It's Raining Cats

The last few days have been absolutely stellar for sightings at my workplace (Umkumbe Safari Lodge in the world famous Sabi Sands Game Reserve) and our guests have enjoyed every moment on drive!!!

To begin, a few days ago, I awoke to the call of a male leopard. Ever the optimist, I thought this as a sign of a good drive ahead. On this particular morning, the sun struggled to peak through the haze but the animals did not disappoint. Not long into the drive, squealing and trumpeting alerted Cameron to the presence of elephants. Through the thicket, they emerged to greet him, as the large breeding herd slowly moved northward to the Sand River.

Jason and I had other plans in mind. Having had our guests with us for a few days now, we were on the hunt for cats or as I like to say, anything with teeth & claws. General game was out in full force on the clearings and in the thickets, and included nyala, kudu, zebra, impala, warthogs, all of which were too relaxed for predators to be around. With everyone on the vehicle in agreement, we carried on with our quest. After an endless search with no spoors to be seen, the alarm calls of the local birds directed my attention to an area I seldom travel. I followed my instinct, and in no time, found an impala ram up high in a Marula tree. A fresh kill could only mean my favourite leopard Nottens was around and likely at her den site on her way back to feed. All eyes and binoculars proceeded to scan the horizon for any slight movement in the grass. Finally, out of the long grass, she emerged in full view, gaze solidly fixed on her prize. Nottens was here!!! I can’t tell you how elated I was. Grinning from ear to ear, my guests and I enjoyed this magical African moment.

 The last five days, have been just as spectacular with Nottens cub playing, gnawing branches, pouncing, climbing trees, suckling, and bonding with his mother. The photographs have been too numerous to post. Not only have we been spoiled with Nottens & her cub, but also a fantastic view of Mashlatine (a large male leopard), two large breeding herds of elephants, a crash of rhinos, journeys of giraffe, a medley of nocturnal creatures, etc… For all of us here at Umkumbe, days like these are like Christmas morning with spotted gift wrap.

To make things even more spectacular, yesterday morning’s drive proved to be one for the record books with 3 different cat species spotted – no pun intended. Not quite finished with our morning coffee, the call over the radio mentioning lions nearby, had all of us guides scrambling to retrieve our guests and coral them all onto the vehicles. We didn’t have far to go, as the Charleston pride were within eyesight of our main entrance. We proceeded to strategically place our vehicles for the best views as this pride readied for the hunt. Adrenaline pumping, hearts racing, we watched all three members stalk, chase and miss our daggha boys (old male buffalos) who were, by the way, quick to have them all running in the other direction. To top it all off, a young female leopard came strolling down the main road and on the way back to the lodge, we were rewarded with a stellar cheetah sighting. All this to say, if that action packed, pre-breakfast excitement didn’t get your heart pumping, you should consider staying home.