Return guests & New Experiences
Our big cats came out to play this month, and gave us some nailbiting moments and epic photographic opportunities. From the newest recruits to the resident legends, the sightings were special and unforgettable. Return guests visited from near and far this month and shared in some intense new experiences that have changed their lives forever.
Let’s start this month’s report with some news from around the lodge. The elephant herd spent some time in the south of the reserve and some young bulls ventured down to Hoopoe Dam to check out the new fire pit and test out the steps. They gave them two trunks up and headed into the thicket below Room 5. We hosted a very special wedding at Umzolozolo in June. Vows were exchanged out on the deck and a sensational photoshoot took place across some beautiful locations in the south. Guests have enjoyed a couple of bush breakfasts down at Hoopoe Dam where the mild winter sun has made for a fabulous way to thaw off after a chilly morning safari. Our lodge continues to receive upgrades and improvements; a few of the older chalets are due for revamps and the ambient lighting around the lodge grounds is looking fantastic.
The most significant sighting that field guide Mark and I experienced this month involved the two new male lions. We were conducting our morning safari when lions were called in over the radio. It was the southern lionesses, the dominant male and the two new male lions. They were within a few hundred metres of each other and tensions were running high. Guides reporting from within the sighting indicated that there was a great deal of audio and that the big male was pushing the two males further south. We took a standby and waited for our opportunity. I made my way into the loc a few minutes later to view the lionesses that had gone static on the road. They seemed pretty unaffected by the whole ordeal and posed beautifully for some photos. As I was leaving the females, the big male lion crossed ahead of me and disappeared into the dense acacia thicket. I caught a glimpse of him a few minutes later and assessed that he was in hot pursuit of the younger males in the southern plains. As luck would have it, my instincts were correct. As we observed the two young males’ behaviour, we quickly realised that they were stressed and on high alert. The dominant lion was not prepared to let them go without a warning and a reminder of who is still king of Nambiti. It was exhilarating and very informative. We eventually returned to the lodge with quite the story to tell.
The cheetah brothers featured quite a bit this month as well. They popped up in the south on a number of occasions and even entertained us with one of the zebras that frequently patrol the fenceline. You realise the size difference between the slender cats and the stocky equine when the two species are in close proximity to one another! I must say, as a photographer, the crepuscular hours certainly provide the more perfect conditions for shooting these golden cats. The elephant herd continues to inspire and amaze. They move large distances to find food in the winter months but will also stay in an area for a few days if there is an abundance. We caught up with the herd a few times and also with some of the bulls that are moving around on their own. Our hippo pods are always a treat to view in the winter months. They can be seen sunbathing in the milder conditions on the banks of the dams and on some occasions they are even grazing close to the water’s edge at midday. If you want to get good photos of hippos, winter is definitely the best season to visit.
In the second week of June, our lodge was involved with a dehorning event. The ongoing challenge of rhino poaching continues to ensure that our population needs to be monitored and dehorned on a regular basis. Guests booked in during the event were directly responsible for the sponsorship of the event and their contribution to the protection of the species will never be underestimated. The day was charged with emotion. At times it felt like time had stopped and we were looking in on everything from the outside. At times everything was high-paced, chaotic even and it felt like we were right there feeling all the feels. Being a part of this kind of conservation initiative is life altering; it makes you grateful, it makes you thoughtful, it makes you feel guilty, but it also leaves you humbled and extremely significant within the bigger picture.
Before ending off the report for the month, I have to mention how entertained we have all been by the giraffes! Quite possibly the most quintessential mammal of Africa, these tall wanderers have shown so many of their quirks over the four weeks. We have observed them as they browse the acacias and regurgitate the mouthfuls, as they pick up bones to obtain phosphorus and calcium, as they bend down low to drink water and as they cross over plains and move silently through the dense wooded savanna. There is a newborn calf in the south that still has its umbilical cord, and there are many dominant bulls that can often be seen from various spots around the lodge. Quality time with these iconic mammals is always a treat and if we are really lucky, they will stick around and enjoy a sundowner or an Amarula coffee stop with us!
The cold weather has not been as consistent as we usually expect for June, there have been some frosty mornings, but milder temperatures have also been experienced. Still, we urge you to pack warm jackets, beanies, gloves, buffs and scarves to ward off the cold. Please don’t forget to bring your own bottles with you to help us reduce plastic and paper waste.
See you soon for your next safari adventure! Stay wild!