Exciting updates as our mammal family grows!
Well, if you have been following Nambiti on social media, you will know that our mammal family is growing!
At the end of June, two female cheetahs were released onto the reserve from the boma. Grandmother and granddaughter started off exploring together for the first few weeks. They have since separated from each other, which is completely normal, and sightings of them continue to bring guests and guides much joy. It is our hope that these new females will thrive and one day we may have a litter of cubs to celebrate as well.
One of our young elephant cows surprised everybody when she gave birth to a calf quite recently. Lymon was one of the first field guides to view the new addition. Since that first sighting, it has been on everyone’s wishlist. The herd is on high alert with such a tiny newcomer walking around, but every now and again we catch a glimpse.
The most recent big news is the arrival of three wild dogs on Nambiti. They are currently getting used to their new home in a fenced off enclosure (boma). It will be quite a number of months before we are able to view them out on game drive, but it will absolutely be worth the wait. The reserve will give updates on social media, and we will keep you posted in the monthly Ranger Report!
The smell of charred earth, the sound of crackling flames, and the sight of smokey horizons signal the fire season. Fire breaks and controlled block burning continues during the colder months. This is done, in part, to protect our land from wildfires and to rejuvenate grasslands for the spring rains. The blackened earth offsets the warm grass tones, the grey tree tops and the pops of green from a few tree species that offer leafy forage. On certain rocky hillsides in the valleys, aloes host the main splash of colour in the winter months which attract a number of bird species seeking the sweet nectar.
While the morning temperatures remain chilly, the spectacular sunrise moments bring wonderful photograph opportunities and the promise of mild warmth to come. It is a beautiful time to visit the reserve and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the bush. As overseas visitors have expressed more times than I can count, South Africans are truly blessed to be able to escape to these wild places that are a few hours away from bustling cities, to recharge and relax.
Look out for all the updates in the next couple of Ranger Reports.
Head Guide Noleen Turner