January Ranger’s Report

Golden Sunsets & Wild Encounters: January at Umzolozolo

The new year has arrived, and with it, the wild heart of summer beats stronger than ever on Nambiti. January brings golden sunsets, warm breezes, and the untamed beauty of the South African bush in full bloom. The landscape hums with life – lush greenery, dramatic skies, and an abundance of wildlife thriving in the heat of the season. From early morning game drives to sunset safaris that set the sky ablaze, every moment is a reminder that nature never rests. Join us as we step into another year of unforgettable safari adventures, where each day promises new encounters, breathtaking scenery, and the raw magic of the wild.

Let’s get into it, starting with our two cheetah cubs looking more grown up every time we see them. They are playful and inquisitive youngsters that are gaining in strength and confidence. While sightings have not been as frequent as we would like, they remain extremely special.

A feature of this first month of game drives is certainly the shift of our northern pride of lions. The six big cats ventured much deeper into the southern reaches of the reserve and they are thriving. Surrounded by more dense vegetation and a bounty of herbivores with young, they are hunting with greater success and appear to be in no hurry to move back up into the north. While the three sub-adult males remain with the pride, the time will soon come when they will be forced to leave. Their bond as brothers will be their greatest advantage – hunting together, defending one another, and slowly growing into the powerful forces they are destined to become.

Summer game drives are fabulous for viewing calves, lambs, foals and piglets. The lush greenery of summer provides the perfect conditions for new life, and everywhere you look, tiny hooves and wobbly legs signal the arrival of the next generation. The air is filled with the calls of mothers and their young, a constant symphony of reassurance and bonding. We welcomed a new hippo calf to the family this month. Most of the sightings have been in and around Bass Dam where the mom stays close. Herds of buffalo, wildebeest, and zebra move in synchrony, their young calves sticking close to their mothers in the open plains. Playful warthog piglets scurry between tufts of grass, their tails held high like tiny aerials, while square-lipped rhino babies nag their mothers with a delicate squeal.

While out on drive, we have been encountering a few interesting birds in the south. There are a lot more European Rollers perching on the leafless acacias and European Honey Buzzards soaring above the Ndaka River valley. We counted at least 47 Blue Cranes on the western plains and our breeding pairs have successfully raised approximately four or five chicks in total. The most exciting discovery of the month was a rare Dwarf Bittern that popped up alongside a mud wallow just below Umzolozolo Lodge.

Our guests have enjoyed some wonderful events at Hoopoe Dam this month. We hosted a good few bush breakfasts down there and at least one boma dinner under the stars. The night sky was made even more interesting by the presence of four planets that we could see with our naked eye. In other lodge news, the new door locks have been installed and the key card system is up and running!

With the first month of 2025 in our rearview mirrors, we look ahead to February with excitement! If you are visiting us this month, remember to pack your swimming outfits, sunscreen and a rain jacket.

See you soon!

Head Guide Noleen Turner