Patches, spots and babes: September at Umzolozolo
Welcome to Spring! The rain has arrived, but the cold temperatures have lingered. Morning game drives are chilly, skies are cloudy and roads are muddy. Wild flowers like Purple Verbena, Star Lilies and Evening Primrose are popping up in the areas that the reserve recently burned. The fresh green grasses resembled astroturf fields, and the grazers are making good use of the tasty veg and open views. While the big cats are finding it tricky to hunt in the open, the cheetahs are cashing in on the vast spaces and plentiful prey.
September has been a wonderful month for cheetah sightings. I shared a few images and videos on social media of the oldest female spending time around Hoopoe Dam and our lodge this month. She was also seen with the two males on the odd occasion. Our youngest female continues to impress us with her parenting prowess. She is moving her two cubs around to avoid encounters with the lions, and they are looking healthy and full of youthful exuberance! We received confirmation from reserve management that our middle female cheetah has a new litter of cubs. She is keeping a low profile for now but we hope to catch a glimpse of the cubs soon!
A species that has featured in many entertaining moments this month is the giraffe! Large aggregations of them have been seen in the southern and central regions. I have caught them on camera exhibiting a number of interesting behaviours; from osteophagia to sparring. These graceful creatures are curious and often reveal hidden predators from their superior vantage point. Guests have appreciated their silhouetted beauty at dusk and dawn, and they seem to know exactly how to pose for the quintessential picture!
We celebrated World Rhino Day this month and the frequency and quality of sightings could almost suggest that they knew it was their time to shine! Nambiti provides a safe haven for both Hook-lipped (Black) and Square-lipped (White) rhinos. Our anti-poaching unit has been boosted by the introduction of a k9 unit and they have leveled up with advanced training routines. We are seeing many mother and calf combinations while out on game drive and baby rhinos are a firm favourite! As the populations continue to grow, we acknowledge the role that our reserve management plays in acquiring partners who support the dehorning procedures and monitor their movements within the reserve boundaries.
Some exciting news for avid birders, I recorded my first African Cuckoo this month! I am adding it to the reserve bird list as an uncommon summer migrant! Our Blue Cranes are selecting nesting sites, the Lanner Falcon chicks have hatched and at least one clutch of Ostrich chicks are exploring the reserve. One of the field guides on the reserve called in a very rare sighting of five Southern Ground Hornbills this month. As luck would have it, I didn’t go out on game drive that day and missed the sneaky visitors.
Up at the lodge, we have had many reasons to celebrate in September! Heritage Day was a colourful affair, the Springbok victory over Argentina was a highlight and the soaking rains are much needed after a long winter period.
The last quarter of 2025 is upon us and the festive season is approaching fast! If you are planning to spend some quality time with us over the next few months, check the weather predictions for your dates and be prepared! Bring your bottles with you to help us reduce plastic and paper waste! We are looking forward to sharing memorable moments with you out on safari.
See you out there! Stay wild!
Head Guide Noleen Turner