The first day of the month, and we came across the one of the resident male lions – Blackie – with the two females and three cubs. One of the lionesses made a mad dash to catch a warthog, but it got away, and no one lifted a paw to help her! Soon after that, the whole family got up and started walking west. Blondie – the other male of the pride – was located some distance away. A few days later, Blackie and Blondie had a bit of an altercation, over one of the females in the pride. Blackie is the dominant lion, and the matter was quickly settled, but it was certainly an unexpected event, with great sound effects!
The pride (together with their three cubs, though they weren’t really helping!) also managed to kill a fully grown buffalo near one of the waterholes, and spend a couple of days feeding on the carcass, and going to the waterhole to drink. They were seen many more times throughout the month, and seemed to be focussing on the large movements of buffalo throughout the area.
Buffalo numbers are growing (apart from the odd one or two that get taken out by the lions!) as they collect together near the larger water ways to drink and feed on the short grasses there. Some of the herds have giraffe mingling on the outskirts – more safety in numbers, and extra protection for everyone! A huge herd of around 2000 individuals has been several times this month.
Alarm calling vervet monkeys indicated a predator to us, and we were quickly able to spot a female leopard strolling through the plateau area, and then resting beneath a bush. She seemed oblivious to the 500 buffalo that were also in the area!
Another exciting morning, with a big herd of buffalo. Soon after, following the tracks, we found the lion pride resting on top of high ground and scanning the area. Not far away, a female leopard was lounging in the branches of a sausage tree. This month, we also saw the relaxed female leopard with the young cub.
We had a brief visit by two male cheetahs – one of the males is missing again! However, they didn’t stay long, and we only got to see them a couple of times.
The hyenas have moved back into their den near the airstrip – possibly leaving the other dens when the number of fleas gets to a point where they have to abandon it! Being that close, they are also heard and seen around the camp quite often!
We also had a lucky week at the end of the month where we saw not only genet and civets, but two caracal sightings as well! and at the end of the month, we had two days of lovely sightings at the hyena den where three cubs were being suckled by their mum!
