear that winter has arrived. Although the temperature has dropped and the autumn leaves are starting to fall, the game viewing has been incredible. Due to the thinner bush, animals are easier to pick up, increasing the number of photographic opportunities. Over the last two months, we have been truly spoilt with some fantastic game sightings and interaction between various species – from elephants queuing up to quench their thirst in waterholes, to crocodiles basking in the sun.

Viewing of the large cats has been superb – we have been truly fortunate to have seen lion, leopard and cheetah and on a few occasions, all in one game drive. It is awe inspiring to see these creatures – each cat is so unique and perfectly built to suit its role in the environment.

Above, are the three large dominant lion males in our area. They are incredibly full as their bulging stomachs show. We assume that in this picture, they had just finished off a large buffalo and have completely gorged themselves so that they won’t need to feed for a couple days thereafter. Lions use their massive strength to wrestle prey down, which is four to five times their own body weight. They are the most social of Africa’s large cats – the females and their cubs form the core of the pride, while the dominant males come and go as they please. Both males and females are territorial and will use scent marking and roaring to distinguish their territories. We are fortunate that our dominant males have really established themselves in this area, creating a secure environment for the lionesses to raise their cubs.

An update on the white lions; they are doing exceptionally well and growing from strength to strength. The older these cubs get, the more chance they have of making it to adulthood as the mortality rate in cubs under one year old is very high. These lionesses are really proving to be a force to be reckoned with.

The female leopard featured in the above image, Rockfig Jnr, is truly one of the most photogenic leopards I have ever encountered in the bush – whether it be posing on a branch or termite mound, to playful banter with her two cubs in a riverbed. She has gifted many a guest with wonderful moments. Her cubs are doing exceptionally well, with the young male becoming bolder every day, while his sister is quietly more cautious.

Leopards are very solitary animals. The only time you will see them together is in the case of a mating pair, a female with cubs or two leopards settling a territorial dispute. Both sexes are territorial and will actively scent mark and call. Leopard’s have a very diverse diet, hunting anything from rodents, birds and fish to young giraffe. This varied diet has seen them thrive throughout Africa.

The cheetahs above are the same family mentioned in our previous newsletter. They too continue to do well with the female having to hunt every couple of days to satisfy her three cubs’ growing appetites. The cubs will stay with their mother for roughly another six months before she starts pushing them away to fend for themselves. They have had a wonderful teacher and should do exceptionally well on their own.

Buffalo herds are well spread throughout our traversing area. With good rains throughout the summer period, buffalo births have peaked. Young calves start out life a light brown colour and slowly darken to almost black in colour when mature. These young calves are a favoured prey by lions and they will pursue these large herds for days on end, until they have made a successful kill. The buffalo will often rally after an attack and chase the lions off – safety in numbers is the name of the game.

This very alert white rhino cow stumbled upon us while we were viewing the coalition of male lions that is pictured above. Her and her calf were spooked by an approaching vehicle. Notice the cocked ears and curled up tail – these are distinct warning signals to watch out for in rhino behaviour. She immediately turned to head off any danger toward her calf and stood her ground as the vehicle drove past. The lions by the way hardly picked their heads up during all the commotion.

Elephants have started making their way back into our traversing areas in large numbers, and herds of forty to fifty animals may be seen from time to time. As the grass dries as the weather gets colder, their diets will change to include more roots, tubers and bark, which they will strip from various trees and shrubs in their surrounds.

Sighting of the Month

This would have to go to our entire staff in their bright yellow soccer outfits. The FIFA Soccer World Cup is upon us and the hype in South Africa is immense. Here at Tanda Tula, we have a lot of football fanatics who will be shouting loud and proud for our national side Bafana Bafana. So to add our support, every Friday leading up to and during the world cup is known as Football Friday. The two handsome gentlemen pictured above are a fine example of how the uniform should be worn. We look forward to welcoming you all to this magnificent sporting event and in sharing in our country’s natural wonders with all the visitors.