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Big Cats, Lightning Shows, and a Baby Boom

There is no question that a visit from one of the Big Five animals is a wish that sits on everyone’s list. In the last week of November, the two Tswalu lionesses and our two dominant male lions ventured onto the lodge grounds. They walked up the access road, through the central thicket, down to the spa and eventually settled on the walkway that leads down to the new dam. The experience was amazing, for guests and staff alike. Now that they know where our dam is, we are hoping that they will one day be spotted relaxing on the dam wall as they survey the land and its bounty.

The spring storms have rolled in over the last few days and produced some spectacular lightning shows. Guests enjoyed the ‘fireworks’ from the deck which is all the more impressive from its elevated position overlooking the rolling hills of the south.

The baby boom continues to roll through the reserve. Warthog piglets stole the hearts of many this month as they were spotted around the lodge and out on game drives. It is almost impossible not to coo at the sight of the ‘pork pops’ scurrying around behind the sows. It is a dangerous time for all of the newborns and their survival depends largely on maternal protection and their own instincts. Our Blue wildebeest cows have also started dropping their calves which has filled the air around them with the sound of their ‘gnus’. They are much easier to spot with their lighter coloration against the newly sprouting green grass, but when they stand alongside their mothers there is an element of counter-shading that helps to conceal them.

The two sub-adult male lions from the southern pride have stepped up their game and are proving that they are a force that will one day be reckoned with. They brought down a male kudu and defended the carcass from a few sneaky scavengers that were moving in to grab some scraps while they slept off their meat coma. It was a mature bull and he would likely have put up quite a fight before being silenced. While male lions are considered by many to be lazy and poor hunters, they are in fact very capable of taking down their own quarry and will do so when there are no lionesses to do the work or they are away from the pride on patrol. The kudu fell in an area close to the road which gave us excellent views but also overwhelming smells.

The three elephant calves are growing bigger every day and are learning to use their trunks by watching the adults and practising. We have enjoyed some awesome moments with the entire herd ‘swimming’ across the dam behind Umzolozolo Lodge, or moving around the river bed below the lodge. With temperatures soaring above 35 degrees, they have visited most of the dams in the south in the late afternoon to swim and cool down. It is evident that they look forward to it by the way that they approach the dams with energy and excitement in their step.

On the feathered side of life, we have two new Blue Crane chicks that hatched in the last week of November. The other two breeding pairs are still sitting on their eggs, but they are sure to hatch any day now! The lapwings have been particularly aggressive in mobbing bigger bird species that get too close to their eggs. We watched them fend off a hungry Secretarybird with impressive accuracy. They are not the only species to display this kind of defensive technique to protect eggs and hatchlings. The Fork-tailed Drongos have also been performing aerial acrobatics to mob Pied Crows and Common Buzzards that threaten to discover their nest sites.

Spring in the bush is a busy, savage, beautiful time. There is action around every corner. Let’s see what the Summer months have is store for us out on game drive!

Head Guide Noleen Turner

If I look back on the month of October and consider the events that stand out, the memories are dominated by a freezing cold spell of weather that swooped in towards the end. There were reports of snow between Ladysmith and Newcastle, and we had single digit temperatures, hail storms and heavy rain for at least a few days. Although this is relatively unusual weather for Spring in Nambiti, it isn’t the first time that this kind of chilly weather has descended on us.

That aside, the reserve has undergone a colour transformation as the new grass shoots continue to push through the burnt soil and cover the landscape in a carpet of new. We have begun to hear more of the migratory cuckoos in the woodland areas, and I spotted a rare Greater Painted Snipe at one of the dams in the south of Nambiti. Weaver birds are busily collecting material for their woven nests, while the Pied Crows can also be seen flying around with sticks to add to their less sophisticated cup nests.

While out on safari, we have spotted zebra foals, blesbok lambs, warthog piglets and red hartebeest calves. There are many pregnant herbivores that look ready to pop, including our giraffe cows. The giraffes have been on show in many different ways this month. Large aggregations have been viewed in various places around the reserve; some bulls could be seen practising their necking skills, young calves were spotted drinking from a natural spring while others showed a different sleeping position by resting their heads on their rumps, and we have viewed them chewing on bones (osteophagia) to replenish phosphorus and calcium in their diets.

Dung beetles are all around us. Piles of dung are alive with their activity and we have to exercise extra caution while dodging the telecoprids that are rolling dung balls. We have experienced a few eruptions of termite alates, which is linked to the softening of soil and there are definitely more millipedes, butterflies and moths around at the moment. The insect activity around our new dam is also on the rise. Damselflies and dragonflies are the most noticeable culprits at this stage, but it all bodes well for habitat development.

Towards the end of the month we hosted our first Wild Series Trail Run that took place over two days. Runners were accommodated across at Elandsvlei and also at the various lodges in Nambiti. It was a successful endeavour despite inclement weather, and all of the participants appeared to enjoy the event. Next year’s edition is sure to grow in popularity!

Head Guide Noleen Turner

Spring mode has been activated on Nambiti Game Reserve! Beautiful pops of colour have started appearing as wild flowers bloom, birds are diligently collecting nesting materials and donning their breeding plumage, and many a mammal is carrying the next generation for 2023.

We have identified at least two active Secretarybird nests on the reserve and the breeding pairs of Blue Crane have returned.

A few of our migratory birds have made the journey back to South Africa as well. We have heard Red-chested Cuckoos and seen a couple of Common Buzzards so far.

On two separate occasions the Umzolozolo guides shared interesting interaction between the southern pride and Hook-lipped Ungulates with guests. The first incident happened when one of the dominant male lions tried to stalk a young calf. The second incident saw a young male lion actually sink a few claws into the youngster’s rump. It was a tense situation to observe. In the end, the lions were unsuccessful. A sigh of relief could be heard from all around us.

A surprise baby elephant was born this month and the infamous BFE was spotted a bit more regularly too. He is heading towards his 60th birthday and still capturing the hearts of those who make his acquaintance.

News from the lodge is an update about the dam. We have managed to transplant a few varieties of reeds into the dam to entice smaller creatures closer, and have identified tracks of a few waders and small antelope around the dam. The two White Stinkwood trees have pushed new shoots and seem to be taking root. The area around the dam is still being cleared and grass seeds have been scattered. Now all we need is some Spring rain!

Head Guide Noleen Turner

Umzolozolo Private Safari Lodge is upgrading and renovating various areas around the lodge. We have one major project on the go at the moment which promises new and exciting experiences for guests. What is this project, you ask? Well, we are building our very own dam just below the lodge! The renovations have been ongoing: we started with new paved pathways to the various suites and chalets, and continues with re-thatching of some of the roofs. With so much thatch around, experiencing winds of 37 to 41 km/hr has certainly made life tricky. The month of Au-“gust” has indeed been a rollercoaster ride.

It has been rather quiet in the southern region of the reserve, but one species that has kept us entertained is the hippo. We have four hippo calves of various ages that spend time in both Woodlands and Hippo Dam under the watchful eye of their mothers. With milder winter temperatures and colder water temperatures, these amphibious mammals have been spending more time on the banks of the dams rather than inside the water. The young hippo featured in the image below had just finished suckling and was blowing milk bubbles for the camera!

On a recent sunrise safari, I was heading back to the lodge with guests and one of them spotted a young male lion in the grasses to our right. Moments later, we noticed a lioness stalking warthogs. As if this wasn’t exciting enough, in the distance behind all of the action, we realised that if we used binoculars, we could catch a glimpse of the cheetah female that was recently introduced to Nambiti. She is getting acclimated to our piece of Africa in her own private boma. It is a delicate and important process to ensure that she settles properly before we can release her onto the reserve.

When you take a step back and glance across the hills and plains of Nambiti, it is very evident that we are still in the grips of winter! On closer inspection, you will notice that the acacia trees are sprouting new shoots, burnt areas have carpets of green patches, and sunlight hours are getting longer. Spring is just around the corner, and we cannot wait!

Head Guide Noleen Turner

Morning drives in July are simply breathtaking. The air is crisp, the sunrise is a hue of pinks and oranges, and the sightings are fantastic. It really is one of the more magical times to be on safari at Nambiti Private Game Reserve.

Three sub-adult lions from the southern pride paid us a visit at the lodge this month. As I drove out of the lodge for my afternoon safari one of the lionesses was stalking a warthog on our access road. The young male was a little too eager and he ended up chasing it further into the lodge. At one point they were making their way up the road towards the Curio Shop!

The elephant herd welcomed another calf into the family this month. We had noticed them all standing together in a dense area of woodland, and we suspected that the pregnant female was preparing to give birth. Catching a glimpse of the newcomer is not an easy task as they are very protective of the little one, but it is every bit worth the wait when you do get to see it. 

In other elephant news, we said goodbye to two young bulls that were translocated out of Nambiti. By removing two of our bull elephants, we were able to make space for two new bulls from Tembe Elephant Park. Reserve management had to consider the genetic diversity within our herd, and it was time to mix things up. I was fortunate enough to be there when the truck arrived to offload the new pachyderms, it was an auspicious occasion that I will always remember.

While I would consider the morning drives to be more appealing in the winter months, there are a few good reasons to be out after dark. One species in particular has been creating quite a stir, the aardvark. This elusive, nocturnal mammal has been a highlight for many guests and guides alike. They feed mainly on termites and ants, and their preferred habitat is influenced largely by the soil in which they build their burrows. We have discovered one individual that seems quite relaxed around the vehicles!

With the second half of the year well on its way, we are all looking forward to new guests and return guests visiting us to create their own safari memories.

Head Guide Noleen Turner

Reserve management always seems a little busier in the winter months. Colder temperatures, little to no rain, and the appearance of frost signal the time to repair roads and burn fire breaks and sections of veld. Within these burnt areas we often see antelope feeding on the charred vegetation. It is believed to supplement carbon in their diets. With most of the grasses cleared away and the trees left bare, it is possible to identify a few more birds as well. Some interesting species that have recently been spotted include Red-capped Lark, White-bellied Bustard, Fan-tailed Widowbird and Golden-breasted Bunting. The removal of the long grasses also exposes the many termite mounds that are constructed by Snouted Harvester Termites. Many of our guests have enjoyed more frequent and better quality sightings of our territorial aardwolf when returning to the lodge in the evenings. The aardwolf feeds on termites and ants, but is predominantly nocturnal by nature and tends to disappear into the long grasses once it is spotted.

I was out one morning with guests, and we responded to a sighting of lions near one of the southern lodges. The three big cats rewarded us for our patience, and we followed them all the way to our lodge access road. After informing the staff of their proximity to the lodge, the lions went into hunt-mode and began stalking warthogs. In next to no time, they were on our access road and running up into the lodge grounds. The big male made his way along the road to Room 5 and ambled up the walkway in search of the two lionesses. The reality of their paws being on the same tiles as where guests and staff walked a few hours earlier began to settle in, and it was intense!

These images were taken by one of the guests, Thomas. He captured a few excellent videos as well, which we will share on social media.

Field Guide Promise shared a special sighting with his guests recently. Members of the elephant herd visited the fallen bull and could be seen touching the remains with their trunks. This is a rare experience, and an intimate one at that. There is still so much about their relationships and emotions that we need to explore and understand.
June has been a busy time for Umzolozolo in all facets; we have had a full lodge, we are clearing bush in front of the lodge, and we are investigating solar options. July promises to be just as exciting!

To say that the month of May was a memorable one for the lodges based in the south of Nambiti is an understatement! For much of the last two weeks, we had the elephant herd, most of the southern pride, a buffalo herd and the two dominant male lions moving about in front of our lodge or close by. Guests enjoyed hearing the cracking of tree branches, deep rumbles and iconic roaring in the early hours of the morning or late into the night. 

The two male lions took down a young giraffe while the lionesses preferred to hunt warthogs and blue wildebeest to feed themselves and their growing cubs (now roughly 19 months old). It was really special to drive out of the lodge and call in lion sightings on a daily basis. On one misty morning drive, I stopped off for my coffee stop at one of the dams and just as I was about to start taking orders, we heard a clear roar. After getting the guests safely back into the cruiser, I walked towards the edge of the dam and there they were, two sub-adult lionesses and a dominant male. A few minutes later, the other male emerged from the mist and we spent the longest time enjoying their antics.

It wasn’t only our two big hitters that stole the limelight; we also had the cheetah coalition provide us with some brilliant moments in the glorious morning light, the buffalo herd moving through the grassy patches, square-lipped and hook-lipped ungulates popping into the lens every now and again and quite a few good sightings of the African Hoopoe (Umzolozolo).

Our morning temperatures are edging towards the zero mark and game drives are starting at 06h30 for the next couple of months. When you are packing for your safari at Umzolozolo Lodge, remember to add beanies, gloves, scarves, thick socks and perhaps your thermal underwear. Winter safaris may be chilly, but they are glorious too!

Wow, can you believe that a third of this year is already in our rearview mirror? April is always a busy month at the lodges due to school holidays and the Easter weekend. There was also a great deal of activity out on the reserve.

Field Guide (FG) Lymon shared a brief sighting of a leopard with his guests on the way back to the lodge one evening. The elusive big cat did not stay visible for long enough to take any photographs, but those who saw it will remember it fondly.

On any given day we can be visited by warthogs, impala, nyala and kudu at the lodge. At the beginning of the month, our Nambiti elephants visited us in camp! They rearranged a few things around the lodge and left a few kilograms of dung along the roads. The female cheetah also made a brief appearance at the manager’s house. Our resident boomslangs have returned and they seem to have invited a few extras. FG Nols and FG Promise captured and relocated a few of the arboreal snakes that ventured too close to the lodge buildings.

Perhaps the best news for us this month is the fact that most of the roads north of the Sunday’s River have been repaired and reopened. We were subsequently able to catch up with our northern lion pride more frequently and we enjoyed taking guests to the waterfall for coffee stops and sundowners. 

Morning game drives now begin at 6am and the afternoon drives at 3:30pm. The temperatures are crisp in the mornings, warm throughout the day and mild in the evenings. The wind chill factor is definitely something to take into consideration and be prepared for if you are planning to drop by over the next few weeks.

It most certainly has been an interesting month, with unusual and memorable sightings. We have been spoiled with many wonderful encounters with big and small creatures. The herd of elephants has been entertaining guests with their playful splishing and splashing in the dams. We welcomed a new member into the elephant herd and although it has many bodyguards, we have managed to catch a glimpse of it on a few occasions. The southern lionesses have acquired a taste for eland and over the last few weeks have managed to take down three. These large antelope have provided plenty of meat for all eleven lions to eat their full. The kudu calves have been showing well of late and giving us wonderful opportunities for photographs.

With the seasons changing, morning game drives are now starting at 6am and temperatures are cooling down as soon as the sun disappears below the horizon. Butterflies are still quite plentiful and we have identified a couple of species of longhorn beetle, however, the dung beetles are not being seen as often. Ranger Promise reported a good few sightings of porcupine this month and Ranger Nols watched an aardwolf marking his territorial boundary on the way back to the lodge one evening.
As we continue deeper into autumn, grasses will continue to brown and temperatures will continue to lower. The impala rutting season is just around the corner and we will soon have some interesting news to share!

-Head Guide Noleen Turner

KwaZulu-Natal, the province in which Nambiti can be found, is in the eastern half of South Africa, and much of our rainfall comes in the Summer months. During the second week of February approximately 140 mm of rain poured down over the reserve. Rivers burst their banks, roads became flooded and dams overflowed. The Sunday’s River roared as two of the three crossings became submerged. Many of the roads were closed as they were too muddy, but the sightings continued to be fantastic.

After a few days of sunshine, the roads started to dry out and more of the roads became accessible. We welcomed the Elephant herd back into the south of the reserve, the northern pride of Lions were spotted with their six cubs, and the Buffalo herds were out and about.

There were some memorable bird sightings as well. We recorded single sightings of a Lilac-breasted Roller, a Bronze-winged Courser, and a Brown Snake Eagle. The coalition of Cheetah brothers brought down a Kudu bull and this attracted Cape Vultures into the area. Many of the Summer migrants are still around, but they will be leaving us over the next few months.