Category Archives: Ranger’s Report

Big storms & epic sunsets: February at Umzolozolo

The month of February is becoming more and more synonymous with big storms every year. Our panoramic views from the Umzolozolo deck provide the perfect lookout to watch the cumulonimbus clouds creep towards us from every direction as the tension builds in the atmosphere. As the lightning performs across the sky, the thunder rumbles through the plains and up the valleys. The lodge, however, remains a haven of comfort nestled in the heart of the bush, offering a perfect balance of adventure and tranquillity, a place where the wild beauty of South Africa can be experienced in luxurious comfort.

Nambiti Game Reserve is home to over 200 buffaloes. For the most part, they roam the grasslands and seek shelter in the wooded areas in two main herds. Both herds have experienced a ‘baby boom’ with many young calves skipping merrily behind their tenacious mothers. The vocalisations within the herd as they stay in touch with one another is like a dinner bell to the lions. We have shared a few entertaining encounters with guests as the two species interact. On a recent afternoon safari, the Umzolozolo guides and their guests watched on as a herd of buffalo picked up the scent of the southern lions. The whole herd turned towards the apex predators and proceeded to chase them down into a gully. A wave of 40 buffaloes mobilised to turn the tables on the hunters!

The elephant herd paid us a visit down at Hoopoe Dam. It was a group of bulls that provided the most entertainment as they converged on the dam to have a quick dip and inspect the surrounding vegetation for treats. We were quite surprised when the largest bull scaled the dam wall before dipping his trunk in the water and quenching his thirst. Views from our deck were wonderful as we watched the herd move across the open area and disappear into the foothills. Our elephant calves are doing well and are growing stronger. The youngest has started to master its trunk at the water’s edge, but is still adapting to browsing. They are our truest entertainers!

An update on the two cheetah cubs is that they are full of energy and have started to join their mother when she has a kill. They are exploring their habitat by climbing trees and chasing one another from thicket to thicket. This playful behaviour is honing their skills for stalking and hunting. Field Guide Siya enjoyed a moment with the family on an impala kill. The cubs are still suckling, but are also being weaned onto their carnivore cuisine. While sightings of them are still fairly infrequent, they are special and cherished by all.

Cheetahs are not the only spotted cats that have made an appearance this month. Our Serval sightings have been fantastic! Head Guide Nols shared an unforgettable encounter with her guests as a female stalked and hunted alongside the cruiser. On a morning safari up in the north of Nambiti, guests spotted the small predator to the left of the vehicle. She moved out onto the road, and then used her acute sense of hearing to detect something small in the long grass. As she zeroed in on the prey, she crouched down and then leapt into the air and disappeared into the long grass. We can only assume that she was successful!

At the lodge, there are new things on the go! Our rooms have been upgraded with key card entry and gas geysers. We are in the process of constructing a solar farm that will take us completely off the grid and reduce our carbon footprint. Hoopoe Dam has also undergone a few changes. The dam wall has been raised and there is a new section of road that will improve accessibility.

Umzolozolo welcomes a new guide to the team this month. Mark Steinfeld joins us from NJ More College and Marataba Luxury Lodges in the Waterberg. We welcome the young man to the family and wish him great sightings and wonderful encounters as he begins his field guiding career with us!

Stay wild!

Head Guide Noleen Turner

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

Reflection and Resolutions: Busy lodge, Animal updates, and more

The Festive Season is a busy time for Umzolozolo! Christmas decorations adorn the main lodge, setting the scene for guests who are spending the holidays with loved ones on safari! The craziness of December is not exclusive to the indoors, our wild creatures continue to keep us entertained and enthralled with curious behaviour and summer shenanigans. This month has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride with many ups and downs along the way, but it has also highlighted the adventurous spirit of 2024.

While we continue to celebrate the births of many new animals like blue wildebeest, buffalo and giraffe, we are also reminded of the savage nature of the wild. The lambs, piglets and calves have got to avoid the many predators looking to hunt the easy targets. Our cheetahs are experts at stalking and chasing impala lambs and warthog piglets and there have been a few occasions where we got to share this experience with guests. It is brutal but also captivating! I recall two separate sightings that involved cheetah females and impalas. The first was a successful hunt that took place below our lodge at Hoopoe Dam right in front of our eyes. The female showed cunning, planning and raw speed to take down an impala lamb. The second sighting was a failed hunt in the afternoon. We spent time following a young female cheetah that eventually locked on to a herd of impala. She identified a target and pursued it, the hunt took place around our safari vehicle. It was on another level. While she didn’t get dinner that day, we did find her a few mornings later with a fresh impala kill for breakfast.

It would be impossible to write a December report without mentioning our two cheetah cubs! The oldest of our two new cheetah females brought the cub bundles out just after Christmas and blessed many of us with awesome sightings. They are only a couple of months old but they are very cute. Cheetah cubs are born resembling honey badgers which helps to keep them safe. Honey badgers are notoriously feisty and aggressive towards other predators. This mimicry helps keep the cubs safer for the first few months of their lives. It is genius!

Our lions have been keeping us entertained as well. The northern pride have ventured into the central and southern regions of the reserve a bit more. They were feasting on a buffalo recently and also took down a warthog which was a busy sighting. One of the southern lionesses stalked a couple of square-lipped rhinos a few weeks back which was both comical to watch and optimistic by nature.

From the birding side of the reserve, December has been amazing! We recorded a new raptor species this month when a female Montagu’s Harrier was reported. She spent a few days hunting on the western plains and I was delighted to snap a few photos of her before she left the area. We welcomed migrant species to the reserve in much greater numbers this month. Amur Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, European Honey Buzzard, European Roller, Common Buzzard, White Stork and Barn Swallow have been spotted, logged and enjoyed. More than two dozen Blue Cranes have been seen in the grassland areas and they were accompanied by a couple of Grey-crowned Cranes for a few days as well. Three members of our Umzolozolo team participated in this year’s Big Birding Day on 7 December. We logged a total of 139 birds in 24 hours and placed 17th out of about 100 teams nationwide.

The year ended on the best note we could have asked for. A sighting of a leopard on 30 December! The illusive leopard was reported and I responded. It disappeared. I opted to stick around. It reappeared on the top of a hill! It was twilight but we eked out as much time with it as we could. Eventually we left it there in the thicket and headed back for dinner. It was awesome!!!

As we look back on the year, we recognise how fortunate we are to call Nambiti Game Reserve our home and how privileged we are to share this place and all of its characters with our guests. We can only hope that 2025 will be even better!

Happy New Year and stay wild!

Head Guide Noleen Turner

Summer Highlights: Big Cats, New Life and More

As the end of Spring gives way to Summer in Nambiti, the month of November has been truly spectacular! It is quite difficult to single out a few species to highlight, because game drives have been remarkable. I will give it a try.

From intimate moments with our big cats to being surrounded by the larger herbivores, November has had it all. The impala lambs, zebra foals and warthog piglets continue to delight guests with their adorable antics. Impala lambs have been on many carnivores’ menus this month. A sad thought, but a necessary bounty for our cats and dogs.

Both lion prides have been out and about providing us with quality moments to share with new and returning guests at Umzolozolo. We have observed them hunting, feeding, fighting, mating and roaring on a few occasions. The northern sub-adult cubs continue to grow bigger and stronger, with the three males already sporting impressive manes.

The cheetah brothers are thriving. They feature on most of our highlights reels every month, and November is no exception. We were fortunate to see a kill where they both took down a hartebeest calf for dinner, and on another occasion, we spent time with them on an impala kill. Our oldest female cheetah has spent some time in the south and visited the lodge a few times. She even hunted below our dam and successfully captured an impala lamb. We could see her from our deck.

With temperatures soaring into the mid thirties a few times this month, the elephants have been spending most afternoons swimming in the dams. They completely submerge themselves and can be seen splashing and frolicking in the shallows. We welcomed another baby into the family and it is adapting well in the lush conditions.

Our three wild dogs ventured further into the northern territory of Nambiti. They are being monitored closely by the reserve managers and field guides, but the general consensus is that they are adapting well. With just the three of them on the reserve, it is exciting to track them down and maximise our time with them before they explore the more remote areas.

News around the lodge is that we have Cape Wagtails and African Paradise Flycatchers nesting close to the offices. The chicks have all fledged now, but it was fascinating to watch them grow and get fed by the parents.

It is a glorious time to be in the bush, and we cannot wait to bring you more news from Nambiti as the Summer rolls around.

Stay wild!

Head Guide Noleen Turner

Spring Awakens: Wildlife, Colours, and Adventures at Umzolozolo

The sound of Red-chested, Black, Diederik and Jacobin Cuckoos signal and confirm the arrival of most of the migratory bird species in Nambiti. Wahlberg’s Eagles and Yellow-billed Kites have been seen soaring above the plains and valleys as well. There are a few special birds that we are still waiting for, but it is beginning to feel more like spring.

The three African Wild Dogs are doing really well. They have begun exploring the eastern side of the reserve this month while popping back into the south every now and again. The canines are hunting frequently and successfully which is an even more encouraging sign. Their playful natures and energetic antics have kept us all on our toes.

The northern pride of lions have featured on the radio more often this month. The three males are growing bigger and becoming more involved in hunting. One of them has been fitted with a tracking collar as their days with the pride are numbered. The big cats continue to explore the northwestern and central western plains, but have been spotted as far south as Springbok Lodge on one occasion!

Our yellow hues have morphed into bright greens as your eyes fall on the views. Wild flowers, like Purple Verbena, Crinum Lilies, Evening Primrose and Star Lilies are adding a pop of colour to the bushveld floor. The yellow pom poms of the Acacia trees are just starting to bloom, and there are flying insects, dung beetles, milkweed locusts and longhorn beetles all around.

Activities at the lodge have been in full swing for spring. The spa ladies have their hands full, taking rest and relaxation to another level. Room 2 renovations are ongoing as the double suite gets a revamp. Bush breakfasts at Hoopoe Dam are a popular change of scenery with guests enjoying the outdoor experience.

Activities at the lodge have been in full swing for spring. The spa ladies have their hands full, taking rest and relaxation to another level. Room 2 renovations are ongoing as the double suite gets a revamp. Bush breakfasts at Hoopoe Dam are a popular change of scenery with guests enjoying the outdoor experience.

I am quite certain that our next report will feature the baby boom as we have already spotted newborn zebra foals and hartebeest calves on the open plains toward the end of October.

It is going to get even wilder in November!

Head Guide Noleen Turner

An Unforgettable September – From Snowy Safaris to Wild Dog Reintroductions

Wow! How do I begin to tell you what September has been like? Well, I suppose it would be appropriate to describe a game drive in the snow! Yes, you read correctly. Snow! On the 21st of September Nambiti Game Reserve received around 58 cm of snow. Snow started falling in the early hours of the morning and by the time we all woke up to start the day, the entire reserve was covered in snow. Deep, white snow. The landscape was completely transformed like never before. Not wanting to miss out on the occasion, a few of us braved the freezing conditions and headed out for a morning game drive. Viewing animals and birds in the snow was surreal. It was an unforgettable experience for guides and guests alike. Snowflakes floated by and left us mesmerised and bewildered. We even built a snowman at the lodge!

The snow soon melted away. Dam levels rose, rivers flowed and grass began to grow. Many weaker animals didn’t survive the icy, wet conditions. There was certainly a dark side to the white wonderland.

The month of September was historic for more than record-breaking snowfall. Three African Wild Dogs were released onto our reserve for the second time in our history. They have been closely monitored and continue to explore the south. Guests have been spoiled with amazing views of the newcomers. These carnivores are critically endangered, and we are delighted to be a part of their conservation.

Ostriches and Secretarybirds have been keeping us entertained. The flightless Ostrich males have been displaying their courtship routines with the loud roar-like call being heard on the plains. The charismatic Secretarybirds have been selecting nesting sites and avoiding the mobbing behaviour of the lapwings as they forage in the burnt patches in the west.

Besides the obvious excitement around the Wild Dogs, our Cheetahs have been in the forefront of some epic sightings! The brothers took down a young Blue Wildebeest close to the southern carpark, and our oldest female killed an Impala. Both sightings were intense and bloody.

With what happened in September, one can only imagine what lies in store for us as we head into the last quarter of 2024. Hope to see you soon!

Head Guide Noleen Turner

Au-GUST is the month of strong winds and dust!

It became abundantly clear on game drives as to why this month is called Au-GUST. Strong winds battered the game reserve on many occasions. Grasses resembled ocean waves, birds experienced new speed records and many mammals hunkered down to avoid exerting extra energy to remain standing in the blustery conditions. However, once the dust settled, we could sit back and appreciate the excellent sightings August had to offer.

Some quick updates on our new additions to the reserve. We had a few wonderful moments with the two female cheetahs that were released at the end of June. Both have been hunting successfully and navigating their way around the reserve and its other carnivorous characters. They have two full months ‘under their belts’ and seem to be settling in nicely. The elephant calf, which is only about a month old, has had a busy month learning the topography of Nambiti while the matriarch led the herd from north to south and back a few times in August. We caught up with the newcomer close to Umzolozolo Lodge recently and its little legs were looking a bit wobbly after a long journey.

Something that has been a real feature this month is the frequency and quality of Grey (Common) Duiker sightings. These solitary foragers are usually quite skittish and duck into the thickets at the slightest bit of attention. In many areas, the thickets have thinned out and this feature has presented us with numerous moments where we can observe and share about these shy antelope.

August has been a fantastic month for birding. Nine Blue Cranes were spotted on the western plains in a burnt patch under the power lines, Lanner Falcons have selected their nesting sites and have been seen interacting with each other in the surrounding valleys, male Long-tailed Widowbirds are beginning to grow their breeding plumage, and Marsh Owls have been seen flying low above the tall grasses. Close to the lodge, we have spotted Chinspot Batis’ displaying, and Chestnut-vented Warbler are more vocal.

Over the past few weeks, there have been some conservation and reserve management events involving helicopters and friends of Nambiti. With a few more Rhinos needing to be dehorned and various game numbers needing to be managed, we have hosted ecologists, conservationists, veterinarians and students from all around the world. It has made special moments with Square-lipped or Hook-lipped rhinos even more cherished.

Down at Hoopoe Dam, we hosted our first bush braai under the stars. Guests were seated around a roaring fire while the chefs prepared a traditional South African braai. The delicious smells drifted between guests as drinks flowed and stories were shared. It was a beautiful night at a wonderful venue with tasty food and excellent company.

With Spring just around the corner, game drive times have changed and the weather is warming up throughout the day. Mornings are still a little chilly but the evenings are magical.

Hope to see you soon!

Head Guide Noleen Turner

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

Our Black Rhino Population Continues to Grow as our Fight for their Protection Succeeds

Nambiti Game Reserve is part of the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP) with the WWF. The population of black rhino in South Africa is now around 2000, and there was a 4.2% increase in their population across protected areas within Africa in 2023. Encountering one of these beautiful creatures on safari is always a life changing experience. It is difficult to describe all of the emotions that you go though, but it leaves you thankful and blessed. As the population of black rhino continues to grow on Nambiti, we will need to ensure their survival by protecting them from poachers. One of the ways that we are doing this is by removing their horns. It is truly a tragic necessity.

At the beginning of June we had some bizarre weather. We had about 16mm of rain during a thunderstorm that brought two waves of hail along with it.

If you are visiting us during the winter months, bring warm jackets, long pants, thick socks, scarves and beanies. The mornings are frigid, days are warm and evenings are cool. The influence of the wind chill factor cannot be underestimated. Fortunately, the weather has no negative effect on game viewing, animals still have to eat and patrol their territories.

We hosted a bush breakfast down at the dam this month. The mild winter temperatures are perfect for breakfast under partly cloudy skies. Our bush breakfast site is looking fantastic and will soon be fully functional for any time of the day.

Game viewing highlights during the month of June are dominated by Zebras and Hippos! The reserve has begun burning fire breaks which creates a charred backdrop for the black and white combo to bedazzle. As the Zebras move into the area, they graze the burnt grasses to obtain carbon.

With the gentle winter sun and the freezing water, our resident Hippos can be found sunning themselves alongside the dams throughout the warmer hours of the day. This is a seasonal perk and it provides for some fabulous photographs and memorable sightings.

Some exciting news for our game reserve is that our Nambiti mammal family is growing. Look out for all the details in the next couple of Ranger Reports.

Head Guide Noleen Turner

Elephants at the dam, Lions on the hunt, and Bush Breakfast is nearly served!

Two of the most popular Big 5 species have certainly stolen the limelight in the month of May. Guests who have joined me personally on safari may say that I am biassed as the two contenders happen to be my favourites here at Nambiti, but I will let you be the judge!

Our elephants spoiled us rotten for most of May by spending time in the south. One of their more memorable sightings took place at one of the dams. The herd moved down towards the water and proceeded to drink and splash for a good few minutes. They also visited us at Umzolozolo on a few occasions. Guests thoroughly enjoyed watching them from the deck at the lodge while they tucked into breakfast. The young bulls could be seen pushing each other and testing their skills in combat, while the newest family members continued to explore their environment and hone their trunk skills.

It wasn’t only the pachyderms that popped in for a visit at the lodge. Our southern lionesses and the two dominant male lions ventured down into the south a few times in May, and on one occasion they took a breather on our access road. These big cats are always a treat to see, but the moment is made more special when they stroll onto our lodge grounds and spend a few minutes in our backyard.

One morning game drive, we explored the northern plains while following up on an earlier update regarding the northern lion pride. Details were getting older by the minute, but we pressed on and arrived at a fork in the road. It was then that one of my guests spotted the sub-adult lioness to the left of our cruiser. It became clear that she was in hunt mode, and the scene shifted without warning. Squeals filled the air and we followed the sounds and found a few more pride members. There, a few metres off the road, was a sub-adult male lion with the unfortunate warthog victim fighting for its life. I was soon joined by my colleague, Lymon, and we continued to watch the savage situation play out. The squeals turned to a gargle and then there was only the sound of the feasting. Wow, what an incredible sighting!

Things are happening quickly down at our dam where the bush breakfast hut is being completed. The structure is almost done, and the furniture is being designed and built. It won’t be long before we are entertaining guests at the new site. Maybe it will be you!

Head Guide Noleen Turner