Highlights of the week

April 28th. 3 lion sightings: the 2 Matshapiri males and the Eyrefield pride left the battle-scared hippo in peace and moved eastwards towards the Hogvaal Donga. The Marthly pride moved east from Piccadilly Triangle and the Fourways pride are close to a large here of buffalo in eastern Flockfield. 3 leopards: the Bicycle Crossing male and an unidentified male were viewed south of Charleston North. An unidentified female was also viewed in the south and she was chased up a tree by a pack of 13 cape hunting dogs. Many elephants and buffaloes were viewed all over the reserve.

April 27th. 2 lion sightings: the 2 Matshapiri males and the Eyrefield pride are at Confluence Crossing and have their sights set on that same battle-scared hippo they attempted to bring down last week. The Marthly pride are south of Campbell Koppies. 6 leopards: some very exciting news as the Kikilezi female has become a mother once again! We got a brief look at her with 2 very young cubs at their den south of Lower Mlowathi Crossing. The Bicycle Crossing male, Island female and Tslebe Rocks male were also viewed today. Cape hunting dogs: the pack of 3 were found near Buffalo Bush Dam and we watched them successfully hunt a bushbuck. Many elephant herds and buffalo bulls were seen.

April 26th. 2 lion sightings: the 2 Matshapiri males and the Eyrefield pride are still on their buffalo kill at Styx Rocks. 5 members of the Marthly pride were at Sand Pit Crossing. 3 leopards: the Treehouse male and the Tamboti female were both just north of West Street Bridge- the Treehouse male did notice the Tamboti female but ignored her. The Airstrip male was at Mlowathi Dam. A herd of buffalo was viewed in Flockfield and many elephant herds were seen.

April 25th. 2 lion sightings: the 2 Matshapiri males and the Eyrefield pride are on a buffalo kill at Styx Rocks. 5 members of the Marthly pride were north of West Street Bridge. 5 leopards: the Lookout female killed a young impala near Styx Rocks only to have it stolen by the Bicycle Crossing male. The DOKF 3:3 was in Piccadilly Triangle. An unidentified female was north of Campbell Koppies stalking impala. The Treehouse male was viewed north and west of Main Camp. Many elephant and buffalo sightings.

April 24th. Another action packed MalaMala 7 day despite gloomy weather! 6 lion sightings: the Eyrefield pride and 2 Matshapiri males were found this morning feeding off the remains of the Marthly pride’s buffalo kill- they also made a failed attempt at catching a hyena. The Marthly pride were about 1km north of them. The Fourways pride are still on their buffalo kill near the windmill. 2 Clarendon males were viewed in Marthly. 2 Styx lionesses were near Mlowathi Dam. An unidentified lioness was at Charleston North. 3 leopards: the Airstrip male and the Treehouse had an altercation today and it seemed as though the latter came off on top! The Kikilezi female was in the area and was chased up a tree by the Treehouse male. Cheetah: 1 male was viewed at our airstrip. Cape hunting dogs: a pack of 10 interrupted our cheetah sighting and proceeded to kill 3 impala over the course of the day- 2 of which were at the entrance to Rattray’s Camp! Many elephants and buffalo were also viewed.

April 23rd. 3 lion sightings: the 2 Matshapiri males and the Eyrefield have finished off their buffalo kill south of West Street. 5 members of the Marthy pride are almost done with their buffalo kill north of West Street. The Fourways pride still have a large portion of their buffalo kill in eastern Flockfield. 5 leopards: the Emsagweni female and her cubs treated us to an amazing sighting this morning near Emsagwen Waterhole. The DOKF 2:2 was south of Mlowathi Dam. An unidentified female was briefly viewed near Main Camp. 3 herds of buffalo were viewed as well as many elephant sightings.