Highlights of the week

June 19th. 3 lion sightings: 3 members of the Sand River pride were viewed in the south hunting warthog and toying with a buffalo bull. The Eyrefield pride were trailing a herd of buffalo but never made a move. 2 young males from the Marthly pride were south of the causeway. 3 leopards: the Tamboti female was being harassed by hyenas this evening. The Treehouse male is on patrol in Marthy. A No ID female (Teardrop) is on a bushbuck kill west of Rocky Crossing. Cheetah: the 2 brothers were seen in the north. 2 herds of buffalo as well as many elephants were viewed.

June 18th. 3 lion sightings: the Eyrefield pride spent the day on the banks of the Sand River north of its confluence with Matshapiri River- the 2 older lionesses seem to have been involved in a fight with other lions last night and although they have a few deep gashes they appear to be fine. The 2 Matshapiri males fed off the buffalo carcass that the Treehouse male leopard was on before they headed to the Sand River and jumped on the back of a hippo! – it managed to escape. A young male lion was viewed in north eastern Charleston. 4 leopards: the Treehouse male was in the Ngoboswaan Donga. The Tamboti female was north of our Airstrip. An unidentified female was viewed in the south with a bushbuck kill. The West Street male was found in north eastern Charleston. Many elephants and buffalo were sighted today.

June 17th. 3 lion sightings: 2 of the lionesses from the Marthly pride and 2 cubs were viewed in the Manyelethi River with a nyala kill. 2 of the sub-adult males from the Marthly pride were found in Matshapiri Open Area. The 2 Matshapiri males were in central Flockfield. 6 leopards: the Kikilezi female and her 2 cubs were in the Manyelethi River. The Treehouse male stumbled upon the carcass of a buffalo bull which he is now ‘sharing’ with a few hyenas. The Son of the Ostrich Koppies female was seen again after a long absence! The Island female was hunting impala in front of Main Camp. 2 serval sightings were enjoyed this evening. 3 herds of buffalo were viewed as well as many, many elephants.

June 16th. Lions: the 2 Matshapiri males spent the day along the Kapen River and are both well fed. 5 leopards: the Tamboti female was south of Main Camp. The Treehouse male was in Marthly. The DOKF 3:3 spent the evening in a leadwood tree on Valley Rd. An unidentified young female leopard was hunting impala north of Styx Waterhole and an unidentified male was viewed in the south. Sable antelope: an impressive bull was seen at Confluence Crossing. 2 herds of buffalo were viewed as well as countless elephant sightings.

June 15th. 2 lion sightings: the Eyrefield pride and 2 Matshapiri males spent the day along the southern reaches of the Matshapiri River. The Toulon male was viewed west of Sibuye Drive. 4 leopards: the Bicycle Crossing male has a bushbuck kill north of Charelston North. The Island female was viewed hunting in front of Main Camp’s swimming pool. The Treehouse male was seen near Rattray’s Camp. The DOKF 3:3 was viewed at Campbell Koppies. Sable antelope: 1 bull was found near Rattray’s camp. 3 herds of buffalo were seen as well as many elephant sightings.